Sending out new quizzes by email

[hellywelly4]

Hello. I have sent for several quizzes by email over the last month, and wonder whether any setters would consider letting us pay for them by Paypal? Some setters have said they prefer to only send them out when they have received the payment from us in the post, as so many people don't return the quizzes if they haven't paid for them, and then the charity loses out.

I have paid for some by Paypal, and the setter has usually added a small amount to the cost of the quiz, to cover administration costs. It has made life so much easier, particularly now the cost of stamps is increasing. The cost of a 2nd class stamp is now 36p, so when we have sent the cheque and the SAE, it's beginning to add up.

Over to you, setters. You do brighten my winter evenings, and I really enjoy stretching the old brain. Thank you all for all you do.

[KUSTARD]

You've made a really good point HW. Richard who runs the Macmillan quizes is a good example of this. You just order it, pay by Paypal (no extra charge) and it is emailed instantly. Cheaper as you say but also more convenient cos you don't have to wait a week if you feel like doing it there and then.

[MarkRae]

> I have paid for some by Paypal, and the setter has usually added a small amount to the cost of the quiz, to cover administration costs.

That's ridiculous! The major benefit of paying for "intangibles" like this on line is that it reduces administration...

[hellywelly4]

I thought there might be a charge by Paypal - perhaps I'm wrong. However, it does make life so much easier. Thanks Kustard, I've got the Macmillan quiz, it's really great. Working my way through it gradually. A lot of hard work has gone into it.

[Polly1958]

I email mine to people and ask to pay on return.

[hellywelly4]

Yes, Polly, but some people won't do that as they say they lose out.

[Mamyalynne]

I am happy to apply by whatever means the setter asks for, Polly's are great and a nice surprise to see in my inbox on a quiet day. I never mind waiting a week for postal ones as have so many on the go at any one time.

I paid for Stamford Richard's quiz via Debit card and just as easy.

[Famous5]

I really don't understand the point that 'the charity loses out' by emailing quizzes. The charity saves the cost of printing quizzes which then might not be sold, as the cost of printing falls to the email buyer. The setter doesn't even have to leave home to post the quiz

I have also sent for quizzes by email which I have then printed and copied to friends who don't have internet (who I know send them in with their payment). I have also forwarded them to friends and family overseas. I don't think any charity would return the entry fee to any contestant who gets a quiz in this way.

When I have set quizzes and advertised them on this site or the Sitesavers I have sent more than 60% of my total entry, and the majority do come back, sometimes with extra donations.

When I enter quizzes email buying saves me the cost of two stamps, which is in fact 72% of the usual entry cost for a charity quiz. This means i will either add that to my entry or I will buy another quiz from somewhere else, so benefitting another charity.

I know that's off the point of Paypal, which I have used to buy but not sell, but come on setters - if you use the internet to promote your quiz then use it better to sell it.

[furrypusscat]

The charities lose out when people either find the quiz too hard or don't complete for whatever reason and can't be bothered to return, thereby saving the cost of the quiz. If at a later date I go down the path of selling by email, I would certainly want to do it by paypal. I would certainly have to look into the charges, I cannot see it being without charge, so that would have to be passed on. As for wasting printing, I initially print about 40 then I do them by request so wastage is minimal if at all. As a setter and buyer of quizzes, I do see both side though.

[straydogs]

Furrypussycat forgive me I don't intend to offend but I think you are being very shortsighted about this.

A while ago when postage costs started to rise sharply I approached several setters when requesting quizzes from those on Sitesavers with the suggestion that it would be simpler all round if they sent quizzes by email. Without exception they refused saying, as you have, that the charity would miss out by non returns and so "people would have had their fun for nothing"

Generally quizzes are £1.  To get one the spend in postage costs alone is .72p - 2 second class stamps.  If like me, you like to know the answers, when you return the quiz you send another SAE as well so the postage costs go up to £1.44  - more than the price of the quiz itself.  

So, for me, the charity does miss out because I no long send for quizzes by post.

Instead I contact all those I can do by email or by paying online by paypal.  Very often when my answers come back another quiz is in my SAE anyway.

Surely the simpler you make it the more people will respond? Even if only half send in their entries it's better than none at all?  True quizzers afterall want to know the answers to see if they were right in their struggles!

My favourite quiz of all is the half-yearly Rainbow Quiz which is easily downloaded on line without prepayment.  They ask for a minimum donation of £1.  Over 1100 entries are received each time.  I'm sorry I can't remember what the exact figure is but I believe the average donation works out at around £10.  I appreciate that the prizes are higher than most quizzes (£50, £40 & £30) but despite being entirely free to download this charity makes a huge amount of money each year. And...... not all the entrants manage to complete it but still send it in!

Why don't you give it a try?

[furrypusscat]

Thank you straydogs for your input for which I don't take offence. I will consider email using paypal when I set my next quiz which possibly won't be till September next year. I have just recently advertised my 2nd so am really a novice at this and I do appreciate helpful suggestions.

[straydogs]

I wish you all the very best with it furrypusscat.