PO Box Use

Hi everyone, I am hoping a few could answer the following.
Was wondering how many use - or are interested in using a PO Box in the UK.
A personal PO Box used to be reasonable, but since the post office has hiked the cost up they are not an affordable option any more for single users.
Does CT have a PO Box for members to use?
If not would anyone be interested in using a "UK" PO BOX? if the cost was shared amongst users, obviously the more users, the cheaper it would be.
As it potentially could be a geographical PO Box located somewhere in the UK, the use of Self Stamped Addressed Envelopes would probably be the best way to receive cards from the box periodically (similar to the way the RSGB Bureau works).
I'm just trying to gauge opinion on this at this time.
Based on the Royal Mail pricing currently 12m PO Box service costs £277.50
So if 10 people joined the cost would be spilt /10 so would equate to approx £28 pp
If 20 people joined it would cost £14/pp
If 30 people joined it would cost £10
(All figures rounded up to save me having to work it out LOL)
Thanks in advance for any replies
Ian
163CT1001
163SD101

Hi I would be interested but as always it depends on how many more are actually interested as you say it would be a good idea to have a small group in central UK to run it and the price is a bit step but if there are enough of us the price would certainly come down and be more attractive to people. I suppose it's a case of what my grandfather used to say suck and see but yes I would be happy joining and may even volunteer to help out as I'm in Gloucestershire to could pass on going down south

Cheers and Beers ct3484

It's a good idea TBH, I can remember back way before internet forums where about my old DX club Tango Echo DX club had a P.O box in fact the whole club was basically run via the box ie: getting our QSL cards sent to it then forward on to your home address , anyway enough of memory lane lol ,the thing is now because of the internet and club forums most QSL acknowledges are done via the internet on websites percificly for this which I myself think its OK but it doesn't replace the actual physical QSL card which I have many from them early days sent in the post instead of a pic of one sent on the internet or a posting on a website saying they have contacted you which I find is not like a personal thing like a card, plus another thing is that back in the old days some people in other countries use to ask for what they use to call contributions ie: postage charge for sending a QSL card and it was different prices mainly ask for in dollars and it was normally about $1 but if it was a special activation the with a special QSL card the price went up to sometimes $4 so in a way you can see why P.O Box sort of died out.

Hi all.
Yes I would be interested in a shared P.O box .excellent idea... £277 per year ? Damn they've put that up !

Yep you can include me

Regards

Mick
CT3293

Its certainly a option il have a chat with other Admins , I dont mind being the qsl manager , but obviously the members who subbed to the PO box would need to supply a few SAE and after how many cards I would wait until send them off .

thanks for the replies lads.
If it helps I already have a radio colleague in the process of applying for a PO Box, and they have also offered to manage the distribution of cards.
Due to the Royal Mail cost and decline in postal QSLs I thought I would gauge interest, hence the post.
If the CT group do not wish to take on the additional tasks of management of a box, anyone would be welcome to use this new box once set up and subsequent share of costs calculated /procedures provided etc. If you'd like more info please PM me direct.

The thought behind this is a UK Radio Po Box regardless of Group/Country etc so there is 1 universal address for UK QSLs
I know it will never happen (as a whole UK service) but the thought is there....
Ian
163CT1001
163SD101

And just as another option,
Maybe share one with Fox Bravo & Tango Mike,

Tango Mike used to share PO Box with Fox Bravo but I know this is closing if not already closed.
(Dave over at FB maybe interested)

It would certainly help with costs.

Ive got some cash spare in the CT pot that i will give you towards it if you all want to do it.

The idea came from the Sugar Delta groups in England and Wales. I know there are already around 12 "signed up" already as far as I know in the last 24hrs.
I will get in touch with the originator for some more feedback.
Obviously the more participants, the lower the cost, and any other contribution/donation towards costs would be much appreciated by everyone I'm sure.

Watch this space as they say
Ian
163CT1001
163SD101

OK, so I have an update for all.
These are the proposed terms I have been advised of.

The cost for using the PO Box is £10 each per year.
Members to supply "numbered" A5 Stamped Self Addressed Envelopes to the PO Box manager.
Cards to be distributed on a monthly basis at a minimum, using the Stamped Self Addressed Envelopes.
Light users may want to save on postage and receive bi-monthly or quarterly to save on postage.
It is the users responsibility to cover sufficient postage per reply envelope (more advice on this will be given to users) Don't expect a 2nd class stamp to cover the cost of 50 QSL's in a month.
The numbered reply envelopes will act as a reminder to users to re-stock SASE's when running low.
So if you send 4 envelopes number them 1/4 2/4 3/4 4/4 etc and when you get 3/4 in the post you know to re-send SASE's to the box manager.
I'm sure an email back up of this can be set up also.

On the cost of renewals - it has been put forward that the following apply -
If there is a surplus of income, this will be used to reduce the ongoing cost to subscribers at renewal.
So new users pay £10/year and the renewal cost will depend on if there is any surplus income to off-set against the cost.
Theoretically if there are any more than 28 users per annum the renewal will be reduced by the excess income for members renewing.
So if the excess was £30 and there were 30 users the renewal would be £9 for that year.
If there is no excess and for new subscribers in that year the cost would remain £10.

If anyone has any suggestions on how this can be tweaked please let me know
73s
Ian
163CT1001
163SD101