Oops, insufficient postage on the SASE. Need some Professional advise.

I absolutely can't believe I did this. Guess there's a first time for everything. Need some advise ASAP.

Couple weeks ago, I was ready to send off my application for a show I have never done before. I needed to pick up my photo's from the print shop first before hitting up the post office. Ok, envelope stuffed and sealed with app, 10 photos, check and SASE.

While driving up to the outside mail box at the post office, I notice a sign about anything over 13 oz needs to be brought inside. Not thinking I park and go inside. They weigh the envelope and yes I needed an additional stamp. I pay the extra postage and head home. An after thought a week later, I did not open the sealed envelope and add extra postage to the SASE while I was at the post office.

Anyone out there know what I should do to correct my booboo without jeopardizing my chance of being juried into the show? I have a couple more weeks left before I find out the results.

At this moment I think my options are:
1. Call them and let them know of my mistake and work it out.
2 Email them and let them know.
3. Wait and see if the post office sends me notification to come pay extra postage for pick up on the SASE.
4. Gosh I hope they don't add a return address label and it goes back to THEM for extra postage.

Ok people, let me have it. What other options have I forgotten to think about. Remember I still want to get into this show.

Thanks all

yep.... happens all the time....... I don't send back the cd's to people who get accepted, I return them at check in.... so that could happen with your pics and then you probably wouldn't need the extra postage. Also, if I notice that there is not enough postage, I just don't send cd back. I have in the application that materials will be returned if the appropriate mailing envelope and postage is sent. You would be amazed at the people who send me a cd in a big ole package but put a #10 business envelope with a first class stamp for a return! I figure they must not want it back!

Anyway.... it would be nice for you to contact them, directors appreciate that you are trying to do it right and mistakes are easy for all of us to make! Good luck on getting in the show!

Lois

Replies

Connie Mettler July 12, 2011 at 5:00pm

Phew! That's a relief. We do know what we're talking about here.

Congrats, Deborah!
Deborah Moen July 12, 2011 at 3:08pm

Need to give everyone a much needed huge Thank You for all your guidance on this subject.

I did send off an email and explained what happened. Just now I finally received a response via postal mail and "I was accepted into the show". YIPPEE! To my surprise, everything was returned with no extra postage charges.

For all of you out there, The post office guidelines are:
If there is insufficient postage and all indications point to us as the receiver (addresses to and return address's), then the post office will hold the mail and notify us (the receiver) to pay for any additional postage that is due.

Once again, Thank You everyone! I am honored to be connected with a great group of people here at Art Fair Insiders.
~Deb~
Art on the Lawn: Barbara Berney June 20, 2011 at 1:06am

As a show director, I'd prefer the artist email me to let me know.

The instructions on the apps say, "Images will be returned to applicants only if an appropriately sized S.A.S.E. envelope with proper postage is included with entry." Very few people ask for images to be returned now that we no longer accept slides.

This would never keep anyone out of my shows. I've even been known to stick a stamp on an envelope that came without one. I consider it a "business expense." :)
- Lois Songer > Art on the Lawn: Barbara Berney June 20, 2011 at 5:07pm
  
  Larry and others..... that's good to know. I just changed from slides in the last two years so I'm learing too. I get it about the cost... but for my Craft Show, I get alot of people who are new to the whole jpg image thing and they have cd's done for them. So I use the line like Barbara's about appropriately sized envelope and postage. And yes, I occassionally put stamps on envelopes, make envelopes and even used to put rigid dividers into envelopes to help protect slides when they weren't sent.
  - Art on the Lawn: Barbara Berney > Lois Songer June 20, 2011 at 6:22pm
    
    Lois, back in the days of slides, I used to have chipboard cut to #10 envelope size, and on my photo trimmer, I would cut slide carrier pages into strips, so that when I got loose slides, I could assure that they would be safely returned. And yes, I also sometimes give them the envelope and the stamps. I have a source for surplus paper and envelopes, so I am never in short supply.
  - Joan Tweedell > Lois Songer June 20, 2011 at 5:31pm
    
    Isn't it USPS policy to deliver the piece if it has a stamp on it, and ask for the extra postage due from the recipient if ithat isn't enough? At least, I've received some mail with insufficient postage and a little envelope for me to remit the shortfall to the mail carrier.
    
    So if you had a stamp on the SASE, I wouldn't worry about it, you will pay the extra when it arrives back in your mailbox.
courtney gillen June 19, 2011 at 11:44pm

I am with Larry on this one. I do not want the CD back and often make a note of letting the show know dont want it back. I will put in a SASE, but that is only for the acceptance/ rejection letter. It is not cost effective to send the CD back.
Lois Songer June 19, 2011 at 9:28pm

yep.... happens all the time....... I don't send back the cd's to people who get accepted, I return them at check in.... so that could happen with your pics and then you probably wouldn't need the extra postage. Also, if I notice that there is not enough postage, I just don't send cd back. I have in the application that materials will be returned if the appropriate mailing envelope and postage is sent. You would be amazed at the people who send me a cd in a big ole package but put a #10 business envelope with a first class stamp for a return! I figure they must not want it back!

Anyway.... it would be nice for you to contact them, directors appreciate that you are trying to do it right and mistakes are easy for all of us to make! Good luck on getting in the show!

Lois
- Larry Berman > Lois Songer June 19, 2011 at 9:37pm
  
  Hi Lois,
  
  Actually you (shows in general) shouldn't send CD's back ever. Blank CD's only cost 15 cents and the postage cost 64 cents to mail them. Artists should be notified that all CD's submitted will be destroyed and they should be shreded to protect the integrity of the artist's images.
  
  Larry Berman
  http://BermanGraphics.com
  412-401-8100
Connie Mettler June 19, 2011 at 9:01pm

#1 or #2 are good enough, Deborah. They are not going to kick you from the jury pool and even the show for this. It happens all the time and shows are used to it. Don't fret.

of 2

This reply was deleted.