[mochoa]

Yeah, otherwise what is the point of it sitting in a box for 20 days or so.

 

[GMatheson]

I'm in Canada. Am I still allowed to play swappy?

 

[Mosquito]

oops, lol I meant Dec. 5th Sorry.

 

[donwilwol]

I just shipped 3 planes to Canada. I've always stayed away from out of country shipping, but it was a fellow LJ and just starting out. I called the UPS store to find out what I needed to do and what the cost was. We agreed on the cost which was only about $40. But then they charged him $65 when they delivered it as a brokerage fee. Besides that, even though I always double box everything, they manged to break one of them.

I'm not sure what the deal is, but if somebody gets my mallet and has to pay $65 to pick it up, they'll be pretty disappointed I'm afraid.

Everybody should have a chance, but I'd suggest we at least try to keep things somewhat local. Its the holidays and I understand not everyone will have an extra $50 for a mallet that was meant to be almost free.

If somebody here knows the ins and outs of shipping outside the country (whatever the country is) they can probably help out if needed.

Its sad something so simple get so complicated because of the hidden cost.

 

[chrisstef]

Let it be known that whomever receives my mallet also will receive the ire of my wife. Trying to wiggle out a stuck chisel i managed to gouge a nice L shaped gash in the ole pointer finger. Mama doesnt really like to play nurse … neither in or out of the bedroom.

 

[derosa]

Both ups and fedex are terrible ways to ship things as both are more diligent about import tariffs along with collecting a fee for performing the service for you. In addition they always prefer to err on the side of whatever will cost more. Because of the size usps can be even cheaper to ship internationally, the postal services usually don't bother with the fees and in this case you can legitimately list it as a gift with a 20.00 or less value.

 

[bondogaposis]

Yes, when shipping to Canada, list the value under $20 and declare it a gift. Send it through the Post Office. Sending stuff across the border is slower, allow an extra week or more during the Holidays. I don't think that the the Dec 5 date is unreasonable. There are 17 days between now and 12/5, plenty of time. If you can't make a mallet in 17 days you won't be able to make one in 36 days. Package delivery really slows down during the holidays and anybody shipping a mallet the final week before Christmas may find out that the recipient won't get it in time.

 

[terryR]

To be honest, I never really considered shipping costs as we were setting this mallet swap up. oops! And I had no idea shipping to Canada was so expensive. I also failed to factor in T'giving which falls this week…we don't usually celebrate t'giving in my house…so I forgot to consider it could be non- shop time for most normal folks. Heck, I'll be in the shop all friggin week!!! That is my kinda holiday…

The main reason I picked dec5 for a mailing date (that was 3 weeks away last week!) was just to give USPS time to do their part…I'm a very flexible sorta guy, however. You guys wanna just mail your completed mallet on your own timing? Just, please, keep all the recipiants happy by giving them something to open on the 25 th…I mean I already KNOW I'm getting a mallet…but I am more excited about finding out which one than any other potential gift this year!

So…
How about we keep the nov22 deadline for joining the swap?
Throw out the 'mail by' deadline?
And, what to do with the single canadian member? I dunno…But I'd hate to exclude a bud who wants to play! I guess I could fix things so he gets my mallet and I can just suck up the shipping?

Otherwise, I assume most mallets will fit in an affordable flat rate box…unless you made a hammer for Thor and it's 28" long…then YOU just gotta suck it up and pay for postage, dude! (not you, Lance)

 

[chrisstef]

Hopefully another canucky will join the fun and we can squash international shipping all together. I vote "yea" on the Nov 22 deadline for sign ups and for shipping for 12/25 at ones own accord. No slacking and im the biggest offender.

 

[jap]

GMatheson- I hadn't thought of joining because i'm in Ottawa. Maybe if we both join we can ship to each other , though when i look at your projects, i'm sure my mallet won't be as good as yours.

 

[Bertha]

Man, you guys are out of friggin control!!! I can't even keep up to comment. I can't leave without commending Quick's seg mallet or Bruce's leather lined. Awesome.
.
How are we arranging the swap? I'm a bit behind. I better start making a mallet.
.

 

[terryR]

jap…come on in…that would make things easy for the americans! Although I'm still willing to pay shipping for poor GMath…

Al, I'll work out the random array thing to see who gets to ship a mallet to whom…after the nov22 deadline for signing up I'll post the results…Yes, get busy!

 

[chrisstef]

Hmm looks like my xmas card made it WV early …. way to blow it for me Al. Thanks. Now no one else will be surprised. Stef's pissed.

 

[Smitty_Cabinetshop]

"after the nov22 deadline for signing up I'll post the results"

-I humbly suggest the mail-to goes out via PM, adding to the suspense. I, for example, want to be totally surprised when I open bhog's member-shaped mallet, or Lysdexic's mushroom beater, or Al's chisel pacifier…

 

[donwilwol]

I like Smitty's idea. (but then I usually do)

 

[Mosquito]

I will second what Smitty says.

 

[mochoa]

+1 to what Smitty said.

 

[terryR]

That sounds like a great idea, Smiity!

 

[Mosquito]

Heck, for that matter you don't even have to give us the name if you don't want to, we could just generic it, and have it be a surprise to those of us who are sending it as well lol. Only the person who receives it will know who it's from, until we post here… ;-)

To:
Mallet Exchange Recipient
[...]
[...]
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Not going to lie, this mallet swap excites me…

 

[lysdexic]

Chris. That is a damn good idea sir.