[Dx-qsl] Re: Postage Stamps?

[Ron Notarius WN3VAW]

Why send an SASE internationally with properly affixed postage?

Because envelopes are sometimes "intercepted" and green stamps & IRC's
removed.  An SASE with the proper international postage, in these
situations, might get through.  Assuming that the postal thieves don't just
destroy the envelope in opening it & then discard what they don't want.

It's a crap shoot sometimes.  I've had US$ arrive safely into some countries
(or areas of countries) where theft is rampant; I've had envelopes arrived
torn and pilfered into some countries/areas thought to be safe from that
(including Canada & the US).  My "worst case" to date was a certain A7 who
only replied to the 3rd request (and indicated he'd never gotten the first
two)  -- the 3rd one got through because I went to great pains to make it
look like a business letter, including using (with permission) an embossed
envelope from my then employer.

Some people prefer primarily green stamps.  Some people prefer primarily
IRC's.  Some people prefer primarily SASE's if they can get the right
stamps.   Some prefer a mix.  Whatever works.

73, ron wn3vaw

"You are a fluke of the Universe
You have no right to be here
And whether you can hear it or not,
The Universe is laughing behind your back"
-- National Lampoon's Deteriorata

----- Original Message -----
From: John Warren <nt5c@texas.net>
To: <dx-qsl@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2002 6:18 PM
Subject: [Dx-qsl] Re: Postage Stamps?


>.....Argentina has an inflation rate of about 80 percent or so right now,
>so prices keep going up, up, up...it might be worth it to check with
>them about current postage rates before we send...
>
>  >I was told 1.25 would be good but it seems to have doubled.

I'm baffled.

Why do we struggle to figure out postage rates around the world
(which - not surprisingly - we often get wrong), then go to great
trouble to buy currently valid stamps for each country (which we also
often get wrong)? Why not just send $2 U.S.? Greenbacks seem to be an
acceptable, low-inflation QSL currency worldwide, and have always
worked extremely well for me, even to countries which nominally are
not supposed to receive them. (I always hide the bills carefully
anyway).

What am I missing? Please explain.

BTW, I used the bureaus for all "easy" countries while I was building
up my score, and still do to respond to all QSLs received that way.
So only a modest number of my outgoing cards require $2 U.S. I have
never used stamps.

John, NT5C.
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