Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Inside was a stamp (RW44 MNH Fine). The glassine envelope had "RW44 Buy for 8.00" printed on it. There was also an order form, Popular Sale item lists and such. There was also a "Want List form with the following at the top.
Dear Collector:
A selection of US Stamps is enclosed to intorduce to my US Mint/Used Approval Service. I can provide US for the Beginner, intermediate or advanced collector. Please fill in information.
There was a little more but that's the general idea. Also a postage paid envelope.
Now for my question on ethics. Since I plan to send the information back with a request not to send me any unsolicited correspondence, should I include that stamp or just keep it as a gift for my time in dealing with this?
I know a lot of you sell stamps, so I'm really looking for a seller's point of view.
Thanks
Mike
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See this page by Federal Trade Commission about unordered merchandise: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0181-unordered-merchandise
-k-
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Since you received a postage paid envelope with the offer I would just send it back and ask not to receive any more offers. I believe you have a right to keep the stamp since you didn't order it but for my comfort level I would return it. If I receive more unsolicited stamps from this dealer then I might just keep the stamp the next time.
Vince
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"Since I plan to send the information back"
Were you planning to fill out any of the forms and send them back?
Tad
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"Were you planning to fill out any of the forms and send them back? "
Tad
I had planned to send his Ads back requesting he remove me from his mailing list.
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Or you could include a Thank You card for the free stamps! Just kidding.
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Does not the APS frown on unsolicited approvals? If so I would report this dealer to the APS.
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As a member of the APS, I would return the stamp and then mail a copy of the envelope and the contents to the APS member services, and tell them you are displeased.
David Giles
Ottawa, Canada
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11:02:32pm
I remember that old saying;
"Let your conscience be your guide..."
Despite rumors to he contrary, the conscience seems to be headquartered in the Gut with a direct line to the feelings. If you feel good about your action or planned action, sobeit. If the contrary, don't do it.
It always worked for me.
Being legal or not is separate issue.
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As a member of the APS, you are expected to return the unsolicited stamps to the dealer, and request that no further unsolicited shipments be made to you. If the dealer persists, then you should contact the APS with a complaint about that dealer.
Note that I used the word "expected". The law regarding unsolicited items sent to you in the mail is still applicable. However, the APS views member-to-member conduct/contact to be in a somewhat club atmosphere. Thus the "expectation" that a member will politely contact the other, return the unsolicited merchandise and request no further contact.
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you have no right to that stamp; it was sent with the expectation that you buy it or return it. There's lots of other factors in play, but that was the question you asked.
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oops. I did miss reading about the postage paid envelope. That over-rules it being a "gift". But, do state you don't want to receive any more stamps from the dealer. Continued solicitation like that, and the other rules then kick in, but I would also send a complaint to the APS if you receive another communication from the dealer.
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There used to be a classified advertiser in Linn's offering price lists. If you asked for one you got it, also he would sent stamps on approval. I and others complained to Linn's and apparently nothing was done. I have not seen his ads for more than a year.
I'd send back what he sent with a note telling him under NO circumstances to send further material.
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"apparently nothing was done. I have not seen his ads for more than a year."
Then, perhaps, something WAS done.
Ted
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I received the same offer a while back,probably the same dealer. I sent the dealers duck back, in the provided SASE. No harm done,I overreacted a few months back to a members email offers and realized how petty my bish was,being that I bought some material from the seller later.
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I received three mailings in a row over a short period of time from the same company - Jamestown Stamps. The first 2 I immediately sent back with instructions written in big black marker to cease and desist the approval mailings.
When I received the third mailing, I waited 6 months, then sent it back to them telling them I will be reporting them to the BBB and the APS. I also told them that any more unsolicited mailings from that point on will be considered free gifts on my part and I will NOT send any more back. I also added a whole bunch of additional packing material to the prepaid return envelope to run the cost up.
It's been almost 6 months since I sent the last one back 
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Thanks for all the advice.
For a while, I considered keeping the stamp but ultimately decided to return it along with all the other material. I did include a request to be remove from all future mailings and from his list.
Since receiving his, I've received three more mailings from stamp sellers offering to help me find stamps I'm looking for.
Not exactly sure where they got my name and address but it has to be one of two places.
Having recently joined APS, my address could have been obtained from them. The other is I've purchased a number of stamps from stamps2go.com. Maybe one of their sellers shares his customer list. I'm thinking it's APS because one of the letters started out Dear APS member.
Anyway. I can deal with the random letters asking me to buy from them, just wasn't sure of the protocol for the included items.
Thanks everyone
Mikey
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Mikey:
The APS sells their mailing list. You can buy it in parts or the whole thing, worldwide and all. I periodically received offers from dealers in the post, from the APS membership rolls. If you do not want to receive such mailings, you may advise the APS that.
David
Ottawa, Ont. Canada
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Before some people start to panic, the APS only sells the member list to APS members, and the use of the list is restricted.
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11:21:47pm
".... Not exactly sure where they got my name and address but it has to be one of two places. ..."
When providing my name and address I often modify the address and or the middle initial.
Sticking Apt "2b" or using Charlie "X" Jensen on a form helps me figure that out. It is especially useful during an election cycle.
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Yesterday I received an unsolicited mailing from a stamp dealer. I tried to do a search online but could not find them. I've been getting a lot of these since joining APS but this is the first with stamps included.
Inside was a stamp (RW44 MNH Fine). The glassine envelope had "RW44 Buy for 8.00" printed on it. There was also an order form, Popular Sale item lists and such. There was also a "Want List form with the following at the top.
Dear Collector:
A selection of US Stamps is enclosed to intorduce to my US Mint/Used Approval Service. I can provide US for the Beginner, intermediate or advanced collector. Please fill in information.
There was a little more but that's the general idea. Also a postage paid envelope.
Now for my question on ethics. Since I plan to send the information back with a request not to send me any unsolicited correspondence, should I include that stamp or just keep it as a gift for my time in dealing with this?
I know a lot of you sell stamps, so I'm really looking for a seller's point of view.
Thanks
Mike
Login to Like
this post
re: Ethics vs. Unsolicited Mailings.
See this page by Federal Trade Commission about unordered merchandise: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0181-unordered-merchandise
-k-
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re: Ethics vs. Unsolicited Mailings.
Since you received a postage paid envelope with the offer I would just send it back and ask not to receive any more offers. I believe you have a right to keep the stamp since you didn't order it but for my comfort level I would return it. If I receive more unsolicited stamps from this dealer then I might just keep the stamp the next time.
Vince
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re: Ethics vs. Unsolicited Mailings.
"Since I plan to send the information back"
Were you planning to fill out any of the forms and send them back?
Tad
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this post
re: Ethics vs. Unsolicited Mailings.
"Were you planning to fill out any of the forms and send them back? "
Tad
I had planned to send his Ads back requesting he remove me from his mailing list.
Login to Like
this post
re: Ethics vs. Unsolicited Mailings.
Or you could include a Thank You card for the free stamps! Just kidding.
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re: Ethics vs. Unsolicited Mailings.
Does not the APS frown on unsolicited approvals? If so I would report this dealer to the APS.
Login to Like
this post
re: Ethics vs. Unsolicited Mailings.
As a member of the APS, I would return the stamp and then mail a copy of the envelope and the contents to the APS member services, and tell them you are displeased.
David Giles
Ottawa, Canada
5 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
10 Apr 2016
11:02:32pm
re: Ethics vs. Unsolicited Mailings.
I remember that old saying;
"Let your conscience be your guide..."
Despite rumors to he contrary, the conscience seems to be headquartered in the Gut with a direct line to the feelings. If you feel good about your action or planned action, sobeit. If the contrary, don't do it.
It always worked for me.
Being legal or not is separate issue.
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
09:57:59am
re: Ethics vs. Unsolicited Mailings.
As a member of the APS, you are expected to return the unsolicited stamps to the dealer, and request that no further unsolicited shipments be made to you. If the dealer persists, then you should contact the APS with a complaint about that dealer.
Note that I used the word "expected". The law regarding unsolicited items sent to you in the mail is still applicable. However, the APS views member-to-member conduct/contact to be in a somewhat club atmosphere. Thus the "expectation" that a member will politely contact the other, return the unsolicited merchandise and request no further contact.
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
re: Ethics vs. Unsolicited Mailings.
you have no right to that stamp; it was sent with the expectation that you buy it or return it. There's lots of other factors in play, but that was the question you asked.
1 Member
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02:11:00pm
re: Ethics vs. Unsolicited Mailings.
oops. I did miss reading about the postage paid envelope. That over-rules it being a "gift". But, do state you don't want to receive any more stamps from the dealer. Continued solicitation like that, and the other rules then kick in, but I would also send a complaint to the APS if you receive another communication from the dealer.
Login to Like
this post
re: Ethics vs. Unsolicited Mailings.
There used to be a classified advertiser in Linn's offering price lists. If you asked for one you got it, also he would sent stamps on approval. I and others complained to Linn's and apparently nothing was done. I have not seen his ads for more than a year.
I'd send back what he sent with a note telling him under NO circumstances to send further material.
Login to Like
this post
re: Ethics vs. Unsolicited Mailings.
"apparently nothing was done. I have not seen his ads for more than a year."
Then, perhaps, something WAS done.
Ted
Login to Like
this post
re: Ethics vs. Unsolicited Mailings.
I received the same offer a while back,probably the same dealer. I sent the dealers duck back, in the provided SASE. No harm done,I overreacted a few months back to a members email offers and realized how petty my bish was,being that I bought some material from the seller later.
Login to Like
this post
re: Ethics vs. Unsolicited Mailings.
I received three mailings in a row over a short period of time from the same company - Jamestown Stamps. The first 2 I immediately sent back with instructions written in big black marker to cease and desist the approval mailings.
When I received the third mailing, I waited 6 months, then sent it back to them telling them I will be reporting them to the BBB and the APS. I also told them that any more unsolicited mailings from that point on will be considered free gifts on my part and I will NOT send any more back. I also added a whole bunch of additional packing material to the prepaid return envelope to run the cost up.
It's been almost 6 months since I sent the last one back
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
re: Ethics vs. Unsolicited Mailings.
Thanks for all the advice.
For a while, I considered keeping the stamp but ultimately decided to return it along with all the other material. I did include a request to be remove from all future mailings and from his list.
Since receiving his, I've received three more mailings from stamp sellers offering to help me find stamps I'm looking for.
Not exactly sure where they got my name and address but it has to be one of two places.
Having recently joined APS, my address could have been obtained from them. The other is I've purchased a number of stamps from stamps2go.com. Maybe one of their sellers shares his customer list. I'm thinking it's APS because one of the letters started out Dear APS member.
Anyway. I can deal with the random letters asking me to buy from them, just wasn't sure of the protocol for the included items.
Thanks everyone
Mikey
Login to Like
this post
re: Ethics vs. Unsolicited Mailings.
Mikey:
The APS sells their mailing list. You can buy it in parts or the whole thing, worldwide and all. I periodically received offers from dealers in the post, from the APS membership rolls. If you do not want to receive such mailings, you may advise the APS that.
David
Ottawa, Ont. Canada
Login to Like
this post
11:00:28pm
re: Ethics vs. Unsolicited Mailings.
Before some people start to panic, the APS only sells the member list to APS members, and the use of the list is restricted.
Login to Like
this post
Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
13 Apr 2016
11:21:47pm
re: Ethics vs. Unsolicited Mailings.
".... Not exactly sure where they got my name and address but it has to be one of two places. ..."
When providing my name and address I often modify the address and or the middle initial.
Sticking Apt "2b" or using Charlie "X" Jensen on a form helps me figure that out. It is especially useful during an election cycle.
Login to Like
this post