Why IRC's instead of US$? Two reasons come to mind:
(1) In some countries it is illegal for citizens to own or possess US (or other currencies not issued by that administration) even if it is sent to them by someone who didn't know better. Yes, in some cases, a well hidden dollar or two will survive potential thieves and will be quietly converted without repercussion to the recipient -- but why risk it? (2) In some countries, an IRC "buys" more air mail (or other) postage than a $1 bill does; ie, the "weak" dollar after conversion (and don't forget conversion costs too, some places add a fee for the trouble) won't be enough to cover postage, but the IRC (which can often be an equal exchange) will. And yes, a new IRC costs $1.75 at the local USPS branch. That's why I buy mine for about $1 each from one of several well known QSL managers, when I need them -- I save on the cost of the IRC, they get the cost of an airmail stamp with a little left over to help cover the incidental costs. 73, ron wn3vaw "Life is pain... anyone who says otherwise is selling something" --The Princess Bride ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Warren" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2004 11:53 AM Subject: [DX-CHAT] QSLing - IRCs (and mint stamps) vs $ Walter W2WJO wrote: >I think this the most definitive answer we'll ever get on the topic >or IRC stamping - I wrote the Universal Postal Union, UPU, the >organization that makes them, and below is their answer. > >Now I have to bring a dozen back to my local post office to prove I >was right and to have these fixed... I'm still baffled why people fight the problems associated with using IRCs (and with sending mint postage stamps) for QSLing. The most widely accepted world currency is the U.S. dollar. That's not imperialist propaganda, it's a simple, practical fact. While it's true that airmail rates in most countries now approach (or even exceed) $2 U.S., that's a separate issue - and new IRCs cost $1.75 I think. Even with the few countries where having U.S. dollars is nominally illegal I've had 100% success with well-hidden enclosures. And keeping up with postage rates worldwide to send mint stamps - wow! that's a hobby in itself! Can someone explain to the group why we should ever do anything EXCEPT swap $? John, NT5C. Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, [EMAIL PROTECTED] This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, [EMAIL PROTECTED] This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org
