Newbie Help - Expert Opinions Needed

[M_Vallee]

Hi, I'm new here and just have a a few questions for the collectors.

I'm in Canada and already have a list of addresses I'd like to try. My questions are about what to send.

- Is sending a SAE and an IRC less successful than sending a SASE? Am i better of buying US Stamps or IRC's?

- Is it better the send a photo to sign or just a request for a photo?

I'm just wondering if either of these things affect the success rate. As of now I've sent no letters out yet.

Thanks for your help!!

[lutherjw]

Hi M_Valle,

Welcome to the forum!

- Is sending a SAE and an IRC less successful than sending a SASE? Am i better of buying US Stamps or IRC's?

In general, this should make no difference on your success rate. An International Reply Coupon (IRC) is exchanged for postage in the country you are sending to. You need to enclose 2-3 IRCs when sending overseas. If you are sending within Canada, you only need to enclose a SASE.

-Is it better the send a photo to sign or just a request for a photo?

It is always better to enclose a photo for the celebrity to sign.

If you have any more questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!

Joel

[M_Vallee]

Would it work out cheaper for me to just put stamps on it?

Because in Canada an IRC is $3.50 and if your suposed to send about 2 for stuff in the USA, thats like $7 postage, and obviously thats way more than is needed.

If I'm putting stamps on my 9x12 SASE, how much do I need to get the envelope and a photo back to Canada? $0.63 or $0.90 ?? or is it just easier to put 3 $0.39 stamps on there to be safe, and because they are easier to get?

and if i have some old stamps, is it ok to overpay on the postage so i don't have to order a bunch or $0.01 and $0.02 stamps??

Sorry for all the questions, I'm new to all this and don't wanna mess up.

[R.S.V.P]

Dear M_Vallee,

welcome to Fanmail.biz! {thumb2}

- Is sending a SAE and an IRC less successful than sending a SASE? Am i better of buying US Stamps or IRC's?

In general that shouldn't make a difference since an IRC can be exchanged in stamps. However I recommand you put stamps on your SAE instead of sending IRC's since this is less work for the celebrity or his personal assistant. When you enclose a SASE the celebrity/personal assistant doesn't need to go to a post office to change an IRC into stamps. Although I've been collecting for 15 years so far I've never ever used an IRC. However both options will work.

- Is it better the send a photo to sign or just a request for a photo?

I've always enclosed my own photos as I'm very picky on the stills. Most celebrities will have promotional photos that they send out but if you want to receive something different than the rest of the world I'd recommand you enclose your own photos to be signed.

If you have any more questions, do not hesitate to drop me a line!

Best of luck,
Stephan

[nowandagain]

Hi M_Vallee

Welcome to the forum

Would it work out cheaper for me to just put stamps on it?

Because in Canada an IRC is $3.50 and if your suposed to send about 2 for stuff in the USA, thats like $7 postage, and obviously thats way more than is needed.

It's much easier for the celebrity and cheaper for you if you can get US stamps for your SASE's rather than using an IRC.

If I'm putting stamps on my 9x12 SASE, how much do I need to get the envelope and a photo back to Canada? $0.63 or $0.90 ?? or is it just easier to put 3 $0.39 stamps on there to be safe, and because they are easier to get?

We do have a list of postal prices here. According to this list, here are the prices to send a letter to Canada:

$0.63 10g (.35 oz)
$0.63 20g (.70 oz)
$0.90 40g (1.40 oz)
$1.15 60g (2.10 oz)
$1.15 80g (2.80 oz)
$1.40 100g (3.50 oz)

I'd say, for a 9x12 envelope it'll probably cost $0.90 to have it sent to you in Canada. If you do have $0.39 stamps, you can just put 3 on instead . It'll cover the cost of having the envelope sent back to you (with a bit to spare).

and if i have some old stamps, is it ok to overpay on the postage so i don't have to order a bunch or $0.01 and $0.02 stamps??

The general rule is, it's better to overpay your postage rather than underpay. It ensures that you get it back rather than risk the celebrity not realising that it's been underpaid and it gets sent to you with a note asking for extra postage before they give it to you, or worse still - that it gets sent back to the celebrity and he/she can't be bothered sending it out again

Sorry for all the questions, I'm new to all this and don't wanna mess up.

No problems!! If you have any further queries, please don't hesitate to ask

nowandagain [rockon]