Michael D - What you described regarding the stamp club is endemic in clubs of other hobbies as well. Years ago I helped form a model railroad club. We welcomed all types from specialists to beginners. Eventually, the club collapsed as the few specialists crapped on the beginners and their "junk" models.
My argument was that all specialists started out with "junk", and gravitated to higher levels in the hobby. A specialists place is to help others learn more about the hobby, share their expertise and welcome new people into the hobby. Unfortunately, all hobbies have their minority contingent of arrogant, crotchety old men who belittle those who are not at the level that they are. These POS, who rarely see the light of day or another human being for weeks at a time, do great harm to all hobbies.
Here's my Opinion as a Dealer / Collector. I am Just as happy to add a "low value" stamp to my collection as adding a High Value stamp. The Value doesn't really mean much. It is the hunt for completion that is the draw for me in collecting stamps. I understand I am not the only one who thinks this way, so when I add stamps to my hipstamp store I put everything in from 15c up. Happy customers are repeat customers. Harry Patsalos Philatelics
I was thinking about this thread the other day when I was out running errands. I thought, OK, if every low priced seller were to stop selling low priced stamps and there were only more expensive stamps available it would simply drive me back into stamp collecting dormancy again. Because this is the only source I have for less expensive stamps, covers, sheets, and maxicards. I've spent more money for stamps and covers on here, in the last year, than I have for stamps in the last 17 years! And as I develop my pages and build my collection I'm drawn to more and more things, and some a little bit more expensive too. I definitely am a repeat customer to several of the stores on here. When I search for a stamp this is my first stop. Then I check to see if it's available on ebay if not here.
Good for you! - name some less expensive stamps that you need ( I have thousands of GB and Commonwealth) and if I have them I'll send them to you free! I'll even pay the international postage on this occassion. Happy early Christmas........................Tania & Nigel
Well said Luree and Ted! I will add that being fair, honest and providing service to customers will help improve sales. I try to cater to the beginners by offering stamps at lower prices as well as the experienced collectors.
Comments
My argument was that all specialists started out with "junk", and gravitated to higher levels in the hobby. A specialists place is to help others learn more about the hobby, share their expertise and welcome new people into the hobby. Unfortunately, all hobbies have their minority contingent of arrogant, crotchety old men who belittle those who are not at the level that they are. These POS, who rarely see the light of day or another human being for weeks at a time, do great harm to all hobbies.
Harry Patsalos Philatelics