how do you cut back on postage prices?

[Sexy_Lexie]

Hey! i just started collecting autographs and so far i have sent out 4 letters, i actually have three questions

1. im just wondering how i could cut down on postage prices because i live in the U.S and alot of the people im writing to live in the U.K. what i have been doing is sending my 9x12 SAE with 1 8x10 photo, letter, and 3 Irc's in a 10x14 "utility" mailer, but postage is so expensive doing that it costs me about $5.10 to mail the request to the U.K. PLUS another $6 almost for Irc's. Is this how much postage normally is? or is there another way to mail an 8x10 photo without having to use so many envelopes and postage?

2. Is 3 Irc's too much or too little postage to get a photo from the U.K. to the U.S.?

3. Have any of you sent a poster in a tube before? My mom was fortunate enough to get three of the same poster from a friend who works at a movie theater and so i wanted to get one signed but so far i havn't figured out how to get a tube inside a tube without having to buy the biggest one avalible (Which would be way to big for a celebrity to want to handle) the poster isn't very big its only 11x17. Any sugestions on how to mail this? unfortunatly it has to go overseas as well.

any help would be appreciated!!
thanks
-Lexie

[ChattyGirl247]

1. you can send a 9x12 envelope fold it in half, your pic, and letter and put it in another 9x12 envelope. You don't have to send an IRC.

2. 3 IRC might be too much try sending just 1

3. You can always fold the poster to make it fit in the envelope or you fold the tube in half

[nowandagain]

Hi Lexie

1. im just wondering how i could cut down on postage prices because i live in the U.S and alot of the people im writing to live in the U.K. what i have been doing is sending my 9x12 SAE with 1 8x10 photo, letter, and 3 Irc's in a 10x14 "utility" mailer, but postage is so expensive doing that it costs me about $5.10 to mail the request to the U.K. PLUS another $6 almost for Irc's. Is this how much postage normally is? or is there another way to mail an 8x10 photo without having to use so many envelopes and postage?

I have the same problem too, but in my case I send smaller photos (6x4). This way I manage to save on postage, photo costs and IRC's.

However, 8x10 photos are really nice when signed so I would suggest sending 2 IRC's instead of 3, and instead of using a utility mailer use 2 regular 9x12 envelopes. This will cut down on weight and postage costs. If you're afraid of your photo getting bent, also send a thin card so the photo won't bend.

2. Is 3 Irc's too much or too little postage to get a photo from the U.K. to the U.S.?

If you're sending 8x10 photos in a 9x12 envelope you should be able to get away with 2 IRC's. If you want to be sure, 3 is more than sufficient.

3. Have any of you sent a poster in a tube before? My mom was fortunate enough to get three of the same poster from a friend who works at a movie theater and so i wanted to get one signed but so far i havn't figured out how to get a tube inside a tube without having to buy the biggest one avalible (Which would be way to big for a celebrity to want to handle) the poster isn't very big its only 11x17. Any sugestions on how to mail this? unfortunatly it has to go overseas as well.

I've never sent posters in tubes before. As you'll need one to send there and one for the celebrity to return to you, it's going to be a rather expensive exercise especially since you're sending overseas.

I would suggest to get two tubes so that one can fit inside the other OK, but easy enough to take out (if they're both the same length, cut the smaller one just enough to fit inside the bigger one, but make sure that it's still long enough to fit the poster). Then, try to fit your poster, letter and IRC's in the bigger tube. The smaller tube will be addressed to you, while the bigger one is addressed to the celebrity.

Other than that, you could try to meet the celebrity in person if they are anywhere in your area, it will save on postage costs ...

Hope that helps.

nowandagain [rockon]

[BABii_ANG3L]

You shouldn't send 3 IRCS. that's too much. you should send like 1. and how do you get IRCS? I live in New York and none of the post offices sell IRCs!!! :x

[Sexy_Lexie]

Thanks for the help everyone!! yeah i will definitly try mailing the two 9x12 and see if that helps! and ill just sent 2 irc's instead of three so hopefully that should all work! the problem im having with the tubes is that they all have the same circumference so there is no way to fit one inside the other. i was thinking about just mailing it but i really don't want to fold it in half to fit it in the envelope. its my Pride and prejudice poster that has Keira Knightley on it so i was really hoping to get her at her next movie set in hopes of getting it signed.

BABii_ANG3L-

the post office by my dance studio sells them, i just go into the area were you mail packages and things and ask for them, my post office never has very many at a time usualy only 4-5 and they always have to go to the back to get them. i think its weird that they wouldn't have them in new york being they probably have millions of people trying to send and receive mail internationally. i think the only reason my post office has them is because i live in a really big tourist area. i hope you have luck finding them!!!

[dreamingofyoo]

i don't know if this relates... but the way you fold your envelopes can cost you more.... i've sent requests (9x12 enclosed inside) for every single one of my requests... and probably at least 3 out 12 of them cost more than others... soo.. be careful on how you fold those envelopes.... =)

[dgangel]

I wonder why they would cost more? They still weigh the same amount no matter how you fold them...