The plain-language terms for using this site and for selling postcards to me: free quotes, prepaid insured shipping, inspection, payment within two business days of arrival, and a free return if a revised offer does not suit you.

About these terms

These terms apply when you use IBuyPostcards.com and when you sell postcards to me through it. The site is run by Mike Ferreira, an individual collector and buyer based in Sarasota, Florida ("I", "me"). I have written them in plain language because I would rather you read them. If you do not agree with them, please do not use the site.

What the site is for

The site explains what old postcards I buy and how, publishes guides about postcards, and lets you request a free quote or ask a question. The guides, including anything said about the value of particular kinds of postcards, are general information drawn from a collector's experience. They are not appraisals, and they are not offers for any specific card.

Quotes

A quote is an offer to buy the collection you described and photographed, for the amount stated, sent to you by email. Requesting a quote is free and creates no obligation for you. My offer is based on your description and photos, so it assumes the collection that arrives matches them. You accept a quote by replying to the quote email to say so. You may decline a quote, or simply not answer, at no cost.

Whole collections only

A quote is for the complete collection you described and photographed. You agree to send it complete. Removing cards after a quote, or sending only part of a collection, counts as a difference from the description under the inspection terms below.

Shipping

When you accept, I send a prepaid shipping label, or one label per box for larger collections, insured for the full price you accepted. You agree to pack the postcards reasonably, as described on the how it works page, and to send the collection you described. Once the package is in the carrier's hands, the risk of loss or damage in transit is mine, and I handle any claim with the carrier. You do not pay for shipping.

Inspection, payment and returns

When the package arrives, I compare the collection with your description and photos. If it matches, I pay the agreed amount within two business days of delivery, by the method you chose: PayPal, Zelle, Venmo or check by mail. If it differs in a way that changes my offer, for example more damage than the photos showed or part of the collection missing, I will explain by email and offer a revised amount before paying anything. You may accept the revised amount or decline it. If you decline, I return the whole collection to you, insured, at my expense, in the condition it arrived.

What you confirm when you sell

By accepting a quote, you confirm that you own the postcards or have the authority to sell them (for example as an executor or with the owner's permission), that they are not stolen or subject to anyone else's claim, and that the description you gave is honest to the best of your knowledge. Ownership passes to me when I pay you.

Things I may decline

I may decline to quote or buy any collection, and I do not buy from anyone under 18. If I find that something in a shipment was misdescribed on purpose, or that I cannot lawfully buy it, I may return it rather than buy it.

Using the site properly

Please use the site only for lawful purposes. Do not submit false information, attempt to access parts of the site you are not meant to, send spam or harmful code, or copy the site's content for commercial use. The forms are for genuine questions and genuine collections.

Photos and content you send

You keep ownership of the photos you upload. You give me permission to store and view them to evaluate your collection and to keep them with my records of the purchase. I do not publish your photos. See the privacy page for how I handle them.

The site's content

The text, design and images on this site belong to me or are used with permission. You may read and print pages for your own personal use. Images on the site that illustrate kinds of postcards are illustrations, not listings of cards for sale.

Disclaimers and limits

The site is provided as is. I work to keep its information accurate, but I do not guarantee it is complete or error free, and postcard values change over time. To the extent the law allows, I am not liable for indirect or consequential losses from using the site or relying on its general information. Nothing here limits my obligations under a quote you have accepted, including paying you or returning your collection as described above, or any rights you have that cannot be limited by law.

Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Florida. If a disagreement arises, please contact me first; most things can be settled with a conversation.

Changes

I may update these terms from time to time. The version in effect when you accepted a quote applies to that sale.

Contact

Questions about these terms can go through the contact page. The FAQ and the quote page explain the process in more everyday terms.

Last updated October 15, 2026.

A sale, step by step

1. You describe the collection on the quote form and, if you like, add photos. Nothing is agreed at this point.
2. I reply by email with a quote, or with questions if I need more information. The quote is a single amount for the collection as described.
3. You accept by replying to the quote email, and tell me how you want to be paid. Or you decline, or do nothing, and that is the end of it.
4. I send prepaid, insured shipping labels. You pack the collection and hand it to the carrier.
5. I inspect the collection on arrival. If it matches, I pay within two business days of delivery.
6. If it does not match and my offer changes, you choose between the revised amount and a free, insured return of everything.

Words used in these terms

• Collection means the postcards, albums, boxes and any related items you describe in a quote request and send to me.
• Quote means my written offer, sent by email, to buy the collection for a stated amount.
• Revised offer means a changed amount I propose after inspecting the collection, with my reasons.
• Business day means Monday to Friday, excluding U.S. federal holidays.
• Delivery means the date the carrier records the package as delivered to me.

The finer points

Communications

Quotes, acceptances, revised offers and payment confirmations happen by email. Please make sure the address you give is one you check, and look in your spam folder if a reply seems late. An email you send counts as your written agreement or decision for the purposes of these terms.

Accuracy of descriptions

I understand that most people selling a collection are not postcard experts, and an honest description in plain words is all I expect. Innocent mistakes about era, type or count are normal and are exactly what the inspection step is for. They do not make you responsible for anything beyond the choice to accept or decline a revised offer.

Insurance claims

If a package is lost or damaged in transit on a label I provided, I deal with the carrier and the claim. If the package is lost before it reaches me, I will work with you in good faith on the agreed value, since the label I sent was insured for it. Please keep the drop-off receipt or tracking confirmation the carrier gives you.

Several boxes

For collections shipped in more than one box, I pay once the whole collection has arrived, within two business days of the last box being delivered, unless you and I agree otherwise by email.

Returns that cannot be delivered

If I return a collection at your request and the carrier cannot deliver it, I will contact you to arrange another attempt. If I cannot reach you after reasonable efforts over ninety days, I will hold the collection for you and keep trying, and I will not sell it without your written agreement.

Items included by mistake

If something arrives that obviously was not meant to be sent, such as a family photograph, a letter or an object packed by accident, I will tell you and send it back free.

Taxes

Any tax reporting that applies to money you receive for your collection is your responsibility. I can confirm the amount and date of a payment by email for your records.

If part of these terms is unenforceable

If a court finds any part of these terms unenforceable, the rest still applies.

The whole agreement

These terms, together with the quote email you accepted and any changes you and I agreed by email, are the whole agreement between you and me about a sale. Nothing said elsewhere overrides them unless you and I both agree in writing.

Events outside anyone's control

If a carrier delay, severe weather or another event beyond my control slows a step, I will tell you and complete it as soon as reasonably possible. Your right to decline a revised offer and have your collection returned is unaffected.

Watch out for impostors

I never charge a fee to quote, never ask you to pay for shipping labels, never ask for bank account numbers or passwords, and never pay by asking you to send money back. If someone claiming to be from this site asks for any of those things, it is not me. Stop and contact me through the contact page.

Questions about these terms

If any part of these terms is unclear, ask before you accept a quote. I would much rather explain something twice than have you agree to anything you did not understand.