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Rolling my eyes at the post office...

even though they are just doing their job.

I went to mail a letter global priority today to my friend in Manazales, and had attached two *tiny* pins on the card - a Colombian flag pin and an Once Caldas pin. Very tiny. Well, the envelope didn't lay flat and the lady wigged out. I pleaded, "Does it have to go to customs?" Yep, cause the envelope isn't flat.

Now it will probably get lost and he won't get it. I've also been told that they could charge him for receiving the package (even though the value is only about $5 USD).

I know the rules, it's just frustrating. I was so trying to avoid going through customs. The post office lady was pissed that I tried to sneak it through. I guess that wasn't very nice of me but the pins were tiny, tiny, and I made them part of the card.

For those of you following this saga of my kid friend, I've decided I'm going to get him into college no matter what it takes - if I have to go down to Colombia myself and pay them twice the tuition to take him, or if I get him here to the states, that kid is going to college if he wants to go. I don't care what strata he's in; I'm not giving up.

Thanks for listening. :-)

Kim

By villdkatta on Aug 31, 2004, 15:06 in Friendly Talkzone.

villdkatta says on Aug 31, 2004, 15:07:

and now..... I'm rolling my eyes at the "echo" in here. Sorry for the double post!

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Mr. Hollywood says on Aug 31, 2004, 15:26:

Once upon a time I once had a friend in Peru end up paying about $10 to get a letter that contained two candies worth about 20 cents. The lesson is not to send anything but paper in letters that have to clear customs.

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villdkatta says on Aug 31, 2004, 15:33:

You are so right..... it bugs the heck out of me, though. I did manage to get some nice stencil sets in with the other letters and they didn't go through customs, which was nice.

The lady acted like I was trying to send in contraband or something; I know she's just doing her job but it was irritating that I couldn't send two pins. I know they have to draw the line somewhere, but sheesh!

This family is very poor, and probably can't pay any surcharges they impose anyway. Frustrating. I should have known....

Thanks for listening. I knew someone here could relate.

Kim

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justmarcela says on Aug 31, 2004, 15:36:

good tip Never say what u are sending it's worth any money (unless sending something quite important and valuable)... I’ve sent a CD once in one of those envelops with bubble paper inside and said it contained "documents" worth $0... got no trouble! ;)

chau pescau
ö

chau pescau >ö<

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villdkatta says on Aug 31, 2004, 15:40:

Thanks, Marcela! That's a great idea. I did understate the value of the pins by about $8. Hopefully, they won't be interested in imposing much of a surcharge.

Did you send the CDs through customs, or were they "flat" enough not to go through? (I guess if you had to list what they were, it had to go through customs?)

I learned about "global priority" through this forum and it's great. the letters get there in record time!

Next time I might send him something from the virtual exito website. I think (hope) that would cancel the customs problem.

Kim

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justmarcela says on Aug 31, 2004, 15:53:

bubble paper... sooooo good! Virtual exito.. pretty good idea!!!
The CD was in its case, but it "seemed" flat enough because of the bubble paper so from then on I've always used those envelops no matter what i'm sending away.

chau pescau
ö

chau pescau >ö<

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villdkatta says on Aug 31, 2004, 15:58:

What a great idea.... I'm going to get some of those! Thanks for the good ideas.

Kim

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