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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

... 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

... 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

... 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

... 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

... 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.

... 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

... 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.

... 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

... 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

... 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

... 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

... 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

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

Pete, like yourself..Years ago I sent a package to RP using Postal Service..Was told Package would arrive within two weeks...Package wasn't recieved until several months later..it was opened, stuff was stolen. You cannot trust the Philippine Postal Workers, they are unreliable. You gotta be creative to make sure your letters, etc isn't stolen or lost.

... in response to Send at your own Risk, posted by greg on Jan 27, 2004

Hey Greg,

I have had the same experience! It seems the more hands that touch the package the more that will be missing. By the time it gets to Mindanao... I have been told by several people that many Philippine postal employees regularly bring sacks of "undeliverable" mail (mostly cards, letters and packages from foreign countries) home, sort through it and burn the evidence. :o(

Dave H.

... in response to You Can Say That Again!, posted by Dave H on Jan 27, 2004

DaveH Hi,

I have sent snailmail and postcards to my wife airmail and so far received all of them in about 10 days.

However reading these past posts I will try next time to send it registered mail.

Unfortunately I sent the Affidit of Support just airmail, I don't know what I was thinking.

Later
Peter Lee

... in response to Re: You Can Say That Again!, posted by Peter Lee on Jan 28, 2004

Hi Peter,

It sounds like your wife has an honest postman! I have never had any postcards or Christmas cards make it, unless sent inside a USPS Global Priority envelope. Nothing has ever made it to my wife's house in Butuan City in under 3 weeks...usually 5 weeks...a few times 2 months.

Dave H.

... in response to Re: Re: You Can Say That Again!, posted by Dave H on Jan 28, 2004

Tonight I talked to my wife on the phone. In our conversations she said she has received 9 letters they are about 10 days appart, they were air mail and cost 80c. Now the USPS Global envelope has my Affidavit of Support in it and I hope it makes it. Maybe I should have sent it registered mail but they told me it would take longer if I did that. You say it could take 5 weeks and sometimes 2 months? I have used Fed Ex before and it took 5 days but cost $35. Now I wish I used Fed Ex coz the affidavit of support has to be there before her interview. Got my fingers crossed and hope it is not one of those 2 monthers.

... in response to Re: Re: Re: You Can Say That Again!, posted by Peter Lee on Jan 29, 2004

[This message has been edited by Dave H]

Hi Peter,

It sounds like your wife has good postal service. Mail someties sets in the post office a week or two where my wife lived, because their mailman is not about to overwork himself. I never had a problem with Global Express envelopes reaching my wife or her family...they even appeared to be unopened. Usually the Global Express envelopes arrived in 3-4 weeks, the longest taking 5 weeks. Airmail letters usually take 5 weeks to reach their house.

Dave H.

... in response to Relax!, posted by Dave H on Jan 29, 2004

Update on my mail

Arrived on 01 29 04
1 Sent 01 07 04 [her handwriting greeting card]
2 Sent 01 14 04 [my preprinted envelopes I sent her with my addess] All three came at the same time.

That is 15 and 22 days to Bansarvil, Kapatagan 1 click SW of Iligan in Mindanao. That is 2 - 3 weeks with an 80c air mail stamp.

DaveH where was your mail sent in the PI?

I sent the Affidavit of Support Global so it should get there in Feb probabley at the end. What do you think?
Later
Peter Lee

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GoodWife / Planet-Love Archives => Threads started in 2004 => Topic started by: Peter Lee on January 27, 2004, 05:00:00 AM