I try my best to include return postage. However I never include it on Disney requests anymore. I know they always use their own system so would just chuck out my things anyway. Always include an SAE to them though. Everyone else i include SASE or IRC's/

As Shambler says there may be times when you are unable, and if you explain this to the celeb they should understand.

I too have had times when I couldn't get the stamps for that country, so I included cash and apologized for the inconvenience. Hopefully, if you are unable and have no other means, then the celeb will reply and simply write it off. That they know you tried and even apologized let's them know you are aware of it and do care. {thumb2}

I'm not going to add my views on the issue at hand, as they are quite controversial and have caused many arguments before

I just want to say that sometimes it is not possible, no matter how hard you try, to obtain IRC's and international stamps. I think if you explain that situation in your letter to the celebrity and apologize for it, then there's no problem at all. And there are still good celebs out there who appreciate their fans and don't mind spending money on us, like we do on them!

Hi! ;)

I'm just going to join in on the discussion!

I always pay (or try my best) for return postage. {thumb2} No matter who I send to (and even if they reply with only a SAE), I'll send a SASE or IRC's. It feels good for me and remember, you want something from the person. So to me, I always make sure I have US and UK stamps "in stock" and when I send out a request, I'll send a SASE along with it and I make sure that it covers the postage (I sometimes add even more to be very sure).

I understand that it's not always possible to pay for return postage, but you can at least always try (even if it only covers holf the postage). {thumb2}

Good luck!
zanne

Some old celebrities, or those that haven't acted in years, may still be getting a steady stream of requests and quite literally can't afford to pay for everyone's postage. In a case like that you may not get a response unless you provide the return postage.

I know of a celeb that has run out of photos and has made it known they are not going to print up any more, but are happy to sign your photos that you send.

And I have read of certain celebrities that refuse to respond if you don't send return postage.

And I have read of celebrities that won't respond unless you provide a SASE.

I have also seen a certain celeb beautifully personalize photos you send, but if you don't send any photos you get back a PP.

I am aware that they can write it off. I guess my point is that there are people that may not include a SASE, and this 'can' have an impact on whether or not they get a success.

The odds are better if you provide everything. That is not to say you won't get a success if you just send a letter. But if everything they need is right in front of them, photos, and SASE, all they have to do is sign, and mail.

I know people that have sent nothing but letters, and then started sending photos and a SASE. Their success rate for the latter is much higher.

But it's entirely up to the individual. The above is offered as a means of informing. They can then make an 'informed' decision as to how they wish to proceed from here.

I also realize this thread is about IRCs specifically, but I wanted to pass on what I have learned over the past year. I have always included a SASE, and tried to buy stamps for foreign countries, but if they don't sell the amount I need I then include the cost of return postage in the form of US dollars.

You have a better chance in getting a reply if you include IRC's for international request, of course. I don't think it is impolite at all not to include a couple, but definetly unwise. At least include a SAE! I think a SASE should always be included for domestic requests. Your just cheap or greedy if you don't send anything, but a letter, and expect a response.

Personally, I always send a couple IRC's or SASE's. {thumb2}

Some celebrites use there own postage and envelopes, it depends on the celebrity. They write these expenses off when they files their taxes. You didn't actually think they were "just being nice" by paying for postage did you?

In conclusion, the choice is yours, how badly do you want a response?

If I run out of stamps I will include US cash. The same if I can't get access to foreign stamps, I will include US cash.

I'll go onto the website of that country's post office and look up how much it costs to mail it back, and do a conversion if necessary.

The only time it may become a problem is VV. Unless they have a PA that can run out to the post office the odds are you won't get it back. Same with IRC's.

I am shocked when I read people proudly writing in forums that they never pay for postage to foreign countries. If everyone did that celebs would stop replying. It is just plain rude to expect them to pay for everyone's postage.

Always include a SASE, and if you can't get stamps, and don't want to pay for expensive IRCs, there is always cash.

x hayley x wrote:I think it's nice to pay postage, because imagine if no one sent IRC's or a SASE, you couldn't expect the celebrity to pay for everybody. But if you can't get IRC's or stamps then there's nothing you can do about it!

Thats the thing though, theres always a way. Just because your post office doesnt sell IRCs, doesnt mean they cant order them in if you ask them to. It also doesnt mean you can get them through other means. Same goes for stamps, several methods of getting those. If all else fails just send dollars/euros or whatever. There is always a way to pay for return postage when sending abroad. Ok it may not be as easy as sending to someone in the same country, but a little effort never hurt anyone.

I think it's nice to pay postage, because imagine if no one sent IRC's or a SASE, you couldn't expect the celebrity to pay for everybody. But if you can't get IRC's or stamps then there's nothing you can do about it!

Its impolite not to pay for return postage, yes.