synecdochic_decants | (no subject)

1) The snow removal has proceeded apace to the point where there is likely to be actual mail service today, so I have printed postage and they'll go out today. I hope.

2) I may have a solution to the "oh my god, sticker shock" problem on international postage: when printing through PayPal instead of USPS, there is an option for shipping a "large envelope", which is (significantly) cheaper. (Like, to the point where I'd possibly be able to lower international shipping rates down to like $1 over domestic; I need to play with the rates a bit.) The only caveat: packages can't be more than 3/4" thick, which means a). having to be careful about how I pack imps and b) possibly not being able to offer half bottles/full bottles to international folk unless you pay the higher 'package/thick envelope' rates. It all depends on just how strict they are about the thickness limit.

I've shipped the three Blue Carbuncle international packages using this option. It's possible the USPS might reject them for being too thick; if so, I'll reship them at the package/thick envelope rate. However, if they take them, this could wind up being soooo much cheaper for y'all.

If they do take them at the large envelope rates, poke me when they get there and I'll refund you the difference in what I charged vs what I paid.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Yeah, letter rates are waaaaay cheaper - I mailed a flat keychain to the Netherlands for like two dollars. I wasn't really concerned about breakage though, so I didn't have the extra thickness from bubblewrap or anything.

Hand up for one international person who would happily take their half bottles via imps if it ends up working!

Yeah, the one thing I'm worried about is that they want there to not be more than a 1/4" variation in thickness and no more than a 3/4" thickness total, which could be A Problem even with imps!

Hm. Maybe I could wrap the imps in paper or aluminum foil and trust to the bubblewrap in the envelope to prevent breakage.

If decants can be shipped to us in letter form, I'm *all for it*! That's very good of you to check, honestly thanks. I'm not bothered with half bottles - of I like something enough, I tend to want a full bottle anyway, in which case taking the postal hit is a given.