This is interesting read. In a nutshell the argument for doing it is to make it easier on those requesting a research letter by eliminating the need for stamps, envelopes and a trip to the mailbox or PO. The argument against doing it is to not increase the workload on the person doing the work of researching each request, not by additional process but by way of more requests for letters.
Electronic request using PayPal reduces the cost to the requester by the cost of a stamp and envelope, about .59 savings.
Electronic request using PayPal increases the cost to the PGCA by 2.9% plus .030 on each request or $1.46.
In order to provide $40 to the PGCA with the PayPal fees the price of letter would need to be increased to $41.50.
The net result, for the additional cost of .91 cents ($1.50 - .059) PGCA members dont need to have stamps, envelopes or make a trip to the mailbox or PO.
Returning money is less work via PayPal than a return mailing of check, it's also free vs. the cost of stamp and letter, again about .059.
I think it remains to be seen if this option would actually increase the number of requests for letters. Whether it does or not what is the future of requests for letters, up down or the same? If we are a growing organization they might be going up BUT as each letter is done there is now one less Parker needing a letter, there are a finite number of guns.
If the volume of letters goes up it sounds as though the only way to cope would be to increase the turn around time for a letter to be produced and mailed.
I appreciate the efforts of the folks doing the letters now and in the past, it's a labor of love and I believe they are volunteers, however the PGCA is making money on research letters. So the organization would benefit from more letter requests.
So given all that can we make it easier on PGCA members to make their request with electronic payment, possibly increase the cash flow to the PGCA and not overwhelm the person doing the work for us? That is the question.
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