[Dx-qsl] More old US IRCs exchanged @ USPS today

[Patrick STODDARD]

Hi Peter!

> Yesterday I received a QSL request from an EA-land ham with an 
> 2006-style IRC for postage. Not wanting to put it back into 
> circulation this late in the game I went to my local post office to 
> exchange it for a single solitary 84 cent stamp. The vacant stares I 
> was greeted with by *all* the clerks was an ominous sign.

That's why I bring along a printout of their manual and bulletin,
in case I get that reaction.  I know IRCs are something not seen
much in US post offices, but the topic is well documented in USPS
manuals and bulletins.  

> I then had to call forth the branch manager to explain what *should* 
> happen. IMM is eventually consulted and "all's well that ends well." 
> By this time I'm getting snide remarks being made from those waiting 
> in line, etc. YMMV, etc, but I don't think I'll be doing this again, 
> at least not at that branch.

Frankly, I don't care what the others in line are saying about me,
when I am at the post office.  I can't count how many times I've 
waited because someone had a complex issue they were dealing with, 
that held up the line for a long time.  And don't forget those that 
aren't ready with their forms filled out and packages sealed, before 
approaching the clerks.  Then there are people on their cell phones, 
something that infuriates the clerks out here...

I figure that, if I bring the additional paperwork with my IRCs, that 
cuts down the time I'm dealing with the clerks.  I try my best to 
have everything in order before I see a clerk, whether it is with the
IRCs or when I send my "care packages" to my Argentine friends once 
or twice a year (Express Mail label, Customs documents including 
special information written in Spanish on the Customs documentation
to get duty-free treatment down there).  

>From here on out, any IRC I receive that does not expire in 2009 
gets exchanged ASAP at a post office.  Even ones from the US.  I
don't want to get caught with them if there is a change in policy
where USPS doesn't want to deal with their own pre-2002 IRCs in 
the future.  I have 4 of the 2009 IRCs at home, all from Japan, 
that I won't worry about for a while.  

73!



Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK 
http://www.wd9ewk.net/