I'm in the UK. There's a contact I have in the US who is selling something I want. Actually the item is in demand and so he is able to set the rules regarding payment, postage etc.

He says that he will sell the item outside of the US under the following conditions:

1. Payment in cash (US$ or GBP is fine)
2. Enclose a pre-paid self-addressed envelope (this item will easily fit into an A5 envelope) stamped with sufficient US postage to get the item from US to UK.

Question. How do I get/create/obtain a pre-paid self addressed envelope with the correct US airmail stamps to include in my letter to him with my GBP (actually only £5...)???

I've heard reference to DHL / UPS etc but their websites seem not to offer this service.

Please, anyone help? Thanks! ...

Be true to yourself. That way happiness lies...

No offence, but this sounds nuts. Surely it's not beyond him to take Paypal and just post the thing from the States? Sending cash through the post is never a good idea...

Do you know anyone else in the States? If so, have them buy the 'thing' from your contact and then post it to you?

Mybe it's nuts but them's the rules.

Agree about not sending cash thru the post but it's only £5 so I'm not worried.

It's getting a solution to the problem that I need... ...

Be true to yourself. That way happiness lies...

I thought about finding a go-between in the US but, to be honest, I don't have one I could reasonably call on. ...

Be true to yourself. That way happiness lies...

i don't think you will be able to put a US stamp or frank on a letter unless you are either in the US or have a US address and a account with a mail service.

The only things i can think of is either arrange a courier to collect, they have attended me armed with a plastic bag to pop the item in

or contact one of the US forum members who could arrange delivery to them and back to the UK, send as a gift to get past customs duty etc

Parcel2Go used to offer a US intermediary service but I can't find it on their site anymore.

I'm trying to think how someone could do it the other way round, i.e buy a UK SAE from outside of the UK. Don't think it can be done as stamps are effectively currency.

Seeing as it's only £5 and you're happy to send cash, what about a compromise? Would he take over the odds in cash $? He's surely got to go to the post office anyway, I don't think you can just put international mail in street post boxes in the US?

What a head-scratcher..

since the amounts are not huge, new US member puffymcscrote might be willing to help

http://www.freel2.com/forum/member-puffymcscrote.html

No harm in asking

Thanks all... that's worth a try. ... I conclude that there's no 'direct, formal' way to do it so will send our US forummer a PM. ...

Be true to yourself. That way happiness lies...

I have access to the US military postal system where I work, similar to the UK BFPO set up.

Send me a PM if you wish to discuss more  MY2010 TD4 HSE Santorini Black, 19" Alloys, Almond Leather, Lux Pack, Rear Spoiler, Adaptive Xenons

I was going to suggest IRCs (International Reply Coupons). But I see they are no longer sold in the UK. You might be able to source some elsewhere in Europe - they are still accepted in the US. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_reply_coupon

piattj wrote:

Thanks all... that's worth a try. ... I conclude that there's no 'direct, formal' way to do it so will send our US forummer a PM.