[Dx-qsl] USPS Regs on IRCs

Thu Jul 18 23:51:21 EDT 2013

Hi, Steve.

I agree it is possible to take advantage of the lack of IRC expertise at 
some post offices, but I am trying to set up a long-term relationship 
with these folks.  Sooner or later they may realize I am taking 
advantage of them and not look very kindly on me or the next guy to 
tries to redeem some IRCs.  Golden Rule and all that stuff...  :)

Dick

--
Dick Flanagan K7VC
dick at k7vc.com

On 7/18/2013 6:29 PM, Steve Wheatley wrote:
> 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 <mailto: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> 
> [mailto: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 <mailto:dick at k7vc.com>
> >
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