Created Feb 2010
last updated 05/02/10

WHY JOIN A CLUB

Some of the reasons we often hear from people for not joining their local club :-

I DON'T WANT THEM KNOWING WHAT I HAVE - You are under no pressure or obligation to tell anyone if you don't wish to.

LETTING OTHERS KNOW WHAT I HAVE WILL PUT MY COLLECTION AT RISK - This is not so, we all have a duty of care to one another and we abide by the Data Protection Act not to reveal details of our members or their interests. We also care about our collections.

I MAY FEEL EMBARRASSED BY MY LACK OF KNOWLEDGE - clubs are not that shallow and will always lean over backwards to help and encourage fellow collectors.

THE SUBJECTS COVERED BY SPEAKERS IS OF NO INTEREST TO ME - All displays should be of interest, they may not be on the area of your interest, however you will always come away from a display having learnt something or gained an idea of how to expand your own interest.

I DON'T NEED A CLUB AS I BUY ALL MY MATERIAL THROUGH Ebay and SIMILAR WEB SITES - You really do need to belong to your local club. Most clubs know of many horror stories relating to material bought this way e.g.
Used stamps that have been cleaned, re-gummed and sold as mint.
Stamps that carry that elusive postmark, that when examined it is found to be bogus.
Mint stamps that when examined carefully are found to be two stamps joined.
Modern forgeries of rare or expensive items that really look the part.
Many other instances of the buyer not getting what they were led to believe they were buying.

IF YOU WANT TO GET THE BEST VALUE WHEN YOU BUY
IF YOU WANT TO BE SURE OF WHAT YOU BUY
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW TO ENHANCE YOUR COLLECTION
YOU REALLY DO NEED TO BELONG TO YOUR LOCAL CLUB