APS Adds Buyer's Fees To Circuit Books

Got the January 2010 issue of American Philatelist today.

Beginning in March, the Sales Division is going to impose a 5% buyer's fee on the circuit books.

By the way, they report that seller's fees have been 20% since the mid-60s.

Reactions?

KirkS

I am an APS member, but do not get the APS circuit books, as there is a "tax" problem in Canada regarding postage stamps, etc. That being said, I think the 5% buyers fee is going to hurt sales.

The APS may be shooting itself in the foot.

David

Any additional buyer's costs are bad news, but that being said, if it takes the 5% to keep the system running then I think most people will be willing to pay it. Circuit books are an inexpensive way to get quality material and I would personally hate to see them go away.

Do not forget that some clubs already charge a 10% club fee for these circiut books when buying at a club meeting. Now add 5% and the deals really take a nose dive.

As APS rep I do not know how the membership is going to react when I break the news..several of my better buyers are not APS members...i know there will be objections..the club pays the shipping on the APS box but we are not going to pay the 5 percent buyers fee...i have probably been doing the circuit books for the club for 20 years..if the xtra 5 percent causes us not to be able to make the minimum monthly purchases..we will have to drop the circuit books !

I am a member of the APS and to me the circuit books are the best benefit the APS offers. Adding and addition 5% is going to lower the amount of money I spend and make me more picky about the price I pay for each stamp. Right now I skim each book to see what percentage of catalog value the seller prices the stamps at. If its above 50% I don't even look through the book. I may have to lower my percentage to 45% to make up the 5% increase. Maybe the APS could do something to lessen the cost of shipping.

I agree ironhelm -- I guess I'll just have to buy a few less stamps from my circuits.

Maybe I need to go back and re-read the article, but I don't remember any mention of purchases from the website. I assume they aren't adding any surcharge to purchases that way. Although, oddly enough, it seems that would be more logical because it involves more employee time/effort.

Anyway... I enjoy my APS membership. I hope this doesn't hurt them more than help.

KirkS

I received a letter from the APS yesterday..Guess What ? They backed off on the 5 percent buyers fee !! They are going to do away with the percentage discounts for purchasing over a certain amount instead..thats fine I can live with that !

5% added or not, I just haven't been getting any value out of my circuits lately, so I've opted out for now. I know Phil and others find amazing things in theirs, but I must be snake bit.

Swabbie, I have to agree with you..seems like the quality is going downhill...the internet auctions certainly have to hurt them...i hear that they are losing money on the sales circuits.it may only be a matter of time !!

I'm on two circuits, but I haven't received either since November -- I should have at least one arriving soon.

Phil, I did not receive the letter you mention -- I guess it's on the way too. But I'm a little confused about the discount part; I don't remember seeing a line on the Sales sheet for any discounts. Did I miss a memo?

KirkS

Kirk, I don't know if the discount applies to individuals..perhaps Laswabbie or another member could tell us...on the sheet I get for our chapter there are 17 or so books each month...we have to add 1.50 to the total purchases for the insurance fund...however if we purchase over a certain amount..like 30 dollars or more we can deduct up to 3 percent discount..our club purchases run 18 to 50 dollars a month..so the club members would not feel that loss..i am not sure how they would have handled the buyers fee !!

For me the fee decision is good news. I have to agree with others here, that the yield of stamps needed has shrunk considerably and with ever rising shipping costs, I was/am faced with a shrinking 'return' and was going to throw in the towel with the advent of the new "Buyer's fee". But, now, I guess I'll stick around a while longer, at least until the next postage increase.

I am signed up for a lot of circuit books (23). Trying to make it where I get at least one each week. I am making them my primary source of stamp purchases. Plan on buying a country collection maybe once a month at the local stamp show. I didn't receive any in January but was only signed up for about 6 then. Received 2 last week. I was getting a least 2 per month prior to January. Guess they are back on track now. I was going to cut my spending due to the buyers fee but looks like I won't have to now.

I have been out to APS Hq. 3 times..its exactly 300 miles from my corner...twice to the old State College building and once to the Bellefonte site..which shocked me at first sight..it looked like some building demolitions(amazing what I can do with a crowbar and a axe) I worked on...they took on a mouthful there...but the folks that work there are the best ! THEY BEND OVER BACKWARDS to assist visiting stamp collectors..some of you have met some of them at APS shows...Janet Klug, Ken Martin, Tom Horn etc etc..they are just real folks... a fellow employee urged me to join the APS in the 70's and I tend to stick when I join up with something...I hope they do well !

Thanks for all the info Phil (and others). Club discounts make sense; shame they have to eliminate them.

Ironhelm, I can't imagine being on 23 circuits -- that's a lot of postage expense even if you don't buy anything!