Shipping gifts

Buying online and sending as a gift without seeing the piece first?  Here are a few things to consider when choosing what to buy, and where to buy from:

1.  Does the store offer gift-wrapping?  And is there a charge?  Part of the fun of a gift is the unveiling, and opening a cardboard box to find a wrapped gift inside is so special.  Even if it is just tissue with a sticker, packaging is important!

2. What about a gift message?  If they do, be sure to include one, if for no better reason than so the person you are sending it knows who it is from.  They will want to know to thank you for their gift.

3.  What is their return policy?  To avoid the dreaded fate of ending up in the “re-gifting” drawer, if there is any uncertainty on the gift be sure to buy from a shop with a good return policy.  You’re giving a gift because you want the recipient to have something they like and will use, after all.

4. Where are they shipping from?  For US customers this doesn’t seem to be so much of an issue since customs is seldom collected by the USPS, but for anyone outside of the US it can be an added expense.  It varies from country to country, but across the board I’ve heard that customs are more likely to be charged on parcels shipped from a company, rather than one that looks like it is shipped from an individual, even if it is insured.  If you’re shipping a gift overseas, do some research.  You’d hate to have the recipient of your gift have to pay 10% of the value to get it from the post office!

5. What shipping method do they use? Will it require a signature? If you’re shipping or giving something that will not just be left on the doorstep if the recipient isn’t home, consider sending it to their office instead.  That way you can be sure there is someone there to sign for it.  After all, how many people really want to drive to the UPS, FedEx, or USPS pick-up sites on the weekend?

Just things to consider with the holidays fast approaching!

Happy giving,

C