To Renew Or Not To Renew Membership? That Is The Question.

Yes, there are a lot of ads in Linn's. In the past two years, I've bought stuff from two dealers that were new to me. Only ordered 1 time from Martin Farber (world wide), but check for his ad every issue. Placed several orders for Newfoundland with Richard Ried. Only one stamp needed to be returned, combined for the two, and that was immediately replaced with no questions asked.

It may be a "faux paux" to name names. However, good service needs to be recognized every bit as much as those dealers who have "problems."

It's faux pas and it's not, especially from an established member like you.

As a new member of this forum and as someone who recently returned to collecting, I appreciate other members' observations on and opinions of particular stamp dealers, if it's not against the rules of the forum. With quite a few dealers out there (although I presume somewhat fewer than years ago when I was actively collecting), it is very helpful to read about other collector's actual experiences with dealers, particularly those dealers who have provided good service, as Climber Steve points out.

I share the OP's dilemma about this time of year with membership renewals. My interests have shifted recent;y and I have to decide whether it is worthwhile to pay ever increasing dues to organizations covering areas I now have just borderline interest in. Usually I go for renewal.

In some cases the dues increases have answered the question for me. with some groups asking $45 for renewal while offering little of interest except a journal, there isn't much to decide. One society, which I will not name, sent out their renewal forms with a letter telling members they expected them to contribute over and above the dues, and the renewal form reflected this- you were supposed to total your renewal AND a contribution and send a check. You csn guess what course I took- I did not renew at all.

Almost every organization in which I am a member (including the two APS affiliates for which I am the president) seeks contributions and has a line on the dues renewal form for contributions over and above dues. It's not unusual.

London Review of Books and New York Review of Books for me. Stamps? With the content here, plus links provided in responses to queries, I have more philatelic information than I can handle!

"Almost every organization in which I am a member (including the two APS affiliates for which I am the president) seeks contributions and has a line on the dues renewal form for contributions over and above dues. It's not unusual."

No, it isn't. Since I do not wish to divulge the name of the group involved I am at a disadvantage but like many it is has an aging membership base and I am sure their dues are not covering expenses. The approach they seem to take is pretty aggressive- donations are 'expected' from all members, etc. Minimum donation suggested is $25- on top of $35 annual dues. Somebody's in dreamland.

One other group I forgot that I did not renew- the France and Colonies PS. This is a group with a fine history and their publication has in the past won awards. It just seems to be slowly dying. Their numbers are dropping yearly- they have had little to no internet presence for periods in the past which hasn't helped.

I am resurrecting this thread for some updated comments. It is now 'that time' of year and decisions need to be made as to whether dues of - in some cases- $40 or more yearly are worth it for what I am getting.

I currently belong to seven specialist societies. as matters stand, I will be renewing or already have- in five of them. Two of those I was borderline on but decided to give it one more renewal.

If someone has a intense interest in collecting some country or specialty, I can understand keeping up membership even if you feel you don't get much any longer for it. If you're like me and have restrictive collections in more than one area, then you start having to pick and choose. In some cases the choice is easy. Most groups no longer offer sales circuits. I am finding those that still do seem short on material. For most, the publication is the main draw. Some of those are getting really pithy.

Just throwing this out there for comment.

kirks,

No Linn's renewal?

That will be next, Jack.

Only USPCS for me. Dropped APS years ago. Collector member of ASDA mainly for the magazine.

There was no change for me for groups or publications. I may switch to all digital for Linn's when it renews since I am now reading it more online. I will continue to support this forum SCF (if you are a frequent visitor you should too) when that times arrives.

When renewal time came around at the end of 2016 for 2017, I purged pretty hard. Still in APS and still have a sub to the American Stamp Dealer & Collector. My Linn's expired about 18 months ago, may renew.

Starting this year, I am only supporting organizations and communities which are relevant to the way I now interface with the hobby (online). Unfortunately this narrows the list down to very few. But I have had enough of the face-to-face seminars being attended but <1% of the membership, face-to-face shows which are attended by less than 10% of the membership...yet some much of the time, effort and limited budgets being spent on these kinds of activities.

For 15 years I have waited for our beloved organizations to transition to online and frankly time has run out for me, I am now resigned to the fact that I will not live longer enough to see this happen. Movin' on.
Don