"Refuse/RTS If You Do Not Want To Sign Fan Mail"???

[deeakay]

Hey SCF.

As I look through my list of TTM and I see the TTM not returned the thought crossed my mind to write on the outside of the TTM 'Send To' envelope:
"Please RTS or REFUSE if you don't want to sign Fan Mail"

It could be written along the bottom left of each envelope where some one would write "DO NOT BEND OR FOLD". Of course, you'd want to write it decently as not to interfere with the mailing process/standards. I'd even consider typing/printing it out the right side to tape on it in that location.

I respect guys like Alan Trammell & Ryne Sandburg that RTS/REFUSE the mail they don't want. At least I get $0.44 and my stuff back!

What's your opinion on putting such a statement on the envelope?
(it would surely be a give away that the TTM is not a simpathy letter for money!)

[pinkfoxrider]

I think it should just be a common courtesy, all players should send it back if they don't have time or whatever.

[SMVintage]

I like it- but I already put a ton on my envelopes:

Incl. "Do Not Bend" and "Forwarding Service Requested"

I feel like a celebrity/sports star getting an envelope with "Do Not Bend" on it already knows its an autograph request!

[pinkfoxrider]

what do you put fowarding service requested on for?

[lizard-jd]

deeakay,
That may work but I would hope that a celebrity with half a brain should know when they feel one of our TTM requests that there are cards inside. Right then and there they could do the RTS or Refuse. Of course, there are those like Oscar Robertson, Joe Schmidt, etc., that must get a kick out of opening the envelope, putting the cards back in your letter and using your SASE to send it back to you unsigned. All this without any price list or reason why they did it. But, at least they sent my cards back. The worse guy for me was Bronson Arroyo that kept my cards and then sent me an advertisement to buy his special autograph cards in my SASE. Makes me think that some of these people took too many head shots...

[Oxxon]

Makes me sick to think they throw away the envelopes/cards away.

[deeakay]

I like it- but I already put a ton on my envelopes:
Incl. "Do Not Bend" and "Forwarding Service Requested"
I feel like a celebrity/sports star getting an envelope with "Do Not Bend" on it already knows its an autograph request!

I stopped with the "DO NOT BEND" on my TTM because the PO Clerk told me that when that is seen written on the envelope it becomes a "parcel" and the PO is supposed to treat it that way and not send it through the sorter.
A Parcel then requires more postage. Your TTMs my be arriving to your signer, in some cases, with postage due.
Just a heads-up.
But I do see TTM guys on Youtube videos with "DO NOT BEND" written quite large and their envelopes do appear to have went through the sorter... and/or a Tornado!

I was thinking of the "Please RTS/Refuse If You Do Not Sign Fan Mail" as a msg/request to the signer because 95 out of 100 TTM are just STOLEN by the recipiants.
Putting "DO NOT BEND" and/or "FORWARDING SERVICE REQUESTED" doesn't say "I'd like this back if you won't return it".

I personally use the NON-privacy business size envelopes so the signer can see the card and SASE thru the front of the TTM.

Thanks for the reply posts so far!

[SMVintage]

what do you put fowarding service requested on for?

I put it on there when I send to team addresses, also when I send to Celebrities c/o Venues (movie sets, concert tours, etc.) and when I send to their agencies. It basically means forward this if they are not here and you have a valid address