[Dx-qsl] duplicate bureau cards

[Stuart Santelmann KC1F]

> And that's also ASSUMING that the first qsl(S) replied  via the buro:
> 1.  Made it through and out of your own country's  postal system 
> (including
> the good ole USPS).
> 2.  Found it's way though the foreign postal  system to the buro
> 3.  Was sorted correctly and actually forwarded  to intended recipient by
> buro (by those receiving buros that are still  struggling to exist).
> 4.  Again survived foreign postal system and  arrived at destination.
>
> In the last month, I've been tracking down cards that  >> I << need that 
> have
> already been sent direct or buro (waiting at  least 3 years on the buro
> ones).  Every email inquiry that I've been able  to make has been answered 
> with
> 'never received' (but what else would they  say?).  I believe at least a 
> half
> dozen, because they have sent me card  direct at their expense then.  One 
> well
> known European manager admitted to  not answering my second request 
> because he
> 'had already confirmed the qso  according to his records' (obviously i 
> never
> received, and second request was  over a year later).
>
> That is why I answer every card received and don't  bother checking to see 
> if
> it's a dupe.  There just might be a reason for  the second request.  And
> besides, it just takes too much  time.
>
>
>
> 73 de Steve, KZ2I
> Charlotte,  NC

Steve:  I receive approximately 3000 bureau QSLs per year, of which I 
estimate 500 are for band modes that I've QSLed BEFORE to them.  I can do a 
study of the next bureau batch I receive if you like.  I send response QSLs 
with cards from my contest club at $58/2000 cards, or 2.9 cents per card. 
Then there's the cost of shipping via ARRL outgoing bureau, estimated on 
their website as 5.33 cents per card ($4 for 75 cards).  Then add another 
0.5 cents per card to ship them to ARRL.  Also the time spent scrolling up 
and down the screen to confirm that Mr. European has indeed been QSLed 
before (I have a few countries in mind but won't name them).  So that's  8.7 
cents per card and $43 a year I would spend to QSL QSOs that I've ALREADY 
QSLed because the DX station is too careless to check their computer 
records - still think I'm wrong to not QSL them again ?

Stu        KC1F