APS Stamp Store For Non-Members

I just learned the APS Store is now open to non-members.

I'm not sure if that is a good thing? Your thoughts?

I don't have a problem with it. They are using the Sam's Club model where nonmebers pay a surcharge to purchase.

While this may be a good way to attract more business customers and potential members, what about those members like myself who became members because they couldn't buy anything from their stamp store before without it. Thus, I might not renew my membership again, but I will still buy from them.

I'm pleased to learn this. The only reason I joined the APS several years ago was to purchase several items in its store. I subsequently cancelled my membership because I couldn't justify continuing membership for any other reason and I have never entertained rejoining. I'm glad that I can now once again shop in the APS store and have no problem at all paying a 10% surcharge to be able to do so.

Me too ! Most likely I won't renew my membership either.

FWIW,

If you spend $500.00 or more a year at the stamp store, then membership will pay for itself.

Thanks for your feedback.

Should APS be concerned that 2/5 of the replies here have already indicated they will NOT renew their membership.

On the other hand, the non-member surcharges will exceed the membership dues and the buyers won't receive the magazine, also a savings for APS.

So, I guess it's all about the $$$.

Kirk

"Should APS be concerned that 2/5 of the replies here have already indicated they will NOT renew their membership."

Not really, since those replies seem to have been made not knowing about the surcharge and extra shipping costs. My question is different: given the extra shipping and surcharge, why would any non-member buy from the APS store? Prices were already higher than the EBay/BidStart marketplace. People were willing to pay more for various advantages, reputation, whatever. Why would anyone pay more more???

In any case, APS members ought not get their knickers in a knot over this. They are not penalized in any way. I can't see how they are harmed by selling to the few non-members who might buy. Who knows, some potential buyers might become APS members in order to save a buck (would be a sensible thing if they buy $500 a year as noted upthread). And that's a gain for those who are already now APS members, is it not?

And APS members who sell on the APS webstore would have a larger market to sell into, if indeed the move does end up expanding the buying base. What's not to like?

Well I just bought some lovely covers, two of which are screaming bargains While it's true some prices are quite high and more than likely all the good stuff has long been picked over, careful checking can bring good results.

But I still would not have purchased these if membership was a requirement to shop in the store.

I joined the APS this year because a few items that I wanted from the store was only available to members. Is the store different than their stamp circuits or are all the circuits now in the store as stock?

Jenny2U wrote: "Well I just bought some lovely covers, two of which are screaming bargains While it's true some prices are quite high and more than likely all the good stuff has long been picked over, careful checking can bring good results.

But I still would not have purchased these if APS membership was a requirement to shop in the store."

Great. Good for you. And none of this harms APS members, as far as I can see. (But I might be missing something.) If the surcharge and extra s/h has been set at levels that still permit non-members to find nice bargains, what's not to like about that, both for members and non-members?

The only question remaining is whether Jenny's experience is going to be so rare as to be meaningless in the broad picture or whether it possibly proves typical.

I'm sorry but I don't understand this. I found some items which were seriously underpriced by the SELLER. Naturally everyone's mileage will vary depending on what they're looking for/finding.

My experience has been similar to Jenny2U's experience. For certain things, items have been priced below other markets. No doubt other items can be found for less elsewhere.

That's pretty much true of all marketplaces, though.

It never pays to over-estimate the cost of sending one more copy of the magazine vs $4/mo.




Somebody isn't keeping-up on the ebay threads ;)




Bingo!

In my opinion the biggest value is that buying from APS store gives you a greater amount of recourse and confidence than buying off of ebay. Let's face it, if a person has a bunch of trash to dump they are going to go directly to ebay. APS does a far better job in vetting its members, you could probably sign your dog up for an ebay account. You certainly can simply go 'buy' an existing ebay account with 100% feedback but weaseling an APS membership is much harder and far less likely to be allowed to exist for longer periods of time.

Of course none of this is a guarantee that there are not 'bad' sellers on APS, but it reduces the chances and offers a bit more insurance when buying something sight unseen.
Don