What we collect!

 

Stamporama Discussion Board Logo
For People Who Love To Talk About Stamps
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Stamporama Discussion Board Logo
For People Who Love To Talk About Stamps
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Stamporama Discussion Board Logo
For People Who Love To Talk About Stamps



What we collect!
What we collect!


United States/Stamps : U S Postal Service

 

Author
Postings
rjan
Members Picture


16 Feb 2016
02:06:04pm
I went to local post office with package mailing to trading club. I had $1 in 10 cent stamps nicely presented and wanted to add postage to send. The clerk printed $0.86 label and promptly put in on over corner of stamps. I remarked that the stamps were no longer good for collecting. She looked at me quizzically and said 'you can't collect them they are used for postage'. I said I collect stamps as a hobby and do not like labels over them. She actually said she never heard of anyone collecting stamps. I left shaking my head as she started muttering to a co-worker (must been about the stamp nut she just talked to)
Like
Login to Like
this post
auldstampguy
Members Picture


Tim
Collector/Webmaster

16 Feb 2016
06:09:30pm

Auctions - Approvals
re: U S Postal Service

I hate to further classify myself as an old bloke, but was she about 23?

Tim.

Like
Login to Like
this post

mncancels.org
michael78651
Members Picture


16 Feb 2016
06:11:18pm
re: U S Postal Service

Tim, we've seen your picture. You're an old bloke. Not that I'm a spring rooster either, especially since I just turned the year count up by one.

Like
Login to Like
this post

www.hipstamp.com/store/the-online-stamp-shop
DouglasGPerry
Members Picture


APS Member #196859

16 Feb 2016
07:26:41pm
re: U S Postal Service

"I hate to further classify myself as an old bloke, but was she about 23?"


A very good point! Millennials--even postal workers, I'm sure--just don't understand the bygone world of stamps. This is no slam on their generation; they just belong to a different era.

Like
Login to Like
this post

"All hobbies are absurd to those on the outside, and a joy to those within."
rjan
Members Picture


16 Feb 2016
09:39:56pm
re: U S Postal Service

The sad part is the clerk appeared 40-50 yo.

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
rwillis29
Members Picture


09 Mar 2016
01:28:55pm
re: U S Postal Service

I went to post office yesterday to get a plate block of the new Priority Mail stamp.

"The Clerk actually said she never heard of anyone collecting stamps.
"

She had tore all the plate numbers off of all the Priority Mail stamp she had. And did not know what a plate block was. I tried to explain she just could not get it. The Postal Service Spends all kinds of money to promote Stamp collecting. Maybe they should tell their employees. Oh how i miss my small town Post office. Confused

Like
Login to Like
this post
amsd
Members Picture


Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads

09 Mar 2016
01:44:20pm

Auctions
re: U S Postal Service

"And did not know what a plate block was. I tried to explain she just could not get it. The Postal Service Spends all kinds of money to promote Stamp collecting. Maybe they should tell their employees. Oh how i miss my small town Post office."



that's the oddity: that USPS actually spends money, and lots of it, promoting stamp collecting, but ignores all the mechanisms that might allow them to be successful at it. I don't mind pen cancels and obvlivious clerks in a vacuum; I rail at it in conjunction with philatelic efforts that accomplish little.
Like
Login to Like
this post

"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link.php?PLJZJP
amsd
Members Picture


Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads

09 Mar 2016
01:46:29pm

Auctions
re: U S Postal Service

incidentally, plate blocks are one of the areas that I have abandoned because of USPS policies. it's not JUST that I don't buy new PBs; I'm putting old ones into service, meaning I'm buying even less postage for personal use. And I'm a collector.

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link.php?PLJZJP
ikeyPikey
Members Picture


09 Mar 2016
02:01:11pm
re: U S Postal Service

USPS does not want anyone dealing with stamp collecting except the personnel dedicated to dealing with stamp collecting, eg, the USPS Store ("Fulfillment Center"), and the First Day (etc) marketing crews.

That way, the activity can be budgeted, accounted for, and managed.

This is an easily defensible business decision, even if it is not the only choice available to them.

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey


Like
Login to Like
this post

"I collect stamps today precisely the way I collected stamps when I was ten years old."
amsd
Members Picture


Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads

09 Mar 2016
03:18:18pm

Auctions
re: U S Postal Service

yes, and if MacDonald's had used that model, the golden arches would be in half a dozen cities. Why go where the people are when we can insist that they come to us.

you are right, it's a defensible business decision, and marketing madness.

and how's it working for them?


Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link.php?PLJZJP
ikeyPikey
Members Picture


09 Mar 2016
07:19:24pm
re: U S Postal Service

"... and how's it working for them? ..."



Fair question. I certainly don't know.

I suspect they consider services to stamp collectors to be a legacy activity, eg, one that they inherited, never asked for, would not have thought to invent, and don't really know what to do with.

And I suspect they feel the same way about operating an over-extensive collection of stand-alone single-purpose buildings ("post offices") or, perhaps, selling & cashing money orders.

No one is asking Ford to stock Model 'T' parts, or to train their employees to install running boards & rumble seats.

Yeah, I know, not much of analogy but, then, postal services are something of a singularity, and we get to expect & demand whatever we want.

So I'm advocating for single-color stamps printed with uniquely-numbered engraved plates ...

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey
Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

"I collect stamps today precisely the way I collected stamps when I was ten years old."
larsdog
Members Picture


APS #220693 ATA#57179

09 Mar 2016
11:47:20pm
re: U S Postal Service

I may be disavowed for this, but I have to side with the clerk on the original post. I have done many creative mailings over the years and the local PO was always very accommodating but one day the clerk said "You didn't leave me my space." I didn't realize that they needed the top right corner to place a PVI, even a $0.00 PVI. ALWAYS leave them that space, and you may get better results.

Lars

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

"Expanding your knowledge faster than your collection can save you a few bucks."

www.larsdog.com/stamps
amsd
Members Picture


Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads

10 Mar 2016
08:25:02am

Auctions
re: U S Postal Service

Michael,

i want to keep our comments strictly to the philatelic division, as there are many other decisions, some advocated by the USPS and others forced upon them, but because philatelic division is created to do something other than move the mail, I think comments on it can be separate.

first, I can't tell the fecitiousness quotient, but I think it's zero. I'll treat it as such.

second, you're right, tha analogies don't work because Ford isn't asking us to buy model Ts; if they were, then I'd expect them to service them fully. And that's my expectation (theoretically, anyway, as I live in the real world informed by experience) from a business that actively promotes philately.

I'd be OK with purple litho stamps of nothing but liberty bells, all pen cancelled, if that were the model; but it's not. There's much emphasis on buying, and saving, stamps; why else print so many different stamp types, each requiring funds to design, acquire copyright, create plates, run presses, hold FDCs, and often destroy, etc. What is the right side Jenny and imperf sheets if not a blatant, and poorly executed, play for our collecting dollars.

So, if you're going to promote something, then do it right. Don't hold a sale on avacadoes and stock mushrooms.

I'm off what I thought was a soap box and turns out to a collapsing box oozing green goo. That's where the avacadoes went.

and, Lars, thanks for the tip

David

Like 
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link.php?PLJZJP
        

 

Author/Postings
Members Picture
rjan

16 Feb 2016
02:06:04pm

I went to local post office with package mailing to trading club. I had $1 in 10 cent stamps nicely presented and wanted to add postage to send. The clerk printed $0.86 label and promptly put in on over corner of stamps. I remarked that the stamps were no longer good for collecting. She looked at me quizzically and said 'you can't collect them they are used for postage'. I said I collect stamps as a hobby and do not like labels over them. She actually said she never heard of anyone collecting stamps. I left shaking my head as she started muttering to a co-worker (must been about the stamp nut she just talked to)

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
auldstampguy

Tim
Collector/Webmaster
16 Feb 2016
06:09:30pm

Auctions - Approvals

re: U S Postal Service

I hate to further classify myself as an old bloke, but was she about 23?

Tim.

Like
Login to Like
this post

mncancels.org
Members Picture
michael78651

16 Feb 2016
06:11:18pm

re: U S Postal Service

Tim, we've seen your picture. You're an old bloke. Not that I'm a spring rooster either, especially since I just turned the year count up by one.

Like
Login to Like
this post

www.hipstamp.com/sto ...
Members Picture
DouglasGPerry

APS Member #196859
16 Feb 2016
07:26:41pm

re: U S Postal Service

"I hate to further classify myself as an old bloke, but was she about 23?"


A very good point! Millennials--even postal workers, I'm sure--just don't understand the bygone world of stamps. This is no slam on their generation; they just belong to a different era.

Like
Login to Like
this post

"All hobbies are absurd to those on the outside, and a joy to those within."
Members Picture
rjan

16 Feb 2016
09:39:56pm

re: U S Postal Service

The sad part is the clerk appeared 40-50 yo.

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
Members Picture
rwillis29

09 Mar 2016
01:28:55pm

re: U S Postal Service

I went to post office yesterday to get a plate block of the new Priority Mail stamp.

"The Clerk actually said she never heard of anyone collecting stamps.
"

She had tore all the plate numbers off of all the Priority Mail stamp she had. And did not know what a plate block was. I tried to explain she just could not get it. The Postal Service Spends all kinds of money to promote Stamp collecting. Maybe they should tell their employees. Oh how i miss my small town Post office. Confused

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
amsd

Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads
09 Mar 2016
01:44:20pm

Auctions

re: U S Postal Service

"And did not know what a plate block was. I tried to explain she just could not get it. The Postal Service Spends all kinds of money to promote Stamp collecting. Maybe they should tell their employees. Oh how i miss my small town Post office."



that's the oddity: that USPS actually spends money, and lots of it, promoting stamp collecting, but ignores all the mechanisms that might allow them to be successful at it. I don't mind pen cancels and obvlivious clerks in a vacuum; I rail at it in conjunction with philatelic efforts that accomplish little.
Like
Login to Like
this post

"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link. ...
Members Picture
amsd

Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads
09 Mar 2016
01:46:29pm

Auctions

re: U S Postal Service

incidentally, plate blocks are one of the areas that I have abandoned because of USPS policies. it's not JUST that I don't buy new PBs; I'm putting old ones into service, meaning I'm buying even less postage for personal use. And I'm a collector.

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link. ...
Members Picture
ikeyPikey

09 Mar 2016
02:01:11pm

re: U S Postal Service

USPS does not want anyone dealing with stamp collecting except the personnel dedicated to dealing with stamp collecting, eg, the USPS Store ("Fulfillment Center"), and the First Day (etc) marketing crews.

That way, the activity can be budgeted, accounted for, and managed.

This is an easily defensible business decision, even if it is not the only choice available to them.

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey


Like
Login to Like
this post

"I collect stamps today precisely the way I collected stamps when I was ten years old."
Members Picture
amsd

Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads
09 Mar 2016
03:18:18pm

Auctions

re: U S Postal Service

yes, and if MacDonald's had used that model, the golden arches would be in half a dozen cities. Why go where the people are when we can insist that they come to us.

you are right, it's a defensible business decision, and marketing madness.

and how's it working for them?


Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link. ...
Members Picture
ikeyPikey

09 Mar 2016
07:19:24pm

re: U S Postal Service

"... and how's it working for them? ..."



Fair question. I certainly don't know.

I suspect they consider services to stamp collectors to be a legacy activity, eg, one that they inherited, never asked for, would not have thought to invent, and don't really know what to do with.

And I suspect they feel the same way about operating an over-extensive collection of stand-alone single-purpose buildings ("post offices") or, perhaps, selling & cashing money orders.

No one is asking Ford to stock Model 'T' parts, or to train their employees to install running boards & rumble seats.

Yeah, I know, not much of analogy but, then, postal services are something of a singularity, and we get to expect & demand whatever we want.

So I'm advocating for single-color stamps printed with uniquely-numbered engraved plates ...

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey
Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

"I collect stamps today precisely the way I collected stamps when I was ten years old."
Members Picture
larsdog

APS #220693 ATA#57179
09 Mar 2016
11:47:20pm

re: U S Postal Service

I may be disavowed for this, but I have to side with the clerk on the original post. I have done many creative mailings over the years and the local PO was always very accommodating but one day the clerk said "You didn't leave me my space." I didn't realize that they needed the top right corner to place a PVI, even a $0.00 PVI. ALWAYS leave them that space, and you may get better results.

Lars

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

"Expanding your knowledge faster than your collection can save you a few bucks."

www.larsdog.com/stam ...
Members Picture
amsd

Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads
10 Mar 2016
08:25:02am

Auctions

re: U S Postal Service

Michael,

i want to keep our comments strictly to the philatelic division, as there are many other decisions, some advocated by the USPS and others forced upon them, but because philatelic division is created to do something other than move the mail, I think comments on it can be separate.

first, I can't tell the fecitiousness quotient, but I think it's zero. I'll treat it as such.

second, you're right, tha analogies don't work because Ford isn't asking us to buy model Ts; if they were, then I'd expect them to service them fully. And that's my expectation (theoretically, anyway, as I live in the real world informed by experience) from a business that actively promotes philately.

I'd be OK with purple litho stamps of nothing but liberty bells, all pen cancelled, if that were the model; but it's not. There's much emphasis on buying, and saving, stamps; why else print so many different stamp types, each requiring funds to design, acquire copyright, create plates, run presses, hold FDCs, and often destroy, etc. What is the right side Jenny and imperf sheets if not a blatant, and poorly executed, play for our collecting dollars.

So, if you're going to promote something, then do it right. Don't hold a sale on avacadoes and stock mushrooms.

I'm off what I thought was a soap box and turns out to a collapsing box oozing green goo. That's where the avacadoes went.

and, Lars, thanks for the tip

David

Like 
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link. ...
        

Contact Webmaster | Visitors Online | Unsubscribe Emails | Facebook


User Agreement

Copyright © 2024 Stamporama.com