Potential New US Section Forum Category 'Is This A Rare Stamp?" Poll

I voted YES because:

- some people simply want to know the value of stamps and have no interest whatsoever in history, etc
- some people may find it interesting to see posts from the people above
- would hopefully clear other sections of the forum of one-time posters that will only get buried anyway
- I just plain like organization ;-)

I think it is a great idea. So many innocents getting into stamps for the first time, honestly excited about something, but with no background other than maybe a Scott catalog. It's painful to watch as we try to be nice and people don't trust the opinions... Can the new forum have some pinned introductory material like: how to tell a fault from an error; the three things to check before asking about a Washington/Franklin stamp...

I have invested thousands of man hours in developing a website with this kind of info, others have invested their time in replying to these threads. What we learned is that you can lead a person to the information, but you cannot make them read it.

I am thinking of doing a video instead, perhaps folks who are not willing to read might be willing to watch?

Ultimately there will always be some who simply will not read/watch/listen to any opinion that says they do not have a rare stamp. But perhaps a video will reach some who do not want to invest in reading?
Don

I voted no, for the record.

There is some "accounting" benefit to corral the "is this rare" requests into a thread. But, every request is unique and many take more time to answer than others. I think it would end up a confused mess of multiple unanswered questions.

The Stampsmarter web site at least offers the means for self-help.

I'm not suggesting a pinned note that has all the content of a StampSmarter. I'm thinking more along the lines a few paragraphs explaining the purpose of the forum and how to get the most out of it. I would suspect it would have a number of links to StampSmarter.

As others have said, some people will just head straight in without reading no matter what. But simple things - like common mistakes, some pointers to some key sections in StampSmarter. It could just be a pinned thread "read me before posting".

My view is that the current approach ends up alienating as many people as it helps. We need something like a nursery for stamp newbies where we can raise them right - lol. I don't know the right answer, but it seems to me we can do better.

When it comes to new millionaire stamp owners it is hand to hand combat.

Short video guidance is worth a shot. It/they should be allowed to be pinned post/posts. If generic, it can be given as a link upon signup.

KGV Collector is absolutely right. Many of the newest batch of supposed rarity discoverers in the last few months carry a lot of attitude and preconceived notions rather than a dose of skepticism over what seems to be a fabulous stamp. That bunch often continues to plead their case when they've been proven incorrect with several replies explaining the situation. Ask for free help and get butthurt because you don't like the answer? Can't do a lot there if Mommy raised you wrong.

rlsny, members here have bent over backwards to try and help newbies. Bad attitude newbies are a different story and can run home and cry to Mommy when their delusional notions are not supported here. More members that are expert could respond to these posts but are well aware of the consequences and choose not do so. That is actually the smarter approach if one wants a less troubled life.

And kudos to those asking questions and take the time to thank members for help even when their item is not found to be a great rarity. Those are the folks I want to keep in the hobby and SCF, not newbie trolls.

I think the folks that answer these "I've found a treasure" posts show amazing patience and I applaud you. That being said I think that sometimes we go too far trying to protect these newcomers from wasting $50 on a cert. They don't like our free advice so maybe they'll heed advice that costs a few $. IMO it's all part of paying your dues, and what's $50. Most of us have paid our dues in the $100s if not $1000s.

No. This is a solution in search of a problem. My vote is for an efo forum

I think it's a great idea I vote yes

As a true representative of an absolute beginner, and a glib candidate for the "is it rare forum?", leading to the inevitable "it isnt? are you sure?" tshirt purchase... I vote no. even though il be duped out of many cents thinking i've got a good one! its a learning curve. people learn in many ways and as long as the links especially to stampsmarter and other similar catalogs are there then we will fluff around and learn something new. everyday. perhaps the SEARCH button link should say "drink me first"! ha but I amuse myself... there are many valuable years of comments advice and knowledge in that wee button. Thanks team.

Yes. Great idea.

Angore, great idea, in my opinion. "How much is my stamp worth" is a pretty easy way to filter out the folks that just want an answer to (and forgive who I am quoting/paraphrasing here) what they found in the back of Aunt Gertrude's sock drawer. (Also wonder if you also read Hardy Boys books as a kid, but that's another story.)

Of course, anyone has the choice to simply ignore that if they are tired of saying "no, just because your stamp is from 1922 it is worth $.05." (Guess we all do now as it currently stands.)

I do like to troll the "I've inherited some stamps" but it also is clearly chock full of folks who are simply looking for an ID on something they think valuable and just want an answer; which as we've all seen over and over and over and over is 99.8% of the time, no.

I voted yes.

It's a bad idea to start treating one group of people differently than another. It only opens the door to discrimination against the next group, and the next group, and the next group after that. Why are there so many yes votes? That's what I don't understand.