Request To US Using Hard-Backed Envelope For Return

[Rachel]

Hi guys,

I wondered if anyone could help me. I never ever use board-backed envelopes but am planning a special request to the States soon and want my request to get back to me in good condition. OK so I'm planning on sending a photo along with either dollars or US stamps for my SAE which will be, as I said above, a board-backed envelope. I'm writing from the UK, so what I want to know is, if the person I am writing to is going to send back 1 10x8 photo inside my board-backed SAE, how much would I need to send over in dollars or stamps worth for the envelope to get back to me with the full postage paid? I know not many of you use board-backed envelopes but I'm hoping someone here has done in the past and knows how much postage roughly needs to get it back in one piece.

Thanks in advance, much appreciated!

[scarybun]

Not a direct answer to your question but provided for reference: today I mailed a 6.5 inch by 9.5 inch envelope with a thick comic book inside to the UK from the US and it cost me about $3.50. So I guess if you want to be absolutely positive you get yours back, maybe send $5 or so.

[Rachel]

Wow, that seems really cheap for a comic book. Thanks for that...my envelope will be about 10x12" and will only include 1 photo, but of course it will be heavier than your standard envelope and I'm not sure if the US take size into account as well as weight as the UK now do..

[scarybun]

Well, I forgot an important thing: I mailed it as a document, rather than a 'gift' or 'merchandise', which probably affected the price.

And yes, envelope size does matter. Once you go larger than 6x9, as you will, the price increases.

[guilder1st]

When I send a request to the uk from the usa it usually cost me about $4.50. That's for a large envelope with a cardboard envelope inside. Hope this helps you to figure it out.

[mightyswagman]

I dont send cash or stamps,i get international reply coupons,and put 3 in for a c5 or a4 envelope,it works out at about $3.60

[Rachel]

I don't like to use IRC's anymore for a number of reasons, my P.O often has to order them in for me, they aren't the best value. I find it works out cheaper to send dollar bills or stamps as the value of 1 IRC is I believe, the lowest amount for postage in the States meaning I'm paying more in the UK than the coupon is actually worth in the US. Since I switched, I've saved money and been able to send letters out quicker without having to wait on my PO. I also started to become concerned about the expiry dates on the IRC's in the last few months of using them as I know the current ones expire on the 31st of December, meaning anyone wishing to use them would need to reply rather quickly and we all know what this hobby is like...it takes 6 months, a year, or maybe even 2 sometimes. It all just seemed easier with the dollars and stamps, and I was right!

[bobd_uk]

I had a 10x8 in a cardboard backed envelope weighed a couple of weeks back and was told it would be 3 IRCs (£3.30) - so the equivalent of that should cover it. (This was also for a US-UK package)