Sending Packages to the Philippines

[SteveG]

  I just sent to pass along something that happened to us as a result of sending a balikbayan box to Melly’s family this Christmas.   I’m not sure how many companies are offering this service from the US, but the one we used was “Fame Cargo International”.   It is based in Doraville, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida.   For those not familiar with this method of shipping, the customer pays a flat fee approx. $125 to ship a large box no matter what the weight.    It is supposed to be safe and insured and is much cheaper than the Post Office.    Before it has always worked if you don’t mind taking several months to arrive there.  

  Well, this time the box not only arrived late – from mid October to 15 Feb – but the bottom had been cut open and then carefully re-taped to make it hard to detect that it had been tampered with.    The predictable outcome happened and Melly’s mother signed for it without turning it over and examining it in detail.   (Who ever looks closely at a package they are signing for??)   After the driver left and they opened it, they noticed it was only about 2/3 full and that some of the family members didn’t get anything but still were unaware it had been robbed from in transit.   How could they know what was in it when we shipped it, right?   Not until Melly called and was talking about the contents did they put all the pieces together.  

   Melly called the company and they were totally unsympathetic since they had the signed delivery receipt from her mother.  They insinuated her family had made the robbery story up just to get the insurance money.   Funny thing is that we didn’t even know it was insured until we complained about the missing stuff.   Now I know they are legally in the clear but they could have been at least open to the possibility that there is a thief somewhere in the company.    Anyway, just warn your relative in the Philippines that they should closely examine any boxes sent from the US before accepting them because there’s not much you can do from 10,000 miles away.

   Oh, and by the way, a friend had the very same thing happen last year with the same company.   Sounds suspicious to me!  

                                                    SteveG

[SteveG]

... in response to Sending Packages to the Philippines, posted by SteveG on Feb 25, 2002

I'll keep the different shipping companies you all mentioned in mind for the future although I only know of the one being available here where we live.   Remember we are in Alabama and there just aren't that many Filipinos here so the demand isn't that great.  

 That also drives the cost of the shipping up compared to the west coast or some larger eastern cities with a large Filipino population.   For example the company we used takes a month or more to gather boxes from many local reps scattered all over the south before hauling them to Atlanta for final shipping to the Philippines.   To get an idea of the area they have to draw from for a shipment, we are a 4 hour drive from Atlanta.  I know they can't ship as cheap if they have to drive up here just to pick up maybe 15 boxes so the $125 doesn't bother me as long as it arrives intact.

                               SteveG

[tomtneal]

... in response to Sending Packages to the Philippines, posted by SteveG on Feb 25, 2002

We sent 160lbs of chocalate to Cebu last month it all got there by Fed-X my son works there and got 75% OFF,it cost $65.00
TNEAL

[SteveG]

... in response to Re: Sending Packages to the Philippines, posted by tomtneal on Feb 26, 2002

Tom,
 If that is 75% off, that is why I don't use Fed-X.   Full price would be $260!  Ouch!  Hey, could you send me a box of that chocolate?  

                          SteveG

[donb2222]

... in response to Re: Sending Packages to the Philippines, posted by tomtneal on Feb 26, 2002

160 pounds!!!!!   Your wifes family must have some kind of crazy chocolate addiction. (like me)
Or, you have started some kind of business there.  Is that it?
Don

[tomtneal]

... in response to Re: Re: Sending Packages to the Philippi..., posted by donb2222 on Feb 26, 2002

Jessica works at a grocery store and she got all the left over stuff from Hallowen
tneal

[SteveG]

... in response to Re: Re: Sending Packages to the Philippi..., posted by donb2222 on Feb 26, 2002

Don,
 Chocolate is always one of the big items we send.  I doubt we have ever gone over 25 lbs though.  I always let Melly choose the brands she says you can't get there.

               SteveG

[Stephen]

... in response to Re: Sending Packages to the Philippines, posted by tomtneal on Feb 26, 2002

i think that's a good business for you (LOL)

[Humabdos]

... in response to Sending Packages to the Philippines, posted by SteveG on Feb 25, 2002

Next time use Forex I have never had a problem with them. Hum

[Ray]

... in response to Sending Packages to the Philippines, posted by SteveG on Feb 25, 2002

Steve,

First, I think $125 is high. We use LBC to ship balikbayan boxes and this year we paid $95 to Mindanao. It’s much cheaper to Manila or Luzon.

These companies rely heavily on reputation and when the word gets out that they are ripping off customers, they won’t be in business for long. Most companies offer free insurance (usually $100) with the option to upgrade. I would file a written claim against them and let them know in no uncertain terms that you have a lot of contacts on the Internet and are willing to trash them all over the Web if they give you any grief about it. They may be able to legally deny your claim, but the bad publicity they get will kill them in the long run and they know it.

All my neighbors and friends use LBC because they have a really good reputation. I believe that their own employees handle all of their transportation in the Philippines. Other smaller companies use local contractors and don’t have any control over thefts. I used LBC the past two years and the delivery times from San Diego to Mindanao were right around 40 days both times. There was no damage to the boxes and no tampering whatsoever.

A few tips:

1. Enclose an itemized list in the box and send another copy by separate cover. At least they can tell you exactly what is missing if you need to file a claim.

2. Try to avoid liquids in breakable containers and use plastic zip-lock bags for stuff like shampoos and lotions just in case they get squished.

3. Make some heavy cardboard stiffeners bent to 90 Deg. And glue them vertically in the corners to reinforce the box. Some of those suckers weigh hundreds of pounds and they stack them to the top of large shipping containers.

4. Don’t use duct tape. Use transparent packing tape and plenty of it.

5. Like you said, have the recipient check the box very closely and take some photos before they open it so you can see how badly it was beat up. Make sure they note any damage on the receipt. LBC uses security tape to seal it when they pick it up to help prevent tampering (maybe it helps?).

The balikbayan boxes are really appreciated over there and I wouldn’t let one bad experience scare you off. Just ask around and use a reputable company next time. I have also heard that Philippine customs opens some boxes randomly and the customs agents have been known to “take a cut” of the goodies (Merry freekin’ Christmas!).

Ray

[SteveG]

... in response to That Sux!, posted by Ray on Feb 26, 2002

Ray,
 We did all those things but this time it wasn't enough.  I always glue the box ends together and then put another layer of cardboard in the bottom and let it extend about 6 inches up the sides all glued together because I know these boxes have to go through a lot to get where they are going.  Yeah, I did think about the possibility that some customs offical was the culprit.   That's the problem, there are just too many possible suspects.

 I'm sure we sill send more in the future.  I've already started looking for the materials to weld up a sheet metal box to fit inside the balikbayan box.   That ought to give their knives a fit.  LOL   Besides, it'll give me an excuse to build something.
                        SteveG

[Nathan]

... in response to That Sux!, posted by Ray on Feb 26, 2002

  We too have found LBC to be both low cost and very
reliable. We ship to Mindanao in about 6 weeks.
They have specials prior to Christmas- it was $65
for a very large box stuffed with 125 lbs. Ray's shipping tips are good ones- the cardboard reinforcements are important.

Nathan

[Stephen]

... in response to Sending Packages to the Philippines, posted by SteveG on Feb 25, 2002

I've heard stories like that but never experience it myself. I've told my family that I will never send balikbayan boxes. I send money as christmas gifts to my parents, nieces & nephews through the bank. I will just carry things like shoes, clothes etc. on my trip home, that's why they all anxious of me coming home.

Tess

[SteveG]

... in response to Re: Sending Packages to the Philippines...., posted by Stephen on Feb 26, 2002

Tess,
 You should go home at Christmas so you can be Santa Claus!  Do you think you can find a Sants suit that fits??    
 Yeah, we send money too at Christmas along with the box so that makes us feel a little better about the family members who had all their presents stolen from the box.   At least they got their share of the money.
                                  SteveG

[panther]

... in response to Sending Packages to the Philippines, posted by SteveG on Feb 25, 2002

It's funny how we all have different experiences.  Fiancee lived outside QC and I sent her letters with money in them and she always got the money although later I quit sending money and wired it to the bank.  Here in California we have FOREX and LBC.  I haven't heard of any complaints with them but I sent packages through the post office and everything got there OK.  Could the theft be happening on this side of ocean at the company in the USA?