PAYING THE RETURN POSTAGE.

Contrary to popular opinion, I am neither a charity nor an eccentric millionaire. Whereas I give my time freely, I do expect the QSLing process to cover my direct costs in terms paying for the return postage of direct QSL requests, together with my related and reasonable expenses, such as QSL card printing, other stationery and printer consumable costs, bureau postage etc. In some instances, it is even necessary to cover the cost of buying and shipping spare parts to the DX station or paying his licence renewal fees in order to keep him on the air.

Fortunately, many DXers are happy to include an extra dollar or two with their card request to help in offsetting the cost of the QSL-ing process, which is greatly appreciated and put to good use.

Low value currency notes and coins (including €5 notes) are not accepted by UK banks and thus cannot be exchanged for postage. Please do not send currency other than US dollar bills.

My preferred method of paying the return postage is via the direct on-line QSL request (OQRS) facility on this site but I do appreciate that not everybody has a PayPal account and many will continue to use the traditional postal route. If you do use this method, please do not send currency other than US dollars in good condition, i.e. not ripped or damaged in any way.

Like many other QSL managers, with effect from 31st December 2013, I will not be accepting IRCs. Direct QSL requests with IRCs received after this date will be returned via the RSGB bureau, always assuming that the bureau will process cards for the station(s) in question.

Postage stamps are NOT recommended and NOT welcome. Like most QSL managers, I use a contract mail service and dislike the use of UK postage stamps for several reasons:

Firstly, postal rates change frequently and in about 90% of cases, people use the wrong value of postage. This means that you either waste the excess value of the postage if you use too much, or get your card back eventually via surface mail, (where it is available), or via the bureau if it's too little.

Secondly, by using postage stamps, you make no contribution to the QSL manager's costs of providing you with his services, e.g. supplying the card, printing consumables etc.

Thirdly, in the case of a DX-pedition, you make no contribution towards the cost of mounting the expedition and giving you a "new one".

The few pennies surplus between sending US $4 (or more) with your card and the manager paying for the return postage satisfies all three of these scenarios.

Sending postage stamps to an individual, resident station is quite acceptable, but please NEVER send them to a QSL manager, who is providing you with a service. If you must use mint UK postage stamps, please supply them loose (i.e not stuck on to the envelope). Any surplus can then be used for bureau postage etc. Any shortfall gives the manager some flexibility in how he returns the card to you.

QSL requests received without adequate return postage will, where possible, be answered via the RSGB bureau.

6th March 2024.