File In Front Or File Behind?

kevinramsdale · Post by **kevinramsdale** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 1:16 pm

I thought I would give the poll feature of the forum a trial by asking the age old question as to whether collectors and dealers prefer to see postcards at fairs filed in front of or behind the dividers.

Feel free to give reasons for your choice.

Kevin

PS Please note that this Poll was actually run in September/October 2006 and is now closed - the thread has recently become active again (September 2007) Additional comments are of course welcomed.

magda · Post by **magda** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 3:16 pm

For over 30 years now we have been filing in front of the marker. This system stops the marker being obscured by being tight up against the fron of the box.

kevinramsdale · Post by **kevinramsdale** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 4:22 pm

This poll is set to run for 48 days from September 18th 2006

kevinramsdale · Post by **kevinramsdale** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 8:48 pm

At the moment we are running at a nail biting 3 votes each - still plenty of time to cast yours, and ensure we reach a decisive (though totally unenforceable) conclusion.

tonymckendrick · Post by **tonymckendrick** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 8:18 pm

In every filing system I have ever used, in offices, libraries or anywhere else, filing behind a marker is standard. The problem of markers being obscured by the front of boxes can be avoided by not over-filling them. If postcard boxes had been designed with a lip at one end, this would not be an issue.

tonymckendrick · Post by **tonymckendrick** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 8:22 pm

I was always under the impression that the further north you travel, the more likely the dealer will file in front. Can anyone confirm this? It always always seems to take me two attempts to find the cards I want in dealers stocks at York.

postcards-etcetera.co.uk · Tue Nov 21, 2006 11:06 pm

Hi, well I am in the northern part of England and have always filed BEHIND.

In fact as far back as I can remember, the standard procedure for filing anything in offices is behind the marker... I find it very difficult to work with the other way round! Old habits die hard I guess!

kevinramsdale · Post by **kevinramsdale** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 12:29 am

[quote="postcards-etcetera.co.uk"]Hi, well I am in the northern part of England and have always filed BEHIND.

In fact as far back as I can remember, the standard procedure for filing anything in offices is behind the marker... I find it very difficult to work with the other way round! Old habits die hard I guess![/quote]

Unfortunately this poll recently ended (perhaps appropriately with no decisive outcome) - I guess I know how you would have voted though.

Regards

Kevin

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 1:56 pm

I know the poll finished long ago, but there's no harm in adding my own comments.

Certainly, I find in the office it is far easier to file BEHIND the marker - anything else would confuse matters.

With regards to postcards - I prefer them also to be filed behind the marker (something which probably stems from the fact that I work in an office).

However, so long as the dealer states VERY CLEARLY (not on a small notice either high up. low down or half hidden) which way round the cards are filed, I don't mind.

I feel sorry for the dealers who have to constantly check their stock because some absent-minded buyer replaces cards in the wrong section. Subsequent buyers find this frustrating too.

Post by **MichaelDay** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:44 pm

Don't worry about resurrecting this particular debate.. it has been going on for about 25 years already and looks set to continue.

I think you've pretty much nailed it though, there can never really be a compromise but as long as dealers clearly mark their displayed stock AND collectors return the cards they've been looking at into the correct sections we get as close as we possibly can.

Some collectors think that if they replace the handful of cards back in any box they can walk away with a clear conscience.. misfiling them not only makes it more difficult for subsequent collectors (perhaps that's their purpose?) but in many cases sparks unecessary alarms about stolen stock.

Moonraker · Post by **Moonraker** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 8:10 pm

When I started collecting 11 years ago a significant majority filed behind the marker. At BIPEX yesterday I felt there was a bit of a swing to dealers filing in front. I agree it's preferable not to have the marker at the front of the box because it can slip down out of sight. Some dealers could make it clearer what they do.

Moonraker

RAFPOL · Post by **RAFPOL** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 10:50 am

File behind the marker is preferable. It almost suggests that this is the logical way to file. There you go, everyone is different and opinions are free. "John Boy"

normanfrank · Post by **normanfrank** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 6:10 pm

Spent most of the day at the PPC Show on Friday. The same dilemma of behind/foward continues. I now find it mildly amusing. I am inclined to assume "behind", but I always check. I do, however, object to the snappy "infront" dealers ( and it is always those) who hiss at you even before you've had a chance to see. It is up to dealers to make it very clear what their preference is. N.Goodman

ECooper · Post by **ECooper** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 10:15 pm

It won't let me vote now? I guess that the poll is closed after so many months. I naturally look for behind but have got into the habit of asking when I get to the next stand. It caught me out last week, I asked the question as I always do (in front or behind?) got a strange look from the person behind the stand then realised it was written everywhere, each and every divider, 'markers' and several seperate notices 'Please File Behind' - quite embarassing.

reflections · Post by **reflections** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 1:28 pm

Filing behind is the only logical system. Whoever dreamed up any other way?

postcard.co.uk