THE EXCHANGE PACKET CIRCUIT
The Exchange Packet Circuit, commonly referred to as “The Club Packet”, comprises a circuit of those members who have asked to receive the “Packet”.
The “Packet” is a box of up to 20 books of stamps, covers and cards for sale by members and other collectors from around the country. We currently have contributing members from Hampshire, Devon, Oxon, Essex, North Yorkshire and Inverness, so receive a wide range of material. A “Packet” normally starts its rounds around the middle of the month, and should complete its circuit in 3-4 months.
How does the circuit work? Let’s take a typical example – Packet 174.
Member No.1 receives the packet; browses the books, and selects the items he/she wishes to buy. Member No.1 signs the space in the book, enters the total of that book’s purchases on the book cover, and repeats the process for any other books. The total of the purchases is then entered against the book numbers on a Purchases Advice Note, a supply of which are included in the packet. Member No.2 on the circuit is then telephoned and handover arrangements agreed. Member No. 2 signs the Purchase Advice Note as a receipt. Member No. 1 then sends the Purchase Advice Note to the Treasurer with payment for his/her purchases. The process is repeated until the end of the circuit, when the last member returns the packet, if necessary with a Purchase Advice Note, to the Treasurer.
When the next packet is ready for despatch, Member No.1 from the previous circuit goes to the bottom of the list, and everyone else moves up one step.
Members who wish to sell material through the packet may obtain blank club books from the Treasurer. There is no charge for these, but the Society charges sellers 10% commission, plus return postage for those contributing members who cannot attend meetings.
The packet is a popular feature, and all members may join the circuit at no cost – it’s included in the annual subscription. As one member said: “The best thing about the packet is its unpredictability – you never know what you’re going to find!”