Clarify UK postage - help?

[lunarkt]

Hi, I'm a new member here on the forums and I gotta say this is a pretty helpful site.

So I got something to ask about postage, specifically UK postage. Now, I know it's been asked a million times about what/where to get it for a SASE that is being sent back to the US, and answers I've seen are:
- IRCs (which are out, because 1) they don't sell them here anymore in the US and 2) the agency isn't accepting them)
- Money (also out because agency isn't accepting it)
- 1st class & 2nd class UK stamps (only option, apparently?)

Okay, so when you mention those stamps, you mean just the ordinary stamps you can get in the UK? And that will positively work on an UK > US SASE? Because I've always been told/heard that 1st class & 2nd class stamps can only be used within EU. Just really want to be absolutely sure about that because this is my first time requesting for an autograph [and it's to England], and I want to make sure I have the right kind and amount of postage on the SASE.
Also, aside from asking for them on here, where can I buy stamps? I can't seem to buy them on royalmail.com, because I need an account and that seems a bit complicated to make because of the address (its formatted for UK addresses even though USA is listed as a country; asks for at least a Flat/Property Name/Number as a requirement and a postcode).

Okay, yeah I think that's all I got for questions at the moment. Thanks.

[kimmylee]

1st/2nd class stamps postively work for a SASE going from UK to US

For the ordering I cannot help i'm afraid. I have seen other non uk members say they have trouble, and other non uk members say they have ordered with seemingly no problems.

Have you actually tried putting in your house number and zip?

Royal Mail are great at answering Q's via Twitter or emails through their customer service page so I would suggest you try that to get their assistance in placing an order.

[lunarkt]

Have you actually tried putting in your house number and zip?

Royal Mail are great at answering Q's via Twitter or emails through their customer service page so I would suggest you try that to get their assistance in placing an order.

Yes, I have put in all the info except the flat/property info that I can't quite enter (I don't know what to put in that place?) because I'm non-uk, and it won't allow me to go through because one of those are required. I suppose I'll contact them for help, thanks.

Should I still write "Airmail" in the corner when I put them on, since I won't have a sticker? (I don't think the stamps would have "airmail" on them). And should I put a return address on the SASE?

[kimmylee]

Have you actually tried putting in your house number and zip?

Royal Mail are great at answering Q's via Twitter or emails through their customer service page so I would suggest you try that to get their assistance in placing an order.

Yes, I have put in all the info except the flat/property info that I can't quite enter (I don't know what to put in that place?) because I'm non-uk, and it won't allow me to go through because one of those are required. I suppose I'll contact them for help, thanks.

Should I still write "Airmail" in the corner when I put them on, since I won't have a sticker? (I don't think the stamps would have "airmail" on them). And should I put a return address on the SASE?

Sometimes when I need to use a US website for UK address, I split up my address or just duplicate a line if it insists on every box filled.

So instead of:

123 easy street
town
county
post code

I may do
123
easy street
town
county
postcode

Or:
123 easy street
123 easy street
town
county
postcode


Even with a US address you should be able to fill all those boxes somehow so have a play with it, see if it works.

Yes I would write Airmail mail in the corner (top left) and as for a return address it's up to you.

[lunarkt]

Have you actually tried putting in your house number and zip?

Royal Mail are great at answering Q's via Twitter or emails through their customer service page so I would suggest you try that to get their assistance in placing an order.

Yes, I have put in all the info except the flat/property info that I can't quite enter (I don't know what to put in that place?) because I'm non-uk, and it won't allow me to go through because one of those are required. I suppose I'll contact them for help, thanks.

Should I still write "Airmail" in the corner when I put them on, since I won't have a sticker? (I don't think the stamps would have "airmail" on them). And should I put a return address on the SASE?

Sometimes when I need to use a US website for UK address, I split up my address or just duplicate a line if it insists on every box filled.

So instead of:

123 easy street
town
county
post code

I may do
123
easy street
town
county
postcode

Or:
123 easy street
123 easy street
town
county
postcode


Even with a US address you should be able to fill all those boxes somehow so have a play with it, see if it works.

Yes I would write Airmail mail in the corner (top left) and as for a return address it's up to you.

So like, for example,
Flat Name: 123
Address: 123 Easy Street
or
Address: Easy Street?

Isn't the top left where the return address goes (Where would you put "Airmail")? And should the RA be the agency?
Sorry for so many questions!!!!!!

[kimmylee]

Are you sure it wants flat name. Because I looked at the registration page for a RM shop account and it asks

*Please provide at least one flat number, property name or number.

So to me it is only asking for one, you'd put your house number under number then fill the rest of the form out.

123
easy street

etc

In the UK it isn't standard to put the return address in the top left as it is in the US. So that is where we put Airmail.

If you want a return address put it on the back of your SASE with a big FROM or SENDER. Some people put their own address and some people put the agency. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer. This is why I don't put a return address on the SASE, it's too complicated and again in the UK it's not really standard to include one as it is in the US.

I hope I have been able to help and hopefully Royal Mail can assist you in placing an international order Or someone comes along who has done it successfully and can give you a few pointers.

[lunarkt]

Are you sure it wants flat name. Because I looked at the registration page for a RM shop account and it asks

*Please provide at least one flat number, property name or number.

So to me it is only asking for one, you'd put your house number under number then fill the rest of the form out.

123
easy street

etc
In the UK it isn't standard to put the return address in the top left as it is in the US. So that is where we put Airmail.

If you want a return address put it on the back of your SASE with a big FROM or SENDER. Some people put their own address and some people put the agency. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer. This is why I don't put a return address on the SASE, it's too complicated and again in the UK it's not really standard to include one as it is in the US.

I hope I have been able to help and hopefully Royal Mail can assist you in placing an international order Or someone comes along who has done it successfully and can give you a few pointers.

*smacks forehead* I meant flat number. I guess I was thinking "name" off of "property name". I hadn't looked at the RM reg page since last night so I'm only replying from memory (which isn't the greatest at the moment). But yeah, that was what I was asking about. So should the "123" be the flat or property number (if my terminology is correct, the "flat" is the apartment, I live in a house.. or does this not matter?)

Huh, well you learn something new everyday. I did not know you guys didn't use return addresses as much as we do, thanks for the information. (I love learning new things about the UK). And "Airmail" should be written in blue, right?
You have been of excellent help, thank you.

[kimmylee]

123 would be the property number. But I reckon as long as 123 is in one of those boxes it doesn't matter.
Airmail can be written in whatever colour you like.

[lunarkt]

123 would be the property number. But I reckon as long as 123 is in one of those boxes it doesn't matter.
Airmail can be written in whatever colour you like.

Okay, thank you! I'll go see now if I can get some success at buying some stamps at RM.

[lunarkt]

Hi, me again...

Out of curiosity, aside from them being remarkably more expensive, what good are international stamps (y'know, these bit.ly/1GLUJnC) as I just now noticed them in the RM shop? Would they work just the same (or a better option?) as using 1st/2nd class on an SASE?

(Still in the process of registering - waiting for a response on my reply email I sent today, so thought I'd check out the shop while I wait)

Thanks! (And sorry that I keep asking questions)