Increased postage costs

[Elspeth]

In view of the increased cost of postage, our hobby is going to be quite expensive in terms of postal entries. The Daily Mail has always indicated that a second class stamp is sufficient for their daily crossword; can we hope that others might follow suit and allow for second class postage by extending closing dates a little? Any thoughts? Sorry if this has been discussed earlier - I have been unable to find a thread.

[furrypusscat]

It would be a good idea as sometimes it is necessary to send 1st class to be sure of arriving before closing date although I don't tend to do crosswords. I do quizzes and am hoping more quizz setters will use paypal and email methods.

[shaneystar2]

I think there has been some discussion Elspeth but I'm no good at finding the threads either .
I send quite a few in each week and I'm going to have to pick and choose what I send in .In fact I may just ditch my hobby altogether :(
On a limited income stamps don't figure to high on the agenda .

[ubasses]

Even better in this high tech world, a code printed on every crossword that we could input on line along with the answers (to prove we had bought the paper/magazine) along with the answers, and just hit the submit button when completed.

[dylanfanatic]

Hi Elspeth,
I agree, I send 5 xwords off per week, and this will cost me £3-00 first class. I can meet this cost, but feel that it is an unfair burden on those who cannot, and a disgraceful act by the post office executives. We are not paying for a service, but for luxury offices for p.o. executives. I am emailing Sunday Mail/Express and Monday Express (£1000 big one) to ask if they will consider accepting scanned email submissions after the stamp increase. Perhaps if WE ALL do likewise they might consider?
Bob

[Elspeth]

Thank you everyone -it would be good if we could exert a gentle pressure. Nice idea Bob. I send in quite a few and if you add the cost of the newspaper (Saturday Daily Telegraph is £2 and £1 on Monday) it can be really expensive. We have to make choices. Let's see what response Bob gets.

[Famous5]

I agree with Furry, much better for setters to make available via email, and they could also email answers to entrants.
Many entrants though want to get their own entry back, and I think they might need to relook at that for themselves.

Going down the email route means an entrant only needs one stamp (ie to send in the money to the setter/charity)

Of course Elspeth started the thread about entries to newspaper comps, which are usually free anyway

[excelsior-1]

when i launch my postal quiz next month, the closing date will be end october. so there will be plenty of time, second class post will do nicely

[pega]

I agree that closing date should be longer, The daily Telegraph sat closing
date Wed. I do a number of the sat/sunday papers up to 10 a week. the
high rise of postage will not help the royal mail, as many have stocked up with stamps and when my supply has gone I will certainly pick the best
crosswords to enter, the i cryptic is a good prize Radio I won it and the sunday one's sunday express and Mail high prizes. its all a matter of luck if
picked out All the best to fellow puzzlers.

[JonnyBoy12]

I like your avatar, elspeth. Where did you find that and can I find a similar one too?

[dylanfanatic]

Hi Everyone,
Have telephoned Express Newspapers, xwords dealt with by outside agency at Sutton Coldfield but Express Newspapers going to look into possibility of email submissions and are getting back to me. Sub Ed not available at Sun/D Mail but left my number so they can call back.
Bob

[Elspeth]

Glad you like the atavar JonnyBoy12 -I am a fan of myths and legends and my daughter found it somewhere on the internet. She thought it went well with the name. Hope you find what you are looking for. And Dylanfanatic you are doing sterling work for us - thank you.

[excelsior-1]

elspeth.

your post just now suggests to me that you do not need to use gravatar to select an avatar. if this is the case, could you please tell me how to go about selecting an avater from another site and using it on here? as i'm having trouble getting into gravatar

thank you

[Mamyalynne]

Hi Excelsior, you need to upload a suitable image to your computer and then whilst in the gravatar process it lets you add from your computer.

[DTCwordfan]

I have written to the Daily Telegraph about this.

[Elspeth]

Hi excelsior-1 - Mamyalynne is absolutely right, that's how it is done. My daughter is the computer genius so I leave it to her.
DTcrosswordfan - hope you have some success with the Telegraph - I think they are one of the worst offenders for short closing dates.