United States Stamp Society

They already have some of this in place. There is a member login and online PayPal payment option for renewals and purchases. I'm not sure, but because they also send periodic mailings to members they might have a database and already be storing personally identifying information. If not, it would sure make their lives easier. They also have some type of search functionality for their "Digital Specialist" archives.

They also seem to have a recruiting budget, with money going toward mailings to new aps members, and maybe brochures or advertising at shows. Im not sure they are getting the most bang for their limited buck. Yes, it all comes down to money and the budget, but if they really want to increase their membership they need an online application and payment.

I know, I just wont shut up about the reference thing, but isn't this just a remnant of the past, clinging to their bylaws? What good does it do if I just use some random person from scf or an auction house who know next to nothing about me? I see negative consequences of having that on the application, with no obvious benefits.

This is an interesting thread. I am going to invite the President of the USSS to visit it and comment if he wishes. I do not believe he normally frequents this board. Maybe we can change that!

Complete and utter overkill for a relatively small philatelic society.

It can be started as simply as a PayPal account with some static HTML buttons which PayPal provides. No merchant account needed. All payment information is entered into pages on PayPal's servers, so you do not have the PCI compliance issues.

Sure, eventually one can go so far as a full-blown ecommerce system with integrated DB, but that is NOT necessary for simple membership payments.

Start simple. No need to invest thousands of dollars right out of the gate.

Thanks, Bill, for letting me kow about this thread. You're right that I don't usually frequent this board and, in fact, just went through the registration process.

As for the USSS website, we are currently in the process of updating the whole thing. Money has not been a problem thanks the our generous members. We actually retained the same web designer who did the USPCS site and we will have many of the same features as that site as well as a number of new ones. There will also be a way to apply and pay dues online. Our next annual board meeting will be next week at Philatelic Show and we'll have a status report about the website.

Nick Lombardi
President USSS

There are many themes that have most of these functionalities either built in or available via add on modules, widgets, etc, many free. It all depends on what you need and the security required. Paypal is third party, and would be the easiest option, not requiring SSL. If you require a merchant account, yes, but frankly that requirement is really above and beyond what I am talking about: a robust functional well-designed site with room to grow.

As an example, I'm currently working on designing a store based on this theme:
http://mr-tailor.getbowtied.com/

Nevermind that this theme is clothing related. It can be reskinned for just about anything. What's important is that it has the functionality built in: password management, payment systems, inventory tracking, forms, shipping options, digital downloads, etc etc.

It's a powerful Woo-commerce theme but you don't have to use what you don't need. But we're creating full-fledged e-commerce sites for 6-10k. Believe me, what you are talking about is not as involved.

Thank you Nick, for responding so quickly. Perhaps you can also address the original poster's objections to needing to supply references?

Its great to hear USSS is already working to upgrade their website. I look forward to using the new site as a new member.

A big thank you to Bill for getting USSS President Nick Lombardi here to deliver the good news.

Maybe at the board meeting next week they can get the 2/3rds vote to do away with references and a sponsor.

Let's turn it around: what is the downside risk if someone 1) creates a fictional identity, and 2) joins the USSS (et al)?

I've used auction houses as references for other auction houses but, as a new customer, the next guy still wanted to see the color of my money (or a credit card number) before they shipped me the goods ... the first time.

Is there anyone here who would resign from a society that asked for a credit card number before sending a circuit book?

Part of the New OnLine World we all want the hobby to join is meeting people that you will never meet, speaking with people you will never speak to, etc.

Part of protecting ourselves, going forward, as individuals or clubs, requires risk assessment.

Every security precaution is a nuisance to the honest.

Zero precautions is probably a poor choice.

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey

PS: I pay a lot of bills by check, and have not owned a check book in years. The bank does the addressing, stamping & mailing ... all for free. I send in my club membership application (etc), with a note that the check will be coming under separate cover. Works like a charm.

I agree with Ikey! Circuits cost money. Why send to someone who has not given references? That is like loaning my checkbook to a homeless person to take care of. Not gonna happen.

This will not work, PayPal have a monthly limit for withdraw, it's not a problem when you use your PayPal account to purchase other stuff but for a source of money it will be. PayPal want you to use your PayPal account to purchase and pay again with PayPal, so the money stay always in the PayPal circle.

When someone pay with PP and the seller purchase other stuff with PP and this other seller pay also someone else with PP, how many little transaction fees it make at the end ?...

This is ONLY true if you have a nonverified PayPal account. If you have verified a bank account with PayPal (which any reputable entity would do), withdrawing or sweeping funds from the PayPal account to a checking account is no problem at all, regardless of amount or number of times per month.

Yes, but what good is a reference in that scenario? Especially if my reference is from someone on this forum who doesn't actually know me or an auction house I may never have done business with? Does USSS follow up with references? Hold them responsible for any debt?




I have more than enough to do, so I like to keep it simple. I would prefer to fill out an online form and click pay rather than print and fill out a form, address and stamp an envelope, drop it in the mailbox, and contact my bank with an account and routing information to send an ach. I dont know if they would mail a check for me, thats news to me. I would still have to notify them of the name and address.

Regarding the USSS request for references and a sponsor on the application, it is a matter of having at least some idea of knowing who we are admitting and hopefully not having egg on our face.

A year or so ago we received an application from someone who said he lived in a remote area and did not know of any other collectors there. He also said that he only purchased on ebay and, therefore, had no personal contact with dealers. When our executive secretary sent me the paperwork for an opinion, I had a hunch about the return address. After checking I found that the return address was for a state prison and our applicant was a convicted murderer. In another instance we had an attorney who had defrauded two couples out of the proceeds from the sale of their homes.

Now, I'm not navie enough to think that we weed out every dishonest person by requiring this information, but at least we try to. I think upholding the reputation of the USSS is worth the effort. If anyone wishes to apply and they are not an APS or ASDA member and they cannot supply the requested information, just enclose an explanation with the application and we'll see what can be done. I certainly don't want to discourage anyone from applying, but at least some degree of vetting is prudent.

By the way, can someone tell me how to edit a post after it has been posted? I caught an error in my first post, but couldn't figure out how to change it.

Nick Lombardi
President USSS

Hi Nick, and welcome to the forum. If you want to edit a post, there is a small icon where it says "Posted today etc.". It looks like a sheet of paper with a pencil. Click on it and edit away!

Peter

Nick, should be a little icon at the top of your post showing a pencil. That's the edit.