Please help with this exchange dilemma

[mamanurse]

I have an international someone I need to get something to, like yesterday. I went to ship it, and it cost a meer $36 to ship! I did not have any idea it would cost that much- and I sell internationally on ebay!

So, I thought the quickest and least expensive way to do my exchange might be to buy something online. But, then, shipping would still be an issue, and if I buy on ebay, most sellers don't like sending things to a different address, especially in a different country.

I looked at ebay in her country, and well, I couldn't understand a bit of it.

Do you know of a gift certificate I can buy (from anywhere) and have it emailed to her, or any other suggestion?

I really don't want to flake, and I hate it's getting to be last minute since I had a hard time packing what I had in the first place.

Thank you for any suggestions!

 

[Meriweather]

Well, if you really want my opinion
Pay for the shipping and know better next time
I think a lot of us have been there.

Sorry, if it isn't what you wanted to hear.

 

[mamanurse]

Yes, I'm thinking that's what I should have done. If I don't come up with something better, I'll do that tomorrow.

I don't want to sound like I regret participating, or for my recipient to feel bad when she gets it. I just wish I could have put more into the gift and not the shipping!

 

[Meriweather]

Completely understandable.
A lot of people request not to mail internationally....or just do on the small exchanges....or even take a turn now and then.
And try to keep it light

 

[Pooh67_68]

That is why I no longer ship international. A less then 3 lb. box to the UK cost me $25

Being you are down to the wire, I agree with Meriweather and just send.

 

[Luv2Roam]

You might want to contact the person you are mailing to also.
Tell them the situation, and as you stated offer a gift certificate -- one they can use of course -- and offer to put more into the gift certificate than what you were allotted to spend. Like you, I rather the $ goes towards the item than all into mailing charges.
I know if this happened to me I would fully understand and probably be just as happy with a gift certificate anyway.
Yeah, lesson learned. Even keeping overseas packages light can result in $14 - $18. Sad when often the item purchased costs the same.

 

[mommytotwo]

I understand what you mean on international shipping, and now since the post office does not offer surface mail.
I had sent something last week that costed me $36.00, and it was something light in weight.
I agree with Meriweather and would mail it out this time and use it as a learning experience. Maybe you could send a light weight item that you can put into a regular item along with it which wouldn't cost you that much.

Or, could you have something delivered to her home from a business in her area?