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KirkS
Pillar Of The Community
United States
1180 Posts |
 Posted 01/19/2010 9:00 pm
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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
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David Giles
Pillar Of The Community
Canada
1755 Posts |
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laswabbie
Pillar Of The Community
USA
3132 Posts |
Posted 01/19/2010 10:02 pm
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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.
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Greg - (APS 184124 ~ GPS 10097 ~ AAMS 12098 ~ SIP 10541)
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1775mac
Pillar Of The Community
United States
869 Posts |
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philb
Pillar Of The Community
USA
4603 Posts |
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ironhelm
Valued Member
United States
95 Posts |
Posted 01/22/2010 7:07 pm
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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.
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KirkS
Pillar Of The Community
United States
1180 Posts |
Posted 01/22/2010 10:10 pm
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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
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philb
Pillar Of The Community
USA
4603 Posts |
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laswabbie
Pillar Of The Community
USA
3132 Posts |
Posted 02/26/2010 10:46 pm
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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. 
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Greg - (APS 184124 ~ GPS 10097 ~ AAMS 12098 ~ SIP 10541)
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philb
Pillar Of The Community
USA
4603 Posts |
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KirkS
Pillar Of The Community
United States
1180 Posts |
Posted 02/27/2010 11:24 am
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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
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philb
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USA
4603 Posts |
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cgrotha
Pillar Of The Community
United States
563 Posts |
Posted 02/28/2010 7:53 pm
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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.
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ironhelm
Valued Member
United States
95 Posts |
Posted 02/28/2010 10:05 pm
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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.
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philb
Pillar Of The Community
USA
4603 Posts |
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KirkS
Pillar Of The Community
United States
1180 Posts |
Posted 03/01/2010 10:36 am
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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!
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