Numismatic Internet Dealers Guild (Nidg)

Clicked on the link, waited ages for it load, finally got sick of waiting and closed it.

At the risk of unintentionally being seen as a detractor, when I'm just playing Devil's Advocate....

1) It's a bit of a downer to see a misspelled word in the very first line of copy, on the front page of the website. It's "regretted."

2) What is this new guild offering that PNG hasn't for the last fifty years? It's not that I expect the answer to be "nothing;" it's just the first question I'd expect a dealer to ask.

3) The Bylaws mention nothing about any mechanism for altering them, what the supervisory structure might be or what role the membership might play in all of this. The first rule in a set of rules should define how to change the rules.

4) Code of Ethics items C, G and I describe concepts so similar that one rule would cover them all. Item H is so recursive as to be redundant.

With all due respect (yeah, I know the first thing one thinks when that phrase is used but I actually mean it) the site does not exactly reek of professionalism, and the professional look is imperative in attracting the intended demographic. Punctuation and grammatical errors abound; the graphic structure (typeface contrasts, size relationships/line weights) has the appearance of a first effort on the part of the coder, and the logo itself quite frankly looks like something from Geocities.

All the outbound links go through an affiliate marketing network. This, by definition, means that the site linked to is paying NIDG for each clickthrough, and completely negates any impression of objectivity on their part.

Further, they really need to be supplying a mailing address consisting of a Post Office box, when the physical address is in a strip mall.

I've no doubts concerning their integrity, nor the necessity or viability of their goals, but they're not going to be taken seriously based on the face they're currently presenting the world.

Your points are well taken.
However, as mentioned, this organization is just starting out and there will be many issues regarding the web site that will come to light as more and more people visit and comment.
The main purpose for this new organization it is to provide both large and small dealers the opportunity to join without having to provide certified documentation of a net worth of a minimum $250,000 at all times. The fees are lower and more affordable to the small coin shop or dealer selling on the internet.
They must simply pass a background check and provide 2 references.
What it offers is the same as the PNG only it will deal with internet auction sites and provide education to dealers as to laws regarding internet sales, privacy issues, promotion of their business and other internet auction site news via newsletters communication. It also provides a unique individual logo html code for use in all listings that will verify a dealers membership and help promote sales. There are many out there simply copying and pasting the PNG logo and using it. Without knowing the persons true name, you can not verify that they are a member.
While the PNG is a well known organization, it also had to start out as a new concept.
To address your concerns regarding the "code of ethics" it is modeled after the same one in use by the ANA and PNG.
In regards to making changes to the by-laws, that concept will be dealt with once a Board of Directors has been established.
Regarding the address, now just how many "coin shops" can one find in a "strip mall", there are many around here that is for sure!

As to the pass through (click for pay) links, they are there simply to help raise funds to pay operating costs for hosting and other expenses and are not uncommon to many web sites.
Your points have been appreciated and some have even led to corrections on the site. We thank you for your input

I understand why you took the long posting break now, sgtbigred. You've had bigger fish to fry.

The most essential gist of my first post was to point out things which will attract the people you're looking for, and conversely the absence of which will tend to discourage them. I'm going to continue this dialogue by addressing your reply point-by-point, as viewed through the filter of the previous sentence.

1) You've described precisely a set of very good reasons to differentiate yourselves from PNG (for whom, to be sure, I have no love for. They're entrenched elitists among the least-capable of addressing the vastly-different audience of the Internet.). That belongs in your FAQ. I very much like the coded HTML verification lookup; just ensure that private code isn't visible in the page source.

2) Don't just limit it to auction sites. The majority of those you wish to attract don't do 100% of their sales on auction sites. They have e-commerce sites of their own - personal, ecrater, stuff like that. Embrace the gamut of online commerce.

3) There isn't a concept addressed in your Code of Ethics I find disagreeable. What there is, is redundancy. You can express all of it in probably three simple statements of direction, and it's my belief that such simplicity will be far more attractive (and succinct) than it is as expressed. Like so (not in as few words but I'm making a point):

(A) Don't embarrass yourself or your peers

(B) Run your business like one you'd patronize yourself

(C) Don't deceive your customers; teach them

Adherence to NIDG rules is not an ethical rule, but part of your Terms of Service. Agreeing to abide by your rules is what they acknowledge when they sign up.

4) Your customers are your members. You don't decide the rules and dictate to them; they decide the rules by their vote. By all means have an internal body to come up with ideas and formulate plans of action, but be responsive to member input and never forget this is not top-down, but a democracy. I'm not discussing ethics - that's not negotiable - but procedure. I believe we disagree as to the priority of having a clear system ready for your prospective members to see.

5) You're not a coin shop. You're a regulatory organization. Displaying a physical address is contraindicated unless it's the skyscraper you own, in which case make it the background of all your webpages.

6) I am admittedly picking nits with regard to pass-throughs. It's very likely that few of your members know about, understand, or care about it. Few will notice.

But I did. I personally find nothing unethical about it, but what of members whose business directly competes with linked sites, yet don't wish to enter into a pass-through agreement with you? This is "down the road" thought here.

Although I'm not a webpage designer/coder, I have years of experience in the sign and print advertising industries and a pretty good feel for visually-pleasing and efficient composition. Although this is not the venue for discussing design issues, if you'd like I would be happy to offer thoughts on the topic offline.

I do genuinely wish you the best. I feel like you're filling a real void.

Thank you dave for your input.
As mentioned this is a work in progress and one that has been for some time now, but as the administrator, my time is consumed with legal forms, establishing the organization, copyrighting, writing HTML codes and marketing along with other projects.
I have been designing web sites since 1995 and have had many of my own. I will admit to my grammatical shortcomings and the lack of using spell check has and is evident.
Until time allows me the opportunity to "start from scratch" I am using a web hosting template, granted it is not the perfect one, but it will evolve and improve.
The concept for this organization was formed by dealer members of another ebay group. Many have ideas but as with most groups very few participate.
In regards to the membership fee, if those had read the page, it states this fee "includes" background check fees (on average $45) the rest is used to pay operating costs and then it is only $25 per year for renewal.
I look forward to any suggestions or comment you may have, simply use the contact us page.
Thank You