Ordering and Sales Policies (Terms and Conditions)

Orders may be made by regular mail, fax, phone or e-mail. If this is our first transaction, it would be helpful if you would fill out the Secure Interactive Order Form using the inventory number preceding each lot, although other brief details are helpful to ensure accuracy, e.g., "CSA 5a, used." Filling out the form helps ensure that I get the proper information recorded in my system. This does not preclude you using the phone or email to order. It just helps me better serve you.

verified-w640.pngRemit orders to :

Patricia A. Kaufmann | 10194 N. Old State Road | Lincoln, DE 19960-3644
Phone: (302) 422-2656 | E-mail: trishkauf@comcast.net

Payment with order is expected. Payment by cash, check, money order, credit card or PayPal in U.S. dollars only. If you request PayPal on the Secure Interactive Order Form, I will send you an email invoice with a link to the PayPal payment processing site. I am PayPal verified.

The order form is completely interactive and secure for credit card payments. I accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. Your order will be tallied and, if you are a Civil War Philatelic Society member (CWPS, formerly CSA), your discount will be automatically figured as well when you click "apply discount." You will need your membership number for the form. Do NOT note CWPS membership on literature orders, for which there is no discount.

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All orders are acknowledged. If you didn't get an acknowledgement, I didn't get the order.

Buyers known to me will have material shipped immediately. If unknown to me, please submit two commercial references, as well as appropriate membership information, i.e., membership numbers in CWPS (formerly known as CSA), USPCS, APS, CCNY, etc. References preferably  should be nationally or internationally known dealers or auction houses. If a local or regional dealer, please provide full contact information.

Discounts: 10% discount will given to CWPS members on Confederate stamps and covers (not literature). Don't forget your membership number. If you fill out the Order Form, the 10% discount will automatically be deducted, but you must note your membership number. There is no discount on books or the occasional consigned item (very seldom).

Care with Order Form entry: Because of PCI compliance, if you use the order form, I never see your credit card information. If you check "credit card" as your payment method, the charge is run automatically through Authorize.Net for the amount you entered. I will still check to make sure nothing is amiss with the order and total, but the charge will already have been run. Save us both the hassle of after-the-fact corrections by ensuring you correctly enter the item number, price and total. IF YOU ARE PAYING BY CREDIT CARD, PLEASSE USE THE SECURE ORDER FORM.

Layaway: I offer layaway terms of 30-60-90 days for those larger "must have" purchases. If you need special terms, let's talk.

Layaway Cancellation Policy:

For 3 monthly payment layaway plans, the cancellation fee is 10% of the original order total. 
For 6 monthly payment layaway plans, the cancellation fee is 20% of the original order total.

Restocking Fee:

If you cancel an order, or if I have to cancel it because of non-payment, and funds and energy have already been expended to fulfill your order, a restocking of 5-10% of the order may be applied on a case by case basis.

Returned Check Fees and/or Payment Collection Fees:

While I'm happy to say I seldom see this, occasionally a check is returned as unpaid by the bank for various reasons. Should this happen, you willl be assessed an appropriate penalty and charges will be brought if payment or arrangement for payment is not made within a reasonable time.

If you are a dealer and not known to me, please inquire as to discount. No resale number, no dealer discount. If you are not an ASDA, NSDA or APS dealer member, please provide your resale number, business card and any other dealer organization membership information. You need not be a dealer to buy from me, just to get a dealer discount. Most of my clients are collectors.

Shipping charges for orders valued as follows:
1. All shipments are privately insured at no additional charge.
2. Under $100 (not over-sized), add $1.00 for shipping within the U.S. and $3.00 outside the U.S. All orders within the U.S. are sent by First Class mail with no tracking. Orders outside the U.S. are sent by International Air Mail. (No tracking)
3. $100-$399, add $6.00 for shipping. First Class Mail package mail (rigid mailers) is now USPS Ground Advantage, which includes tracking. Certified mail is now prohibited by USPS from being sent this way.
4. OVERSIZED: All orders valued under $400 that contain items that will not fit into a standard #10 envelope or small mailer, add $5 for oversized lots within the U.S. and $6 outside the U.S., assuming flat shipment. Extremely large items, such as over-sized sheets or items that require tubes, may cost more. Inquire if extra charges apply.
5. $400-$999, add $14.00 for PRIORITY CERTIFIED MAIL WITH SIGNATURE REQUIRED within the U.S.  
6. Outside the U.S., orders between $100-$399 will be sent by airmail for $3 (no tracking). Orders valued $400 or more, please add $23 for registered mail. Depending on location and order value, Global Express Mail, U.S. Express Mail or FedEx overnight may be the better choice. While far pricier, it is safer and faster. Direct signature is mandatory in order to be covered by my transit insurance policy.
7. $1,000 - $24,999, add $31.00 for Priority Express Mail within the U.S. Direct signature is mandatory in order to be covered by my transit insurance policy. Priority Express Mail delivery is now guaranteed by 6 p.m. on a sliding scale from 1 to 3 days, depending on location.
8. Orders of any value may be sent by Federal Express at your expense but preferrably charged to your own FedEx accountDirect signature is mandatory in order to be covered by my transit insurance policy. Federal Express will not deliver to post office boxes; street address must be provided.
9. $25,000-$49,999 may be sent by Priority Express Mail, Federal Express Overnight, or Global Express Guaranteed. Please inquire on orders valued at $50,000 or more.

Shipping Limitation: Packages worth $1,000 or more will not be shipped on a Friday, Saturday, or over a holiday weekend owing to transit insurance restrictions due to a greater chance of loss as figured by actuaries.

Return Policy: Any lot ordered that does not meet with your approval may be returned within 15 days (30 days if overseas) for full refund of purchase price. If you aren't happy, I'm not happy. All lots are sold as genuine unless otherwise stated.

The Civil War Philatelic Authentication Service is opposed to the slabbing of stamps. Stamps purchased will not be accepted for a return for reasons of grading as the stamps are not sold per the PSE or PF grading systems. Stamps purchased from this website and subsequently slabbed by anyone after purchase will not be accepted as returns for any reason.

Expertizing Policy: If you wish to obtain a certificate of authenticity, I accept the Civil War Philatelic Authentication Service (CWPAS) on Confederate items. I am a member emeritus of that group and still offer consulting service to them, but recuse myself from opining on any item which I currently own or have sold at any time in the past. I also accept opinions from the Philatelic Foundation; I serve on the PF board. I am not a regular PF expertizer, although I am consulted on occasion. Lots must be paid for in advance and prompt refund will be made if determined other than genuine. Lots sold "as is" are final sales and will not be granted expertizing privileges. Expertizing fees will be refunded if not as described. Lots with certificates issued within the past five years are not eligible for expertizing except in extraordinary circumstances. Prior discussion and agreement is necessary.

Privacy Policy

All lots are subject to prior sale.

Placing an order constitutes acceptance of stated policies.

Revised January 21, 2024