Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Dear Valued Collector,
We need your help.
Because of the ever-growing amount of information contained in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, we have reached the size limit for the number of pages in several volumes of the catalogue. The catalogues simply have become too large to print and bind in their current format.
So, we have no choice but to change the manner in which the catalogue will be delivered to you in the future. We want to use this as an opportunity to improve the catalogue, to make it more useful and usable for you.
We're considering a number of possibilities, but before we make any change, we would like to hear your thoughts. If you would take a few minutes to complete this short questionnaire, you can help us to make the sort of changes that will please us all. We appreciate you taking the time to fill out this survey.
Here is a link to the survey. I think it will work for anyone. It was imbedded in the email from Scott.
Scott Catalogue Survey
We have a chance to make our voices heard. The survey asks questions like how often do you purchase the catalog? Which catalogues did you last buy? What format and frequency would you prefer? They also are soliciting additional comments. Take the survey and let Scott know how you want the catalogues to be.
Login to Like
this post
I replied. Thanks for the link. 
Actually, I would like a 1940-1970 catalogue to go along with their 1840-1940 catalogue.
I can at least ask. 
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
I responded to the email. I will admit they are getting large.
Login to Like
this post
I wish they would go electronic and country-specific as an option (and I told them so in the survey too). I would gladly pay for yearly updates to certain countries I collect and avoid having to buy entire volumes for only one or two countries. I wonder how many others out there would be interested in the same. The volumes are great for dealers or WW collectors (especially if your local library is willing to invest in a few new sets per year); but I would love to have my own access to the countries I need without the $600 outlay...
Login to Like
this post
Being a worldwide collector, I wouldn't want the regional catalogs like your find with Gibbons and Michel. The costs would be even worse if I had to get 30 different catalogs. I suggested a looseleaf catalog with annual supplements for the pages that had changed and were added. That would be cheaper than a complete new set of catalogs every couple of years.
The survey mentions making the volumes much thinner in size and increasing the number of books up to possibly 10. If those smaller 10 volumes cost the same as each volume costs now...I'd probably buy a set once every 10 years. That would mean I wouldn't be buying many more catalogs from Scott.
I'm glad that Scott is soliciting comments for their change rather than trying to figure it out alone in-house, and then coming out with something that doesn't please anyone. They have tried that before with drastic results.
Login to Like
this post
I'm just not sure all electronic is the way to go. There's nothing like having the catalog in front of you. The one copy of the Scott catalog of the world that I have is in one volume. The spine is about 8" thick. I think it cuts off somewhere in the late 60s. I don't collect much of anything outside of US issues and I have very little interest in any stamps past the era of line engraving. To be honest, I really don't know how world wide collectors even approach a "world wide collection". It has to be in the order of a million stamps at this point. The Scott catalogs alone would fill up a very nice sized office.
-Ernie.
Login to Like
this post
Going by the survey questions, it seems like they are pretty set on the three options (expanding the number of volumes, doubling up the volumes in a 1A-1B format, or going regional). Too bad the input wasn't sought during the early stages. The wheels of change can move slowly over at Scott's.
Login to Like
this post
06:23:07pm
I responded and recommend a digital edition with monthly sub of $10 or yearly subscription of $100. If they do the math, they will figure out that the savings in print and distribution costs, and the fact that everyone would need a subscription rather than buying copies haphazardly every 3 - 5 years, will probably be much more profitable. But then that would require common sense.
Login to Like
this post
I wouldn't mind if they adopted the Stanley Gibbons method. PDF would be even better.
Login to Like
this post
They don't want my input, my best one is a 2004 USA Specialized that I bought used on eBay. An old dog eared library copy at that!
The tough part is how are they going to keep a company going, with staff and all. This is a hobby of old folks, so going completely digital would lose an important part of their fans who still are stuck on paper.
Login to Like
this post
Ernie, the count of major catalog numbers in Scott is around 600,000. Add all the minor numbers and footnoted issues, and it just might be near a million.
The Scott catalogs don't fill an office, but all the albums for a world wide collection sure do!
Login to Like
this post
09:08:20pm
I chose the regional version with popular countries or regions reprinted more frequently a la monsieur Gibbons.
Barring that it is unlikely I'll ever buy another set unless it is used, complete and inexpensive.
I prefer national catalogs such as Yvert or Facit. Even then I scoop up one or two year old books if it is priced right. Personally, Scott's is vastly overrated.
Login to Like
this post
ezstamp offers bundles of nations by scott as a dbase with fine images ... appenable
why bother with tomes of past ??
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
Other ideas, specific pocket size catalogs like the U.S. for popular countries, even a magazine format that like a Mystic U.S. pricelist. Love the idea of a 1940 to 1970 catalog. Maybe I miss when the catalog was only 2 volumes!
Login to Like
this post
2 volumes? As someone already mentioned, I also remember when it was in 1 volume. Very thick, but just one volume.
The problem I have with the regional catalogs ala Gibbons is that the Scott catalogs will expand to 40 volumes at $125 each!
Login to Like
this post
i could use an 1840 to 1970 set..do you think they can customize ? Scotts is more secretive than the Vatican..now they are asking for help ?
Login to Like
this post
10:12:14am
They listen, Phil. But if the answer is not the one they are predisposed to act on, they do not hear.
Login to Like
this post
"i could use an 1840 to 1970 set..do you think they can customize ? "
It's technically possible. There is a service called "MagCloud" that allows people to upload digital data to their website, and in turn they will print and mail paper copies of these magazines or documents to who ever orders them. So they are printing these one at a time to order. I have a few and the quality is up there with a commercially printed magazine. The cost is a bit expensive, but considering the niche magazines this allows to be distributed, it's pretty cool.
In the model car hobby, which is barely supporting two print magazines, people have started publishing magazines on topics like ratrods, heavy trucks and other subjects that folks are into. Some of them are regularly published, others publish a new magazine when they have the content, and email their recipients that the latest issue is available for order.
Soooo... yes, it's possible for Scott to set up a self service system, and ship that bound product to your door. It could look like your PC printer queue, you select the book, and tell it you want to have pages 1-200 (USA 1848 to 1940), and that would be your book. Or you could just print the USA airmail section as a volume. Specifically what you want.
Will they do that? They'd have to see if it would be a profitable venture. The per unit costs would be higher, but that would be okay since you are just buying what you want.
Login to Like
this post
Have not done the survey as apart from a used Scott Classic from years ago I work from a GB 2015, a 1992/3 Gibbons simplified and a Gibbons Commonwealth from 1988.
The bigger question I feel Scott should be asking is how do we use the Catalogues.
I personally am not really interested in the value but more to be able to sort stamps by the issue date and into sets within countries.
To me an initial country set with illustrations, etc, supplemented by bi or tri annual supplements would be the order. While pictures in colour are nice do we need anything other than a black/white image?
I am never likely to own any of the more valuable stamps, unless by accident so value really is no concern.
Guess what I really need is a list by country in date/set order. I am sure we will still be charged through the nose whatever Scotts decide.
Login to Like
this post
The survey has a comment section where you can block and copy what you posted here. Let them hear it, especially about the cost. I hit them on the cost aspect of the catalogs.
Login to Like
this post
Survey done, but with amended final sentence and the suggestion that it is available as an Ebook.
Login to Like
this post
My opinion of the Scott catalogs is descending rapdidly...i do have some specialized catalogs..but i am a worldwide collector, i do have to have a point of reference !
Login to Like
this post
My suggestions to Scott: Redundancy is my biggest beef.
Why a specialized US catalog AND then including US in Volume 1 ? (what happened to the alphabet?)
Why a Classic Catalog (1940-1950) AND including the same years in all the volumes?
Why not issue a "Post Classic" catalog for say 1941-1970 (or 80? depending on the page count). Then the other volumes would be manageable, and could include the new stamps issued annually.
Pretending to update all prices annually is (in my opinion) a scam!
Update seriously just a few volumes at a time, every 2-3 years!
Especially for the Classic volume pretending that prices actually change annually is like pretending that airline pricing has a logic (except making more money).
So update less frequently, and be upfront about what you have updated.
But you know they will ignore it all.
rrr...
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
I also answered the survey but told them I needed some idea of cost before I could suggest a format. If they double the size and leave the price as is, they will price themselves out of the market. I collect worldwide and so need a comprehensive catalog. For collecting purposes, it could be updated less often but I also sell part time and need to something to reference my prices against. I don't know what the rest of you see at shows and bourses, but I am regularly asked "What per cent of Scott do you charge?". The only problem with computer versions, is I won't be able to watch a movie on Netflix while I work.
Question: Someone earlier referenced "Bundles of Nations by Scott as a Dbase format from ?EZStamps? i understand Dbase format but where can I find out more about what this is?
Jack
Login to Like
this post
"Question: Someone earlier referenced "Bundles of Nations by Scott as a Dbase format from ?EZStamps? i understand Dbase format but where can I find out more about what this is?
Jack"
Try here.
Ed Foster
Login to Like
this post
I agree with Airmailed and others who recommend EZStamps.... but EZStamps depend on Scotts for numbering etc. So EZStamps by itself is not the solution.... but maybe a direction AMOS should consider
Login to Like
this post
AirmailEd
Thanks for info on EZstaps. I have looked at it and it looks interesting..I think I will download a demo.
Jack
Login to Like
this post
03:32:32pm
Scott has been hinting that the catalogs are getting too thick, and that the time is coming when a new volume will have to be added. Scott issued this in an email that I received today:
Dear Valued Collector,
We need your help.
Because of the ever-growing amount of information contained in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, we have reached the size limit for the number of pages in several volumes of the catalogue. The catalogues simply have become too large to print and bind in their current format.
So, we have no choice but to change the manner in which the catalogue will be delivered to you in the future. We want to use this as an opportunity to improve the catalogue, to make it more useful and usable for you.
We're considering a number of possibilities, but before we make any change, we would like to hear your thoughts. If you would take a few minutes to complete this short questionnaire, you can help us to make the sort of changes that will please us all. We appreciate you taking the time to fill out this survey.
Here is a link to the survey. I think it will work for anyone. It was imbedded in the email from Scott.
Scott Catalogue Survey
We have a chance to make our voices heard. The survey asks questions like how often do you purchase the catalog? Which catalogues did you last buy? What format and frequency would you prefer? They also are soliciting additional comments. Take the survey and let Scott know how you want the catalogues to be.
Login to Like
this post
re: Scott Catalogs to Change
I replied. Thanks for the link.
Actually, I would like a 1940-1970 catalogue to go along with their 1840-1940 catalogue.
I can at least ask.
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: Scott Catalogs to Change
I responded to the email. I will admit they are getting large.
Login to Like
this post
re: Scott Catalogs to Change
I wish they would go electronic and country-specific as an option (and I told them so in the survey too). I would gladly pay for yearly updates to certain countries I collect and avoid having to buy entire volumes for only one or two countries. I wonder how many others out there would be interested in the same. The volumes are great for dealers or WW collectors (especially if your local library is willing to invest in a few new sets per year); but I would love to have my own access to the countries I need without the $600 outlay...
Login to Like
this post
06:06:28pm
re: Scott Catalogs to Change
Being a worldwide collector, I wouldn't want the regional catalogs like your find with Gibbons and Michel. The costs would be even worse if I had to get 30 different catalogs. I suggested a looseleaf catalog with annual supplements for the pages that had changed and were added. That would be cheaper than a complete new set of catalogs every couple of years.
The survey mentions making the volumes much thinner in size and increasing the number of books up to possibly 10. If those smaller 10 volumes cost the same as each volume costs now...I'd probably buy a set once every 10 years. That would mean I wouldn't be buying many more catalogs from Scott.
I'm glad that Scott is soliciting comments for their change rather than trying to figure it out alone in-house, and then coming out with something that doesn't please anyone. They have tried that before with drastic results.
Login to Like
this post
06:13:46pm
re: Scott Catalogs to Change
I'm just not sure all electronic is the way to go. There's nothing like having the catalog in front of you. The one copy of the Scott catalog of the world that I have is in one volume. The spine is about 8" thick. I think it cuts off somewhere in the late 60s. I don't collect much of anything outside of US issues and I have very little interest in any stamps past the era of line engraving. To be honest, I really don't know how world wide collectors even approach a "world wide collection". It has to be in the order of a million stamps at this point. The Scott catalogs alone would fill up a very nice sized office.
-Ernie.
Login to Like
this post
re: Scott Catalogs to Change
Going by the survey questions, it seems like they are pretty set on the three options (expanding the number of volumes, doubling up the volumes in a 1A-1B format, or going regional). Too bad the input wasn't sought during the early stages. The wheels of change can move slowly over at Scott's.
Login to Like
this post
They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. -Benjamin Franklin
28 Aug 2015
06:23:07pm
re: Scott Catalogs to Change
I responded and recommend a digital edition with monthly sub of $10 or yearly subscription of $100. If they do the math, they will figure out that the savings in print and distribution costs, and the fact that everyone would need a subscription rather than buying copies haphazardly every 3 - 5 years, will probably be much more profitable. But then that would require common sense.
Login to Like
this post
re: Scott Catalogs to Change
I wouldn't mind if they adopted the Stanley Gibbons method. PDF would be even better.
Login to Like
this post
re: Scott Catalogs to Change
They don't want my input, my best one is a 2004 USA Specialized that I bought used on eBay. An old dog eared library copy at that!
The tough part is how are they going to keep a company going, with staff and all. This is a hobby of old folks, so going completely digital would lose an important part of their fans who still are stuck on paper.
Login to Like
this post
08:41:04pm
re: Scott Catalogs to Change
Ernie, the count of major catalog numbers in Scott is around 600,000. Add all the minor numbers and footnoted issues, and it just might be near a million.
The Scott catalogs don't fill an office, but all the albums for a world wide collection sure do!
Login to Like
this post
Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
28 Aug 2015
09:08:20pm
re: Scott Catalogs to Change
I chose the regional version with popular countries or regions reprinted more frequently a la monsieur Gibbons.
Barring that it is unlikely I'll ever buy another set unless it is used, complete and inexpensive.
I prefer national catalogs such as Yvert or Facit. Even then I scoop up one or two year old books if it is priced right. Personally, Scott's is vastly overrated.
Login to Like
this post
re: Scott Catalogs to Change
ezstamp offers bundles of nations by scott as a dbase with fine images ... appenable
why bother with tomes of past ??
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
10:21:32pm
re: Scott Catalogs to Change
Other ideas, specific pocket size catalogs like the U.S. for popular countries, even a magazine format that like a Mystic U.S. pricelist. Love the idea of a 1940 to 1970 catalog. Maybe I miss when the catalog was only 2 volumes!
Login to Like
this post
12:37:20am
re: Scott Catalogs to Change
2 volumes? As someone already mentioned, I also remember when it was in 1 volume. Very thick, but just one volume.
The problem I have with the regional catalogs ala Gibbons is that the Scott catalogs will expand to 40 volumes at $125 each!
Login to Like
this post
re: Scott Catalogs to Change
i could use an 1840 to 1970 set..do you think they can customize ? Scotts is more secretive than the Vatican..now they are asking for help ?
Login to Like
this post
They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. -Benjamin Franklin
29 Aug 2015
10:12:14am
re: Scott Catalogs to Change
They listen, Phil. But if the answer is not the one they are predisposed to act on, they do not hear.
Login to Like
this post
re: Scott Catalogs to Change
"i could use an 1840 to 1970 set..do you think they can customize ? "
It's technically possible. There is a service called "MagCloud" that allows people to upload digital data to their website, and in turn they will print and mail paper copies of these magazines or documents to who ever orders them. So they are printing these one at a time to order. I have a few and the quality is up there with a commercially printed magazine. The cost is a bit expensive, but considering the niche magazines this allows to be distributed, it's pretty cool.
In the model car hobby, which is barely supporting two print magazines, people have started publishing magazines on topics like ratrods, heavy trucks and other subjects that folks are into. Some of them are regularly published, others publish a new magazine when they have the content, and email their recipients that the latest issue is available for order.
Soooo... yes, it's possible for Scott to set up a self service system, and ship that bound product to your door. It could look like your PC printer queue, you select the book, and tell it you want to have pages 1-200 (USA 1848 to 1940), and that would be your book. Or you could just print the USA airmail section as a volume. Specifically what you want.
Will they do that? They'd have to see if it would be a profitable venture. The per unit costs would be higher, but that would be okay since you are just buying what you want.
Login to Like
this post
re: Scott Catalogs to Change
Have not done the survey as apart from a used Scott Classic from years ago I work from a GB 2015, a 1992/3 Gibbons simplified and a Gibbons Commonwealth from 1988.
The bigger question I feel Scott should be asking is how do we use the Catalogues.
I personally am not really interested in the value but more to be able to sort stamps by the issue date and into sets within countries.
To me an initial country set with illustrations, etc, supplemented by bi or tri annual supplements would be the order. While pictures in colour are nice do we need anything other than a black/white image?
I am never likely to own any of the more valuable stamps, unless by accident so value really is no concern.
Guess what I really need is a list by country in date/set order. I am sure we will still be charged through the nose whatever Scotts decide.
Login to Like
this post
05:54:05pm
re: Scott Catalogs to Change
The survey has a comment section where you can block and copy what you posted here. Let them hear it, especially about the cost. I hit them on the cost aspect of the catalogs.
Login to Like
this post
re: Scott Catalogs to Change
Survey done, but with amended final sentence and the suggestion that it is available as an Ebook.
Login to Like
this post
re: Scott Catalogs to Change
My opinion of the Scott catalogs is descending rapdidly...i do have some specialized catalogs..but i am a worldwide collector, i do have to have a point of reference !
Login to Like
this post
re: Scott Catalogs to Change
My suggestions to Scott: Redundancy is my biggest beef.
Why a specialized US catalog AND then including US in Volume 1 ? (what happened to the alphabet?)
Why a Classic Catalog (1940-1950) AND including the same years in all the volumes?
Why not issue a "Post Classic" catalog for say 1941-1970 (or 80? depending on the page count). Then the other volumes would be manageable, and could include the new stamps issued annually.
Pretending to update all prices annually is (in my opinion) a scam!
Update seriously just a few volumes at a time, every 2-3 years!
Especially for the Classic volume pretending that prices actually change annually is like pretending that airline pricing has a logic (except making more money).
So update less frequently, and be upfront about what you have updated.
But you know they will ignore it all.
rrr...
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
03:26:46pm
re: Scott Catalogs to Change
I also answered the survey but told them I needed some idea of cost before I could suggest a format. If they double the size and leave the price as is, they will price themselves out of the market. I collect worldwide and so need a comprehensive catalog. For collecting purposes, it could be updated less often but I also sell part time and need to something to reference my prices against. I don't know what the rest of you see at shows and bourses, but I am regularly asked "What per cent of Scott do you charge?". The only problem with computer versions, is I won't be able to watch a movie on Netflix while I work.
Question: Someone earlier referenced "Bundles of Nations by Scott as a Dbase format from ?EZStamps? i understand Dbase format but where can I find out more about what this is?
Jack
Login to Like
this post
re: Scott Catalogs to Change
"Question: Someone earlier referenced "Bundles of Nations by Scott as a Dbase format from ?EZStamps? i understand Dbase format but where can I find out more about what this is?
Jack"
Try here.
Ed Foster
Login to Like
this post
re: Scott Catalogs to Change
I agree with Airmailed and others who recommend EZStamps.... but EZStamps depend on Scotts for numbering etc. So EZStamps by itself is not the solution.... but maybe a direction AMOS should consider
Login to Like
this post
02:33:56am
re: Scott Catalogs to Change
AirmailEd
Thanks for info on EZstaps. I have looked at it and it looks interesting..I think I will download a demo.
Jack
Login to Like
this post