Is APS Stampstore.org A "Safer" Place To Shop For Stamps?

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I would have thought so, up to today, but given my first order of three stamps all came back a FAKES I now believe [that] ebay is safer.

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We started with 10,000 items and a full-time staff of five (Director, two entering data, two scanning); there are now over 300,000 items on the site, with 500 to 1000 added every day. With the reorganization of the former Circuit Sales Division and ISU into a single unit - the APS Sales Division - there are now only two full-time staff dedicated to StampStore, doing nearly all of the data entry. Another full-time staffer splits time between the two units, doing much of the scanning. The overall director does some data entry and the rest of the scanning is done by volunteers, including me. I am the only one with philatelic knowledge. It is impossible to pre-screen the submissions from sellers due to the sheer volume. Those entering data must rely on the information provided by the seller on the submission form. They also have to decipher handwriting, which isn't always the best. Even when I'm scanning (usually two or three items at a time), I can't take the time to examine each item. That said, I'm on the computer every night and on the weekends looking at the latest submissions and either making corrections or identifying items for later review. We also rely on our members (like ClimberSteve above) to identify issues to the staff through the "Ask a Question" button. We receive dozens of emails every day and each one is investigated and appropriate action taken. I research many of those, as well as looking at many of the returned items to judge whether they can be corrected/reposted or need to be returned to the seller. StampStore, like every other aspect of the APS, is a huge undertaking, performed by too few people doing the best they can.