I used to buy IRC's in the US for requests to Canada or the UK. But, they were more expensive and I was always afraid of that one celeb who didn't want to be bothered exchanging it for postage. And they were not always available at my local post office. So I contacted the Canadian and British post offices and ordered postage over the phone and had them mailed to me. I usually get them in a week or so. Now, I only send using standard size letter envelopes. So if you plan on always using larger envelopes. Just ask them what postage would be when speaking to them. When I send the my request. I just put the stamp on the return envelope and your good to go. And I think I have had better success doing this.

Canada: I order 98 cent (Canadian) stamps in a book of 6 stamps. It costs me $5.98 (Canadian) per book and they DO NOT charge shipping.

UK: I order 90 pence stamps in whatever quantity I need. I usually order between 10 and 20. Since they DO charge shipping and it doesn't change much whether you get 1 or 20 stamps.

Also, you have to have a credit card to order the stamps. And the US dollar is worth less than the British Pound. But, more than the Canadian dollar. So your cost will be different than what they say.

Here is the phone #'s for both:

-Canada Post 1-800-565-4362 (free call from the US)
-UK Royal Post- 011 44 1313167483 (a toll call)

If anyone has any questions. Just ask. Hope this helps.