Bureau QSLs

[zl3jt]

de ZL3JT
I see in a Dx bulletin, yet another 'QSL manager' refusing to accept cards sent via bureaus. No consideration is ever given to the cost from overseas to send QSL requests directly. The people think they are more 'important' perhaps to be above using bureaus? It may be OK to send an SASE within the country, but with currency exchange rates and the cost of IRCs, the cost can be beyond a lot of overseas amateurs. I'll quote my own example: Ignoring the cost of cards and envelopes, only postage. A green stamp can be bought at the Bank for about $2.10 NZ, or an IRC $3.75. A International letter to any country out side Australia/New Zealand is $2.00. So the cheapest option for some here is $4.10. If I send one to India, where overseas currency is 'illegal', I must use an IRC, the cost to me is $5.75 NZ...
No wonder it is difficult to 'get' confirmations for awards!
Once, I sent three cards for different stations to the same manager, trying to save a few dollars, and the 'manager only sent one card back. This proved that that 'manager' was in the game for the money!
If I want a card from a rare DX station directly, then I am prepared to pay the costs of the exercise, as I do not wish to place any onus of the cost on him.
KU9C Steve uses bureaus, is he a bit 'lower' than the others? We downunder certainly appreciate it Steve!
Come on you guys. If your 'manager' won't accept bureau cards, then sack him and get one that does....
Those who want cards for their awards, and are not members of a bureau are either too rich or foolish.
de Jungle Telegraph http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

[w3sy]

This is why I'm still looking forward to acceptance of e-QSLs. I always respond to incoming QSL requests, and will sometimes originate a request if I really want a particular QSL, but I've never applied for a QSL-based operator award because collecting QSLs is (for me, anyway) such a pain in the neck. For one thing, it's getting ridiculously expensive, and for another, you can wait months or YEARS to get a QSL back via the bureau.

As much as I like getting QSLs in the mail, I think it's time to allow e-QSL and do away with all the nonsense of using bureas, mail, etc.

[KC7HDE]

I think that we should lobby the Government or whom ever it is that controls the Mail system to maybe allow AMATEUR RADIO operators a break on postage for over seas letters.

[N5LRZ]

Just because the US Dollar or whatever currency is illegal does not mean that there is not a market for the currency. Not all commercial activities happen on top of the table in the open.

And too there are those amateur ops in the uncommon DX countries that do not QSL unless one lubes the palm if ya get my drift.

And so the world turns.