tomiseksj
Moderator 
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,265 
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 5, 2022 11:27:46 GMT
HipStamp and the American Philatelic Society announce strategic partnership8/21/2022 Raleigh, NC & Bellefonte, PA – August 21, 2022 – HipStamp and the American Philatelic Society announce a strategic partnership, bringing the APS’s StampStore marketplace exclusively to the HipStamp platform enabling world-class browse and search capabilities custom built from the ground up for stamp collectors. With eCommerce playing an increasingly critical role in business, companies recognize the need for cutting-edge technology to deliver fast and intuitive experiences. At the same time, trust has never been more critical as marketplaces continue to define the eCommerce landscape. The HipStamp-APS partnership brings together a world-class eCommerce experience built for stamp collectors, by stamp collectors, with the trust and confidence of the world’s largest stamp collecting organization established in 1886. For StampStore sellers, the APS will provide the same services as before: scanning, posting, fulfillment, and taking questions from buyers. The only change will be moving our complete inventory to the HipStamp platform. You will still work with APS staff to sell your stamps. “We’re excited to welcome the APS’s StampStore, which will be moving exclusively to the HipStamp platform on October 1, 2022; at which time HipStamp will additionally be designated as the official marketplace of the APS,” said Mark Rosenberg, CEO & Founder of Hip eCommerce, which operates HipStamp. “This is just the beginning of our partnership, and our collective members can look forward to many exciting collaborations and marketplace features in the future. With both HipStamp and the APS focused on promoting stamp collecting for people of all ages, we’re excited by what we can accomplish together in the world of philately.” “Since our founding, the APS and its membership have been critical to a safe and trustworthy marketplace, and this partnership ensures we’ll continue that mission in the 21st-century marketplace,” said Scott English, Executive Director of the APS. “At the same time, we’re going to meet collectors where they are aggressively, and we recognize the online community is an integral part of that. We’re glad to have HipStamp join us in that cause.” To further establish trust through APS membership, HipStamp will bring an APS badging and filtering feature to listings and stores on the HipStamp platform later this year. HipStamp will also expand its presence at APS sanctioned events, including the Great American Stamp Show. By leveraging HipStamp’s next-gen technology and more than 100,000 members, with the trust, confidence, and more than 26,000 members of the American Philatelic Society, the collaboration represents a bold leap forward in how both organizations address the needs of the stamp collection community. Contacts:
Josh Sparrow, Associate Director of Brand Marketing, Hip eCommerce (HipStamp) josh@hipecommerce.com Scott English, Executive Director, American Philatelic Society scott@stamps.org About HipStampWith over 100,000 members and $20 Million in annualized sales, HipStamp is the leading marketplace devoted exclusively to stamp collecting. Founded in 2016, HipStamp was built for stamp collectors, by stamp collectors. With exclusive browse, search, and selling features which intuitively understand Country and Catalog Numbers, HipStamp provides collectors with unparalleled access to over 6.5 Million listings and counting. It’s free to buy on HipStamp and cost-effective to sell on HipStamp, which provides a wide range of additional benefits and features with each store subscription. About the APSWith members in more than 110 countries, the APS is the world’s largest non-profit organization for stamp collectors. Founded in 1886, the APS serves collectors, educators, postal historians, and the general public by providing various programs and services. The Society is supported by membership dues, gifts, and the sale of publications, specialty items, and services. Membership in the American Philatelic Society offers various benefits and services, including the monthly journal, The American Philatelist. We invite you to apply for membership today.
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brightonpete
Departed
Rest in Peace
On a hike at Goodrich-Loomis
Posts: 5,110
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Post by brightonpete on Sept 5, 2022 11:46:36 GMT
Is there a date/time for when this will occur? I like the Stamp Store as is, and won't bother renewing once they make the move.
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator
Posts: 5,654
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Sept 5, 2022 11:48:13 GMT
Peter ( brightonpete), if you take a closer look at the post by Steve, an effective date of 1st October is indicated in the article. |
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brightonpete
Departed
Rest in Peace
On a hike at Goodrich-Loomis
Posts: 5,110
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Post by brightonpete on Sept 5, 2022 11:51:58 GMT
TL;DR!
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angore
Member 
Posts: 5,345
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Sept 5, 2022 11:54:55 GMT
There has been some online controversy with the announcement.
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,265
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 5, 2022 12:13:54 GMT
I wonder how they are going to work the differential between member and non-member pricing, or if they will simply abandon it.
I find HipStamp's tab format for listings to be cumbersome, compared with eBay's presentation of the essential info on a single screen.
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator
Posts: 5,654
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Sept 5, 2022 13:11:13 GMT
It's a good question, Steve ( tomiseksj), but I wonder if this line in the article is attempting to address that very issue: My interpretation of this statement is that they are going to try to keep discount privileges for APS members, but of course, I could be misreading it. |
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,265
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 5, 2022 16:03:17 GMT
I took that to mean badging for Stamp Store and APS Member Dealer listings and the ability to search for the same. Guess we'll have to wait and see what rolls out on October 1st. I'm assuming that the shipping rates will remain the same as they currently exist. Not sure about the costs associated with selling (now 25 cents per item plus 20% commission on items sold). |
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bobstew617
Member
Posts: 376
What I collect: Switzerland, Ireland, Scandinavia, Channel Islands, Hong Kong (British Admin), PNG, others...
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Post by bobstew617 on Sept 5, 2022 21:24:55 GMT
From what I was reading on the AP, they were having issues keeping up the APS Stamp Store platform. Frankly, I found their S&H costs excessive.
I have many of the same questions as you, being an APS member.
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,265
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 23, 2022 22:33:40 GMT
This update just came out:
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,345
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Oct 24, 2022 11:07:10 GMT
I wish hipstamp spent time fixing their interface. Of course, I probably need to invest time in understanding it.
But realize there is not always a right or wrong way but just different. You have to invest time to learn.
It is like using a new catalog Coming from Scott, I wonder why Michel does block numbers or SG uses MS for sheets. But then some will wonder awhy catalog number can apply to single, block, or sheet.
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,265
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 12, 2022 23:33:42 GMT
The latest update from APS regarding the Stamp Store transition to the HipStamp platform:
As of today, 7 APS Stamp Store items have been listed on HipStamp.
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brightonpete
Departed
Rest in Peace
On a hike at Goodrich-Loomis
Posts: 5,110
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Post by brightonpete on Dec 13, 2022 0:01:28 GMT
7, out of how many thousands? Good Grief!
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renden
Member
Posts: 8,710
What I collect: World W collector with ++ interests in BNA (Canada etc) and USA
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Post by renden on Dec 13, 2022 0:15:09 GMT
7, out of how many thousands? Good Grief! Slow pokes....not like us Pete !!! René |
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kasvik
Member
Posts: 543
What I collect: Cancels mostly, especially Sweden Gävle and Lidingö, Switzerland Geneva, Germany Pforzheim
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Post by kasvik on Dec 13, 2022 2:41:51 GMT
The reporting is thin, but the HipStamp merger looks right. The APS Stamp Store has long looked threadbare. And the Society needs a splashy on-line presence. Hip never did much for me personally, just too little of my kind of material. If I spent fifty bucks with them cumulative I'd be surprised. But no denying its strengths. On the technical side, they'll get it right eventually. Everybody does, eventually.
What do you think about the APS-ASDA merger? Somehow that seems a more strategic consolidation. I get the logic. The APS needs a prominent home for the dealer community. Some collectors have been complaining about conflicting interests, fox in the hen house. Nahh, it's not like Elon Musk shouldering everybody else against the walls. Personally I'm a little weirded by the APS aegis extending to their magazine, American Stamp Dealer and Collector. That thing is just too stuck in the Confederacy for me. The cultures of the two outfits are separated by centuries. How are they going to span that?
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,345
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Dec 13, 2022 10:53:09 GMT
I am generally opposed to the ASDA merger since there is no real tangible result identified except to create a stronger brand awareness. The APS can collaborate without merging. One could say AFDCS and ATA should merge with APS using a similar argument...supposed strength in numbers.
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jdtrue66
Member
Posts: 287
What I collect: US&US FDC, Keys & Locks, NUDES, Rubber Ducks, USS NJ covers
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Post by jdtrue66 on Dec 13, 2022 16:29:27 GMT
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,345
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Dec 14, 2022 10:54:57 GMT
From the last report, ASDA has yet to start internal discussions. It was stated elsewhere that the initial discussions were with an employee of ASDA and not the ASDA leadership formally,
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jdtrue66
Member
Posts: 287
What I collect: US&US FDC, Keys & Locks, NUDES, Rubber Ducks, USS NJ covers
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Post by jdtrue66 on Dec 14, 2022 13:13:50 GMT
From the last report, ASDA has yet to start internal discussions. It was stated elsewhere that the initial discussions were with an employee of ASDA and not the ASDA leadership formally, Yes they all just start somewhere from staff or a board member. Putting out a press notice early is odd unless it has been getting talked about for a while. I am involved in (non stamp) association leadership. I have been through about 5 mergers or attempts. These things can be complicated and in the end often it comes down to the membership. |
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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 Dec 14, 2022 13:51:17 GMT
Hi
My 2 cents.
I don't buy from StampStore but I think the merger may eventually be the death knell for the APS StampStore.
Also, I feel the proposed merger with ASDA is detrimental. These are 2 totally different types of organizations and really have nothing in common. In some ways I feel the ASDA is more "powerful" in that the dealers have the monetary power to do things that the APS does not. APS was created by collectors for collectors, not dealers. Let's keep it that way.
Jerry B
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jdtrue66
Member
Posts: 287
What I collect: US&US FDC, Keys & Locks, NUDES, Rubber Ducks, USS NJ covers
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Post by jdtrue66 on Dec 14, 2022 18:12:53 GMT
Well they both need to do something or they won't be around much longer. APS is in a much better place with 36 employees serving its members compared to a volunteer board and only 1 staff member for ASDA. Both have had bad years but when ASDA only has a Revenue of $266,534 and APS has a Revenue of $3,137,752 they can do more things to survive. APS has also merged and taken over others in the past. They also can take something over and still keep it independent. ASDA: www.guidestar.org/profile/13-5637047APS: www.guidestar.org/profile/24-0772797 |
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,265
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 19, 2022 13:22:42 GMT
The latest update on the StampStore transition from the APS website to Hipstamp: For those who may not be aware, the APS StampStore currently has 251,778 items for sale. You can search their inventory here. |
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,265
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 23, 2022 22:03:37 GMT
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stanley64
Member
Posts: 1,822
What I collect: Canada, USA, Netherlands, Portugal & Colonies, Antarctic Territories and anything that catches my eye...
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Post by stanley64 on Dec 27, 2022 10:59:45 GMT
Nice to see Steve (tomieseksj); thanks for the update. Personally, the interface of the Hipstamp website is more conducive to 'scrolling and clicking' and I look forward to seeing what has been migrated over.
Already though, I can see that the shipping charges for any anyone outside of the USA & Canada, or perhaps all of North America, is still exorbitant,
In the past and to get around the shipping costs, I have relied upon the benevolence of others, including TSF members, but would prefer not to tap someone's shoulder when making my own purchases.
Hopefully they will address this in the coming days...
Have fun and happy collecting!
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,345
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Dec 27, 2022 11:22:50 GMT
Yes, APS is going to follow USPS rules. Yes, a personal letter to Canada will cost one forever Global stamp. If you shipped a single stamp INSIDE the envelope, it is called merchandise so subject to different pricing. (UPU)
Now, now anyone can drive across the border and not subject to a premium up to a certain point.(customs)
APS mailing costs. The $5 min shipping sure would small purchases. Other sellers have much lower shipping (starts at $1.50).
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,265
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 Jul 27, 2023 14:12:20 GMT
New Shipping Savings with StampStoreStampStore is debuting a new tiered shipping system. Shipping with APS StampStore will now have different base rates, determined by the shipping address and the highest priced item in your order. Highest Priced Item is $49.99 and underU.S. addresses: Base rate of $3.00, plus $0.10 cents for each additional item in the order. Canadian addresses: Base rate of $5.00, plus $0.10 cents for each additional item in the order. All other international addresses: Base rate of $7.00, plus $0.10 cents for each additional item in the order. Example: If you live in Canada and purchase six $5.00 stamps and a $25.00 cover, shipping would be $5.60. Highest Priced Item is $50 and overU.S. addresses: Base rate of $6.00, plus $0.10 cents for each additional item in the order. Canadian addresses: Base rate of $15.00, plus $0.10 cents for each additional item in the order. All other international addresses: Base rate of $18.00, plus $0.10 cents for each additional item in the order. Example: If you live in Germany and purchase a $50.00 stamp, four $2.00 stamps, and a $9.00 cover, shipping would be $18.50.
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,345
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Jul 27, 2023 20:03:25 GMT
Ouch!
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Post by nick2302 on Aug 5, 2023 14:14:30 GMT
As a long time, member of the APS (30+ years) I have to say I am disappointed with this move to HIP Stamps. There has been quite a bit of back and forth on the Stamp Collectors Forum about this move. The two-tier pricing is gone, and the search ability has been IMO greatly lessened. The claim is the cost of maintain STAMP STORE on the APS site was too great and the software and hardware it was running on needed an expensive upgrade. The APS is doing everything in their power to be fiscally conservative. In the latest APS Journal, it showed a member drop of over 1000. The membership count now stands around 27,000. This is a far cry from the day of yore when there was 50,000.
I have used HIP heavily since the move and I can't say it has been without its issues. I have submitted a bunch of requests to HIP concerning window flow as a user moving through the site. Maybe someday it will improve but I would not want to hold my breath.
Nick
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