I was pretty disappointed when I got this card. It's a selfprinted one. The majority of the cards sent by this person are similar selfprinted ones. Either this or with a different graphic but mostly the same message. This time the reason I don't like the card isn't that it's ugly. It tells me absolutely nothing unique about the person who sent it or the place they live. It's basically an advertisement for postcrossing - but I already know about postcrossing! This would be a good card to give to people who ask you why you're buying so many postcards when you're not a tourist (this happens to me a lot!), if it explained how postcrossing works on the back. But I don't think this is a good card to send to someone who is already a postcrosser. (Of course I registered the card and thanked the sender even though I didn't like the card. I am glad they took the time to send me a card.)
I know many people disagree with me though, because a lot of postcrossers have put this card on their favorites wall. This is just my personal opinion. You are all welcome to voice yours in the comments. And if someone really likes this card and wants to swap for it I am happy to send it on to someone who will properly appreciate it. ;)
It seems like cards I don't like also usually come with boring stamps or none at all. This is a scrap of paper printed from the internet and pasted on the card.
Sounds like this particular sender doesn't really try to match anyone's preferences, they just stick to the Postcrossing theme. I had two very different theories about it pop into my head. One is that maybe they are more in it for receiving cards, than sending cards. The other is that maybe they don't have access to a variety of "regular" postcards. Makes ya wonder, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteIIRC, from the person's profile they are an elderly person, so perhaps it is difficult for them to get out and buy postcards and stamps. I just wish that they would put something unique on their selfprinted cards. And at least in the US, you can order stamps online and have them delivered to your door. I always do this because the selection is better than at the post office and it's only $1 shipping no matter how much you order (and I usually order $100+ of stamps at a time).
ReplyDeleteI have received some really unattractive selfprinted cards and I understand why many people say on their profiles not to send such cards. But I really don't understand why someone would go to the trouble of printing ugly cards! Blurry/pixelated cards, washed out and distorted colors, or some drunk picture from their party. Yes, I actually got that card - one of 2 PC cards I have thrown away.
I had selfprinted cards made of Sogenji, because there are no commercial cards of it. But I used a photo I really like and made sure it printed at high resolution. You can see it here: http://hagaki-mawari.blogspot.com/2012/02/okayama-japan.html
Anyhow, thanks for reading and commenting!
It would help if everyone explained why they chose to send a particular card, wouldn't it? :) I do that, sometimes. And I have received such explanations, occasionally. It might not help to make the card any more attractive (such as a drunk picture from a party!?), but, at least, it's interesting to know the thought process that went into sending it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link to the Sogenji card. It looks great!