unforum

[Dominic1978]

So, with Argdrop.com down

[thebruce]

Are you referring to in-game package exchange? If so, I'd look for players general locations and find out if anyone near one of your 'targets' is willing to receive and place the package.
If you're referring to a mailed rabbithole, well almost any way of getting an address would be sufficient =P. Many sites run by community people have contact addresses, some have posted at UF with their address hoping to get mail, and there's always news sites that have delivery addresses for rabbitholes and game tips ( http://www.argn.com/contact , http://wikibruce.com/contact , http://despoiler.org/contact , for example)

It's unfortunate argdrop.com is down though

[Dominic1978]

Hi TheBruce,
Thanks for your reply.
The addresses are not the issue.

The problem is that there's not too many Dutch people involved in the ARG scene, so anybody gets a package with Dutch stamps on it, it's not hard to guess who sent it.

Another issue I have with non-ARG related media (sci fi/fantasy blogs etc.) are that some of these might think any mail for them that is not coming from the US might not at all be interesting to their US readers.

A mail forwarding service would be awesome.

Plus, for physical dead drops, a network like this would be awesome too.


Dominic

[thebruce]

[Nighthawk]

What I've used in the past is Stamps.com and printed my own stamps. I have even used this service for overseas (London) and Canada.

But some things you must know regarding Stamps.com:

- The Stamps.com app allows you to put ANY originating zip code so that it appears printed on the stamp. This may differ from the actual postmark label the Post Office may put on it, but it at least gives the impression that it's more legit. For LGL, everyone assumed with little doubt that the packages originated from Boca Raton, even though I mailed them from Miami (60 miles away).

- If you're going to do this, I HIGHLY suggest you put a LOT more postage on the package. I, for example, have put an absurd amount of postage on the package when I sent it ($3 for a $1 mailing); the amount was so ludicrously high that many thought it was an actual CLUE, because no sane person would overpay like that.

For a few reasons:

1) If there isn't enough postage, the post office will not release the package until the recipient pays the postage difference. And you don't want your players having to fork money over; trust me (see my Rubik's Cube story on page 3).

2) There's a gray area as to how the postage is calculated. For example, if I'm in Miami, I want my packages to appear as if they're coming from New York, and am shipping to San Francisco (I have actually done this before), there is potential confusion in calculating the postage and whether it's MIA-SFO or NYC-SFO.

3) The more money you pay, the less issues you will have.

- I don't know what current regulations are after 9/11, but I believe if the package is over a certain size or weighs more than a certain amount you are required to hand it to a person at the Post Office counter. You will have to check post office guidelines for this, but it's only an issue after a certain size and weight.

If it's a letter-sized envelope or weighs less than 8 ounces, I don't think it's an issue. If you can avoid it, do not give it to a person at the Post Office.

- Expect some packages to never arrive. In fact, make a "plan B" in case NONE of them to arrive. Do not make the packages critical to the game; always give yourself an alternative in case of failure.

[Rogi Ocnorb]

Because you brought up post-9/11 concerns... There is another inspection rule that's actually been in place for much longer. Packages with grossly excessive postage are met with additional scrutiny as mail-bombers often significantly overpay the cost of shipping.

[Nighthawk]

Well then... Mental note...

[Dominic1978]

Hi guys, thanks for the advice.
I will dig deeper into your suggestions.

With kind regards,

Dominic

[Ofiuco]

[natas]

Sorry all, been out of the game for a while. Too much to explain. Life is working in the right direction again and ARG Drop should be running soon. I still have the contact info for all my contacts and if you should need something dropped, I might be able to help.

[GoldwinterRING]

Remailers do exist, if you can't find community people to do your dirty work Wink I've briefly looked into how one might send a package within a package, having a post office re-mail the inner package as if from that location, but didn't get to an optimal solution myself (and it can get costly with extra delivery fees and whatnot).
I'm sure there's a method out there (and someone else probably has better advice), but again the best way is likely to contact someone you can trust in the area you'd like to have something delivered, and have them re-mail it for you.

If you're working out of Germany, you could try contacting Patrick Moeller as he's a PM and has done many mailings from overseas - he may have some better insight 2) There's a gray area as to how the postage is calculated. For example, if I'm in Miami, I want my packages to appear as if they're coming from New York, and am shipping to San Francisco (I have actually done this before), there is potential confusion in calculating the postage and whether it's MIA-SFO or NYC-SFO.

3) The more money you pay, the less issues you will have.

- I don't know what current regulations are after 9/11, but I believe if the package is over a certain size or weighs more than a certain amount you are required to hand it to a person at the Post Office counter. You will have to check post office guidelines for this, but it's only an issue after a certain size and weight.








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