Buying with confidence
Why Buy from an Accredited Stamp Dealer?
Accreditation matters because it means a dealer is bound by a code of conduct, has been vetted by a recognised body, and can be held to account if something goes wrong. For you as a buyer, it is the difference between hoping a stamp is genuine and accurately described, and having real assurance that it is, with somewhere to turn if it is not. Blackheath Stamps is accredited by three bodies: the Philatelic Traders Society (PTS), the Internet Philatelic Dealers Association (IPDA) and the Great Britain Philatelic Society (GBPS).
What you are trusting when you buy a stamp
Stamps are easy to get wrong and, in the wrong hands, easy to misrepresent. A forgery can be convincing. A repair can be all but invisible to an untrained eye. A stamp described as fine can arrive anything but. When you buy from an unaccredited seller, you are relying entirely on their honesty and their knowledge, with little to fall back on if either falls short.
Accreditation changes that balance. Here is the difference it makes.
| Without accreditation | With an accredited dealer |
|---|---|
| You rely on the seller's word that a stamp is genuine | Authenticity is backed by a code of conduct and, where needed, expert verification |
| Condition may be overstated or only vaguely described | Grading follows recognised standards, and accurate description is required |
| If something is wrong, you may have no recourse | You have a clear route to complain, and a body that can step in |
| No check on who you are buying from | The dealer has been assessed and admitted by a professional body |
What an accredited dealer signs up to
Accreditation is not a badge a dealer simply buys. It is a standing that has to be earned and kept, by agreeing to work to a set of standards and being answerable for them.
Our memberships
The bodies we belong to
Blackheath Stamps holds membership of three bodies, each adding a different layer of assurance.
Philatelic Traders Society (PTS)
The principal trade body for stamp dealers, whose members work to a strict code of conduct.
Learn about the PTS →
Internet Philatelic Dealers Association (IPDA)
Standards written specifically around buying and selling stamps safely online.
Learn about the IPDA →
Great Britain Philatelic Society (GBPS)
The leading society for the study of Great Britain philately, reflecting our GB specialism.
Learn about the GBPS →What this means when you buy from us
In practice
It means every stamp we sell is described as accurately as we can, graded to recognised standards, and sold with any faults disclosed rather than hidden. If a stamp is ever not as described, you can return it. Accreditation sets the standard; our quality and grading standards and our returns policy are what it looks like in practice.
How to check a dealer is accredited
You do not have to take any of this on trust. Here is how to check for yourself before you buy.
- Look for the body's logo and membership number, and check it against that body's own member directory
- Read the dealer's feedback and reviews across the platforms they sell on
- Confirm there is a clear returns policy and genuine contact details
- Be cautious of prices that look too good to be true, especially on classic rarities
For more, see our guides on how to buy stamps online safely and how to spot a fake or repaired stamp.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Accreditation means the dealer is bound by a code of conduct, has been vetted by a recognised body, and can be held to account. It gives you assurance that stamps are genuine and accurately described, and a route to recourse if they are not.
You have a guarantee of honest description and authenticity, grading to recognised standards, and access to the body's complaints or arbitration process if something is wrong.
Look for the membership logo and number on their site, then check it against the accrediting body's own member directory. Genuine members are listed.
Yes. Blackheath Stamps is a member of the Philatelic Traders Society, the Internet Philatelic Dealers Association and the Great Britain Philatelic Society, and has over 4,000 feedback ratings across the platforms we sell on.
The PTS is the principal trade body for dealers, the IPDA sets standards for selling stamps online, and the GBPS is the leading society for Great Britain philately. Each adds a different layer of assurance.
Founder and stamp dealerLast updated June 2026