September 2007

Chiropractic stamp off to good start

In the first month of sales, DCs purchased more than 11,000 chiropractic postage stamps designed by the World Chiropractic Alliance. The stamps are valid US first‑class postage and are printed by one of only four authorized postal vendors that produce customized stamps.

"The orders began streaming in faster than we had expected," stated WCA president Terry A. Rondberg, DC. "We ended up having to put in three additional orders from the vendor to keep up with the demand."

Despite the fact that the chiropractic stamps are significantly more expensive than the regular US Postal Service‑ (USPS‑) issued stamps, doctors have embraced them as a great public relations tools. The retail price of customized stamps when purchased through a PC postage vendor is $18.99 per 20‑stamp sheet. The WCA charges $19.99 to cover its costs. Plus, discounts are given on orders of more than 10 sheets. The WCA's profit from the sale of the stamps is used to finance its lobbying, public relations and legal efforts on behalf of the chiropractic profession.

For years, the WCA worked to get the USPS to authorize a commemorative stamp honoring chiropractic. It commissioned a highly respected stamp designer to create a prototype of a stamp bearing the likeness of BJ Palmer. Even with a massive grassroots campaign, supported by the International Chiropractors Association and American Chiropractic Association, the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee did not approve an official chiropractic stamp.

When the USPS authorized outside companies to print custom‑designed stamps, called PC postage, the WCA submitted its Palmer design but, because of possible legal issues, regulations did not allow the use of "celebrity" likenesses on customized stamps.

Recently, the World Chiropractic Alliance commissioned a graphics designer to create a more universal image, one that could express a modern image of chiropractic and link it to the concept of health and wellness. The design was accepted and the stamp made available to the profession.

The design has been popular with chiropractors, who have purchased as many as 60 sheets in a single order. One doctor said she plans to frame a sheet of the beautiful stamps to display in her office. Others have come up with creative ideas for using the stamps as promotional items in their practice, offering them as "welcome gifts" to new patients or giving them to patients who refer others. A state chiropractic organization is considering buying the stamps in bulk, at a discount, and reselling them to members as a benefit to members as well as a way to raise funds for the group.

"It's a great, fun item that can be used by every doctor of chiropractic in the US," Dr. Rondberg noted. "I can just imagine how many people will end up seeing those 11,000 stamps as they crisscross the country through the postal system. It's sure to attract attention and make a great impression."

The WCA‑issued chiropractic postal stamps are in 41‑cent denominations, for 1‑ounce first class letters. They are available in sheets of 20 stamps each, for as low as $17.99 per sheet (in orders of more than 25 sheets). For orders of 11‑25 sheets, the price is $18.99 per sheet; for 1‑10 sheets, the price is $19.99 per sheet. There is a flat postage and shipping charge of $5 per order. Stamps can be mailed to US addresses only and doctors are asked to allow 3‑4 weeks for delivery.

Credit card orders may be placed through the WCA's secure ordering system at www.worldchiropracticalliance.org/stamp . Or, doctors may send a check or money order made payable to: Chiropractic Postage Stamps, World Chiropractic Alliance, 2950 N. Dobson Rd. Suite 3, Chandler, AZ 85224. Sorry, but no phone orders can be accepted. Organizations interested in buying stamps in bulk (orders of 100 sheets or more) for resale should e‑mail the World Chiropractic Alliance at stamps@worldchiropracticalliance.org .