Stamp Auction Network... Taking Over!

Rather than an auction venue I would call them a data collector. SAN can harvest all the data that flows through their service, in others words you and your bids are the product. When enough data is gathered and compiled, it can easily be monetized and sold.

The future is all about data, and 'he with the most data wins'. The fact that online venues like Google, ebay and SAN gets us to pay them while they monetized our personal data has them laughing all the way to the bank.
Don

Thank you Rhett. Appreciated.




I originally balked at SAN, I registered to join, after giving all my details, I am led to a page where it appeared I need to sign for $7.95 a month.
It appears ambiguous to the beginner that it can be had for free.

Immediately, this morning I am met with email from an unknown auction house advertising. Coincidence?

I'll carry on as the SAN gave me literature lots I had not come across before, I was impressed.

Please note that I am not saying that these companies are 'bad', they are all providing services that have value. In many cases they are providing value in exchange for nothing more than harvesting and selling our data.

Many folks are just fine with that, not caring that Google is selling their data as long as they can use the search engine. SAN can easily sell trend data. For example, they could offer insights into what zip codes are most likely to buy stamps. So getting an occasional spam email barely scratches the surface on how our data can be monetized and sold. In fact, you may never see any indication that your data has been sold and used.

I only mention this because some folks seem to think that online companies do this stuff out of the goodness of their hearts. They do not understand what is going on under the radar and the value of their personal information.

As long as everyone has their eyes open and understand that there is no free lunch, then all is good.
Don

Indeed, but having "eyes open" often is the result of experience, often bad ones.
The online experience is still a bit of a snake pit in my opinion.
Take this simple purchase of an Office chair, I was about to buy.
Price $99.99 + Delivery
I go to checkout, Delivery is Free, but chair has jumped to $209