Used stamps exchanges.

When I became a member back in 2021, I received negative ratings and comments for sending CTO.
I didn't know at that time, but I learned.
Today I received a lot with *only* CTO stamps.
How should we handle this? Does this conflict with the club roules or not?

Okay, so CTO is not to be included in exchanges in this club. No need to specify that in your profile, and including them in not in line with club rules?

CTO neřešit, tak jako při obchodování a výměně v mé zemi to praqkticky nikdo neřeší.

The CTO is not to be dealt with, as in trading and exchange in my country, practically no one deals with it.

@Johnpeter, what is your point? CTO to be accepted as used stamp or not?

Udivuje mne zdejší debata nad CTO známkami. Jsou sice země kde je tzv CTO na první pohled zřejmé - provedené knihtiskem ale u jiných zemí CTO pozná jen místní znalec a to také ne vždy - Československo - kdy byla známka oražená běžným většinou válečkovým nebo ručním razítkem. Většinou jde o známky prodávávané v obchodech s novinami a určené pro dětské filatelisty. A otázka - je CTO známka která byla poslaná na výměnu tak že byla nalepená na dopis který byl vyplacený často vysoce nad poštovné při výměně do zahraničí - obcházely se tak kdysi devizové předpisy které omezovaly výměnu známek do zahraničí? Tyto dopisy byly razítkované ručními razítky tak aby bylo razítko v rohu a na známce byla jeho čtvrtinová výseč? Nebo některé známky - často aršíky - kde cena razítkované známky byla stejná jako nepoužité a kde si sběratel nechal známku orazit z ochoty na místní poště a zase odnesl domů aniž prošla poštou?

I am amazed at the debate here over CTO grades. There are countries where the so-called CTO is obvious at first glance - made by letterpress, but in other countries CTO can be recognized only by a local expert and not always - Czechoslovakia - when the stamp was stamped with a common mostly roller or hand stamp. Mostly these are stamps sold in newsagents and intended for children's philatelists. And a question - is a CTO stamp that was sent for exchange so that it was stuck on a letter that was paid often well above the postage when exchanged abroad - did this get around the exchange regulations that once restricted the exchange of stamps abroad? These letters were hand stamped so that the stamp was in the corner and the stamp was quartered? Or some stamps - often sheets - where the price of a cancelled stamp was the same as an unused stamp, and where the collector had the stamp cancelled out of willingness at the local post office and took it home again without it passing through the post office?

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Since I was clearly told CTO is not a used stamp, I avoid sending them.
But then I receive a lot with only CTO. My first thought is: if this seems to comply to club rules, and others do, then why wouldn't I?

But I know most people do not like them or get even offended by receiving them.

If CTO is accepted by club rules, but you don't like them, I don't think it is fair to simply send them back. Same when you want Tonga after 2020 but receive France before 1990.
But if CTO is not accepted by club rules, you could rate low when receiving them.

I have read several threads in this club about CTO, but there seems to be no clear opinion.

I think it may be time to get this sorted and add it to the club rules.

- 100 used stamps.
- Unique stamps, no doubles.
- CTO are not used stamps.
- Stamps in good condition.
- You can include extra surprises.

or

- 100 used stamps (CTO included).
- Unique stamps, no doubles.
- Stamps in good condition.
- You can include extra surprises.

Also make distinction between CTO and illegal issue.


Would that not solve the misunderstanding on CTO?

CTOs are "used" as stamped, but not used in postal service... Im here somewhere in between - as a thematic collector, i cant say I dont have them - sometimes it is only option to get my desired stamp (we all know countries that issued those in millions).
when sending - if it is not stated differently - i usually include some in sending (by some I mean less than 10%) and always send more than 100
in your case - getting just CTOs I would give neutral grade or as Nedime said - just send them back to that person. Honestly - it pisses me off more than CTOs - when i get 100 common definitives (especially from users that stated "no definitives" and "just Tonga afrer 2020" type). dont send me your kiloware unwanted stuff and expecting just jewels
it is the road with lots of crossroads, everyone makes their own turns ;)

Dear Koen,
In this club when a member pulls your name, soon it is your turn to pull her/his name. I don't know how the system works but doesn't take long for the system to match you with her/him. If you are disturbed, you may also choose sending all back (instead of preparing a new package according her/his likes, and add a note saying that 'I am not interested in your CTO's, I return them so you can swap them with someone who is interested in it.' I did it just ones. I may not be true, but when I was a new member, I felt like other members are sending to me whatever they try to get rid of. It changes fast though and I am very sure you will start getting amazing stamps in very near future.
Nedime

Hello Ziga,

Okay, so, just to be clear. A CTO is a used stamp, complying with the club rules?
If someone is asking not to send them, it would be nice to consider that, but in fact the same as 'no Germany before 2010', 'only Asia' and so on.

If that is the case, and you would rate neutral or less, you're using the rate system to express if you like the lot, rather than if it complies with the rules, right?

it is not against the rules, but it is "unethical"... i usually leave neutral grade