Sending to US from the UK - Some Questions!

[Rebecca Jayne]

Hi!

Sorry, I think this must be so repetitive for some of you on here, constantly having to answer duplicate questions! So I apologize if this is something that has been previously answered but it is my first time sending away for an international autograph, (Junior moment! ) and I would like to make sure everything is in order!

When sending to the US how many IRC's should I use? I'm guessing 2, as the envelopes coming back are not as long, length wise as A4 but are wider in width. All that will return, if anything, is a photo and maybe a letter in the envelope.

How many UK stamps will I need? The request envelopes are able to fit A4 size LOR, SASE and (if needed) a photo.
I usually use 2 1st class stamps on the envelopes in the UK if that helps!

If a Celebrity, say Christian Bale, doesn't reply without US stamps, where would I possibly purchase some? Are they expensive? And how many would I use for the same instant before, a photo in an envelope to the UK.

Thanks for reading this and for any help you give! Like I said, it's all a bit new to me! If there is any more info you need or I can give you, feel free to ask. I would like to help you in any way!

[annie985]

A U.S. stamp costs .44 cents. A book of stamps (20) costs $8.80. To send a 9X12 envelope from the U.S. to the U.K. it costs a little over $2.00. There are people on the boards who do sell U.S. stamps.

I did hear that Christian Bale won't reply without a SASE (even if you send him IRC's).

[Johnny's Fan]

I have never used IRC's as I don't know where to get them and they don't always work.

I usually send dollars instead, about $2-3 depending on what I place inside them and who I am sending them to. (If it's an older actor I'll send more so they are not out of pocket and sometimes I don't bother at all depending on previous feedback).

I buy my US stamps off eBay. Last time I bought $16 worth and I'm still using them. The best way to guage how much you'll need to send, is see how much enveleopes cost when they were sent back to you. Another reason why I keep my envelopes. On average an A4 hard backed envelope with 1-2 A4 pictures costs about $1-80-2.20 so I usually put $2.50 worth of stamps on my SAE.

On average (C5 envelope containing an A4 hard backed enevelope and 2x A4 photos and letter) is about £1.50-1.80 to send to America. Best thing to do is simply take it to the Post Office and have them weigh it. They'll put a label on the envelope so there's no guessing the price. I always go into the Post Office and have them weigh things for me, it's so much more effective than just guessing the cost, as sometimes envelope prices can differ for unknown reasons and catch you out.

I was unsure myself when I first started sending to the US, especially after reading so many conflicting opinions on what is best. Some people said you'd never get anything back sending dollars... well I've lost count of the successes I've had sending money and I've never not received one back. You should do what works best for you (unless you know someone has specific rules like Christian Bale which you can understand as he probably wants the easiest for him) and see what happens.

[osiris]

2 IRC should be enough, I think. Someone may know in more detail, as I dont actually use them. They're worth about $0.84 in the US, so I would think 2 would cover your letter.

You can purchase US stamps from USPS over the phone, or visit the Sale/Exchange part of the forum where people often exchange stamps. If you buy Forever stamps, 3 should be sufficient.

The USPS website has a price chart here http://www.usps.com/prices/first-class- ... prices.htm

As for your letter to the US, it's really dependant on weight so your best bet is to get it weighed at your local post office. If you can weigh your letter at home, and check the dimensions, you can look at this chart and find the exact price http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/cont ... tId=400036