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Does anyone have any success stories using USD as a substitute for International Reply Coupons? I was sending a request to the United Kingdom today, and in the letter I said I had enclosed a few IRC's. However, after coming up empty after visits to 3 different post offices, I threw $4 in the envelope instead, sealed it, and off it went.

I was hoping that the absence of the IRC's wouldn't lessen my chances. I've never taken this route before--in the past, I always had luck finding the IRC's.

I use cash all the time when sending out to the UK. & I generally have gotten all my items back. My post office doesn't sell those IRC's either.

RYAN J.

I've sent cash 4 times and got 3 of them back already. The only one I havent got back is Mark Strong and i'm not he signs anyways.

I just always tell them I am sorry I couldnt find IRC's and I hope it's not too big of a problem that I send US dollars, and I always over pay whatever it will cost.

As a rule of thumb, I'd say sending cash has a lower chance of a success than sending IRCs, as it's more difficult to convert the dollars to UK currency (we cant really take just $4 to the exchange!) but anything is better than nothing. Often they might think "well, they tried" and pay it themselves.

It's easier for Brits (and other nationalities) to send dollars as they are in such small denominations. Sending British pounds is a lot harder as our smallest denomination note is £5, way over the cost of an airmail letter.

yeah i hate to do it, but i send cash also when sending overseas. i never expect a reply with this but usually have good success. in my letter i usually tell them that i tried to find stamps of their country but they were no where to be found around here. i think they appreciate that you are atleast helping to buy the stamps because there are probably alot of people who dont even send stamps/cash.

While this certainly doesn't apply to all, it seems like a lot of the celebrities who reply when sent cash would've replied anyways even if you had sent no form of return postage (be it stamps, IRCs or cash). Ultimately, it seems more to serve as something between a nice gesture and a way to clear your own conscience than for the postage itself. As osiris noted though, something is better than nothing.

dfreely wrote:While this certainly doesn't apply to all, it seems like a lot of the celebrities who reply when sent cash would've replied anyways even if you had sent no form of return postage (be it stamps, IRCs or cash). Ultimately, it seems more to serve as something between a nice gesture and a way to clear your own conscience than for the postage itself. As osiris noted though, something is better than nothing.

That is what I have noticed too

The one time I sent cash instead of IRC's, I never heard from the actor.

You can still order IRC's at usps.com. I'm waiting for some now, actually.

I've sent cash (Euros and USD) twice, I think; and it was because I'm beginning to think that maybe IRCs aren't really worth the hassle.

I may re-send to a few people who I really would like but include cash this time.