Stamp Auction Network - The Next Pivot

This just in via e-mail:

More from our Recent Survey at StampAuctionNetwork

In a recent survey we floated the idea of bidders supporting StampAuctionNetwork using a subscription based plan. There was a resounding "No!!!" to that idea. Some 70% said they should not and would not pay for StampAuctionNetwork, and that the auction � houses should pay all the costs associated with our services.

As a plain spoken person, please allow me one more opportunity to explain why you should support our site. This may be something that you had not thought of.

If the auction firms pay the entire bill, then we work for them. We do not work for you.

Let us change the narrative. We would like you to think of us as your advocate. You may not want to subscribe to StampAuctionNetwork. I get that. I understand why you would feel that way. And no you should not pay us if all we are is a channel � to get bids to the auction firms. I agree with that. But we have always been more than that, and we are going to become much more than that. You should think of us as looking out for your interests, as your advocates, whether it is helping you get � better info to bid, or offering bidding advice, or supporting your claims that you left bids that were not executed, or supporting you in your infrequent disputes with an auction firm. We have done all those things and more for you in the past, and we � pledge to do much more in the future, and we are asking you to voluntarily partner with us and give us the job of serving you by supporting us.

Now for the most part, I got into this as a collector, so I have a collector bias. I started my software company in 1985 and after writing 25 major system for Duke Medical Center, I found myself in 1990 giving up Volleyball to help take care of our third child. Though I had less time, I still had some time, so I renewed my interest in collecting stamps, remembering that one should buy and sell at auction. I immediately noticed there were obvious computer solutions for stamp auction houses to make my life easier as a stamp collector, but the auction houses had no such systems. I approached a few, and by 1994 was the major provider of software to stamp auction firms -- we still are. We wrote the software most of the auction houses use to take consignment, build catalogs, conduct their auctions, send invoices etc… And not just Stamp Auctions, over the years we worked for all the major sports auctions, and we currently do the systems for the top wine houses Hart, Davis Hart and Sothebys (US and UK). We also wrote the PF system and the agent system Purser uses. We still support the systems we wrote for Duke and also have a thriving IT business. Because I wrote these systems, I know the inner workings of just about every stamp auction house. I have high regard for the vast majority of auction firms, and for the most part they are to be trusted. But they do have a dilemma, in that they must represent the competing interests of their buyers and their consignors. When an auction site is paid for by the auction firms, and free to the bidders, it is by definition going to lean to the interests of the auction house and the consignors.

Have you caught on why you should support StampAuctionNetwork yet?
Here it is. If you pay me, then I work for you. I have more than an orientation to work in your best interests, I have a contractual obligation to do so. I am willing to put myself smack in the middle of the auction firms and the auction bidders -- � but you have to hire me to do so.

But do not be alarmed! You can still play for free. But I am asking that if you want to hire us to be your advocate, you can do so with any voluntary amount. Any amount you send up to $49.95 sends the message that you want me to work for you. � And I will! We are already preparing to roll out a game changer, StampAuctionNetwork Agent Bidding. That will be the start of many more Bidder oriented services. Many of those features will be available to all, some will be in extended services, but � we will always provide the basic functionality of the site and more for free.

Put me in Coach, I'm ready to Play!

I leave you with the words of Creedence Clearwater Revivals', John Fogerty in his immortal song "Centerfield", I say to you "Put me in Coach, I'm ready to Play! Here is a link to the song to play while you hire me to play for you. Listen to "Centerfield" by John Fogerty while you give this missive a thought.

If you want us to be your advocate and you are willing to support StampAuctionNetwork, here is a PayPal button to do so. You can send any amount up to $49.95.

Voluntary Membership Fee (1 Year)

[You have my interests in mind $49.95 USD \/]

Click here for more information on StampAuctionNetwork Premium Extended Features

Sincerely,
- Tom Droege

Wow! As I stated before, I do not want to pay for a "privilege" to shop anywhere!

Peter

1.) Members or participants vote, or respond to a policy question.
2.) Members or participants mostly vote/respond "nay".
3.) Board or owner ignores the vote/response and does what they/he wanted to do , anyway.

Haven't we seen this somewhere before in U.S. philately?

Photobucket Round Two; first generate interest and usage but then try to convert it to a paid service. Good luck with that.
Don

But, what do you do for me? Do you examine the stamp and give me your opinion as to any undisclosed faults? Do you provide an opinion on the anticipated bidding on the item? Do you use judgement in executing the bids or do you follow a rigid formula? A traditional agent does exactly these tasks and I have no problem paying their work and expertise. So far, SAN, other than letting me bid in real time, has not demonstrated any advantage other than presenting a large variety of catalogues to the collector.

Tom - You make a good argument and believe someone needs to stand with the Bidder ,so change my vote from a NO to a Yes . Will follow up and support SAN thru a paypal payment tomorrow .

I will give it a shot and see how the agent aspect works out.

Yea, I'm not paying any subscription fees to SAN. I bid on items so infrequently a subscription price is pointless. I can just go back to contacting the auction houses directly if needed.

People with more money than "sense" and too lazy too do the work for themselves are always willing to pay for someone to do the work for them. I.e.: the kid in college who paid for a stolen test because he was too lazy to do the work himself. Don't begrudge Droege for simply trying to make a buck...more power too him. Besides, the services he offers have been offered before.. by other brokers/agents, there's nothing new, "...it's the same party -- the same pig; the pig just has a new dress and fresh lipstick -- that's all."

How does not having your maximum bid not known to the auction house make one lazy? How does paying for auction agent services indicate a lack of common sense? Bill Gross would like to know. LOL

I think this is all very interesting. If Droege is offering buyer protections, absolute guarantee that items are described properly, money back guarantees on items not fully described, punishing or removing from his site auction houses that are not ethical or consistently describe items incorrectly, etc. perhaps rating auction houses on integrity, positive feedback/negative feedback
Well maybe I would bite.

As just a site that allows me access to auction houses, as an "agent"....not much interest in paying for that.

I think you guys are being unfair to Tom . There are a lot of games played by the auction houses. I been on the short end of the stuff some auction houses play ,but SAN cut some of that out .

I had good experiences with SAN ,I won four lots thru them at the last Kelleher Auction .

There are appears to be some confusion. You will not HAVE to pay. If you wish to access other features you can. Trying out Tom's auction agent services is a must for me. If it does not work out then back to the old way. $50 a year even if you only spend $1000 is 5%. Bid at a Siegel auction or two it would be a negligible percentage. Having your highest bids be invisible to the auction houses is great. I use an agent now for 5% so why not try out Tom.

Yet another discombobulated email from SAN that I didn't receive. What a fustercluck. Can't tell from week to week what Tom is trying to do other than raise money. He's reeling from plan to plan like a drunken sailor.

Hard to be the buyer's agent when you are still also being paid by the seller, I think.

There appears to be some twisted knickers in the audience. Tom is in business and wants to increase revenue. Understandable. Instead of just announcing fees he asked for input. Good Took the feedback and is running with extra services which are optional. OK

Folks that are happy with the status quo can have the status quo. Those who wish to try out the new services may do so.

It is actually hilarious that this is triggering comments such as "more money than sense" and "too lazy to do the work for themselves" regarding folks that use agents. I guess that means that a real manly man does his own bidding while chewing nails and burning his excess money! HEE HEE HEE