IRC Help Needed Please!

[Emster]

I live in the UK and was just wondering whether the US accepts IRCs? Also how many would I need to include?

I'm just wondering this as I've wrote to American based artists before, included 3 IRCs (I'm paranoid so like to be on the safe side ) and have never heard anything back, so have no idea whether what I sent was right or wrong.

Thanks in advance

[DanaRenoMBA]

The short answer is that post offices in the US "should" accept IRC's, BUT many post offices and postal clerks appear to have a very limited experience and may not even know that there is such a thing as an IRC.

I will not tell you want to do, but you may want to find someone (a member?) you can trade with or possibly go to the USPS web site and try to purchase postage there. I don't know if the USPS site will work (buying stamps from the UK) but have heard that it is possible so you may want to give it a try.

Hope I was at least a little help and didn't add to the confusion. If my inforamtion is not accurate maybe someone else will know better and be able to help.

[Emster]

The short answer is that post offices in the US "should" accept IRC's, BUT many post offices and postal clerks appear to have a very limited experience and may not even know that there is such a thing as an IRC.

I will not tell you want to do, but you may want to find someone (a member?) you can trade with or possibly go to the USPS web site and try to purchase postage there. I don't know if the USPS site will work (buying stamps from the UK) but have heard that it is possible so you may want to give it a try.

Hope I was at least a little help and didn't add to the confusion. If my inforamtion is not accurate maybe someone else will know better and be able to help.

Thanks Dana

I don't think many postal clerks know much about IRCs, when I first ever brought some I literally had to explain to the clerk what they were - This is a few years back now!

If only they made it easier to buy stamps for other countries!

[dfreely]

Yep, US accepts IRCs. How many you need depends on what you send, but 3 will cover the usual manila envelope and 8x10. And yeah, not many postal clerks know about IRCs, since it's a rather obscure and outdated item. If you do plan to send to the US often, it's worth investing in US stamps since they'll be more economical.

[Emster]

I usually send a C5 (half the size of an A4 piece of paper) cardboard backed envelope when I send to other countries just to be on the safe side. Would 3 IRCs still cover that? Or would I need maybe 4?

I don't tend to write to US stars very often.

[bethx]

I live in the UK and send C5 envelopes for the return,I send 2 IRC's to the USA and have never had any problem,5 times i have sent and had success each time
you will need to send 3 IRC's if you are using an A4 envelope,hope that helps

[dfreely]

If it was a C5, you would technically need three, because the size of the envelope would be just enough to be considered "large envelope" size. The cutoff point is 6.25", and C5 is 6.4". However, since people get replies back with just two, it's very possible the postal service just overlooks it since it's so close, or the celebrity doesn't mind paying.

[Emster]

Thanks for everyone's help

When I send to other countries the envelope I use for the celebrity to reply is slightly bigger than a normal C5 envelope (not A4) and cardboard backed. I'm hoping 3 is enough IRCs, I feel as if 4 might be over the top.

Obviously I know the postal prices are different, but when I've sent to Sweden before (using the same envelope for a reply) I've sent 2 IRCs and have always recieved replies.

[Marijke]

I have the same problem but only from an other country. I live in Belgium. My English is good but not so very good as yours...
I also have explained the meaning of IRC at my postoffice and also nobody knows it. Are there also other ways to get an autograph and picture back???
I want to write to US actresses and I want a picture and a autograph. What's the best way to do that? And how many do I need?

I would be very happy if you could help me to...