[Dx-qsl] USPS Regs on IRCs

Thu Jul 18 21:29:41 EDT 2013

Dick,

While they'll not give you 1.10 in postage for a US issued IRC (well, usually, I've had a lot of things happen over the year with various post offices), they will often give you 1 cent under the value paid.  Now, you're right, your supposed to be the original purchaser.   That being said, I've  been able to redeem them at the post office for 1 cent other.  Depends on time of the day, clerk, mood, how knowledgeable he/she is, etc etc.

There's also eBay.   I've been selling some of the old ones I have there.   These things become collectors items. 

Bottom line, don't toss them...

________________________________
 From: Dick Flanagan <dick at k7vc.com>
To: DX-QSL Reflector <DX-QSL at mailman.qth.net> 
Sent: Thursday, July 18, 2013 7:30 PM
Subject: Re: [Dx-qsl] USPS  Regs on IRCs

Sorry, Bob, but you are incorrect on one item.  Here is the full text of 
381.2, updated June 6, 2013:

(RED highlights are mine)

        381.2 Previously Sold Coupons and Exchange Value

The following standards apply to the exchange of international reply 
coupons:

1. International reply coupons sold by the United States Postal Service
    prior to January 27, 2013, are exchangeable in any *other *member
    country for a stamp or stamps representing the minimum postage on an
    unregistered air letter. *Unused U.S. coupons (that is, those with
    the U.S. selling price stamped on them that are not ultimately
    redeemed by recipients in _other countries_) may be exchanged only
    by the original purchaser for United States postage stamps at a
    discount of 1 cent below the purchase price.*
2. With the exceptions noted in 381.3d, *international reply coupons
    _purchased in foreign countries_* are exchangeable at U.S. Post
    Office facilities toward the purchase of postage stamps and embossed
    stamped envelopes at the current maximum First-Class Mail
    International 1-ounce, letter-size price, per coupon, irrespective
    of the country where they were purchased. See Notice 123, Price List.

The USPO will only redeem IRCs purchased in OTHER countries.  If they 
were purchased in the USA, they cannot be redeemed in the USA.  They can 
only be redeemed by THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER for postage worth the price 
they paid for them minus one cent.

When I used to purchase IRCs at my local USPS office, I always made it a 
point to keep my printed receipt so I could prove I was the original 
purchaser if I needed to redeem them later.

I just took a bunch of IRCs in to be redeemed.  I received one Forever 
International stamp for each foreign-purchased IRC.  I still had some 
IRCs I had originally purchased, so after showing them my receipt I 
received a $2.09 credit for each one toward additional postage.

I still have about a dozen USA-purchased IRCs remaining that I was not 
the original purchaser of.  I will hang onto them just in case I get a 
call for one or more between now and the end of the year at which time I 
will toss whatever I have left.

Dick

--
Dick Flanagan K7VC
dick at k7vc.com

On 7/18/2013 2:12 PM, Bob n2oo-qsl wrote:
> Also:
>
> 381.4 Processing Requests
> a.    When an international reply coupon is sold in the USA the Postal
> Service clerk must place a postmark in the block which is headed control
> stamp of the country of origin.
> b.    Under Universal Postal Union's regulations member countries are not
> required to place a control stamp or postmark on the international reply
> coupons that they sell. Therefore some foreign issue reply coupons which are
> tendered for redemption may bear the name of the issuing country (generally
> in French) rather than the optional control stamp or postmark. Such coupons
> are exchangeable for U.S. postage as specified in 381.3b.
>
> But the most important and most recent as far as I know is found here:
> http://pe.usps.com/text/Imm/immc3_020.htm
>
> This tells that the USPS must redeem IRC's even though they do not sell them
> anymore (requirement in order to stay in the UPU). It also says "regardlkess
> of originating country" in the text. So, I would assume that USA issued IRCs
> could be exchanged for postage as well.
>
> Good luck and let me know how you do! I have a stack here. If I can't sell
> them soon, I will take to the PO for postage. I can't wait! A couple of
> local clerks already told a couple of my friends that they don't redeem them
> any more. So, you better bring copies of the regulations with you and be
> prepared for an argument!
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From:dx-qsl-bounces at mailman.qth.net  [mailto:dx-qsl-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
> On Behalf Of Dick Flanagan
> Sent: Saturday, July 06, 2013 5:27 AM
> To: DX-QSL Reflector
> Subject: [Dx-qsl] USPS Regs on IRCs
>
> It is time for me to take all of my IRCs down to my local USPO to return
> (my) and redeem (received) entries in my burgeoning collection.
>
> Can someone refer me to the USPS IMM manual that covers the returning and
> redeeming of IRCs?  Most USPS employees can't know all the ins and outs of
> everything and are usually appreciative if a customer can show them how to
> do something with their own documents.
>
> Publication numbers, sections and download URLs would be GREATLY
> appreciated!
>
> --
> Dick Flanagan K7VC
> dick at k7vc.com
>
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