Celebs Who Do Not Need SASE's

[TheMailman]

I don't see the nessesity for SASE's. Okay a return envelope but you shouldn't have to include postage. Only if you are sending a photo should you include postage is my opinion. I mean I think it's quite rude really to be asked to supply postage. I mean if your a fan they should be thankful that your even writing. I am SAE person and even thats being generous.

TheMailman

[TheCollector]

Unfortunately it doesn't matter whether we agree with it or not

I collect for charity, and last year I carried out an experiment (apologies for all those who have heard this 100's of times )

I work in TV as the presenter of the show Ghosthunters on the Discovery Channel ( http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1960375/ or http://www.fanmail.biz/55933.html ) which is aired right around the globe, as well as a lot of other work on tv and radio in the US and the UK. So you would think I might have a better chance than most of getting successes

To test this I sent out 50 or so requests to celebs asking for signed autos or memorabilia to support my charity auction, firstly without SASE's. I got back positive successes from about 6 of the 50. I then sent out requests to the same 50, but this time included SASE's and I got successes from about 45 of them

The point I am trying to make is that whatever our personal thoughts about the rights and the wrongs, the fact is that you get a much better response if you include the return postage

You can argue that celebs should be grateful for your supporting them through watching their shows or their films, but the fact is that mailing autographs out does cost money. The odd one is OK but when you get into the 1,000's it really does make a difference.

Again, just my thoughts

Ian

[TheMailman]

I previously read about that before I began to post.

So you would think I might have a better chance than most of getting successes

I do not see how any of us are any different

TheMailman

[TheCollector]

Well, generally those of us who are collecting legitimately for charity tend to have a slight advantage, especially from those celebs who either tend not to sign TTM or who limit their authentic autos to good causes.

My point is that even taking this into account the response is still much higher when you pay the return postage.

If celebs were going to make an exception and cover the postage themselves, wouldn't you think they would do it for charity?

Whether you like it or not, enclosing an SASE really does significantly increase your success rate

Ian

[TheMailman]

especially from those celebs who either tend not to sign TTM or who limit their authentic autos to good causes.

If they didn't reply TTM why would they read your envelope. I agree with your point but considering the UK's horrible increase in prices and the postal ladies having no clue what an IRC is, I tend to stick with just stuffing a return envelope and sending it

TheMailman

[TheCollector]

I agree with your point but considering the UK's horrible increase in prices and the postal ladies having no clue what an IRC is, I tend to stick with just stuffing a return envelope and sending it

No problem. I am only trying to add the benefit of experience

It is worth noting though, that the UK's postal prices for international mail have not changed.

It is only domestic mail which is now affected with the new "Pricing in proportion" scheme from 21st August, in which case you would be sending stamps on your SASE's and not IRC's

Check out my post here for the latest price info: http://www.fanmail.biz/mboard/viewtopic.php?t=14167

Good luck!
Ian

[TheMailman]

I sent a letter with a folded A4 letter in and it cost 50p and then another time I sent the exact same envelope and then they charged me 72p. Also its been £1.05 for a while and now its £1.12, a couple of pence doesn't bother me its just the IRC thing thats wound me up, I now have to go to a bigger town to get them and that post office has queue's the length of Big Ben

TheMailman

[TheCollector]

I know what you mean. The mail prices wind me up too :x

However, the prices on the forum are totally correct as of today, as I spoke to the Royal Mail HQ in Peterborough this afternoon

What I have begun to do is buy US stamps online instead of trying to explain what an IRC is to the post office!!!! I live in a small village and my post office have no clue about them

If you (or someone you know) has a credit card, you can order US stamps from: http://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/ ... ogId=10152

I have found this to be a LOT cheaper!!

Ian

[TheMailman]

I will consider it But prices are in US Dollars $ so do they convert it?

TheMailman

[TheCollector]

Yep. You just pay the current $ -> £ rate on your credit card.

Ian