[Dx-qsl] RE: IRC's

[Bob Nielsen]

On Jan 25, 2006, at 12:01 AM, Ernie Walls wrote:

> For what it is worth, an IRC in VK costs AU$2.50 (US$1.875) - most
> international postage costs AU$1.80 (US$1.35), except to NZ, JA and  
> BY and a
> few other close by Asian countries, where the cost is AU$1.20 (US 
> $0.90) - so
> the relativity is not quite as extreme as a few other countries have
> reported.
>
> As an aside, IF I send just a single QSL card (with a SASE and an  
> IRC/$),
> and I don't say much on the card, then I can post internationally  
> for just
> AU$1.10 (US$0.825), which is a post card rate.
>
> Finally, why would anyone buy a NEW IRC at a post office when you  
> can buy
> any number, and generally in any quantity you want, from any one of  
> many
> reputable QSL managers for around US$1.30. I hope I don't embarrass  
> the guy,
> but I buy mine from KU9C, and have for many years now, with a  
> saving of 33%
> on the new price.
>

And to take that argument a bit further, why would anyone exchange an  
IRC for an 84 cent stamp at the post office when you can sell them to  
fellow hams for $1.30 or so?

To get back to the original question, the price of postage varies  
quite a bit between countries and in a few cases it is pretty close  
to the cost of an IRC.  We US hams may not think so, but $0.84 to  
send a  one-ounce (28g) letter anywhere in the world is probably a  
real bargain.

Bob, N7XY