IRC help, please!

[echoamaru]

Hi all!

I'm a newbie to collecting autographs by mail (although I've collected in person for a few years now), and having got my mits on some IRCs I'm finding that trying to use them is driving me to distraction!

I've just amused some post office personnel by weighing various envelopes (with card, without card, with two 10x8s etc) to calculate return postage from the USA to the UK. Now, even the heaviest envelope (A4 size) weighs 66g, which *just* comes in as 1 ounce according my my weight converter, which would mean that 1 IRC should be sufficient, right? Yet I keep reading that at least 2 IRCs should be included - is this "to be safe" in case the sender's scales register it slightly heavier, enough to tip over into the 2oz bracket, or does the 1 IRC not cover the full amount of a 1oz envelope?

Very grateful for your help!!!

Echo

[seb89]

Hello!

my converter says

66 gram = 2,32808149 ounces

.

So I used the USPS calculator and it says: $2.92, I think you will need 4 IRCs, but I'm not sure though...

[echoamaru]

Hello!

my converter says

66 gram = 2,32808149 ounces

.

So I used the USPS calculator and it says: $2.92, I think you will need 4 IRCs, but I'm not sure though...

That was a surprise - but thank you! My converter was rubbish and lied to me - I've found another, which tallies with what you wrote. I'll go with a lighter (48g/1.69oz) envelope, so $2.08... if an IRC covers the cost of the lightest airmail letter... that wouldn't necessarily be the Large Letter rate would it? Assuming regular letter size, an IRC could be redeemed for $0.98 - so this would require 3, right?

Can anyone confirm or trounce my logic?

[seb89]

Hello,

yes I can follow your logic, I think three will be enough for the large letter, if you have chosen "large letter" when you calculated the postage price on the USPS website.

I don't think size matters. One IRC has the value of $0.98, when your letter requires more postage you have to add enough IRCs to cover the price.

Good luck with your request!

(PS: I hope I've answered your question )

[dfreely]

An IRC is valued at $0.98 cents in the US.
An A4 is considered "large envelope" size.
The 1.69oz envelope would cost $2.08, or three IRCs.

The unfortunate part about this is that two IRCs came so close ($1.96), so you're using that third IRC just to cover $0.12. If you're planning to send quite a few requests to the US, it would be worth investing in US stamps instead of IRCs.

[echoamaru]

Hi guys!

Thank you both - you've really helped me make sense out of the IRCs!

dfreely - I may take your advice and invest in some US stamps; it would probably make sense to save the IRCs for Hong Kong/Japan/Australia which I'm only planning on sending the one letter to! But I can use the info above for working out how many IRCs are needed - if they only cover the basic rate of the lightest (and smallest) airmail letter, I just need to work out how many multiples of that figure my envelope will cost them to send, and include IRCs to cover it.

Many thanks - much appreciated!!!