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For broadcast on CBS Radio Network stations March 27-28, 2004:

Seeking Approvals.

The Stamp Collecting Report, I'm Lloyd de Vries.

Some stamp dealers still send collectors selections of stamps "on approval" -- that is, the 
recipient can examine the stamps, keep the ones he or she wants, and send the rest back, with 
payment for the ones kept. These selections are called "approvals," and many of today's 
collectors started with them.

Once a major way of acquiring stamps, there's not as much of it any more because of the 
Internet and, well, just the tone of our times, but there are still many dealers who do offer approvals.

Usually, the dealer starts the customer with an inexpensive selection. As trust and sales build,  
the selections increase in value, and -- if the dealer is on the ball -- are more focused on 
what the collector wants.

This method of buying stamps may be a little bit more expensive than others, but you can't beat 
the convenience, especially if you live far away from stamp shows and dealers.

You can find approvals dealers in the stamp newspapers or do an Internet search for "stamp 
approvals."

And that's stamp collecting this week. 

I'm Lloyd de Vries, CBS News.

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