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Post by shanniebananie on Apr 19, 2022 14:45:38 GMT
We visited Paris mid-March and purchased pretty expensive (approx 50 euros each) boxes of chocolates to bring home for my parents and our travel agent. I sent them each in a USPS small flat priority box after I returned home. I mailed them through a shipping store that have used previously because there is never a line and they save addresses on the computer to make it very quick to send packages. The clerk measured the flat rate box and told me a price that was cheaper than I expected. I thought is was one rate no matter what, but I didn't question it. They do this for a living - surely they know what they are doing, right?
Well, as you probably could guess, this was a big mistake. About a week later, I track the boxes because I hadn't heard from parents or the TA that they received the package. The tracking showed they were stalled at various places in the US. They could go no further because postage was due on each package. I got the travel agent's box back quickly and was able to send it correctly. (After having very strong words with the shipping store over what big mistake they made. Spoiler: they didn't care in the least! Just a shrugging of the shoulders and "If you want to resend it, you need to pay again for the correct amount.")
I just got my parents' box back after about 3 weeks. My WWYD is should I send it again to them? I am worried the chocolates may not taste as good after their tour of the US, but maybe they are fine? The temps hopefully didn't get too high to affect the taste but I can't be sure. I looked on the chocolate company's website and to mail them a box, it will be around $100, but then I can insure the quality is better. Or, I don't have to send them anything. I never told them to expect the chocolates, it was going to be a surprise.
What would you do?
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Post by voltagain on Apr 19, 2022 14:53:50 GMT
I would send them again. Chocolates don't go bad like fruit or pastries. Only hot temps would melt them so they don't look as pretty but it would still be tasty.
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Anita
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,644 
Location: Kansas City -ish
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Post by Anita on Apr 19, 2022 14:54:27 GMT
I would resend them. Chocolates last pretty long. Then I'd raise holy hell with that shipping company and go as far up the chain as possible to get a refund on that first shipment. There's no excuse for that.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Apr 19, 2022 14:57:37 GMT
If it isn’t likely that they melted into a mess while in transit, I’d resend the package. Most chocolate that I’ve seen has a shelf life of over a year and even after that it’s still edible so I’d probably take my chances that it’s still perfectly fine. If it turns out that they aren’t fine, I would file an insurance claim with USPS and see what happens, since Priority Mail includes insurance for up to $50 per package (assuming you told the clerk what the value of each package was when you shipped them).
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,605
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Apr 19, 2022 15:00:48 GMT
I'd send them and tell your parents to let you know about the quality.
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Post by katlady on Apr 19, 2022 15:05:10 GMT
I would resend them again. And, I would stop using that shipping store.
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Post by littlemama on Apr 19, 2022 15:17:50 GMT
Resend. Plain chocolate is good for up to 2 years. Filled chocolates are good for one year.
It is your parents, so once they receive them, you can ask to make sure they are ok.
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Post by jenjie on Apr 19, 2022 15:20:34 GMT
The only thing is if they melted. My bff moved away and I sent her a care package that included her favorite PB cups from trader joe. They were a melted mess by the time they got to her. She still enjoyed them, but they were a hot mess. If the presentation is important to you…
Actually if it’s going to family or friends, I would open the package and take a peek. Just let them know why it’s opened.
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Post by katlady on Apr 19, 2022 15:29:03 GMT
Resend. Plain chocolate is good for up to 2 years. Filled chocolates are good for one year. It is your parents, so once they receive them, you can ask to make sure they are ok. I have bought chocolates before that said to eat them within 2-4 weeks, or to freeze them for up to 4 months. I think it all depends on the chocolates and what it is filled with. |
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Post by Susie_Homemaker on Apr 19, 2022 15:31:37 GMT
If you think your parent's won't enjoy them, I'll give you my address!  Resend them, they'll be fine! |
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zella
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,884
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Post by zella on Apr 19, 2022 16:32:33 GMT
They are fine to resend, and won't have melted unless exposed to high temperatures.
But I'm confused about one thing. Flat rate priority mail really is that. Flat rate. If it fits it ships. Now there is also regular priority mail based on weight and how far you are shipping it; they go in two different types of priority mail boxes. If they came back to you they MUST have been put in the wrong type of priority mail box. IMO it's always best to go to the post office to do these things, since shipping stores, such as the UPS store, are likely to make these mistakes. They ship UPS primarily, not USPS. And yes, priority mail has always included $50 insurance, though I'm not sure that includes an error by a non-USPS personnel like this. You'd need to go to the USPS website or a post office and you'd need the receipt (not the store receipt, the part of the green and white USPS label that you keep). One last thing: even with rising USPS prices, they are still always cheaper than UPS and FedEx for small items or small amounts.
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Post by MichyM on Apr 19, 2022 16:33:17 GMT
I’d resend.
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Post by cmpeter on Apr 19, 2022 20:25:28 GMT
I would tell them what happened and resend.
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casii
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,461
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Post by casii on Apr 19, 2022 21:11:04 GMT
Let your parents know what happened and resend. Unless they traveled to an extremely hot area of the country on their travels around the nation, they should be fine.
Where are the chocolates from? I have to go to Paris for work and anytime I head there, it's my mission to eat ALL the good food I can. LOL Even their street fare tastes better. My DH is in love with Monoprix for some reason so I think I need to bring him a shopping bag from there.
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Post by littlemama on Apr 19, 2022 22:22:02 GMT
Resend. Plain chocolate is good for up to 2 years. Filled chocolates are good for one year. It is your parents, so once they receive them, you can ask to make sure they are ok. I have bought chocolates before that said to eat them within 2-4 weeks, or to freeze them for up to 4 months. I think it all depends on the chocolates and what it is filled with. That is a bizarre time length. I used to work for a company that made chocolate candy and that time frame is odd- unless for some reason they had them stored for a long time before selling them? |
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