Help! Trying to buy for special person...

[micaht]

J Shepherd,
That was probably the case. The label was fresh and hadn't been torn but I guess there's no reason they couldn't have simply reprinted it. I'm sorry, I guess I didn't add that part and the omission was one of accident and it was meant to go under the list of good things but it ended up getting left out. I did call Pearl Paradise to inform them of the condition I had received them and was very pleasantly helped by whoever it was that answered. She seemed both very eager to help out and very sorry for the condition they had been received. So many thanks go to that effort. They're sending me another gift box and jewelry case so everything should hopefully be perfect from there.
To anyone thinking of buying, do. Thanks JShepherd for your replies and updates throughout. I appreciate the help and it's nice to see a business owner so involved in the end results of his (or her?) product. I appreciate the service you provide an will definitely be using it again in the future (might even get a set or earrings for a Christmas gift to go along with the birthday necklace!).

[Slraep]

Hi Jeremy,

No, it's not the taxes and customs fee. It really is their handling fee.
If the package should stay at customs longer than a couple of days, they charge an extra fee for storage!

They have charged me up to $66 for handling when some other companies charge $25.

Slraep

[jshepherd]

Thanks Micaht. I just spoke with Natalie, with whom you spoke earlier. She mentioned that the new box is in the mail. I hope this one arrives in one piece!

Slraep
They charge you an "extra" handling fee? Not just the 17% VAT?!

[Zeide Erskine]

Hi Jeremy,

Maybe this is a case that can help bolster my argument for fitted wooden boxes for your freshadamas. They make those in China, too, and they do not cost much more than the mock dodo skin over cardboard.

Zeide

[jshepherd]

Believe it or not I have checked into it, and we have received a lot of samples. One in particular we are currently negotiating over. The minimum order is large as is the lead time, and they are heavy! They are not too much expensive on the grand scale, the nicest run about $12 each with a minimum order of 15,000 (custom for us). That is about the number of regular boxes we go through in 6 months, but this box would have to be item specific. We already have a separate storage facility for boxes, and it is crammed full every time a new container comes in.

[jshepherd]

Well! It is time to head to the 747 parking garage and visit the land of backward flush with a stop back in Freshadama heaven. I will be returning with the last piece to my puzzle which I disclosed about 6 months ago - I will make sure to post a picture of the "monster" when I get back!

[micaht]

I'm assuming Australia or the South Pacific? I'll actually be going there over Christmas! I'm quite excited. Thanks for all of your help and assurances. I appreciate the effort and it's definitely helped in winning a permanent customer.

[jerin]

The one time I ordered something from PP for a friend, it came in a pristine box that was well packed. Nothing was damaged and the presentation was A1. The only thing I hated was the fee FedEx charged me. They are one of the most exorbitant on handling fees. They once charged me $128.00 Can. for some food supplements that cost $132.00 US.

I hate them(FedEx).

Slraep

I second that. I have specifically told PP to send my pearls through USPS, the packages are always unharmed and in perfect order. As to the fees - FedEX charge for even for a very small package always at least 20 dollars (administrative charges), besides that one has to pay custom fees and VAT according to the rules of the country. And last but not least - it takes much time to get the parcel.