Society Requirements For Applications

I think there are some stamp groups still operating like it's the 1950's. Here is an email I sent to the secretary of one group I am trying to re-join:

'I am a former member considering rejoining. I need clarification as to exactly what you need for this.

I am APS #73598, Life Member. Do I still need TWO commercial references? Most groups do not require this for APS members. I do not wish to use my bank or credit card companies as references, I doubt you'd get any reply from them. I had one approval dealer I worked with for years, he died six months ago. Any advice? You may want to consider revisions to this application form, it seems outdated. '

This group asks for two commercial references. I sort of understand the need to verify financial trustworthiness but like many, most of my purchases are through ebay and other such platforms. I will not name the group, it is a major specialist club.

Just throwing this out there. I think this is an anachronism. Any thoughts?

Your question has been asked here several times before. As long as they put this on the application you should answer them. I do not know if you remember the 50's? Life was a lot simpler back then! Compared to the 50's we should all need more security than just two references.
Anachronism or not, I think you are just making things difficult for yourself. You have two references, APS and the group you are trying to re-join!

Peter

Peter, they want two commercial references. I would assume that does not include the APS, they also ask if I am a member of other organizations. You really think I should use the group I am trying to rejoin as a commercial reference? IDK, maybe that's not as outlandish as it would seem. Perhaps the best approach is to give what I can and then hope it passes muster.

What I was trying to say was that I think the majority of collectors use ebay and other such as their main source for transactions. The days when you could put down some department store, bank or other commercial enterprise and seriously expect them to respond to a reference request are long passed.

Update, I'd asked for clarification. About two minutes later I got a reply, "Don't worry about that stuff. Just send it in. Welcome back.'

It seems this was much ado about nothing. Not an issue now..

I don't like joining things, and avoid clubs like the plague, so this won't be my problem, but are there a couple of auction houses you deal with that could be named?

Paraphrase: I will join no club that would have me as a member!

Or, as FE Smith said when challenged about regularly using the lavatory of the Athenaeum on his way to work, "Good God, do you mean to say this place is a club?"

I agree -- it is an anachronism. Look at the current APS membership as an example; membership has dropped nearly two-thirds from its high. ANY stamp organization should be thrilled to get a new member today -- and without need of a "commercial" reference.

Interesting that the RPSL simply requires a "responsible person" to vouch for the applicant.

http://www.rpsl.org.uk/membership.asp

It's an odd business. A guy down south who has never met me sends me hundreds of dollars worth of stamps on approval. He never asked me for a reference. I guess he did solicit my business after seeing my name on the APS list of new members.

Don

..which is exactly why APS continues to obtain reference information as part of the application process. The Society has a Code of Ethics and members can be held to account if they don't follow them (by example, for failing to meet philatelic debts).

Does anyone think that by having these rules, APS has lost a lot of potential members.

I probably would be ok with removing the requirement.

Yes, I know. They have publicly expelled members for not paying their debts. But my dealer was satisfied with APS membership. The group Stamps wants to join wants references on top of his APS membership.

Progress! A gentleman is a gentleman, even if he is 'in trade'.

Stamps1862: why not use the dealers you buy from on ebay?