Bundled sale
It has happened many times: one can buy a series of stamps, but only if you also purchase an admission ticket! This occurred at a large number of stamp exhibitions of international stature. In the Netherlands, this happened for the first time in 1924 at the International Stamp Exhibition in The Hague. Each admission ticket entitled the holder to purchase two series.
This was repeated in 1952 when the ITEP was organized in Utrecht, on the occasion of the centenary of the Dutch postage stamp.
Each admission ticket of 1 guilder entitled the holder to purchase a series of four exhibition stamps.
In 1967, AMPHILEX '67 took place at the RAI in Amsterdam, and here too, the exhibition stamps were only available if one also purchased an admission ticket for 2,50 guilders. This was called tied selling. Many collectors and dealers protested against this. What am I supposed to do with ten admission tickets if I bought the sheets of 10? Incidentally, the voucher that accompanied the stamps had to be exchanged for a 'real' admission ticket when purchased from, for example, the Philatelic Service of that time.
Nowadays, tied selling is not used as often. But in 1989, I was still the victim when I wanted to buy a few blocks during the International Philatelic Exhibition Philexfrance 89 in Paris. A block featuring the Declaration of Human Rights, on the occasion of the commemoration of the French Revolution, 200 years earlier.
The block contained four stamps of 5 francs each, making 20 francs in total. But how much did I have to pay? A sum of 50 francs! Including an admission ticket of 30 francs.
The serial number was 1.195.752. More than a million visitors to the exhibition? When I went to 'complain' at the French Post—they had a large stand—after talking for half an hour, I was given a beautiful… unperforated black print as a gift.
It later turned out that a total of 1.440.114 blocks had been sold at 20 francs each, and just as many admission tickets at 30 francs.
Later, I also bought a few 'normal' stamps issued on the occasion of the exhibition and a second block dedicated to the French Revolution. Without any admission tickets attached to them.
So everyone was satisfied again... or not? What do you think of the bundled sale of stamps and admission tickets?
This was repeated in 1952 when the ITEP was organized in Utrecht, on the occasion of the centenary of the Dutch postage stamp.
Each admission ticket of 1 guilder entitled the holder to purchase a series of four exhibition stamps.
In 1967, AMPHILEX '67 took place at the RAI in Amsterdam, and here too, the exhibition stamps were only available if one also purchased an admission ticket for 2,50 guilders. This was called tied selling. Many collectors and dealers protested against this. What am I supposed to do with ten admission tickets if I bought the sheets of 10? Incidentally, the voucher that accompanied the stamps had to be exchanged for a 'real' admission ticket when purchased from, for example, the Philatelic Service of that time.
Nowadays, tied selling is not used as often. But in 1989, I was still the victim when I wanted to buy a few blocks during the International Philatelic Exhibition Philexfrance 89 in Paris. A block featuring the Declaration of Human Rights, on the occasion of the commemoration of the French Revolution, 200 years earlier.
The block contained four stamps of 5 francs each, making 20 francs in total. But how much did I have to pay? A sum of 50 francs! Including an admission ticket of 30 francs.
The serial number was 1.195.752. More than a million visitors to the exhibition? When I went to 'complain' at the French Post—they had a large stand—after talking for half an hour, I was given a beautiful… unperforated black print as a gift.
It later turned out that a total of 1.440.114 blocks had been sold at 20 francs each, and just as many admission tickets at 30 francs.
Later, I also bought a few 'normal' stamps issued on the occasion of the exhibition and a second block dedicated to the French Revolution. Without any admission tickets attached to them.
So everyone was satisfied again... or not? What do you think of the bundled sale of stamps and admission tickets? 
Bundling is great! As long as it doesn't happen too often and the prices of the sheets don't get ridiculous. If they are beautiful designs, I will definitely buy them. (at least from the Netherlands or as a souvenir at a foreign fair) 🙂
Johan
http://www.postzegelforum.nl
There are some really beautiful ones among these. I am not a fan of tied selling, but a system where you can buy specific stamps—specially issued for the location—at a particular museum, botanical garden, SeaLife, or children's attraction—that might be quite interesting? All philatelists heading to Kröller-Möller for a stamp by Mrs. Kröller that is only available there. Just remember to renew the stamp every few years, please!
I am absolutely against bundled sales. I will decide for myself what I like for my own collection.
'@Tone
Bundled sales and what you like are two separate matters. You don't have to buy all the stamps TNTPost offers, any more than I am going to try out every item from Lidl or AH. And then, if necessary, you can buy what you like. It might be annoying that you have to take something extra [which also costs money], but that is the choice of the seller, who has that right....
At least, in Belgium there is an official ban on tied selling [there, that is!] which is apparently contrary to European legislation. They want to amend the law in Belgium so that tied selling can resume as normal there and that – according to the proponents – the consumer will benefit greatly from it!!!
Knack.be
Ban on tied sales falters
21/10/2008 15:58
Europe demands that the ban on tied sales in our country be lifted. Within a few months, the European Court of Justice threatens to condemn Belgium for that ban.
The European Commission has already urged our country on several occasions to comply with a European directive and to abolish both the blackout period for sales and the ban on tied sales. The case came back into the spotlight partly following the sale of the iPhone in our country.
European Commissioner Meglana Kuneva reiterated this in mid-September during a visit to Belgium. At that time, it also became known that Europe had launched infringement proceedings against Belgium.
In violation of European rules
The Advocate General of the European Court of Justice in Strasbourg is of the opinion that the ban on tied sales is contrary to European rules.
The Belgian ban is contrary to both the directive on unfair
The Advocate General believes that commercial practices are similar to the freedom to provide services.
On Tuesday, she ruled on two specific cases concerning a ban on tied sales that had been brought before a Belgian court.
The Advocate General's decision is not binding, but in most cases the Court of Justice takes the opinion into account.
I can live with the tied sale.
As long as philately benefits from it.
PTT/TNT, a major sponsor of events like Ampilex, certainly deserve to get a little bit of their sponsorship money back. I know from experience that such events cost a fortune.
If we hadn't had the PTT/TNT on the last Amphilex, it would never have existed.
But aren't we (associations) participating in this as well?
Admission is free with the purchase of the catalogue, or you pay for admission and receive a catalogue.
As long as it is an advantage for the hobby—as has been said before—I can live with it. And I am also happy to pay the money for it; it is my own hobby, after all.