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BC, Canada

Canucks- how do you deal with getting a US posted bubble pack from the US, assuming the etiquette is to pre-stamp? As far as I know I can't go into a post office here (as long as we still actually have them!) and buy US stamps. I know this has been discussed before I just don't remember the solution. We can't expect the senders/sellers/givers of these seeds to go stand in line for stamps for every request they receive.
I think for now I will get a friend in the US to send and receive on the US side for me and then forward to me here in Canada.
Any ideas? I would be glad to act as a forwarding site if any of us wanted to do a group shipment but for something as small as a seed pack that might be way to complicated.
And, what is the correct postage amount US to Canada for a bubble?
Thanks for all the help, again.
Sure are some great seeds available this year!! Can hardly wait.

12/18/2013 11:48:48 AM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Have the requester put a few bucks in the envelope in lieu of postage. As a Canadian, you would just purchase Canadian stamps and mail them back the US. I would hope that anyone sending SASBPs would arrange ahead of time with the grower.

Better solution, PayPal it and everyone saves.

12/18/2013 11:58:29 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Michael, when I send a bubble to a grower in the US, I always slip in some good ole American currency, and the postage gets paid.

If a US grower asks you for your seeds, most understand that American stamps won't work when sending from Canada, and they will also slip you a few $$ to cover the costs.

12/18/2013 1:18:32 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Unless I'm trading seeds, all of my bubble requests to Canada include a $5 bill. I have confirmed with Canadian growers that this is enough. If it isn't, it's news to me.

12/18/2013 1:24:37 PM

Albert County, New Brunswick,CANADA

5 bucks minimum. International reply coupons are $5.50 in Canada and I'm not sure how it would work - if at all with a bubble envelope. A link to post office in Canada about it: http://www.canadapost.ca/cpo/mc/business/productsservices/atoz/irc.jsf

12/18/2013 1:38:58 PM

Joliet, IL

$6.55 was the cost to send bubble to Nova Scotia from Illinois at the post office this week.

12/18/2013 2:02:35 PM

Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada

Some of the bubbles I have been receiving from the US are marked $6.55 but others have been as low as $1.94. The majority seem to be $2.05. I am confused by this but clearly the $2 US I have been sending with my bubble requests is not adequate and I will have to reassess the situation before next year. I am thinking PayPal is also the way to go.

12/18/2013 5:06:58 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

I put an auction bubble request to Bill and Dawn Northrup in the regular outgoing office mail by accident and it got only $0.92 postage. I let them know ahead of time what had happened and I was surpised when they let me know it had made it there. They were also the ones that told me $5.00 was enough to cover the trip back. Maybe they are just too nice?

12/18/2013 5:21:40 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

And yes Sally $6.55 is what it costs from US to Canada if there are a bunch of seeds in the pack and/or you don't want them to go thru the mail rollers.

12/18/2013 5:23:43 PM

Eganville, Ontario

I always send American cash with the envelope. For all the money we spend on amendments and growth products (and some may not even be that useful), the best money spent is on a seed. I send $10 US, and really I'd be happy to send $20 or even $50. The seed is still a great value and the most important asset for the growing season. It's cheap.

I only ask for seeds that I plan on growing though.

12/18/2013 5:24:22 PM

Guelph, ONT

I was pondering this myself now all my questions have been answered . thanks guys good post

12/18/2013 7:07:56 PM

BC, Canada

All questions have been answered but, is sending money instead of a pre-stamped envelope acceptable to the sender? If the sender ask for a pre-stamp and then gets cash and has to stand in line somewhere to get stamps is that OK? From what I read here it seems to work. I suppose the correct thing to do is just to ask before assuming to make it easy on both sides. And yes, $10 is what i have sent in the past.
Now for my next question- what size envelope or bubble pack?

Thanks - again.
PS Glenn- you are thinking some yanks are going to want my seeds someday! - you always think the best for others don't you? But I'll be glad to, when and if.

12/18/2013 8:30:04 PM

Torrance, Ca.

North Shore knows what mine cost:) 2.50 and it made it safe in 8 days:)

12/18/2013 8:52:30 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

cavity,.. If you received a bubble from the US, down here we have no easy option to put Canadian postage on it. Our only option is to send you some cash so that you can do it.

$6.55, wow...

Recently I sent a bubble to someone else in the US. I put five stamps on it for return postage, and was able to sent it with only two. I had a discussion with the clerk at the post office, and that's what we decided was the safest route. A bubble envelope barely fits the width requirement when empty. As soon as it's loaded, the price goes up.

To elaborate more on my PayPal kick... the heart of this is that the requester sends nothing! Why waste postage and envelopes to send postage and envelopes? The requester contacts the sender, and they agree on a price (whatever it is) to cover the senders costs, stamps and envelopes, and time and effort. In the end the requester pays less, and the sender might actually come out a little ahead which is fine in my book.

12/19/2013 10:07:59 AM

Devon uk

PayPal is a great option, save on time too when sending across the pond,
I usually put one bubble inside the other plus postage out plus $10,for return, still cheap but not necessary if PayPal is available.

12/19/2013 11:21:49 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

While I like Cliff's Idea.Although It takes the personal part out of it. I like receiving bubbles and reading the notes, as I am filling them. Often I can than associate the request to a person then.
Paypal sure would beat someone sending you a foreign currency that you can do nothing with. Only draw back is you have a money trail that may attract IRS attention

12/19/2013 1:16:59 PM

Hinckley MN

Boy do I feel dumb. I put $6.55 US postage on SASBE I sent to Canada. So if your name rhymes with Punt or Orthrup or Orange, I appologize.

12/19/2013 4:08:43 PM

BC, Canada

LOL Ben, We all have done something like that - won't tell you mine!
Thanks to everyone that contributed here.
I like what Linus says. For me, with only a couple of people around my island that have any interest in AGs, I find the Big Pumpkin community has become my group of friends for this hobby. I sincerely enjoy the personal exchanges with individuals. I will probably never meet in person 99% but on line and as "pen pals" so to speak is not bad.
The last few years I have bought from a club, as I think supporting clubs is a great thing. Pay Pal for that is good. Pay Pal for an individual? I don't plan on ever having an account. I would rather go to the post office for stamps, but that's just me. I think there are probably others like me. (OLD?) I am sure you could do it all on your Iphone but I still like cash.
Bottom line I guess is like all successful social exchanges, it still involves both parties feeling comfortable with the arranement.
And now with that said, I am sure my 5 year old grandson can explain how easy it is to get a PP account. Last week he showed me how to turn on and watch shows on that eyeberrypad thing. Boy, that Dora is something else!

12/19/2013 5:02:45 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Yes I like getting the bubble requests and notes. It's like Christmas except I am Santa!

12/19/2013 5:37:30 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

lol... I do agree that the world is changing faster than we can keep up. And, the handwritten notes are actually quite nice. I have even kept some of them in my box of seeds. Some go on at length, and I'm always impressed at the individual attention that some growers give even to a nobody like me when I ask for their seeds. I have had growers send me a Christmas card along with their seeds... So yeah, do whatever makes good sense for you. If I were requesting I'd just ask the grower, "What would you like? An SASBP, or send cash, or?"

12/19/2013 5:40:57 PM