Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
My wife and I arrived Thursday afternoon at our Airbnb - i contacted my friend Vince (vinman here on SOR) and we met up with him for dinner. He suggested a restaurant in nearby Howard.
It was housed in a 100+ year old Inn and did not dissapoint; food was great as was the ambiance of the Inn.
We both enjoyed reconnecting with Vince - hadn't talked with him in person since the G.A.S.S. in Cleveland.
Next day - Friday, we arrived at the APS at about 8:30.
(Vince could not come due to a previous commitment)
My visit there - I'm sorry to say - was less than expected.
I was there for 4 hours, and during this time there were only 3 other visitors who came thru.
The entire place was silent my entire visit - no background music softly playing, no pleasant conversations happening, no one saying hello or welcome - other than the front desk lady - no one even in the gift shop to assist a customer. And no one even asked if I needed anything as I wandered throughout the entire place.
A venue couldn't have felt less welcoming.
Now, on the positive side, I did find some things in the gift store such as 3 slightly used cover albums at 5 bucks each; 35 baseball-themed stamps all WW at 10 cents each; and 4 miscellaneous reference books in the used section.
I also found some good info regarding a few of my interests in numerous reference works in the library, although their cataloging numbering system is very confusing unlike a regular library!
Over all i would give my visit a rating of a C- or a 4 or 5 on a scale of 1 thru 10.
I hope to visit again when the opportunity arises, and I might just approach the next visit from a different angle, if you will.
8 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
We use the same cataloging system at the Northern Philatelic Library. It does not lend itself to being easily understood. I have cataloged a few books for the library and I have no clue how it is organized.
3 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
Randy,
I'm sorry your visit to The APS was less than expected. The staff are usually welcoming. There are many volunteers that spend time helping with sorting donations, they are less welcoming than the staff. I should have let you know you can ask for a tour of the facility, the staff are very accommodating. I will pass on your comments to the staff and hopefully they will be able to address the situation.
Next time you are out this way I will personally give you a tour of The Match Factory.
Vince
4 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
Interesting report. Yours is the first real review I have read others than those that say it is a must see.
Login to Like
this post
@Vince,
I appreciate your offer - I know you had another engagement that took precedence.
When I approached the front desk, introduced myself and said it was my first time here, I was told it was a self-guided tour and was handed a pamphlet with a map of the place.
She then went back to sorting thru the pile of stamps on paper on her desk.
I passed by numerous offices with people in them that never noticed I was there; I passed 5 or 6 employees in the halls that never spoke...some made eye contact, some did not.
I went to the library, the man at the entry desk glanced at me but did not speak; same for the woman at the 'checkout' desk.
I went in the gift shop and began to look around...a man with long hair and a long white beard asked if I needed anything...I said just looking for now; he said OK and left - never saw him again.
I get that people are working there, but isn't it a bit odd that they hardly acknowledge visiting guests/members?
Or am I being to critical??
All things considered, there is still a wealth of info under their roof and I do intend to return as often as I am able.
I think a visit there with Vince will be the best thing to do next time.
Login to Like
this post
I just made my first APS visit this year as well, in June.
Very similar in some respects - no one in the gift shop, only one other visitor that i could identify.
I had phoned the APS a couple of weeks prior to my visit and told them that I was interested in expertising and the research library.
When I got there I identified myself as president of our local club and was able to review the club's listing on the APS website with the receptionist and made some updates on the spot.
I then visited Ken Martin the Expertising Manager. He guided me through the reference collection and other holdings.
Ken also took me down to the research library and explained the cataloging system, yes a bit of a challenge. One difficulty was that the library holdings I was looking at were a bit disorganized. Probably more to do with users being careless returning material to the stacks.
I was a little disappointed in general, I had expected a more museum like experience, but I will return at some point and be better prepared after my initial visit. I would suggest that anyone making the effort to visit have a list of what you want to see and do and who you would like to speak with. Phoning ahead might help as well.
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
I recently had my very first visit to the American Philatelic Society at 1 Match Factory Place in Bellafonte, PA;
My wife and I arrived Thursday afternoon at our Airbnb - i contacted my friend Vince (vinman here on SOR) and we met up with him for dinner. He suggested a restaurant in nearby Howard.
It was housed in a 100+ year old Inn and did not dissapoint; food was great as was the ambiance of the Inn.
We both enjoyed reconnecting with Vince - hadn't talked with him in person since the G.A.S.S. in Cleveland.
Next day - Friday, we arrived at the APS at about 8:30.
(Vince could not come due to a previous commitment)
My visit there - I'm sorry to say - was less than expected.
I was there for 4 hours, and during this time there were only 3 other visitors who came thru.
The entire place was silent my entire visit - no background music softly playing, no pleasant conversations happening, no one saying hello or welcome - other than the front desk lady - no one even in the gift shop to assist a customer. And no one even asked if I needed anything as I wandered throughout the entire place.
A venue couldn't have felt less welcoming.
Now, on the positive side, I did find some things in the gift store such as 3 slightly used cover albums at 5 bucks each; 35 baseball-themed stamps all WW at 10 cents each; and 4 miscellaneous reference books in the used section.
I also found some good info regarding a few of my interests in numerous reference works in the library, although their cataloging numbering system is very confusing unlike a regular library!
Over all i would give my visit a rating of a C- or a 4 or 5 on a scale of 1 thru 10.
I hope to visit again when the opportunity arises, and I might just approach the next visit from a different angle, if you will.
8 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: APS Visit
We use the same cataloging system at the Northern Philatelic Library. It does not lend itself to being easily understood. I have cataloged a few books for the library and I have no clue how it is organized.
3 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: APS Visit
Randy,
I'm sorry your visit to The APS was less than expected. The staff are usually welcoming. There are many volunteers that spend time helping with sorting donations, they are less welcoming than the staff. I should have let you know you can ask for a tour of the facility, the staff are very accommodating. I will pass on your comments to the staff and hopefully they will be able to address the situation.
Next time you are out this way I will personally give you a tour of The Match Factory.
Vince
4 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: APS Visit
Interesting report. Yours is the first real review I have read others than those that say it is a must see.
Login to Like
this post
re: APS Visit
@Vince,
I appreciate your offer - I know you had another engagement that took precedence.
When I approached the front desk, introduced myself and said it was my first time here, I was told it was a self-guided tour and was handed a pamphlet with a map of the place.
She then went back to sorting thru the pile of stamps on paper on her desk.
I passed by numerous offices with people in them that never noticed I was there; I passed 5 or 6 employees in the halls that never spoke...some made eye contact, some did not.
I went to the library, the man at the entry desk glanced at me but did not speak; same for the woman at the 'checkout' desk.
I went in the gift shop and began to look around...a man with long hair and a long white beard asked if I needed anything...I said just looking for now; he said OK and left - never saw him again.
I get that people are working there, but isn't it a bit odd that they hardly acknowledge visiting guests/members?
Or am I being to critical??
All things considered, there is still a wealth of info under their roof and I do intend to return as often as I am able.
I think a visit there with Vince will be the best thing to do next time.
Login to Like
this post
re: APS Visit
I just made my first APS visit this year as well, in June.
Very similar in some respects - no one in the gift shop, only one other visitor that i could identify.
I had phoned the APS a couple of weeks prior to my visit and told them that I was interested in expertising and the research library.
When I got there I identified myself as president of our local club and was able to review the club's listing on the APS website with the receptionist and made some updates on the spot.
I then visited Ken Martin the Expertising Manager. He guided me through the reference collection and other holdings.
Ken also took me down to the research library and explained the cataloging system, yes a bit of a challenge. One difficulty was that the library holdings I was looking at were a bit disorganized. Probably more to do with users being careless returning material to the stacks.
I was a little disappointed in general, I had expected a more museum like experience, but I will return at some point and be better prepared after my initial visit. I would suggest that anyone making the effort to visit have a list of what you want to see and do and who you would like to speak with. Phoning ahead might help as well.
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.