tomiseksj
Moderator 
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,385 
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Sept 7, 2017 18:28:53 GMT
Early last month I asked, via the Ambassador network, for a discounted APS membership rate for Chapter members who had not previously been APS members; the intent was to allow these individuals to experience the benefits of membership without having to make a significant (for some) outlay. Matthew Liebson, Chair of the APS Membership Committee took the proposal to his committee shortly thereafter and I recently received the following announcement: At this point I must assume that this rate is only for those who reside in the United States (and perhaps for those living outside of the U.S. who opt for electronic delivery of The American Philatelist). I have asked for clarification as to the rate that would apply to those who live in Canada as well as those living in other parts of the world -- as of this writing I am still waiting for a reply. I strongly encourage those of you who may be considering APS membership to take advantage of this offer before it expires. If you do apply, please indicate that "The Stamp Forum (APS No. C-222596)" is sponsoring your application. Once you have been approved for membership the Chapter will receive $5 for referring you and I will pass the additional savings on to you via Paypal. A copy of the membership application may be downloaded here. To join online you will need to create a user account here. Should you have any questions regarding the application process, please feel free to contact me via forum private message. |
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daveg28
Member 
Posts: 1,062
What I collect: U.S., Canada, Great Britain & Commonwealth, France (esp. 1950-80), DDR, USSR
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Post by daveg28 on Sept 8, 2017 0:23:39 GMT
I've been considering it. Collecting for 45 years, and I've never been a member.
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator
Posts: 5,912
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Sept 8, 2017 5:10:06 GMT
I've been considering it. Collecting for 45 years, and I've never been a member. Why not give it a try, Dave? I collected for more than 30 years before I finally decided to join. I have been very satisfied with my membership, and I would encourage you to try it for a year, anyway. This latest offer is a good deal! |
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,385
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Sept 8, 2017 12:05:49 GMT
...I have been very satisfied with my membership, and I would encourage you to try it for a year, anyway. This latest offer is a good deal! Last evening Judy Johnson, APS Manager of Member Administration, provided the following information regarding this offering: This morning Judy clarified that the $35 rate also applies to those who reside outside of the U.S. who opt to for online delivery of the AP. If this option is your preference then you can apply online using the special coupon code "2017join" (those wanting hard copy delivery of the AP must mail in their applicaitons). If you've been wondering if APS membership is right for you, you're not going to find a less-expensive opportunity to find out. And don't forget that if you indicate that "The Stamp Forum, APS No. C-222596" is your sponsor, I'll be sending you the $5 that the forum receives for sponsoring your membership! |
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daveg28
Member
Posts: 1,062
What I collect: U.S., Canada, Great Britain & Commonwealth, France (esp. 1950-80), DDR, USSR
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Post by daveg28 on Sept 8, 2017 16:53:51 GMT
What will I gain from membership, aside from the magazine? I'm not a high-end collector by any means. How often is the magazine published? I've actually had a couple of copies of it sent to me by Scott English through another forum to whet my appetite. They had good stories, but, I felt, an awful lot of ads for auction houses...which, again, is beyond my wallet and collecting interests.
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,385
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Sept 8, 2017 21:36:29 GMT
What will I gain from membership, aside from the magazine? ... In addition to the individual benefits described in this thread, you will also be supporting the Society's efforts to promote our hobby. Clearly a personal decision and one which involves both the tangible and intangible. |
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,385
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Sept 9, 2017 18:23:45 GMT
We've had one member thus far take advantage of this offer and I hope that more will follow suit.
While I've recommended that APS make these special rates a permanent benefit of Chapter membership, there is no indication at present that the reduced rate will continue beyond the end of this month.
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Jerry B
Departed
Rest in Peace
Marietta, Georgia USA
Posts: 1,485
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Post by Jerry B on Sept 10, 2017 9:57:40 GMT
Hi
Joing the APS will be rewarding to say the least. Instead of buying that one stamp send in your $35 and join. It will be one of your best investments.
You will be a member of one of the best philatelic organizations. There are a myriad of benefits to being a member.
Jerry B
APS #124477 (1982)
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,699
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Sept 10, 2017 10:26:03 GMT
I have been a member for many many years. The primary direct benefit I use is the stamp insurance. I wish they had a reduced rate for US residents with an electronic version only.
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Mick
Member
Posts: 992
What I collect: Mostly covers and postmarks. Also miscellaneous paper ephemera.
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Post by Mick on Sept 10, 2017 17:35:21 GMT
I took advantage of this offer and joined. The lending library is the primary attraction for me.
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,385
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Sept 10, 2017 19:05:30 GMT
...The lending library is the primary attraction for me. The APRL is a tremendous resource (it even has our newsletter in its holdings). Yesterday I requested a scan of an article that I need to review before sending @falshung my next newsletter article submission. |
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daveg28
Member
Posts: 1,062
What I collect: U.S., Canada, Great Britain & Commonwealth, France (esp. 1950-80), DDR, USSR
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Post by daveg28 on Sept 14, 2017 13:37:47 GMT
That $35 is an annual membership fee, correct?
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,385
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Sept 14, 2017 14:20:12 GMT
That $35 is an annual membership fee, correct? That is the special fee for non-APS members from the U.S. who are members of an APS Chapter such as ours; it affords membership through December 31, 2018. The $35 rate also applies to those non-APS members of our Chapter residing outside the U.S. who opt for online delivery of The American Philatelist. If you apply and note The Stamp Forum, APS Chapter 1591 as your sponsor (as described above), you will eventually receive (from me) the $5 that APS sends the Chapter for recruiting you. This special rate is only still in effect through the end of the month. |
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daveg28
Member
Posts: 1,062
What I collect: U.S., Canada, Great Britain & Commonwealth, France (esp. 1950-80), DDR, USSR
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Post by daveg28 on Sept 14, 2017 14:32:02 GMT
Thank you, Steve. But it's not a one time fee, correct? There's an annual fee to be a member?
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,385
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Sept 14, 2017 15:24:04 GMT
That is correct -- there is a annual membership fee. If you joined today under this special rate, at the end of 2018 you would be afforded the option of renewing your membership for 2019 at the applicable membership rates (current rates are available here). |
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daveg28
Member
Posts: 1,062
What I collect: U.S., Canada, Great Britain & Commonwealth, France (esp. 1950-80), DDR, USSR
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Post by daveg28 on Sept 14, 2017 16:24:11 GMT
Boy, doing a little research on APS here and on other forums sure opened a vault of information. Seems that there's some nonsense going on with lawsuits? And to be honest, most...notall, just most...of the benefits offered with membership don't really seem like anything I'd take advantage of. And I'll be honest: the magazine didn't really offer me anything. Perhaps I got a hold of a couple of issues that didn't quite measure up to typical issues? Hard to say. I'm just not feeling the need to join. I'm not feeling like I've missed anything after 45 years of collecting without being a member.
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Anping
Departed
Rest in Peace
Posts: 533
What I collect: Hong Kong, Aden & States & odd stuff I like.
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Post by Anping on Sept 14, 2017 16:35:43 GMT
Congratulations! You've now achieved 50 posts.
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daveg28
Member
Posts: 1,062
What I collect: U.S., Canada, Great Britain & Commonwealth, France (esp. 1950-80), DDR, USSR
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Post by daveg28 on Sept 14, 2017 16:42:00 GMT
Thank you! Apparently it doesn't change anything immediately. I noticed a giveaway that I'd like to put my name into, but I'm still denied access to replying to such threads. I'm sure that will update soon.
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,385
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Sept 29, 2017 13:25:53 GMT
This offer is still in effect ends on September 30th -- if you're thinking about giving APS membership a try, you're not going to find a lower price than this special rate for our Forum's non-APS members.
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,385
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Oct 4, 2017 1:21:25 GMT
I just received the following from APS:
There is still time to take advantage of this offer -- see posts above for the rates applicable to those residing outside of the U.S.
I don't know how long APS will continue to offer these rates to our members who are not APS members.
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,385
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Nov 19, 2017 14:14:56 GMT
I've just learned that the special membership rate of $35 will remain in place through the end of the year, provided that APS receives the application not later than December 31, 2017.
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,385
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Dec 10, 2017 22:30:30 GMT
To remind, only three weeks remaining to take advantage of this special rate for non-APS members.
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,385
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Dec 25, 2017 16:19:14 GMT
Only 6 days remain to take advantage of this offer. Give yourself a gift and help support our hobby.
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,385
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Feb 24, 2018 16:32:54 GMT
For the awareness of all, during 2017, APS gained 86 new members from among its Chapters with 23 of those having joined while the special offer was in place -- not the turn out that I had hoped for but a step in the right direction.
At present, APS has not announced any plan to make a similar offer; however, one of the Chapter Ambassadors has proposed that APS discount its membership fee by the $5 that the Chapter would have received for sponsoring the new member.
I'll update this thread if I learn of any rate reduction for Chapter members.
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,699
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Feb 24, 2018 19:09:23 GMT
Steve,
Do you think the $5 savings for the Chapter is that much of an incentive for a chapter?
In the end, it is still value vs price for membership and learning what would entice people to join.
I am big proponent of online education and making APS's more useful. Some improvements to website were targeted by now (Birmingham show) but have not seen any reports. There was nothing special in the board meeting agenda.
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,385
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Feb 24, 2018 21:00:51 GMT
Al,
I don't think that $5 is a sufficient incentive to entice someone who believes that the cost of membership outweighs the benefit. I had proposed a deeply-discounted rate for Chapter members who had never been APS members. The Board authorized a more modest reduction and I was pleased that they had approved the idea, but I would have liked a larger discount.
I'm not sure of the rational behind the other Chapter proposing that the recruiting bonus be given to the Chapter member upfront rather than to the Chapter afterward. It may be because the bonus check is made payable to the Chapter -- we don't have a Chapter bank account and are unable to cash such checks.
With regard to online education, I've asked via the Ambassador chain what plans are in work and will pass that on when/if I get anything back.
I know Scott English mentioned his desire to improve the website but I've seen no changes thus far and have heard nothing regarding planned enhancements. Again, if I hear anything I'll pass it along.
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,699
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Feb 25, 2018 0:46:57 GMT
What is the renewal rate for a new member? If it better than even, a 1 year bigger discount makes sense as an investment. I find APS membership a hard sell for beginning collectors since they will not likely use many of the services except get the journal.
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firstfrog2013
Member
Posts: 3,276
What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Feb 25, 2018 1:28:47 GMT
What is the renewal rate for a new member? If it better than even, a 1 year bigger discount makes sense as an investment. I find APS membership a hard sell for beginning collectors since they will not likely use many of the services except get the journal. I'm not a beginning collector and I don't see any benefit to joining.As Dave said even the magazine has very little of interest to me.I just tried a search of the library and it came back with no results on my search so even that seems to be of very limited use to me. So where is the benefit? Trade sheets when I'm missing top end auction material not likely.Hugh Woods gave me a quote on insurance that was more than my house and car combined(3x). I leave it to you to sell me why I should be a member. |
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,385
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Feb 25, 2018 3:35:51 GMT
Al, I'm not sure what the renewal rate is for new members but will dig around a bit and see if I can find out.
Frog, out of curiosity, what was it that you were searching the APRL for that yielded zero results?
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator
Posts: 5,912
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Feb 25, 2018 6:51:57 GMT
Frog, out of curiosity, what was it that you were searching the APRL for that yielded zero results? Frog ( firstfrog2013 ), I am also interested to hear your answer to Steve's question. I am an APS member, too, and I have always had excellent results and service from the APRL on information requests from the library. I have also had terrific experiences during my two visits to the APS headquarters, where I was able to access resources at no charge and buy stamps at very reasonable prices. |
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