Monday, January 14, 2008
Our First Christmas Package Arrives!
After living in the Philippines
But you should know that packages coming through the post office arrive on a ‘first in, last out’ basis. Once it gets to Manila (especially during Christmas) the packages stack up in their warehouse. My parents mailed this package on December 11th and it arrived January 10th. This is the first package we have gotten (in 20 years) that was this badly damaged, probably because no attempt was made to lessen the smell of that delectable Belgian, Dark Chocolate from Trader Joe’s. Rats ate through the package from both ends, but when it was discovered, the package was taped up and sent on its way. The photo, the chocolate and the mini video adaptor they sent were all present and accounted for. And of course, after breaking off the teeth marks, we are eating the chocolate!
Related Posts:
It’s Still Christmas…
# 1 Bob said:
Merry Christmas!
# 2 AmericanLola said:
Thank you, and same to you!
# 3 Dr. Sponk Long said:
Hi AmericanLola. I wish I did not to be negative on my first entry in your blog but this is a legitimate concern. Leptospirosis is pretty endemic in Manila. I cringed upon reading your last sentence. Hoping all the best.
# 4 Bruce said:
American Lola,
I sent 2 boxes here before I left. They were mailed before American Thanksgiving and they arrived last week. Both boxes were bounced around so much they were soft. I think if you mark them fragle, they through them against the wall to make sure.
My mom mailed me an 5X8 evelope that was mailed on 12/11/07, arrived in Manila 12/28/07, at Davao 1/2/07 and not delivered to the house until 1/10/07.
As you say, it is just something to get used to, so that is that.
# 5 Klaus said:
Hi American Lola and to all of you. We know meanwhile that some packages will never receive our place again. That’s why I keep on telling our people abroad NOT TO SEND ANYTHING DURING CHRISTMAS SEASON.
# 6 Jim said:
Hi AmericanLola- At least the rats had a merry christmas as well as yourselves albeit belated.
# 7 AmericanLola said:
Hi Doc, thanks for the advice! Hmmm, since we are already eating it (there was no sign it had encountered more that the front end of rodents) we will know what to suggest if we get sick… oh dear!
Hi Bruce, glad to hear your packages arrived! So far, all our have arrived, but late.
As Klaus says, Christmas is the worst time for delayed packages!
Hi Jim, Yes, I teased my Dad, who worked in the US Army Post Office in Manila at the end of WW2, that the rats sensed this an took it for good will and shared the goodies he’d sent.
We are awaiting several other packages, some of which our kids paid extra to get it here in three days… what a waste of their money. Ack!
# 8 Feyma said:
Hi AmericanLola- Wow I’m speechless. Now I have to tell mom not to send chocolate then. She’s been thinking of sending some goodies soon for the kids for valentines day.
Hope your next package will be in good shape?
# 9 Tina said:
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!!! Hope everyone had a good holiday (including the rats?
).
Just wanted to suggest a service I’ve been using for years. Of course, not everyone will be in the areas they service but for those who are, they are great! American Lola, you’ll get your chocolates intact and not have to worry about tax, etc. Like I mentioned, I’ve been using them for about 20+ years now and have not had to go through the troubles you have had.
http://www.johnnyair.com/
# 10 RichardInSC said:
Hi Lola - Glad to see the US Postal Service has extended it’s genius for package delivery to the Philippines as well
# 11 mia said:
Hi American Lola! The only way I’ve ensured that packages get to Manila or any part of the Phils. within a week is if I pay a hefty amount using Fedex or UPS. However, lately I’ve discovered that LBC does a great service of sending packages fast and secure for just a flat rate of $15.00 for anything 2 lbs and below and $35.00 for anything 11 lbs and below. I just don’t know if LBC is available in your folks’ neck of the woods. Then there’s Johnny Air like Tina mentioned…
# 12 AmericanLola said:
Thank you, Tina and Mia for your good suggestions! We have both JohnnyAir and LBC here in CDO and near where my parents live, over in Azusa. I am going to encourage them to go check this out next time they need to mail something!
I am also going to see what the rates are to send things to the States by JohnnyAir, as that is always a problem too.
# 13 Tina said:
Hi AmericanLola,
It’s expensive to send things to the States via JAir. The last time I was in Davao, I had to pay $26/lb. to send something to NYC versus the usual $6/lb.+ (2lb. minimum) for sending stuff to Manila. Sending stuff to Davao is more expensive - I think about $12/lb. I’m not so sure now but I don’t mind as I pay for my peace of mind that the package will get there, if not in a week, just a little late - Filipino time
I’ve never sent anything thru the PO as we’ve had experiences in the past where packages get lost, stolen, pilfered, etc. Another advantage is you can track it by calling JAir (if you have the invoice/tracking #) and actually talk to a live person (not an automated system) and I think they’re working on getting that on their website, too. Do I sound like a sales rep for JAir? I think I do. 
No, seriously, I won’t forget!
Anyway, I hope this works for you as I feel bad about what happened to your chocolates. Tell you what, I’ll bring you some when I go visit this April as I go to Trader Joe’s regularly. I’ll email you and you can tell me where to send it. Oh, but the rats may get to them again…
Take care, AmericanLola! Gotta go…
# 14 AmericanLola said:
Wow! Thank you Tina! You are so kind! I will definitely have my family look into using JohnnyAir, sounds great! You should get a comission!
# 15 Cheryll Ann said:
And I thought only dogs get leptospirosis, lol lol I learn something new everyday… At least dogs have a vaccine for that, people don’t…
I wouldn’t eat chocolate that rats had eaten, eww… Glad nothing happeend to you guys.
Next time you mail something to and from USA use, EMS - it’s more expensive but only takes like 5-7 working days.
ABOUT the post office…
It PAYS to visit the post office now and then - because sometimes they won’t deliver your stuff and when you go to post office you will find a stack of letters and “package notices” allfor YOU, that they have let pile up and have not delivered yet, hahahaha.