Friday, September 21, 2007

More International Woes

Some people came up with some very creative ideas when shipping internationally.

Flat Rate Envelope:
The most cost effect way to ship is to use the "Flat-rate" Envelope. It costs $11.00 and has no weight limit.
Downside - it isn't too big and it is gosh awfully hard trying to cram any goodies in there.

Gift Certificates:
Read your pal's blog and try to find out what LYS she frequents. Is there any one in particular that she really likes. Email them and ask if you could purchase a gift voucher.
Downside: You email them to inquire. They will email you back and ask to you call them. So, the 10lb** voucher, at the current exchange will cost $21.00, $4.00 in postage, $4.00 for a phone call. I'm up to $29.00 for a 10lb voucher. I ask you. Doesn't 10lb sound kind of skimpy? Just how much can you buy for 10lb?
** I apologize but I can't find the symbol for the British pound.

Order Online:
Go to http://www.amazon.uk.com/ and order a book. Let's say "Victorian Lace Today"
Downside: In the UK, that book cost 21.00lb. Do the currency thing and that equates to $44.00!!!! My poor dollar is taking such a beating! I can order the same book from http://www.amazon.com/ and even with the shipping abroad, the same book will cost me $28.75.

By the end of this exchange I will have figured out all the angles. But for now, I'm still trying....

3 comments:

Unknown said...

The book depository has free shipping, and they're in the UK.

Dorene said...

Amazon.com.uk doesn't charge for shipping either, if it's over a certain ammount. VLT at The Book Depository is L23.95 That's $46.00 in USD! Yikes! Now I know why so many of my friends from the UK and Ireland come to NY to shop. The same items are way to expensive over there....

CurlyToot said...

Thats also the precise reason why i buy my yarn, DVDs, books online from America. Im in Australia and its cheaper for me to buy the item and ship it here than to go down to my local store and buy them... go figure!!