Reconsidering GlobalQSL.com
Back in November 2010 I posted my experiences regarding several duplicate QSL cards I’d received from stations using GlobalQSL.
In that posting I only mentioned duplicates from one station but had in fact received several dupes from several stations. That posting is here. In the comments section, one of the two founders of GlobalQSL (4X6UU) responded and explained that the dupes were due to a bug that had since been fixed.
Almost two years have now gone by and in that time I’ve received many cards from the buro, including quite a few from GlobalQSL users. I’m happy to say that the bug does indeed appear to be fixed – I’ve not received one duplicate QSL since that Nov 2010 posting.
The system appears to be working quite well and I’ve opened up my own account on GlobalQSL to explore the features, costs, designs and everything else in order to compare it to my current QSL method. The current method is to order 1000 full color cards at a time from UX5UO, then send them via the buro.
Here’s how they compare:
- Paper stock and quality of printing seem to be of identical high quality.
- 1000 full color QSL’s (a photo QSL of me in the shack) delivered from UX5UO costs $89. Sending those 1000 cards to the ARRL’s outgoing buro costs $10 to ship and a $72 processing fee. That’s $171 to buy and send 1000 cards via the buro, old-school.
- With GlobalQSL, I can cause 1000 full color QSL’s to be sent to appropriate buros for $110. I say “cause” because I don’t have to do the grunt work of filling out the cards (or printing QSO label data), sorting them, packaging, addressing and then driving to the post office to stand in line. I’d simply upload the appropriate QSO’s from my log, then pay online and be done with it.
GlobalQSL seems to provide the convenience of electronic communications with the tangibility of traditional QSLing – mouse clicks result in real, hard-copy QSL’s at only 63% of the traditional method’s price.
.
.
Themocracy
GlobalQSL works out cheaper for you because your bureau is so expensive. The RSGB bureau is free to members. But I’d still pay for GlobalQSL just for the convenience.
We pay (by the pound) for outgoing cards and must be ARRL members to use it. Incoming cards are received for the cost of postage.
I’ve done the same calculations but I think you need to add in the cost of still having some of your own physical QSLs to send direct – either in response to direct cards or for those ATNOs that only QSL direct.
I also avoid some of the outgoing bureau shipping cost in years that I go to the Dayton hamfest and just drop cards off!
I still have a few hundred of my last big QSL card buy left, when that gets down to 100 or so I’m thinking of signing up with GlobalQSL.
Same here John – abot 600 cards left from my last order. I’ll keep a couple hundred on hand for the reasons you mention, then go with GlobalQSL.
I will look at GlobalQSL again when the time comes. Like you I also have a large # of cards left from my last UX5UO order. I probably have close to 800 left.
My club has a few 2 call area card sorters and they do complain a bit about the GlobalQSL cards. They seem to stick together and not slide on top of themselves and other cards as easily as other stock.