The US Stamp Society (Usss) Got Scammed For $49,000

I think the philatelic press has a tendency to avoid negative stories and lacks any real investigative reporters. If they would do a better job communicating the areas which need improvement and holes which hobbyists should avoid stepping into, then the need would not be as great to do their job for them. I think the press is supposed to be a check and balance, to drive transparency to those in power. When those in positions of power feel that issues are kept under the radar, more bad things will happen. If, for example, there was wide coverage of the British Cartel situation; at a minimum fewer hobbyists would have been taken advantage of. Lets face it, one of the largest philatelic press outlets is also in the business of selling philatelic supplies; reporting on problems in the hobby is probably not good for sales of albums and catalogs.
Our hobby has plenty of crimes being committed, shining a light upon the darkness at least makes the roaches run for cover.
Don

Don, there are a multitude of dimensions to your argument. As you of course well know, you graciously published an article I wrote on shill bidding on the StampSmarter site. The article was/is as valuable to an ebay coin buyer as it is to an ebay stamp buyer.

I have to assume your decision to publish was based on your ideals regarding transparency in our hobby and giving hobbyists, who spend a lot of money on their hobby, facts and opinions to help them make informed buying decisions. I also assume you felt (feel) that my article was accurate and factual.

Knowing that shill bidding is a very controversial subject and also illegal, I inquired in advance about publishing the article here within the forum(s). I was turned down.

As it would be inappropriate to publicly discuss the reason I was turned down, I will only say that it was a missed opportunity to provide some transparency about shilling through this forum.

This forum has 'a history' on this topic, a history which did not end well. Since that time and because of the drama that it generated, the feeling is that it is best to simply avoid any mention of that topic. This forum is not trying to replace an independent philatelic press; it is a privilege to post here, not a right. The Admin of this forum can make whatever decisions he feels is best for the community.

Our hobby has no independent press. Virtually every one of the philatelic publications have vested interests that prevents them from doing investigative reporting. Most do not want to anger the various organizations or larger commercial entities.

I agree that our community here is a less than ideal substitute for a truly independent philatelic press.
Don