Just Curious

[Peter Lee]

Hey guys and gals,
I just sent a small box about 1 lb using the US post office with chocolate and one perfume to country hick town Bansarvil Kapatagan Mindanao.   The custom label says chocolate and perfume value $25.  Her name is on it c/o her dad’s name.  They said 5 to 7 days delivery time air mail for $15.   What is the chance it will get there with everything still in the box?   Those that guess right will get a chance for the big jack pot prize guessing when my wife will get her visa package from the Embassy in Manila LOL.
Just curious? Obviously bored and restless!!
Later Peter Lee

[SteveG]

... in response to Just Curious, posted by Peter Lee on Jan 27, 2004

Peter,
 I can't recall a box sent through the US Postal service being opened but when Melly was 1st scheduled for her VISA interview I was not planning to go with her.  I decided to mail her some money.  Yeah, I know it was dumb but I didnt know anything about wiring money at that time.  I decided to send $100 at a time in greeting cards.   I sent $300 in 3 different cards way in advance and guess what?  One of them didn't make it.  Some postal worker got paid well for a day's work.  Then I decided to go and be with her for the interview so the issue of sending money became a moot point.

 We did have one Balikbayan box cut open and about 1/3 of the contents robbed two years ago.   Never did collect on the insurance the company promised either.  Hmmmm  One other strange incident is that Melly's youngest sister was not recieveing any of our mail in Davao for quite a while fairly recently.  It sure looked like somebody in the local post office was intercepting anything from the US looking for $$$.   I guess stupid guys like me who send cash have made it worth their while to do so.  Oh well, live and learn, right?  LOL

     SteveG

[Humabdos]

... in response to Re: Just Curious, posted by SteveG on Jan 28, 2004

Hi SteveG
What company did you send your Balikbayan box?

Hum

[Nanz]

... in response to Just Curious, posted by Peter Lee on Jan 27, 2004

We sent several packages since I get here via US post office, it is small and big boxes. We send them ordinary ground mail and it says it will arrive there 3-4 weeks. And I doubt it because the Philippine delivery is sometimes slow. It took longer than you thought. Our mail usally arrive there 2-3 months. But, we are glad to find out that the boxes arrived there safely with all the things we sent inside is all there. The custom will open it in front of you to check the things and of course you must to pay the taxes before you can bring it home. My mother usually pays around 170 pesos. It depends how big is the boxes.

Once before the post office employees was caught by opening some mail and he was investigated and fired. And since then, it looks like the post office employee is very careful. Only the delivery is slow.  

Good luck,
Nancy

[Peter Lee]

... in response to Re: Just Curious, posted by Nanz on Jan 28, 2004

Well Hi Nancy,

Yours is the first encouraging note so far about the mail delivery in the PI.   I sent it airmail, so it probably goes airmail to manila and ferry to the islands.  That is just a guess, but the corruption may be different in each place of delivery.  But otherwise being slow I hope it gets there.  I sent chocolate and perfume.   The perfume is expensive $25 so I wonder how much they well charge for that?   But the opening of the boxes in front of the person it is being sent to is a good idea.  Anyway thanks for the information.   I was thinking that if my wife is here in the USA by the time the package gets there her younger sisters will love the content.
Later
Peter Lee

[Ray]

... in response to Re: Re: Just Curious, posted by Peter Lee on Jan 28, 2004

Of course you’re right Peter. The corruption is not the same in every part of the Phils. Maybe they are more honest in Surigao?

If your package gets ripped off, it will most likely happen in the local post office. Not all postal employees in the Philippines are thieves, so those packages do get through sometimes. I have also sent perfume and other things by standard air mail and they were delivered O.K. without any tampering or customs charges. Was I lucky? Yes.

I look at it this way. If I would have sent it by FedEx or UPS, or registered and insured, it would have cost a lot more. I never told my wife that I was sending gifts. If it made it through, she would be pleasantly surprised and it would make her day. If it never got delivered, only the thief and I would know about it, so she wouldn’t be disappointed.

Your package didn’t contain anything really valuable and if gets lost or stolen, it won’t be the end of the world. Just don’t send any kind of jewelry, cash, electronics, or high value items. That keeps your costs down and your risks at a minimum. And keep it a surprise next time.

If she already knows the package is coming, and it never arrives, tell her to go down to the local post office. If one of the employees has chocolate all over his hands and mouth, and he smells like a French whore, then she can kick his ass :-)

Ray

[Peter Lee]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Just Curious, posted by Ray on Jan 28, 2004

Heeeeheehehahheehehe

If she don't get it I will send chocolate laxatives next timne and have her watch the john to see who's full of it.  I was going with this Korean girl in Kunsan and her younger brothers were stealing her stuff.  So I got a lot of ex lax and changed the label to look like real chocolate.  We found out real quick who the theif was.

[Windmill Boy]

... in response to Just Curious, posted by Peter Lee on Jan 27, 2004

Peter Lee

Though I am dealing with a different  country than the Philippeans I  thought I'd relate this to ya.

On october 14 th  sent I  my first package to KAT in china as airmail. All it contained was some  photos a card and a package of Jelly bellies.  It never did arrive  and I have since  sent any  subsequent packages  to her as  registered mail.  Yes sometimes the postage has cost me more than the value of the contents of the package though. I had actually given up on her ever  receiving this package though.

The other day I arrived home to find a package  at my door.  I  have  been expecting another package from KAT  so I assumed It  was this package.  I got into my  house and I looked  at the package closer to learn that it  was this original package that I sent to her.  There is a tag from China that  says it  was  unclaimed.  What  could I  do but  laugh. Ive just spent $ 7.65   to have a $ 3 package of well traveled Jelly Bellies  returned to me  ha ha ha. As the package is  still unopened and returned I've toyed with the idea of returning to the post office  and asking for a refund of the ppostage  fees since the package  was never delivered   but I  know this is only wishfull thinkinng on my part.  I'll eat my  expensive Jelly bellies  soon enough I'm sure and I'll  bring the photos  with me  when I  fly to  China in 2 - 3 weeks and hand  deliver them.

Windmill boy

[Peter Lee]

... in response to Related topic ancedote, posted by Windmill Boy on Jan 28, 2004

Hi there Windmill Boy,

Nice story hehehehe,

It showed that there is some integrity in the area of delivery anyway.  

We can now send jellybeans to China anytime without worry hahaha.

[Jimbo]

... in response to Related topic ancedote, posted by Windmill Boy on Jan 28, 2004

Hey WB,

Are you still planning to go to Hong Kong?  If so, be sure to take the Star Ferry ride out to the island, it's only about 2 HK dollar.  The view from Kowloon is fantastic.  Then take the peak tram ride up to the peak if it's a clear day.  That view is great too.  In Tsim Sha Tsui the shopping is good but some things are cheaper in Mongkok or Yau Ma Tei - they're all right on the MTR line.

The Indian tailors will hound you in Tsim Sha Tsui but I've had good luck with them.  One guy made a tailored wool/silk sportcoat for me in eight hours flat, delivered to the hotel.  I thought he was Indian so when he asked me about the Philippines I told him how you have to watch out for the damn muslims in the south.  But he was Pakistani.  No problem, he was a nice guy and had lived in Connecticut and then Hong Kong for many years.  He said even he was afraid to go back to Pakistan.

Jim

[SteveG]

... in response to China trip, posted by Jimbo on Jan 28, 2004

Jimbo,
 You forgot to mention the absolute most important "must do" in HK.  What's that?  Buying the gaudy neckties for sale in all the tourist shops, of course!  I got most of mine in shops along Nathan Road in Kowloon.  I have over 70 of them as a result of my 3 trips there.   I got one that is pastel blue and pink with a 57 Chevy, ice cream cone and a jukebox.  It's the most unique tie I've ever seen and the only one like it the store had.  Maybe the fact that I always had some of these ties in my hands has something to do with the fact that the Tailors never approached me.  Maybe they figured I was such a fashion illiterate that I was a poor prospect as a customer??  haha  

 Anyway, your post made me want to go back to HK.  I loved that city.  You're right about the Star Ferry and Peak Tram.  Eating at the outdoor restaurant overlooking the Peak is worthwhile too.  The Jumbo Floating restaurant is also something different to do.
            SteveG

[Jimbo]

... in response to Re: China trip, posted by SteveG on Jan 28, 2004

Hi Steve,

Never been to the Jumbo but I ate at the Giant Budda on the tour of Lantau Island and it was fantastic.  I don't know what half that stuff was that I was eating.  Once Sally and I took a trip to the outer islands, Cheung Chau, and it was like being in a different world - all small fishing boats and shops like the Phils.

Mostly I like walking around Kowloon, Mongkok and places like that.  All those model shops and hobby shops with the radio control vehicles facinate me.  And the bamboo stagings all over the place, lashed together with tie-wraps.  I love the place.  Whenever I think we can afford it we stop there on the way to Phils.

Jim

[Windmill Boy]

... in response to China trip, posted by Jimbo on Jan 28, 2004

Jimbo

Yes  i'm starting the trip  in about 2 1/2 weeks - friday the 13 th.  I think we  are  staying in hong kong 3 nights  at the Bishop lei hotel (a catholic run hotel)  and  we might  do macao  for 1 night also.  I will write down these suggestions  but I think Kathryn knows the city  pretty well.

Being  that I am 6 foot 3 inches  the  tailors might lose money on me ha ha ha.  but I am doing this trip  extremely low budget  so I  will not be buying clothes  except maybe  a t shirt if I can find one XXL.

Windy

[Jimbo]

... in response to Re: China trip, posted by Windmill Boy on Jan 28, 2004

WB,

You've got a guide then, that's the best way to see it.  I didn't know she was travelling with you.  I first met Sally in Hong Kong so she was my guide, and those memories will last a lifetime.  Best of luck to you on your travels with your sweetie.

Jim

[Humabdos]

... in response to Just Curious, posted by Peter Lee on Jan 27, 2004

Sallie and I have never had our registered mail opened or anything missing from it.
Hum and Sallie