Well, the time has come everyone! The first draft of the 2017 OFC Calendar is off to the editors. Of course, in order for this project to fly at all, I need to know how many to order. So here's the deal:

The cost for the calendars in the continental United States will be $21. This includes the calendar, shipping fees, and Paypal fees with the exception regarding international shipping detailed immediately below.

I know many of our overseas members have inquired about shipping, but I can only provide a ballpark figure based on the U.S. Postal Service website. I can estimate the size and weight of course, but beyond that it is pure guesswork. From what I can tell, shipping to Europe and Australia will run about $13 extra to send it via First Class mail. Of course, I can try to combine orders and ship for those who can easily get them around to each other. So when you order, please be sure to remind me if you are overseas so I can budget everything accordingly.

I anticipate picking up the calendars sometime in early to mid-December and usually ship them the same day or the next at the latest. If it is early enough in the day, I usually stuff the envelopes at the printers (They are nice enough to let me use their conference room table.) and go straight to the post office. What this means is that the sooner I receive payment the better, so I can have the envelope/box addressed and ready to go the minute I pick up the calendars.

This is important!

The spreadsheet I use to track everything is sorted by your OFC user name. Please be certain to include it in however you contact me so I can keep records straight. This is especially important if you communicate via email.

Payments can be made via Paypal to:
ofc-calendar@patchworkmcg.com

I would prefer not to post my mailing address on an open internet forum. So if you prefer to send a check or money order, please contact me via email and let me know. Email is best; as last year I could not empty my PM box fast enough to keep up with the orders. Again, use ofc-calendar@patchworkmcg.com. It goes without saying that if you are paying via snail mail, the sooner you send the check, the better.

Be certain of course to include your shipping address when you order

You would be amazed how often people forget that last part.

I'm afraid so Bernie. I used to be able to put two in an "express mail" box to make it less expensive, but the postal service has jacked up the overseas price for that to....wait for it....over $60!!!!!

So now I have to ship each one separately to save what I can.

I know, I know....It kind of stinks how much shipping costs anymore. It's part of the reason I eventually stopped buying and trading like I used to. (That and the recession caught up to me.)

To be honest, I might go a little negative with just $13 dollars per envelope. I hate to say it, but it depends on the postal clerk I get. You see, in the past, some have used the spiral binding to declare that the envelope is now, magically, a package....which costs more of course. It has led in the past to going from one post office to another until I find someone too busy to care...or decent enough not to care.

(Now you all know one of the little hidden hassles of doing the calendar every year. "Christmas Queue At the Post Office" would be a good title for a song don't you think?)

Patch,

It might be too late for this year, but I thought I'd speak up. Just because the calendars have (always) been spiral bound, doesn't mean they have to be spiral-bound forever.

I'm okay with a folded calendar. If it saves $$$ to print and makes it easier (read: cheaper) to ship, so much the better.

Dan

I'm starting to think the same thing Dan. My past reasoning was that spiral bound looks nicer with the same price. We'll see next year.

Spirals do look nicer. They hang flat much better too.

Thanks to all who have ordered so far. It's greatly appreciated as this is always the time I start to get nervous.

First, the final draft for printing went in yesterday. I'm always afraid I've missed a detail.

Secondly, I always sweat getting enough orders to cover all of the costs. So far, we have made good progress, but we have a ways to go yet.

Keep those orders coming!

Okay then!

Between my full-time job, my part-time job, and my graduate studies, I finally got around to getting the spreadsheet up to date. So far, 29 calendars have been purchased. Please keep those orders coming in.

And of course, thanks...big thanks...to all who have ordered already.

Thanks Woody, you're the best.

Little by little the supply is dwindling. Order while you can.