Some More Philatelic Gems From Anthony's

You think at some point, this would STOP, but apparently there is no end in sight....and for those of you wondering, Anthony's still proudly display their shingle of integrity - the ASDA logo. Here are a few of tonight's special opportunities for the shrewd philatelist:

Ordinarily, a #479 probably qualifies as one of the "safe stamps" to buy on ebay. But, amazingly Anthony's can find the world's worst re-perfed example to offer to their savvy buyers: https://www.ebay.com/itm/US-Stamps-...AOSw5PJbEJs0

How about a faulty Scott #70 posing as a #99 (not even close!): https://www.ebay.com/itm/US-Stamps-...AOSw7j5bEJtm

This re-perforated beauty posing as a #519:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/US-Stamps-...AOSwHvpbEJs9

One of the things that stands out most about Anthony's for me is that there are virtually no genuine high value stamps with certs ever listed. One would think that with their brick and mortar storefront and name recognition (not everyone knows the truth about their tactics) they would have ample opportunities to acquire the real mccoy every so often. A very strange duck.

What even amazes me more is that there are so many folks out there bidding on stuff they know nothing about

Peter

What I find remarkable is despite Robert's obvious passion for this subject, it appears that he's never contacted ASDA directly about it. These posts are becoming tiresome, frankly, in the absence of a direct complaint by phone or in writing. Why would either party ever change its practice unless challenged? Neither one cares about quasi-anonymous internet posts.

Another angle - Someone could always petition to cancel ASDA's US Trademark Reg. No. 1580040, which covers the ASDA logo, on the grounds of "naked licensing" (lack of control of use by others). That is bound to get their attention, and all the allegations in the complaint would be public record.

Chris - I cannot speak for what Robert has done regarding contacting ASDA but I have contacted them via electronic and snail mail over a dozen times with zero response. I just do not understand the utter absence of apparent concern.

The trademark petition sounds interesting. Perfect for a patent attorney to take on?

Agreed, but not pro bono, as a fully contested proceeding would be many tens of thousands of dollars. But a better route is for other member dealers to address it with the ASDA Board.

I find these posts useful. As a relatively trusting soul I had no idea that there was such a high level of fraud in the market. I now know to stay clear of Anthony's, but also enjoy and learn from seeing the examples posted on this forum.

Good point. It's definitely valuable when Robert or others clearly state why an Anthony's stamp is not as described and we should be grateful for that education.

Just to set the record straight, "Robert" has contacted the ASDA twice, both times to no avail. I'm sorry if you find my posts about Anthony's tiresome, but if I save just one person the aggravation of dealing with these crooks, then "mission accomplished". I realize that Anthony's are not the only bad apples out there, but if inaction is the answer, then these cancers will just flourish and manifest. More importantly, the chance of luring much-needed new collectors to our hobby will diminish.

I've contacted ASDA several times since January. I've gotten several responses, all of which can be summarized as "we're working on it."

The only change I've seen so far is that Anthonys paid their dues.

Remember, ASDA did not have to cash that check....but they did.

Here is one example from Anthony's feedback that speaks volumes about how worthless feedback is. A 534b (not a chance) with a cv of $1500 sells for $45. The clueless buyer states "perfect transaction! Highly recommended!!". And so it goes.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/US-Stamps-...142799039780

Another one that received positive feedback. A "362" that sold for $332 and is about as much a 362 as a pile of pigeon poop.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/US-Stamps-...142799039091

It is really too much to take. The shameless fraud. The utter uneducated idiocy of the people buying this nonsense. The whole thing. What the heck is happening. Why are so many people so clueless. Imagine the day that they or their heirs go to sell their collection and find out that it is full of nothing. Or imagine somebody needing emergency money, going to a real dealer to sell some of their prize stamps and being told that they are not really worth anything. Disgusting. All of it.

Here are some responses I've been sent:

April 18th:

Mr. Lewis -

On behalf of Tami Jackson and the Board of Directors of the American Stamp Dealers Association, I thank you for bringing to our attention the apparent fraudulent listings on ebay. While it may seem like a simple matter for the ASDA to "police" these listings, and discipline any ASDA member listing such stamps, there is a protocol that we must follow. We are actively and urgently gathering facts and expect the Board to take appropriate action when all information is at hand.

In the meantime, any additional listings that you believe to be fraudulent should be brought to the attention of Tami, Dana Guyer, or myself. Ideally, we would be notified well prior to the item being sold. This allows us to contact the seller to remove the item from sale. Failure to remove the item and subsequent selling or removing it but later reposting would provide additional evidence of fraudulent behavior.

Again, thank you for your information; we take it very seriously. Please feel free to contact me if you have further questions or information.

Best regards,

Mark Reasoner
ASDA, Immediate Past President


I then sent a few more examples and received this on May 17th:

Dear Mr. Lewis:

Thank you for your email this morning.

The provisions of the ASDA Pledge, Code of Conduct, and By-Laws require that all merchandise offered for sale by an ASDA member be properly, carefully, and honestly graded and described, and that any faults, defects, restorations, or alterations that may exist be indicated.

In furtherance of ASDA's mission to maintain and develop high standards of business ethics among those engaged in the merchandising of stamps and other materials for the hobby of philately, we encourage collectors and dealers to report material offered for sale by ASDA members which may have questionable or incomplete descriptions.

If a fraudulent or inaccurate listing by an ASDA member is brought to our attention, we will take immediate action to determine the facts and rectify the situation through our disciplinary procedures if the facts establish fraud, inaccuracy, misrepresentation or other fault on the part of the member.

Unfortunately, we cannot police the many thousands of on-line listings of stamps and covers. We recognize fully the extent of the problem and we are studying it urgently to find a solution.

Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.

Best regards,


Dana Guyer
Executive Director
AMERICAN STAMP DEALERS ASSOCIATION, INC.

I replied with this:

Anthony's has been reported to you over and over and you guys chose to do nothing.

They are YOUR problem – so deal with them for Christ's sake. Huh is wrong with you people?

Then I received this response the same night from an Irving Miller:

Mr. Lewis,
First you don't know what we are doing to resolve this problem. It is the ASDA's top priority, and we are doing everything we can. Also it is not just our problem, it is everyone's problem. Have you contacted them yourself to tell them how you feel? Good luck with that!


Everything they can - right...

Wow, so much for recommending contacting ASDA.

Just a suggestion:

While I realize there is frustration involved here, the above is NOT how you communicate with an organization, expecting them to take you seriously. What they will do when receiving communication worded as such, is to dismiss you as a raving looney and this style of communication actually does the issue in question more harm than good.

If we expect professionalism from the organization in question, it behooves us to behave in like fashion.

"It is everyones problem" Last I checked I did not charge Anthony's a fee to use a trademarked logo of mine with a code of ethics attached. Wow. That is bad. ebay, Anthony's, the ASDA and clueless buyers all deserve each other. What a mess.

You can't be serious. My first 4 or 5 emails going back to last year were quite cordial. They deserve no better than the final one I bothered sending and if it offended them, then tough caca. Has nothing to do with frustration. I tried to be polite, report certain items and they either did not bother replying or didn't and still haven't done a damn thing. I have no dog in this fight. Neither Anthony's nor the ASDA are my problem. I don't and won't deal with either one of them.