[Dx-qsl] QSL question using ARRL outgoing service

[Nenad Stevanovic]

Fred,

There are other ways that parcels simply disappear.


1. Customs. When I package outgoing cards, I always make 
   sure that the parcel is robust enough to survive travel.
   I use 'manila' thread re-enforced tape, or duct-tape
   If opened on customs, they use scothc tape, which is not
   strong enough. Boxes open up and the content may be lost.

2. I usually wrap my parcels in brown paper to hide any trace
   of previous use. This keps bureau costs low by re-using packaging 
   material  from individuals sending QSLs to the bureau.
   If the wrap-up paper is removed when parcel opened at customs,
   they loose track where to send the parcel.

3. Same scenario but they are left with bare box still having
   the original stickers. They decide to return the whole package
   to the original sender, which is the individual sending card to
   the  Outgoing bureau. Than I usually have a very unpleasent 
   discussion with the original sender.

4. Knowing that parcels are exposed to water damage when 
   sent via ship, I always package the cards in plastic bags. 
   Not all bureaus do this. You should see 500++ cards 
   sticked together in a solid paper boulder. This happens.
  

73  Nenad   VE3EXY  ...


-----Original Message-----
From: dx-qsl-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:dx-qsl-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Alfred Laun
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2009 5:21 PM
To: Jack Shirley
Cc: dx-qsl at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Dx-qsl] QSL question using ARRL outgoing service

On Thu, Mar 12, 2009 at 12:40 PM, Jack Shirley <jcshirle at gmail.com> wrote:
> Today I received in the mail my  QSL which was sent via the ARRL 
> outgoing service to EI, Ireland. Since my address on my QSL is placed 
> the same way as it would be on a postcard it came back with the 
> barcode from the USPS on the bottom, even though there was no postage 
> on it. There was no postmark in the upper right hand corner, so I guess it was treated as prepaid business mail.
>
> I remember that a while  back this happened to K3ZO.
>
> What I am guessing is that the envelope or box the ARRL is using 
> broke, and all the cards were dispersed in the mail.

This happens in reverse also from time to time.  Here in the Third Call Area Bureau we recently received  a box from the French REF Bureau with only 27 cards inside -- normally their regular box is stuffed with about 500 cards.  It was wrapped in the USPS "apology bag" and stamped "received in damaged condition".  It looked like the bottom of the box, which has a flap, just opened up and almost all the cards fell out.  I sent a letter to REF letting them know.

On the same day another identical REF box arrived in excellent condition, and that one had a lot of the TO5FJ cards in it, so hopefully the DXers awaiting their Saint Barthelemy counters won't be disappointed.

73, Fred Laun, K3ZO
Manager
NCDXA/ARRL Third Call Area Incoming QSL Bureau ______________________________________________________________
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