Secret Santa 2020 sign-ups
11-10-2020, 09:47 AM
#131
Super Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Indiana
Posts: 1,544
Received a package from my Secret Santa in New Hampshire! I promise to be good and wait for Opening Day... but it won't be easy!
11-10-2020, 02:43 PM
#132
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: East Coast
Posts: 373
I have received my secret Santa package. Awaiting reveal date unless I missed it
11-10-2020, 04:21 PM
#133
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 878
good luck Marietta on the upcoming operation. I am nearly two weeks past 2nd cataract operation. checkup this Friday and about a week more of eye drops ( the worst part of it all). nice to get it all out of the way before holidays begin
11-11-2020, 01:23 PM
#134
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Buckinghamshire, England
Posts: 628
Postal rates have gone up for everyone. It's ridiculous! I try my very best to get everyone a person that they want/need and also to respect their wishes for mailing to US/out of country. I did one year, have those in Europe sending to Europe addresses and the same with Canadians. I can only do that every once in a while or there will be people sending to the same people all the time.
I really do try my best to make sure it's not the same people sending overseas/Canada all the time. It's not fair that those are the only ones enduring the horrible postage. I do understand that money is tight for some, but maybe if we start putting a couple dollars a month in a jar for "Secret Santa" mailing, that might work out. You know...the same way we shop all year for goodies for the boxes. Maybe a special piggy bank for it. I dunno..........
I really do try my best to make sure it's not the same people sending overseas/Canada all the time. It's not fair that those are the only ones enduring the horrible postage. I do understand that money is tight for some, but maybe if we start putting a couple dollars a month in a jar for "Secret Santa" mailing, that might work out. You know...the same way we shop all year for goodies for the boxes. Maybe a special piggy bank for it. I dunno..........
- shorter term problem is because of COVID. Apparently most UK-US mail goes on passenger flights to keep costs down. With less passenger flights they have had to run more flights just for mail which is much more expensive.
- longer term problem is a policy change in the US linked to the issues with USPS you are all having there? It has been decided that the amount USPS charges for ground transportation in the US to foreign companies (like our Royal Mail) will now be significantly higher than for residents whereas they used to be the same cost (same service after all!!)
11-11-2020, 01:59 PM
#135
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 3,915
sent my package out yesterday, this is so much fun
11-11-2020, 02:06 PM
#136
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 3,915
Postal rates have gone up for everyone. It's ridiculous! I try my very best to get everyone a person that they want/need and also to respect their wishes for mailing to US/out of country. I did one year, have those in Europe sending to Europe addresses and the same with Canadians. I can only do that every once in a while or there will be people sending to the same people all the time.
I really do try my best to make sure it's not the same people sending overseas/Canada all the time. It's not fair that those are the only ones enduring the horrible postage. I do understand that money is tight for some, but maybe if we start putting a couple dollars a month in a jar for "Secret Santa" mailing, that might work out. You know...the same way we shop all year for goodies for the boxes. Maybe a special piggy bank for it. I dunno..........
I really do try my best to make sure it's not the same people sending overseas/Canada all the time. It's not fair that those are the only ones enduring the horrible postage. I do understand that money is tight for some, but maybe if we start putting a couple dollars a month in a jar for "Secret Santa" mailing, that might work out. You know...the same way we shop all year for goodies for the boxes. Maybe a special piggy bank for it. I dunno..........
Be safe and well
Mary
11-11-2020, 02:14 PM
#137
Super Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Indiana
Posts: 1,544
Yes, the USPS has (hopefully just temporarily) raised rates due to Covid-19. They say it's due to less workforce and more volume.
11-11-2020, 02:46 PM
#138
Moderator
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: In the middle of a mess...
Posts: 20,025
No worries! I didn't take it as a rant towards me.
I hear it every year with the postage rates from people everywhere and I agree....the prices are out of the ordinary!
I was just making the suggestion that maybe making a separate "piggy bank" for postage for Secret Santa. That way, no one is "stuck" with a big postage bill. We all know that rates for everything goes up year after year. Maybe this could be a way to save for the postage.
I have actually had people drop out previously from Secret Santa because they were insistent on sending overseas/Canada, then when they get to the post office and find out the postage, I get a message that they are dropping out because of the price to mail. I try to explain to them that those overseas/Canada are paying the exact same to mail here to us in the US. That is the reason why I added to the rules that once you say you WILL send overseas/Canada, you WILL send and no backing out.
With that said, I do try to "hook" people up with who I think will be a good fit at times with those overseas/Canada and the US. I, myself have done packages for those that have had people flake out on them. One year, I had a person flake out a few days BEFORE opening day and I actually drove to the recipients home to deliver the package. Good thing she only lived about an hour from me. Was a nice ride to an area I had never been to before.
But anyway....this swap is to be fun and in no way to stress people out.
Hugs to everyone!!
I hear it every year with the postage rates from people everywhere and I agree....the prices are out of the ordinary!
I was just making the suggestion that maybe making a separate "piggy bank" for postage for Secret Santa. That way, no one is "stuck" with a big postage bill. We all know that rates for everything goes up year after year. Maybe this could be a way to save for the postage.
I have actually had people drop out previously from Secret Santa because they were insistent on sending overseas/Canada, then when they get to the post office and find out the postage, I get a message that they are dropping out because of the price to mail. I try to explain to them that those overseas/Canada are paying the exact same to mail here to us in the US. That is the reason why I added to the rules that once you say you WILL send overseas/Canada, you WILL send and no backing out.
With that said, I do try to "hook" people up with who I think will be a good fit at times with those overseas/Canada and the US. I, myself have done packages for those that have had people flake out on them. One year, I had a person flake out a few days BEFORE opening day and I actually drove to the recipients home to deliver the package. Good thing she only lived about an hour from me. Was a nice ride to an area I had never been to before.
But anyway....this swap is to be fun and in no way to stress people out.
Hugs to everyone!!
tlrnhi Please don’t worry - it wasn’t meant to be a rant at you! I take part in the monthly swaps on here as well and often post to the US and I really don’t mind at all as I love to receive from the US as well. I was more annoyed at the postal system. Further research shows:
- shorter term problem is because of COVID. Apparently most UK-US mail goes on passenger flights to keep costs down. With less passenger flights they have had to run more flights just for mail which is much more expensive.
- longer term problem is a policy change in the US linked to the issues with USPS you are all having there? It has been decided that the amount USPS charges for ground transportation in the US to foreign companies (like our Royal Mail) will now be significantly higher than for residents whereas they used to be the same cost (same service after all!!)
- shorter term problem is because of COVID. Apparently most UK-US mail goes on passenger flights to keep costs down. With less passenger flights they have had to run more flights just for mail which is much more expensive.
- longer term problem is a policy change in the US linked to the issues with USPS you are all having there? It has been decided that the amount USPS charges for ground transportation in the US to foreign companies (like our Royal Mail) will now be significantly higher than for residents whereas they used to be the same cost (same service after all!!)
11-11-2020, 06:46 PM
#139
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 914
My person is going to get spoiled... I am sending in two parts as 2 of the items I ordered haven't come yet. So of course I decided I need to get or make a few things to put in that box...My dad is mailing my first box for me since I'm having oral surgery Friday. I had a tooth break off right at the roots. At least now and not right before the holidays... can't wait until opening day!
11-12-2020, 09:13 AM
#140
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: under the table with a book yet again!
Posts: 781
Santa Package mailed out Tuesday.
