A MAJOR STEP IN FIGHTING FRAUD
Bloomfield, Ct. – History has been made! The Federal Trade Commission and the Professional Show Managers Association (PSMA) have jointly taken a giant step in educating the public about fraud in the world of antiques and collectibles.
A yearlong crusade, led by Nancy Johnson and Dordy Fontinel, board members of the Professional Show Managers Association, has resulted in the printing and mass distribution of hundreds of thousands of colorful informative bookmarks. Titled “Antiques, How to Shop Wisely”, the educational pieces give bullet points of information to be considered when shopping for antiques:
“When shopping for antiques and collectibles, ask the dealer. How long have you been in business? How do you know any item is genuine, not a fake or reproduction? What are your criteria for identifying the item? Will you give me a written guarantee that the item is authentic? What is your return policy?”
In addition, Johnson and Fontinel were successful in their request that Consumer Information on Safely Shopping for Antiques and Collectibles be added to the FTC website. The two women spent nearly six months working with the FTC on the specific information that is now available. The recently posted article may be accessed by visiting the FTC.gov website or simply googling FTC antiques.
When PSMA President Nancy Johnson wrote an article in the Association’s Winter 2007 newsletter entitled “When Did It Become OK To Cheat Someone?”, a commentary on our world’s complacency about being defrauded, show promoter Dordy Fontinel responded and began a dialogue with Johnson about the problem of fakes and fraud in the world of antiques and collectibles. This dialogue resulted in Fontinel speaking with Sen. John Warner, subsequent meetings with his staff and the Federal Trade Commission.
Last June, Fontinel and Johnson met with Jeanne Bumpus, Director of Congressional Affairs at the FTC, and members of the planning and information division of the FTC. Their goal was to have Antiques & Collectibles recognized as “consumer items” and to encourage the FTC to take note of the rampant fraud, which is taking place under the guise of “Antiques”. The FTC agreed and the process began. Knowingly selling a fake is criminal fraud in most states.
PSMA also feels that the bookmarks will provide a convenient opportunity for anyone interested in educating the buying public and fighting the cause. PSMA encourages show promoters, dealers, shop and mall managers, club members, and auctioneers to get involved, therefore PSMA is offering the bookmarks at their cost.
The battle has just begun! Now that the FTC has issued an Alert that selling an antique or collectible item that is not authentic is Fraud, Fontinel and Johnson feel more consumer protection will occur on the state and local level.
To order bookmarks, send a check made payable to PSMA to the PSMA Offices, Attn: FTC Project, P.O. Box 30, Bloomfield CT 06002. The cost of the bookmarks, including Priority Mail, is $25 per 1000 or a single package of 200 for $10. (PSMA is a non-profit trade association of consumer show managers, with the majority of its members in the Antiques & Collectible fields.)
For more information, please contact:Nancy Johnson, President
Professional Show Managers Association
njohnson@collectorsextravaganza.com
515.262.6714
Dordy Fontinel, Board Member
Professional Show Managers Association
dfshows@verizon.net
703.779.2800
Message From the President
This past year was an exciting one for PSMA, with our work in Washington D.C., specifically with the Federal Trade Commission on behalf of our Antiques & Collectibles Show members. We have just received the final version of the Consumer Bulletin that will be posted on the FTC’s website this spring, and as this Newsletter goes to ‘e-print’, design on the bookmarks and postcards supporting the site and its message of “Buy Real” is underway.
We also are beginning work on a “Certification” process for Show Managers, our own “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval” so to speak. We’re thinking “green” for some PSMA public relations projects as well and will be adding the Antiques Are Green logo, courtesy of the New England Antiques Journal, to our own website.
I personally would like to thank PSMA Member Dordy Fontinel of Virginia for all her hard work on the FTC project. Dordy responded to my message “When Did It Become OK To Cheat Someone?” in last winter’s newsletter, and an email dialogue between Dordy and I began. She worked very hard with her own contacts in Washington D.C., including Senator John Warner, to get us appointments with the FTC and to marshal our forces through to the appropriate persons at the FTC. Great work and enthusiasm from a longtime member, who has just accepted an appointment to the PSMA Board (due to a vacancy).
Together, we can accomplish a great deal. And as always, your comments are desired!
Nancy Johnson, PSMAPresident
njohnson@collectorsextravaganza.com
Politics and Consumer Shows... Like Oil and Vinegar?
The run to the White House 2008 is in full gallop. Politics enter our daily lives, in so many ways, and we are inundated with political messages. What is the place of a political campaign in consumer shows?
In mid-December, an email was sent out to hundreds of antiques dealers from a non- PSMA member manager. It contained a message to support an initiative pushed by former Vice President Gore. The backlash was quick, with many responses emailed to the show manager, stating that he shouldn’t be sending political messages. Quickly, an email of apology appeared in the same inboxes, with a comment that the sender didn’t think the message was political.
But whether the consumer is attending a hunting and fishing show, shopping for a bridal gown or buying a collectible, she and he are there to do exactly those things, not to be inundated by political messages from exhibitors or show management. Yes, it’s one of our most very valuable rights as an American to speak our mind. It’s just a matter of being “appropriate”. You wouldn’t go to a caucus and expect to find a kiosk selling depression glass or tuxedos, would you?
If you as a show or fair organizer do wish to go ahead with a forum for local or national candidates within your domain, by renting or donating exhibit space, remember that consumers, regardless of their opinions politically, all spend the U.S. dollar with you and your exhibitors. Be fair and provide equal space to opposing viewpoints. A voter registration booth now or signs stating “Be Sure to Vote” (particularly as we near the national elections) are uncontroversial ways of showing your patriotism without staging a Debater’s Square. As for exhibitors expressing themselves, that is their right to free speech. Hopefully common sense will prevail.
And do remember to vote in all your elections (including our PSMA elections this fall)!
Insurance Corner
The PSMA Liability Insurance program is renewing on 3-31-08. We are pleased to announce that the rates did not change. Please continue to complete the certificate request form, copy enclosed, and to follow the pre-payment procedure. Insurance certificates can not be provided without a payment based on your anticipated estimated attendance. We are happy to make an adjustment within 2 weeks after your event based on the actual attendance.
I can’t stress enough the importance of a good exhibitor contract. The majority of the claims we see come from vendors getting hurt or their merchandise damaged. By having a well prepared and signed exhibitor contract it allows the insurance company to fight claims that you are not liable for. Your contract needs to clearly state that the exhibitor is responsible for their own merchandise. You as the show manager have no insurable interest in the exhibitor’s goods. Each exhibitor needs their own liability insurance; you do not want to be assuming the liability for anyone. Your exhibitors are business people and need to be responsible for their own actions while working at the show. This point must be made clear to them. Put in the contract that you are not responsible for their Bodily Injury or Property Damage as well as any Bodily Injury or property damage they cause to others. They are business owners and employees conducting business and should have their own workers compensation and health insurance. Lastly, you are not responsible for how the exhibitor does on sales, names etc. Each show has its own specific issues and you need to address them in your contract. I am happy to look at contracts from an insurance standpoint. Your lawyers can look at them on a legal compliance basis.
Keep in mind to follow good loss prevention procedures at your shows. Remember to notify the facility in writing of any hazardous conditions that you are aware of before or during your show. This time of the year slippery floors and icy parking lots are especially hazardous. Have your staff be on the look out for slip and fall hazards and be proactive about keeping the show site safe. If anyone is in need of show loss control recommendations or incident reports please contact me and I can forward them to you.
Any questions or problems please contact me I am here to help.
Allison Steeves
Shoff Darby Companies
6527 Main St.
Trumbull, CT 06611
1-800-840-7762 x2123
Fax: 203-268-0687
Email: steeves@shoffdarby.com
PSMA Notes Member’s Passing
It is with regret that we advise you of the passing of three of PSMA’s original and long standing members. All of these individuals have given greatly to the Show Promotion industry and to PSMA. They will be missed by family, friends and industry peers.
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Donald R. Coffman Coffman's Show Management 220 Ottawa Lane Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417 413-528-9282 ccamjc@vgernet.net |
Richard May May's Antique Market, Inc. P.O. Box 416 Brimfield, MA 01010-0416 413-245-9271 info@maysbrimfield.com |
Ms. Betty Forbes Forbes and Turner Antique Shows South Portland, Maine |
Show Calendar Updates
Just a reminder. If you have not sent in your updated show calendar dates and information be sure to do so using the enclosed form or by using the form for members on the PSMA Web Page. Several members have indicated to us that they have encountered some difficulty when attempting to enter their show information directly into the PSMA web site. If you do encounter this difficulty please advise Mitch or Kirsten at the Association office. In the meantime you can send your show information to PSMA and we will be happy to input the information into the show calendar for you.