[Dx-qsl] When to use a QSL service or ARRL outgoing Bureau?

[Steven Wheatley KU9C]

Direct is fastest.....

WF5E is 'near direct'.  Meaning, as a QSL manager, I treat his mailings as if they were direct mails to me from individuals.  I'm sure the process Les uses slows things a bit, but I give his cards as much attention as I give it if you mailed it yourself to me.  

Bureau......thats a catch 22.  Many managers and DX stations do not use the bureau system.  Those that do, myself included, put bureau cards at the bottom of the list of things to do.  My bureau mailings come to me in rather large boxes...so imagine getting 40-70 pounds in a box, sorting by call,  working the QSL labels, finding an economical way to get them back to you (read, I don't use the ARRL outgoing bureau at 8 bucks/pound), etc etc.   A bureau QSL is a multi-year process on average, I suspect.

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: Clint Sprague <clintws1v at yahoo.com>
Date:  Tue, 16 May 2006 06:43:51 -0700 (PDT)

>I've read the "When to use IRC" threads ... lots of
>good info... thanks!!
>
>Now I'm wondering when you may preferr to use the
>ARRL outgoing bureau or a QSL service like WF5E's?
>What have your reponse rates been using either or both
>of these?
>
>73,
>Clint
>WS1V
>
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