[Dx-qsl] non-bureau mgr's

[Steven Wheatley KU9C]

Wow, I don't know where to start.  First, let me say I have a great deal of respect for Mac, and the work he does.  As someone else posted, it's too bad there are not more like him.

However, while the bureau costs $8/pound, I've worked with other managers to get it down to the $4/pound rate.  And, for each station I manage, after bureau expenses, after all the costs of cards, envelopes, rubber stamps, and even maybe a brew or two, I end up having a SURPLUS, over time, for each station I manage.  Why?  Because a lot of you guys send a bit more than a SASE...and I thank you.  Now, if you take Mac's letter to the penny, I shouldn't send a card for just a SASE...because the card, etc, costs me money.  I think Mac has a forum where other folks sponsor the cards, and I give him a great deal of credit for developing that system, and the guys that support it.

To me, being a manager is simply about offloading a horrendous task from a DX station, so that they can generate more Q's rather than do the 'paper work'.  I don't ask them to contribute, some do, but I basically ask them to 'send me the logs' on a regular basis, and I'll do the rest.  

I think part of the reason I get a surplus is I try to tell folks that it goes back to the hobby...not for any other purpose.  And so, I find it easy to manage all of my stations with a surplus.  EVEN AFTER MAILING several HUNDRED pounds of cards via the bureau each year (just sent about 50 to JA alone!).

Back to my donation thread, what I suggest you consider, is if you donate, to a QSL manager, to a DXpedition, find out where your donation goes.  I don't think managers should lose money in this great hobby, but I dont' think any of us get rich either.  But, I think if one manages the chores well.....you shouldn't have problems funding bureau cards....but it does take creativity!

73
Steve

--------------------------- 
Steve Wheatley KU9C 
PO Box 5953 
Parsippany NJ  07054-6953 
U.S.A. 

email:  ku9c@ku9c.com 
http://www.ku9c.com/



---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: WC6DX@aol.com
Date: Sun, 14 Apr 2002 17:44:58 EDT

>For you guys quick to judge, read this from Mac's website.  Most of you will 
>have used W3HC one time or another.  As the saying goes, "do the math".
>
>"We do not use the BUREAU. To receive 5 pounds of cards from the W3 incoming 
>bureau, I must pay around $6.50 postage to receive them. Then I must verify 
>them. Include $8.00 a pound ($8.00 X 5 =$40.00) plus another $6.50 to send 
>them up to the ARRL BUREAU. This amounts to $53.00 out of my pocket. THINK 
>ABOUT THIS.....WOULD YOU DO THIS? "
>
>I don't blame a mgr at all for not using the bureau.
>
>73, Will WC6DX
>
>Please help QSL.NET . Send your donation now. 
>
>If you have already donated, thanks !
>