Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Most come with a packing slip showing what I purchased from the approval books. However others just come with the return address label letting me know who sent it.
Here's my issue. Sometime ago I began receiving statements from an individual who said he mailed me stamps on approval. Since I didn't recognize the name I just disregarded the letter.
Then another letter came requesting payment again. The individual listed his telephone number so I gave him a call. I asked what exactly did he send me? He gave me a detailed list of stamps that I do collect.
I explained to him that I do not remember seeing these stamps but I would go over my collection and envelopes of stamps I have yet to add to my collection. I could not find a single match with what I have and what he said he sent.
I called him back and left a voice mail message stating such.
I have since received two more requests for payment with the last one stating he would turn me into APS.
I joined APS about 6-7 months back. I know I listed what my interests were on my profile.
Has anyone else have this happen to them? If I had found the stamps I would either have paid him promptly or returned the stamps.
I spent almost two hours searching for his stamps and came up empty. I absolutely detest being badgered like this. If I was to send stamps out toi a complete stranger valued at over $70 I would have sent them so the individual would have to sign for them.
Furthermore I believe I would ask first if that individual would like to see my offerings on approval then I would send them.
Anyway this is really upsetting.
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I have no idea why this is happening, but I would like to put in a good word for 2bestbuds. He has purchased many items from me and has always paid me promptly. If someone is misusing SOR I hope we discover who it is and promptly resolve the issue.
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07:48:22am
Ask him to show you the "request for approvals" that you supposedly sent him -- either the email with full headers if he claims it was by email, or the letter if he claims that.
If he cannot produce your request, and you insist that you did not request them, he either sent unsolicited approvals, or is attempting to intimidate you into paying for something he never sent (i.e. scamming you). In either of these cases, he has no legitimate standing in his demand for payment for something you never agreed to accept on approval and never received.
If this is the case, write (and mail) a formal letter to him, detailing your position in the matter, and keep a copy on file in the event he actually follows through with a complaint to the APS. Keep it polite and formal. Stick to the facts a) you did not request approvals, b) he was unable to provide evidence to the contrary, c) you did not receive anything from him. If he files a complaint, the APS will contact you for your side of the story. Send a copy of the letter to the APS and the whole issue will be dropped.
About 30 years ago, I had a similar situation with an auction firm in Argentina. They claimed non-payment of auction bids to the tune of $2,000 -- bids I had never placed. They escalated it to a Toronto lawyer, who sent a legal claim for payment. I demanded to see a copy of the bid sheet with the supposed bids (pre-internet days). Turns out one of their employees had put my name and address on the bid sheet (why, I cannot speculate), but no signature from me. I pointed out to the lawyer that they had no legal claim and the problem went away.
Roy
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08:58:39am
If you follow Roy's advice, to the letter, you will come through smelling like a rose. If you do not, you may very well put yourself in an indefensible situation should a formal complaint be filed. If this is a scam, then all the Seller's bluster is so much "hot air," but if you do not deal with it as if it were a legitimate claim, you are the one potentially at risk. Copy and paste Roy's post into a text document and save it to a file; then check off each step as you complete it.
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09:01:08am
I had a similar experience. I received stamps from a person in Canada (I'm in the US) and I assumed they were a free sample to advertise his business. I had the same thought as you - why would someone send out stamps that are actually worth something without finding out if I wanted or needed them.
He sent me two threatening letters about the consequences of not paying him, and because I'm so disorganized, I could not find the stamps again, but I do remember looking at them and putting them into one of my piles. I ended up paying him by check along with a nasty letter telling him to never send me anything ever again.
I do believe he got my name and address from the APS and it had nothing to do with SOR.
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The APS does not give out addresses. They will, however, apply address labels to envelopes sealed by a sender. For example, suppose you want to invite 10 local collectors to join a new stamp club. If you send the APS 10 stamped envelopes with your invite enclosed, they will apply address labels for 10 members nearest the requested area. They will NOT give the info to you directly.
I would also like to say that Tom has been a friend and customer for quite some time.
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09:14:14am
Philatelia - that's good to know. But, he was not an SOR member so he got my name some other way...
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There are some scams going on using the APS name to try to get money from collectors.
It is against APS rules for a dealer to send unsolicited approvals. USPS regulations state that unsolicited material sent are considered to be gifts. Without proof that you actually requested an approval shipment, and without proof of mailing, this "dealer" has no ground to stand on.
If it were me, since you have the name of the purported dealer who is harassing you, I would be pro-active and contact the APS. If nothing else, it would alert the APS to another scam scheme. Keep all documentation sent to you by this person just in case. If it is a real APS-member dealer, the APS will contact this dealer. If the dealer is real, then after the APS is finished with the matter, I would then contact the American Stamp Dealer's Association to alert that organization as well. Dealers like that need to be removed from the membership roles.
The person to contact at the APS is Wendy Masorti. She is very helpful. Her direct number is: 814-933-3803 ext. 202.
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Specifically, here is a partial statement from the APS web site regarding the sending of unsolicited approvals:
APS Standing Resolution 3.10 discourages the sending of unsolicited approvals through the mail and specifies that any coercive pressure exerted by the sender of such material to secure payment thereof shall be considered unethical conduct.
It further states that recipients of unsolicited approvals "have no obligation either to account for or return it".
Here is a link to the APS web page concerning philatelic frauds:
http://stamps.org/Fraud-Watch
Also, here is a link to the APS web page regarding disputes. There are links at the bottom of the page for more specific disputes, like unsolicited approvals.
http://stamps.org/Dispute-Resolution
Note to moderator: We may want to add the two links to our links page.
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Thank you all to the extremely fast replies to my post. Gosh I posted it last night around 11:30PST! It's not even 8am yet. I will contact him to ask if I requested his approvals and to show me proof of such.
Are you sure APS doesn't give out addresses? I have received several letters from dealers offering discounted stamps and one even sent out a price list for mounts.
I have a file of all these vendors.
In regards to the vendor who sent me the stamps on approval I did find his original letter in that file. I have been keeping all his correspondence.
Roy I will follow your advice promptly tomorrow morning. I have enough on my plate to add this drama to it. But once again thank you all for your speedy replies. I am grateful.
Tom
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APS does not permit the use of the member address file for the purpose of sending out unsolicited approvals. A member-dealer can use the address file to send out advertisements and offers. If unsolicited approvals are sent in those offers, then the dealer is supposed to provide return postage. Mystic, for example, does this, and follows the APS rules. That's why it's important to contact APS, because if this is an APS member-dealer, proper action must be taken for the misue of the address file, if the dealer obtained one from the APS.
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11:46:07am
I would like some clarification here as I am a little confused. Please address the follows comments/questions I have entered in red. If you wish to do so in a private message via the SOR message system, that is fine (in fact I would appreciate the name of the sender, but only if sent via PM).
"I have been purchasing from this site for many months. Some days I receive in the mail five, six, seven orders I have placed on this sight." I presume this refers to purchases from Stamporama Approval Books.
"Here's my issue. Sometime ago I began receiving statements from an individual who said he mailed me stamps on approval. Since I didn't recognize the name I just disregarded the letter." My presumption here is that this is not from a Stamporama member. If this presumption is incorrect, please notify me via PM with the individual's name and I will get this matter resolved very quickly.
If you are unsure whether this person is a member of Stamporama, please send his name, address, phone number, etc. to me and I will find out. If you are certain this person is not a member of Stamporama, then proceed with the process Roy outlined.
Bobby
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Thomas, please know that nobody on Stamporama has anything but the highest regard for your integrity. Your initial posting oozed the affront that you must have felt. Maybe when this is sorted you can sue for the pain and suffering this has caused.
vic.
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Hi Everyone;
@ everyone;
I agree that 2bestbuds, is a very honest buyer and pays very promptly.
There is one other thing that you should do about this. File a complaint with the USPS
mail fraud department. I'm surprised everyone missed this. Here is what USPS (copied
without permission) has to say on this subject:
"Mail Fraud
U.S. Postal Inspectors investigate any crime in which the U.S. Mail is used to further
a scheme--whether it originated in the mail, by telephone, or on the Internet. The
use of the U.S. Mail is what makes it mail fraud.
If evidence of a postal violation exists, Postal Inspectors may seek prosecutive or
administrative action against the violator. However, if money is lost through a
fraudulent scheme conducted via the mail, Postal Inspectors lack the authority to
ensure you receive a refund and can't require that products, services, or advertise-
ments--on the Internet or elsewhere--be altered.
Postal Inspectors base investigations of mail fraud on the number, pattern, and
substance of complaints received from the public. The Postal Inspection Service
will carefully review the information you provide. We may share the information
with other agencies when there is a possible violation within their jurisdiction.
If you feel you've been victimized in a fraud scheme that involves the U.S. Mail,
submit a Mail Fraud Complaint Form to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service."
Check to see if the address that the threats were mailed from are from the same town as
one of your sellers, or the same state. It the same state but not the same town, Google
both towns to see if they are nearby.
Here is why. You don't know at this point where the person got your address and know-
ledge that you collect stamps. I have had postal clerks ask me often, what is in my pack-
age. Is it a baggie of anthrax gone missing from the CDC or toxic/flammable substances?
If one of your sellers was asked this info, they may have indicated the contents were
stamps, without thinking anything was amiss.
It is more likely that if a postal clerk gathered the info, they would rather sell it to some-
one in a different part of the country. That is why credit card thieves would rather sell
them than use them. This is because all the victims would be in the same geographical
area and would lead law enforcement right back to them!
If this person has done this scam many times and has gotten money from his victims, it
would be considered a Felony crime I believe, and this character needs to be put away.
Keep on Stampin'....
TuskenRaider
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11:03:08pm
2bestbuds is also VERY patient when it comes to buying approvals from someone who has been sick or is currently snowbound (I can see the post office from my balcony but the sidewalks aren't clear to get my chair there). I'm grateful for his patience and kindness. 
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01:26:49am
Up till about thirty-plus years ago the APS issued a member's directory annually, or perhaps bi-annually. But in about the late 1970s they ceased publishing that directory because of that specific kind of scam.
Another thing to be wary of is where and how you dispose of the APS Journal. For many years I would find copies at the local stamp club that were left by members for other members with all or enough of the address label readable. There were also copies of Linn's and sometimes of Topical Club's journals and newsletters.
While I am confident that almost all the members of our local club are just as meticulously honest as SoR members you never can be sure of where your journal copy may end up.
When I was still able to drive freely I'd gather that kind of thing and after a quick read drop them off at the Gainesville VA Hospitals book bin my next visit. After removing all traces of an address, of course.
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You can tell a lot about a person by how they value their integrity and reputation. Those who don't care probably don't have much to protect in the first place! It says quite a bit about Tom and Stamporama folks that we do place a great deal of emphasis on our honesty and character. It is an extremely valuable asset in philately, one that we protect zealously. And with good reason! Would you trade with or buy from a shady person?
I have yet to have a problem with anyone here that couldn't be resolved by a short little conversation to clear up the misunderstanding. I am very proud to be a part of this group and to call all of you friends. YOU are the most valued elements of my "stamp collection."
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09:37:47am
I do not understand the gist of the later responses to Tom's original post. He stated his dilemma and received excellent advice on how to handle the situation. Then, somehow, this thread morphed into a testimonial to Tom's integrity. Where in any post was his integrity impugned? Why did members feel it necessary to laud Tom's honesty? I'm not saying he doesn't deserve praise, but what has any of this to do with his original post? It almost sounds like someone accused him of making up this story; but since we have all, at one time or another, most likely received unsolicited approvals, I'm certain we all believe him.
What we should all be concerned with are just two things: (1) that Tom protects himself from this bozo, and (2) that if the cretin in question is a member of Stamporama he be dealt with appropriately.
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Spoken like a real man, Bobby!!!! LOL Men want to fix the problem, but sometimes don't realize that the hurt feelings can be more important than just making the problem go away. Tom expressed some concern for his integrity and other members stepped up to reassure him that one bad apple wouldn't change anything. Sure the conversation morphed and as the moderator you like to keep the discussions on track, but helping a person to feel better trumps keeping the threads pure and on topic, in my humble opinion.
How can we ever have any chat between members if we are forced to strictly stick to the topic? This seems to be a real problem limiting online conversations here. Perhaps we need to label topics as "strictly stick to the topic" conversations to archive philatelic knowledge. And then there are topics like this scam that lead to all sorts of branch discussions. Trying to keep people on topic in cases like this is like trying to herd cats.
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01:17:46pm
I give up!!!!
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Awwwwwwww you poor thing! Don't you know that no good deed goes unpunished? LOL Just take a deep breath and "Let it Goooooooooo"
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"I give up!!!!"
No you don't, so don't even try to make us think that you do.
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We must remember that in these days of the internet anyone can look up an address. Within a few months of joining APS I received a lot of unsolicited philatelic mail including some approval. I assume the senders simply mine the new members list and then look them up on the White Pages website. I ignored the junk mail and sent back the unsolicited approvals, but I suppose someone unscrupulous or mistaken could always accuse me of not sending something back. It never occurred to me to document unsolicited mail but maybe I will from now on.
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02:34:39am
I have been purchasing from this site for many months. Some days I receive in the mail five, six, seven orders I have placed on this sight.
Most come with a packing slip showing what I purchased from the approval books. However others just come with the return address label letting me know who sent it.
Here's my issue. Sometime ago I began receiving statements from an individual who said he mailed me stamps on approval. Since I didn't recognize the name I just disregarded the letter.
Then another letter came requesting payment again. The individual listed his telephone number so I gave him a call. I asked what exactly did he send me? He gave me a detailed list of stamps that I do collect.
I explained to him that I do not remember seeing these stamps but I would go over my collection and envelopes of stamps I have yet to add to my collection. I could not find a single match with what I have and what he said he sent.
I called him back and left a voice mail message stating such.
I have since received two more requests for payment with the last one stating he would turn me into APS.
I joined APS about 6-7 months back. I know I listed what my interests were on my profile.
Has anyone else have this happen to them? If I had found the stamps I would either have paid him promptly or returned the stamps.
I spent almost two hours searching for his stamps and came up empty. I absolutely detest being badgered like this. If I was to send stamps out toi a complete stranger valued at over $70 I would have sent them so the individual would have to sign for them.
Furthermore I believe I would ask first if that individual would like to see my offerings on approval then I would send them.
Anyway this is really upsetting.
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re: Scam?
I have no idea why this is happening, but I would like to put in a good word for 2bestbuds. He has purchased many items from me and has always paid me promptly. If someone is misusing SOR I hope we discover who it is and promptly resolve the issue.
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18 Jan 2015
07:48:22am
re: Scam?
Ask him to show you the "request for approvals" that you supposedly sent him -- either the email with full headers if he claims it was by email, or the letter if he claims that.
If he cannot produce your request, and you insist that you did not request them, he either sent unsolicited approvals, or is attempting to intimidate you into paying for something he never sent (i.e. scamming you). In either of these cases, he has no legitimate standing in his demand for payment for something you never agreed to accept on approval and never received.
If this is the case, write (and mail) a formal letter to him, detailing your position in the matter, and keep a copy on file in the event he actually follows through with a complaint to the APS. Keep it polite and formal. Stick to the facts a) you did not request approvals, b) he was unable to provide evidence to the contrary, c) you did not receive anything from him. If he files a complaint, the APS will contact you for your side of the story. Send a copy of the letter to the APS and the whole issue will be dropped.
About 30 years ago, I had a similar situation with an auction firm in Argentina. They claimed non-payment of auction bids to the tune of $2,000 -- bids I had never placed. They escalated it to a Toronto lawyer, who sent a legal claim for payment. I demanded to see a copy of the bid sheet with the supposed bids (pre-internet days). Turns out one of their employees had put my name and address on the bid sheet (why, I cannot speculate), but no signature from me. I pointed out to the lawyer that they had no legal claim and the problem went away.
Roy
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They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. -Benjamin Franklin
18 Jan 2015
08:58:39am
re: Scam?
If you follow Roy's advice, to the letter, you will come through smelling like a rose. If you do not, you may very well put yourself in an indefensible situation should a formal complaint be filed. If this is a scam, then all the Seller's bluster is so much "hot air," but if you do not deal with it as if it were a legitimate claim, you are the one potentially at risk. Copy and paste Roy's post into a text document and save it to a file; then check off each step as you complete it.
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It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light. - Aristotle Onassis
18 Jan 2015
09:01:08am
re: Scam?
I had a similar experience. I received stamps from a person in Canada (I'm in the US) and I assumed they were a free sample to advertise his business. I had the same thought as you - why would someone send out stamps that are actually worth something without finding out if I wanted or needed them.
He sent me two threatening letters about the consequences of not paying him, and because I'm so disorganized, I could not find the stamps again, but I do remember looking at them and putting them into one of my piles. I ended up paying him by check along with a nasty letter telling him to never send me anything ever again.
I do believe he got my name and address from the APS and it had nothing to do with SOR.
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re: Scam?
The APS does not give out addresses. They will, however, apply address labels to envelopes sealed by a sender. For example, suppose you want to invite 10 local collectors to join a new stamp club. If you send the APS 10 stamped envelopes with your invite enclosed, they will apply address labels for 10 members nearest the requested area. They will NOT give the info to you directly.
I would also like to say that Tom has been a friend and customer for quite some time.
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It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light. - Aristotle Onassis
18 Jan 2015
09:14:14am
re: Scam?
Philatelia - that's good to know. But, he was not an SOR member so he got my name some other way...
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09:17:21am
re: Scam?
There are some scams going on using the APS name to try to get money from collectors.
It is against APS rules for a dealer to send unsolicited approvals. USPS regulations state that unsolicited material sent are considered to be gifts. Without proof that you actually requested an approval shipment, and without proof of mailing, this "dealer" has no ground to stand on.
If it were me, since you have the name of the purported dealer who is harassing you, I would be pro-active and contact the APS. If nothing else, it would alert the APS to another scam scheme. Keep all documentation sent to you by this person just in case. If it is a real APS-member dealer, the APS will contact this dealer. If the dealer is real, then after the APS is finished with the matter, I would then contact the American Stamp Dealer's Association to alert that organization as well. Dealers like that need to be removed from the membership roles.
The person to contact at the APS is Wendy Masorti. She is very helpful. Her direct number is: 814-933-3803 ext. 202.
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09:41:24am
re: Scam?
Specifically, here is a partial statement from the APS web site regarding the sending of unsolicited approvals:
APS Standing Resolution 3.10 discourages the sending of unsolicited approvals through the mail and specifies that any coercive pressure exerted by the sender of such material to secure payment thereof shall be considered unethical conduct.
It further states that recipients of unsolicited approvals "have no obligation either to account for or return it".
Here is a link to the APS web page concerning philatelic frauds:
http://stamps.org/Fraud-Watch
Also, here is a link to the APS web page regarding disputes. There are links at the bottom of the page for more specific disputes, like unsolicited approvals.
http://stamps.org/Dispute-Resolution
Note to moderator: We may want to add the two links to our links page.
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10:55:05am
re: Scam?
Thank you all to the extremely fast replies to my post. Gosh I posted it last night around 11:30PST! It's not even 8am yet. I will contact him to ask if I requested his approvals and to show me proof of such.
Are you sure APS doesn't give out addresses? I have received several letters from dealers offering discounted stamps and one even sent out a price list for mounts.
I have a file of all these vendors.
In regards to the vendor who sent me the stamps on approval I did find his original letter in that file. I have been keeping all his correspondence.
Roy I will follow your advice promptly tomorrow morning. I have enough on my plate to add this drama to it. But once again thank you all for your speedy replies. I am grateful.
Tom
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11:18:21am
re: Scam?
APS does not permit the use of the member address file for the purpose of sending out unsolicited approvals. A member-dealer can use the address file to send out advertisements and offers. If unsolicited approvals are sent in those offers, then the dealer is supposed to provide return postage. Mystic, for example, does this, and follows the APS rules. That's why it's important to contact APS, because if this is an APS member-dealer, proper action must be taken for the misue of the address file, if the dealer obtained one from the APS.
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They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. -Benjamin Franklin
18 Jan 2015
11:46:07am
re: Scam?
I would like some clarification here as I am a little confused. Please address the follows comments/questions I have entered in red. If you wish to do so in a private message via the SOR message system, that is fine (in fact I would appreciate the name of the sender, but only if sent via PM).
"I have been purchasing from this site for many months. Some days I receive in the mail five, six, seven orders I have placed on this sight." I presume this refers to purchases from Stamporama Approval Books.
"Here's my issue. Sometime ago I began receiving statements from an individual who said he mailed me stamps on approval. Since I didn't recognize the name I just disregarded the letter." My presumption here is that this is not from a Stamporama member. If this presumption is incorrect, please notify me via PM with the individual's name and I will get this matter resolved very quickly.
If you are unsure whether this person is a member of Stamporama, please send his name, address, phone number, etc. to me and I will find out. If you are certain this person is not a member of Stamporama, then proceed with the process Roy outlined.
Bobby
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Approvals
re: Scam?
Thomas, please know that nobody on Stamporama has anything but the highest regard for your integrity. Your initial posting oozed the affront that you must have felt. Maybe when this is sorted you can sue for the pain and suffering this has caused.
vic.
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re: Scam?
Hi Everyone;
@ everyone;
I agree that 2bestbuds, is a very honest buyer and pays very promptly.
There is one other thing that you should do about this. File a complaint with the USPS
mail fraud department. I'm surprised everyone missed this. Here is what USPS (copied
without permission) has to say on this subject:
"Mail Fraud
U.S. Postal Inspectors investigate any crime in which the U.S. Mail is used to further
a scheme--whether it originated in the mail, by telephone, or on the Internet. The
use of the U.S. Mail is what makes it mail fraud.
If evidence of a postal violation exists, Postal Inspectors may seek prosecutive or
administrative action against the violator. However, if money is lost through a
fraudulent scheme conducted via the mail, Postal Inspectors lack the authority to
ensure you receive a refund and can't require that products, services, or advertise-
ments--on the Internet or elsewhere--be altered.
Postal Inspectors base investigations of mail fraud on the number, pattern, and
substance of complaints received from the public. The Postal Inspection Service
will carefully review the information you provide. We may share the information
with other agencies when there is a possible violation within their jurisdiction.
If you feel you've been victimized in a fraud scheme that involves the U.S. Mail,
submit a Mail Fraud Complaint Form to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service."
Check to see if the address that the threats were mailed from are from the same town as
one of your sellers, or the same state. It the same state but not the same town, Google
both towns to see if they are nearby.
Here is why. You don't know at this point where the person got your address and know-
ledge that you collect stamps. I have had postal clerks ask me often, what is in my pack-
age. Is it a baggie of anthrax gone missing from the CDC or toxic/flammable substances?
If one of your sellers was asked this info, they may have indicated the contents were
stamps, without thinking anything was amiss.
It is more likely that if a postal clerk gathered the info, they would rather sell it to some-
one in a different part of the country. That is why credit card thieves would rather sell
them than use them. This is because all the victims would be in the same geographical
area and would lead law enforcement right back to them!
If this person has done this scam many times and has gotten money from his victims, it
would be considered a Felony crime I believe, and this character needs to be put away.
Keep on Stampin'....
TuskenRaider
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18 Jan 2015
11:03:08pm
re: Scam?
2bestbuds is also VERY patient when it comes to buying approvals from someone who has been sick or is currently snowbound (I can see the post office from my balcony but the sidewalks aren't clear to get my chair there). I'm grateful for his patience and kindness.
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
19 Jan 2015
01:26:49am
re: Scam?
Up till about thirty-plus years ago the APS issued a member's directory annually, or perhaps bi-annually. But in about the late 1970s they ceased publishing that directory because of that specific kind of scam.
Another thing to be wary of is where and how you dispose of the APS Journal. For many years I would find copies at the local stamp club that were left by members for other members with all or enough of the address label readable. There were also copies of Linn's and sometimes of Topical Club's journals and newsletters.
While I am confident that almost all the members of our local club are just as meticulously honest as SoR members you never can be sure of where your journal copy may end up.
When I was still able to drive freely I'd gather that kind of thing and after a quick read drop them off at the Gainesville VA Hospitals book bin my next visit. After removing all traces of an address, of course.
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re: Scam?
You can tell a lot about a person by how they value their integrity and reputation. Those who don't care probably don't have much to protect in the first place! It says quite a bit about Tom and Stamporama folks that we do place a great deal of emphasis on our honesty and character. It is an extremely valuable asset in philately, one that we protect zealously. And with good reason! Would you trade with or buy from a shady person?
I have yet to have a problem with anyone here that couldn't be resolved by a short little conversation to clear up the misunderstanding. I am very proud to be a part of this group and to call all of you friends. YOU are the most valued elements of my "stamp collection."
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They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. -Benjamin Franklin
19 Jan 2015
09:37:47am
re: Scam?
I do not understand the gist of the later responses to Tom's original post. He stated his dilemma and received excellent advice on how to handle the situation. Then, somehow, this thread morphed into a testimonial to Tom's integrity. Where in any post was his integrity impugned? Why did members feel it necessary to laud Tom's honesty? I'm not saying he doesn't deserve praise, but what has any of this to do with his original post? It almost sounds like someone accused him of making up this story; but since we have all, at one time or another, most likely received unsolicited approvals, I'm certain we all believe him.
What we should all be concerned with are just two things: (1) that Tom protects himself from this bozo, and (2) that if the cretin in question is a member of Stamporama he be dealt with appropriately.
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re: Scam?
Spoken like a real man, Bobby!!!! LOL Men want to fix the problem, but sometimes don't realize that the hurt feelings can be more important than just making the problem go away. Tom expressed some concern for his integrity and other members stepped up to reassure him that one bad apple wouldn't change anything. Sure the conversation morphed and as the moderator you like to keep the discussions on track, but helping a person to feel better trumps keeping the threads pure and on topic, in my humble opinion.
How can we ever have any chat between members if we are forced to strictly stick to the topic? This seems to be a real problem limiting online conversations here. Perhaps we need to label topics as "strictly stick to the topic" conversations to archive philatelic knowledge. And then there are topics like this scam that lead to all sorts of branch discussions. Trying to keep people on topic in cases like this is like trying to herd cats.
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They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. -Benjamin Franklin
19 Jan 2015
01:17:46pm
re: Scam?
I give up!!!!
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re: Scam?
Awwwwwwww you poor thing! Don't you know that no good deed goes unpunished? LOL Just take a deep breath and "Let it Goooooooooo"
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12:51:39am
re: Scam?
"I give up!!!!"
No you don't, so don't even try to make us think that you do.
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07:32:33pm
re: Scam?
We must remember that in these days of the internet anyone can look up an address. Within a few months of joining APS I received a lot of unsolicited philatelic mail including some approval. I assume the senders simply mine the new members list and then look them up on the White Pages website. I ignored the junk mail and sent back the unsolicited approvals, but I suppose someone unscrupulous or mistaken could always accuse me of not sending something back. It never occurred to me to document unsolicited mail but maybe I will from now on.
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