RSARS QSL BUREAU NEWSLETTER
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Issue No. 5 - 1st August 2007
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Having two weeks away at The Lizard I think I was having, at one stage, withdrawal symptoms - when visiting Mevagissy and Eden Project I found myself passing the various scenic holiday postcards from hand to hand until I calmed down again!
Anyway on our return we didn't find it too difficult to open the door but there were "one or two envelopes" looking up at me and begging action. All envelopes were separated from junk and checked ready for action as soon as I dare? Anyway we unpacked the cases first and visited our local victualler so that Linda could re-stock cupboards and 'fridges before I did dare to start opening envelopes.
Cards were all sorted and booked-in and it was of course a pleasure to put a couple of members back onto the "White List" having received stamps from them as well as cards. Envelopes and cards (plus stamps occasionally) have arrived each day since our return and some of those have in fact generated a bit of interest and knowledge of 'behind the counter' at our Royal Mail main sorting office. Having been contacted by a concerned member I was not happy that I had no record of receiving his envelope of QSL cards. Having waited a few days I visited the said Sorting Office, taking with me a few envelopes filled with cards for members for despatch, and explained my concerns to a young lad at the Customer Enquiries counter. In fact I could just about see him behind a small mountain of mail that he was trying to process. To his credit he stopped what he was doing (maybe glad of the rest?) and asked if he could help. On hearing the problem ('assisted' by me as I am generally nosey anyway) he checked a stack of shelves containing envelopes with insufficient postage awaiting collection on payment. He then checked another smaller set of shelves containing envelopes and small packets awaiting collection and payment of Custom dues and finally a rather messy number of shelves containing envelopes and small packets in kit form inside plastic bags awaiting identification/collection by owners. It was like a veritable Aladdin's Cave. However exciting and prolonged this experience was it did not turn up the required envelope and the original owner has been informed accordingly. I am well aware that there are problems with Royal Mail and complaints are strongly aired by many, but credit where it is due, I was given excellent service by this young lad even checking just in case not only RSARS (R) but QSL (Q) and Downes (D) sections also. Plus he did it with a smile (maybe because he was not having to sort out the pile on his desk?). But no, seriously, he was very professional in all his activities. On the subject of lost envelopes we had a strange couple of days towards the end of the month where: 1. We received an envelope addressed to RSARS QSL Manager 5 (not 6 as it should have been) Greenland Crescent ……… which had the number 5 and the total address crossed out with the message "not at this address". To a lovely old couple living across the road at number 5 of course RSARS meant nothing to them but on giving it back to the postman he certainly knew where the RSARS QSL Manager lives as he brings him envelopes every day and he walked it over. 2. The second envelope was addressed to RSARS QSL Bureau at 8 (not 6) but having spoken to our next-door neighbour about the original lost envelope they knew where the RSARS Bureau was - so not a problem. In fact other neighbours also know but the point of these stories - both true - is that Royal Mail did their job correctly in delivering these to number 5 and number 8 as that is where the sender had directed it. The moral of these stories is therefore: PLEASE CHECK THE ADDRESS BEFORE SENDING OFF YOUR HARD-EARNED QSL CARDS - MY ADDRESS IS CORRECT IN THE LATEST "MERCURY" AND ON THE RSARS WEBSITE. Having the flurry of activity in June with the May Anniversary Contest and Special Event Stations I did not expect all that many cards during July and having had a Bureau clearout I did not envisage sending all that many but it is pleasing to note that:
Please send the RSARS QSL Bureau Manager five (5) stamps of which he will keep one to cover Bureau costs, leaving four to use with Bureau-supplied quality envelopes for sending QSL cards to you. Now how is that for a summer bargain? Take care and good hunting 73, Bryan MØOIC RSARS 3867 QSL Bureau Manager (living at number six (6)) not 5 or 8 |
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