Mail on Sunday

[duffem]

Now that the Prize Crossword and the Sir Lancelot are the same postal address does anyone think it would be acceptable to put both crosswords in the same envelope to cut down on posting costs?
I do both plus the "You" crossword every week so that's 3 first class stamps, (not tight, just a Yorkshireman!).
Duffems

[Christiana]

For several years I was in a similar situation. What I did was to put TWO separately addressed envelopes inside another, so one lot of postage but the two envelopes could then be put by the newspaper staff into separate bags or boxes or whatever for the drawing out of the correct solution. I don't know if that is how it works or whether the crosswords are drawn out and checked prior to the draw but have always assumed they check after and draw another one if they get one that isn't correct.

[Ought2bband]

I think all these competitions are (inexpensive) data collecting exercises so I suspect It may be a little optimistic to think that they open and check all entries. I, like Christiana, think that selections are made from unopened envelopes and a winner(s) picked out and then the unopened entries are passed along for data entry. I doubt very much if anyone would be bothered to open up an envelope and distribute separate entries.

The Independent's Saturday sudoku asks that entries have the name, address and postcode written on the reverse of the envelope as well as on the entry inside. That really is data collecting.

But I continue to submit my entries! I'll continue to submit separate entries.

Good luck.

[duffem]

Have you ever won though to prove that they accept this method!

[Christiana]

Yes, I won runner-up prizes with the Daily Telegraph and also with the Mail on Sunday, but that was a few years back. Then they started giving separate addresses, so I stopped using that method.

[duffem]

All things considered, I think I'll put mine in seperate envelopes then.
Thanks for your opinions Christiana and Ought2bband

Regards,
Duffems

[whitehill]

But has the Yorkshireman in you considered putting a second class stamp on the You envelope? That doesn't have to be in for about 10 days so it should get there in time!
Seriously, why don't you email the puzzlemeister with your question? He is always asking people to contact him.

[duffem]

You're more Yorkshire than I am, I hadn't thought of that! Thanks for your suggestions.
Duffems

[jessiedog]

As there is no advantage to the newspapers of having posted entries (financial advantage), I wish that we were able to send in by email.

The post down here (Cornwall) can be unreliable and I often think that I should be putting on a 1st class stamp to try to make sure that it gets there on time.

Failing that, I also wish that the papers would make all their crosswords have longer send in by dates, like the You one. I can see no real reason why the dates cannot be longer, it's just a case of printing answers one week later!

The People I have given up on as that has to be in on Wednesday, though I can see why with that one as they want you to phone or text an answer - they make money by it.

Moan over

[Mctavish]

I really think you would be better putting them in seperate envelopes and you would be alright using second class stamps.

[Christiana]

Jessiedog, I totally agree with you. I live in Portugal and pay subscriptions to various newspapers so I can enter, but have to finish very promptly and post if I am to have a chance of them arriving. Certain competitions are simply not possible to enter in the time given, whereas the Spectator, to mention one, gives a long enough date for me to submit it.

[gordonclown]

I always send my Bare Bones & Lancelot and Skeleton and Crusaders in together and I have won 3 out of 4 of them a couple of times. I even put the Monday Crusader & Big Monday in with the Sunday's sometimes.
Could it be that I'm from Sheffield - Yorkshire born and bred?

GoGo the Clown

[duffem]

Well well, how lucky are you? I send mine all in single envelopes, have done for years and never one a bean. What's your secret (from one Yorkshire man to another!)
Duffems