[Dx-qsl] US Buro Mgrs: How many QSLs to exceed 1/4 inch thickness?

Wed Jul 28 01:42:15 EDT 2010

-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Lund [mailto:k6um.steve at gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 1:19 AM
To: Peter Dougherty; DX-QSL at mailman.qth.net
Cc: 'Tim Goeppinger'
Subject: Re: [Dx-qsl] US Buro Mgrs: How many QSLs to exceed 1/4 inch
thickness?
Peter Dougherty wrote:
> I just took 50 random cards, added a 6x9 envelope, and it tipped the scale
> at just over 5.8 ounces. If I were sending this to a subscriber it would
be
> mailed at the 6 ounce first-class package rate of 2ドル.07.
>>>And at that rate it might be better to hold the mailing until you have
enough for a Priority Mail box. I often get 200-300 QSLs in a mailing,
so a Priority Mail box is cheaper and much safer than multiple
envelopes. Current rate is 4ドル.95.
Steve, K6UM
[pjd] The down-side to that is in order to make up a priority mail package
(and make it worthwhile), you'll wait longer to get them. I have a couple of
high-volume subscribers (I handle N2OO's bureau cards!) and it does indeed
make it worthwhile to send them a big box or envelope every few months. On
the other hand, many of our "regular" subscribers prefer to get a mailing
every month, albeit with fewer cards in each envelope.
If you're getting 200-300 cards in on a regular basis then it's probably
better for you to ask your letter manager to save them up and send you a
priority mailing. A Priority Mail flat-rate envelope can hold roughly 2.5
pounds of cards, if they're bundled just right, which represents roughly 275
to 300 average-weight cards. Hint: make six 1/2" bundles of standard-size
cards only--sort out the oversized ones. Put 2 rows of 3 bundles in first,
then add the bundle of oversized, seal and add postage. If you print postage
from the USPS click-N-Ship Website, it's only 4ドル.75 instead of 4ドル.90
(post-office rate).
Another neat trick to save a little on postage is to send 4 ounces (roughly
30-35 cards), but in two 2-oz envelopes. That costs 1ドル.22, whereas one
4-ounce package is 1ドル.73. That's what I routinely do when a subscriber gets
a good load of cards on a regular basis; send two 2-oz mailings and hold
back the last ounce or so until the next sort.
---------------------------------------------
73 and Good DX
Peter,
W2IRT
Letter O Manager,
ARRL Incoming 2nd District QSL bureau
Vice President, North Jersey DX Association