Unsolicited stamp trader listings – beware of stamptraders.org
This is possibly one of the topics I wish I would never have to experience or write. But here I am typing this… Today’s mail brought me few exchange letters that were way off from my usual stamp exchange. After some digging I managed to find out that somebody had entered my details as unsolicited listing on stamptraders.org stamp traders list.
An unsolicited listing of me at stamptraders.org
The output of this is that so far I’ve received 2 unwanted exchange requests, and I fear several other similar offers are on their way to my mailbox… So what are my plans regarding these exchange requests? I know this sounds harsh, but as they are unsolicited mail, I will not respond to them (I do though feel sorry for these people paying international postage for nothing).
IMHO it is more than worrying that a public stamp traders list as such does not do any kind of checking on entered details… I’m sure that the person who added my details as such didn’t mean no harm, but this does IMHO raise serious concerns over the reliability and accuracy of such listings… Anyway, I have contacted stamptraders.org administrator for this, and requested the listing to be removed. But it may take up to one week based on feedback form autoresponse.
Even more so, I fear the damage has already occurred and my name/address will from this on spread like wildfire on various stamp traders list. Why? Well, here’s a copy from other of the letters I received thanks to above:
Collector selling a list of over 8,000 stamp collector names and their interests.
This trader sent me not just offer to exchange stamps with him, but 5 long pages of collector names, addresses and interests. In addition he is “selling” a list containing over 8,000 stamp collector names – all interested of stamp trading. I fear a large part of the names would be either outdated or unsolicited if checked properly.
OK, the existence of such lists is not news. They did circle around when I did my first stamp exchanges way back (but they were photocopies instead of online databases)… Few have asked why I don’t trade trough websites like the above (or through other public exchanges, like “forever stamp exchange”), but instead host my own exchange stamp. This why… There is simply some “crap” circling around on public stamp traders list. Some exchange networks are better than others, but each have got some problems IMHO.
So what’s your take on this? Do you still use and trust public stamp trader / exchanger listings?
Want more?
Sign-up to weekly newsletter and get notified when new articles like the above are published at Stamp Collecting Blog. The email-newsletter is sent to You once a week (during the weekend) and it contains a summary of latest new entries and discussions.
Show that you liked this article - and support Stamp Collecting Blog!
Clicking the Like-button below promotes this article on FaceBook:
Clicking the +1 button below promotes this entry on Google and GooglePlus.
Thanks for your support!
Hello Keijo
I am with you…. this is totally annoying. The internet has so much power. How else would yours truly, a “50 – something” accountant and evening stamp collector, have found you? But it is creepy to have people offering to sell your name and address.
Not sure what to do about it… so I just provide my “2 cents worth”
Dell
Yep. I agree that Internet has lots of potential for both good and bad…. It’s definitely sad to see and experience something as this as most collectors are very nice and decent folks.
Just got email from Stamptraders.org admin- he’s removed my details
Hi Keijo,
I just randomly found your site while surfing and am enjoying it very much. While I am sure I will participate in your exchange at some point in the future, I would also like the opportunity to exchange where I’d be able to include general “wish lists”. However, I’ve never done any online trading before, so I’m not sure what sites are reputable and which are not. I got the impression reading this entry that your appraisal of stamptraders.org is not very positive? Or was it just this particular incident? I would value your opinion on what the safest ways are to swap online. Maybe you might write an upcoming post on the topic?
Thanks for a lovely and useful site.
Shelli
Boulder, Colorado, USA
Hi Shelli,
However, I’ve never done any online trading before, so I’m not sure what sites are reputable and which are not.
IMHO the problem very rarely is with the website itself. The problems come with “few bad apples” that try to misuse the system.
As a general advice, I would avoid any websites (or groups, clubs, societies etc) that focus solely on exchanging of stamps. As awkward as it sounds, these usually have the most problems… So in that sense I would definitely NOT recommend stamptraders.org for anyone who is new to stamp exchanges – nor facebook’s stamp exchange groups.
If You want to try a simple and safe way of trading, then I’d recommend visiting either Stampboards or StampCommunity. Both are very popular (and tightly controlled) stamp related forums with separate exchange-sections… And please, before You jump in typing any kind of exchange offers there, please spend proper time reading the rules (otherwise you are kicked out faster than you can say “whatdididowrong”, LOL).
All in all I’d say that the safest and best way to exchange stamps online is building personal and longterm exchange relationships. Find collectors who have similar interests or live in those areas you are interested in; get to know them and see what comes up with that.