Expertising Policy


Buyer's Responsibility

We believe that buyers should take responsibility for immediately examining all purchases for defects overlooked by the auction describer. Although every effort is made to describe each lot accurately, some errors are bound to occur in the processing of the thousands of stamps in the very limited time that we have to organize each auction. If you, the buyer, find that a lot has been inaccurately described, you should return the lot to Downeast Stamps, stating the faults that you found. This would save us both considerable aggravation, time and expense. However, stamps or lots listed with the description "flts", may not be returned because of specific faults. Returns must be made within five (5) days of receipt of the lot, or no refund will be allowed.

Expertising

Any lot may be forwarded to an expert committee for additional opinions by submitting a request for extension for certification. This request must be made in writing to Downeast Stamps within five (5) days of receipt of the lot.

All lots must be paid for in full by the buyer before submission to an expert committee.

All costs for such opinions will be the responsibility of the buyer and will not be reimbursed by Downeast Stamps, except as follows:

If the opinion states that the stamp is not genuine, or is not the Scott number listed in the auction lot description, or if the item is a cover, and the opinion states that the stamp did not originate on the cover, or the stamp is not the correct stamp as listed in the auction lot description, then the full purchase price of the lot, plus the certification cost, plus postage expense will be refunded, to a maximum of 20% of the Hammer price.

The actual certificate plus a statement of expenses must be returned to Downeast Stamps with the lot on the original auction lot page within ten(10) days of the receipt by the buyer of the Opinion, or all rights of return and refund will be forfeited.

If, however, the Opinion states a defect or defects not described in the auction lot description, the buyer will be entitled to a refund of the purchase price only.

Stamps may not be marked in any way by anyone. Stamps which have been marked in any way by any expert or committee, may not be returned for refund regardless of the opinion rendered. The stamps in our sales do not belong to us. We do not have permission from the owners for them to be marked.