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I know there are a lot of military family members here. Several of us face the challenges of living overseas at some point in our lives. Those of you who already have are well aware that is can be frustrating not having a Michael's/A.C. Moore/Hobby Lobby nearby and having to resort to online purchases to frequently be disappointed that many sellers won't ship to APO addresses.
To help remedy this, I thought we could start an ongoing list of APO/FPO shippers to which members can refer when they are overseas. One member was kind enough to mention a ribbon sale in another thread; when I checked it out I learned the company DID ship to APO addresses (WOO HOO!), so I figured I would list it here below and start what will hopefully become a long chain of retailers. I hope others will feel free to add businesses to the list below.
Thanks everyone for your time and participation! Hope 2007 is a year of health, happiness and a whole lot of stamping for you all!
Joanns.com
ScrapYourtrip.com ships free to all APO/FPO adressess as a way of saying thanks to the military. This site has lots of wonderful stuff! Lots of military and international travel items.
Allthatscraps.com has free shipping for any order over $10.00--not hard to do and they also are wonderful, I got all of my cuttlebug folders here.
rockymountainhobbies.com I like being able to buy single sheets of pattern paper and brads from them.
addictedtorubberstamping.com
I also just got my Bella's from stampingbella.com and it only took a week to get here to Germany from Canada
I haven't had to much of a problem ordering from different places, I do not order if the shipping is high or if they charge extra for having an APO address like Oriental Trading. Custom Forms are free and its the same type of box.
I don't now if it is going on, but eyeletopia had a summer sale going of 60% off orders over $100 if anyone wishes to stock up and/or chare with local buddies. They had some adorable shaped eyelets (little red crabs to go with the crab & co. set, but they are sold out, waah!).
TexasJodyLynn turned me on to ribbons and bows oh my - really good discounts - every 3 months or so they have a 20% off all grosgrain ribbon sale (I think the next one is in July). They have lots of different sizes and a ton of colors! I've been pretty happy with them. Their 1/4" grosgrain only comes on 100yd. spools - so either pick colors you LOVe or plan to swap wth buddies.
Anyone who ships to the United States should ship to an AFO/ APO. This is still considered the United States so they don't have to do anything different except add a customs form. There is no additional cost. A company can ship priority mail for the same exact rates as shipping down the stree using flat rate.
Hugs,
Gina K.
__________________ Be polite to those who are rude to you. Not because they are nice, but because you are.
Owner- Gina K. Designs
Anyone who ships to the United States should ship to an AFO/ APO. This is still considered the United States so they don't have to do anything different except add a customs form. There is no additional cost. A company can ship priority mail for the same exact rates as shipping down the stree using flat rate.
Hugs,
Gina K.
So true Gina, except you'd be surprised to find out how many companies will NOT ship to APO/FPO addresses because they have to take the time to fill out the customs slip, or if they normally ship UPS won't take the time to ship USPS. Having lived in Japan for four years, I know first hand what these ladies are going through. Even though I've been back in the states for over a year now, there are still a few companies that I refuse to shop from because they refused to send things to me while living abroad.... :rolleyes:
So true Gina, except you'd be surprised to find out how many companies will NOT ship to APO/FPO addresses because they have to take the time to fill out the customs slip, or if they normally ship UPS won't take the time to ship USPS.
This is SO true... I'm amazed at how many times I've had to contact customer service and "explain" shipping to an APO... Can you believe there are companies that will even tack on a surcharge! The big office supply companies are the worst... Try to find 8-1/2 x 11 paper off base... Ugh...
[QUOTE=USAMoose;6260404]This is SO true... I'm amazed at how many times I've had to contact customer service and "explain" shipping to an APO... Can you believe there are companies that will even tack on a surcharge! The big office supply companies are the worst... Try to find 8-1/2 x 11 paper off base... Ugh...
[QUOTE]
I KNOW! Reams of copy paper sell out at the BX almost immediately, and since Germany is metric all the paper elsewhere is A4, not 8.5 x 11. Office Max and Office Depot refused to ship here despite their website says the contrary.
Oh Yeah - for computer supplies New Egg and Tiger Direct ship to APO's, though I can't recall their addresses at the moment... Best Buy ships some things (customs restrictions limit electronics and my husband has fits waiting for computer games to arrive at the Powerzone, LOL)
So true Gina, except you'd be surprised to find out how many companies will NOT ship to APO/FPO addresses because they have to take the time to fill out the customs slip, or if they normally ship UPS won't take the time to ship USPS. Having lived in Japan for four years, I know first hand what these ladies are going through. Even though I've been back in the states for over a year now, there are still a few companies that I refuse to shop from because they refused to send things to me while living abroad.... :rolleyes:
Yep... "Paperosity" provides excellent service and quick shipping...
I've ordered twice and not one bent edge on my papers...
I think they use military spec envelopes or something ;)
Seriously there are companies that will not ship to Hawaii even without charging an arm and leg extra.......there are many that state that they will not ship to APO/FPO address. I think it is also a time or tracking issue as well as laziness on their part.
I personally dont shop from anyone who will not ship to our Military abroad. Ebay sellers included...If I read that they do not ship to APO or even HI without charging extra I will not buy from them.
Why should I support them if they do not support my dh or other Military families?
__________________
Shelley
The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.
Seriously there are companies that will not ship to Hawaii even without charging an arm and leg extra.......there are many that state that they will not ship to APO/FPO address. I think it is also a time or tracking issue as well as laziness on their part.
I personally dont shop from anyone who will not ship to our Military abroad. Ebay sellers included...If I read that they do not ship to APO or even HI without charging extra I will not buy from them.
Why should I support them if they do not support my dh or other Military families?
You rock too Shelley! Way to go!
There is a slight chance we could get assigned to Alaska after Germany (Elemendorf or something?), I am praying we don't because there ARE so many companies that won't ship outside of the CONTINENTAL US - Hel-LO!! Alaska and Hawaii are part of OUR country!! I have had enough of these shipping issues! Though it would be refreshing to be able to call a sytore and ask their hours and get an answer in English or to be able and stop and ask for directions.
Oh - advise to anyone moving overseas - we got a GPS for our wedding and it has been a LIFESAVER (at least in Germany as we haven't had time to learn German yet and can't stop and ask for directions or read all the signs that weren't in the manual for a German driver's license)
Thanks for starting this thread! I'll be heading over to Japan in November and I've been worried about not getting any stampy goodness!:cool:
Hi Amber,
Something to think about:
If you are not already a demo for a company (SU, CTMH, TAC) you might want to think about signing up before you leave the US - as a SU demo. I get a 20% discount off all merchandise AND my orders are TAX FREE (woo hoo!) since we are overseas APO/FPO AND I am exempt from minimums since most of us aren't given permission by our/our husbands' commanders to sell on base, so basically it enables us to purchase for ourselves without the pressure of minimums and take advantage of all the discounts, previews and benefits. Plus, at least in Germany (USA Moose can tell you more about Japan) it is really difficult to find craft stuff and all the paper is metric and has to be adulterated to fit our standard sizes.
Also, when moving you may wish to either mail yourself some of your favorite stamping goodies (I mailed myself 4 boxes to our APO early so I knew they'd be waiting for me) or include them in your 600 lbs. early shipment, so you have stuff to play with while you are waiting for your full shipment to arrive. Make sure you insure anything you mail for the full replacement value. The PO destroyed one of my boxes and I had to file a claim; they paid for everything of course, but having to hunt down retired sets on ebay was time consuming and a bit of a pain, so maybe you only want to ship current merchandise that is easier to replace? IDK
It is Ribbons and Bows Oh My!'s quarterly sale on solid grosgrain ribbons!!
The site it so busy I am having trouble logging on so I can't relay the exact prices, but shipping is really reasonable (no extra APO fee, and the packages from them have arrived relatively quickly) and I think 5 yards of 3/8" ribbon (the 1/4" is only available on 100 yd. spools for under $8 - still a GREAT deal if there is a color you like a lot) is only like 72 cents or something! I try to stock up at this time.
Just wanted to pass along the info. for anyone who loves using ribbon on their cards or scrapbook pages (or hair bows, or presents, etc.)
It is Ribbons and Bows Oh My!'s quarterly sale on solid grosgrain ribbons!!
The site it so busy I am having trouble logging on so I can't relay the exact prices, but shipping is really reasonable (no extra APO fee, and the packages from them have arrived relatively quickly) and I think 5 yards of 3/8" ribbon (the 1/4" is only available on 100 yd. spools for under $8 - still a GREAT deal if there is a color you like a lot) is only like 72 cents or something! I try to stock up at this time.
Just wanted to pass along the info. for anyone who loves using ribbon on their cards or scrapbook pages (or hair bows, or presents, etc.)
Enjoy! Hope you aren't mad for enabling!
~CMC
Looks like the current sale (which ends midnight 6/2 is only on the 5 yard spools - not the 100 yd spools. Weird. So it looks like it doesn't apply to the 1/4" ribbon. :( Their 3/8"-5 yd. price is amazing though: 71 cents!!
Shipping is as below for Continental US/APO/FPO (additional fees may apply to AK, HI, PR):
So true Gina, except you'd be surprised to find out how many companies will NOT ship to APO/FPO addresses because they have to take the time to fill out the customs slip, or if they normally ship UPS won't take the time to ship USPS. Having lived in Japan for four years, I know first hand what these ladies are going through. Even though I've been back in the states for over a year now, there are still a few companies that I refuse to shop from because they refused to send things to me while living abroad.... :rolleyes:
That's Silly. You guys should be the FIRST ones that we all ship to because of what you guys are all doing for us...
Ugh! I don't get that at all.
Hugs,
Gina K.
__________________ Be polite to those who are rude to you. Not because they are nice, but because you are.
Owner- Gina K. Designs
This is another great place to shop....2 of our very own SCS's are owners of the store, Joy and Daisy, and they are super sweet! I asked Joy and she said that it may take a day or 2 longer because Daisy goes to the PO 2 days a week to take these type orders in! They do have great service and some great stuff!!
__________________
Shelley
The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.
RABOM (ribbons and bows oh my) announced that they are going to be posting a correlation list between their ribbon colors and SU and CTMH! Woo hoo! I don't see it yet, but that will make matching easier for all of us. I have started using ribbon MUCH more on my cards and projects after finding this site.
Thanks to everyone who has helped building a list of military-friendly shipping companies! You guys rock!!
******************.com announced a 10% off all ribbon sale now through midnight Thursday. Their shipping prices are reasonable and I have been really happy with their product - I have purchased solid grosgrain and lollipop ribbon from them in the past.
Reasonableribbon.com also ships to APO addresses as well. Haven't tried them yet, but CS responded to my inquiry the same day.
In case anyone is interested and looking for something to do until their SU catty arrives. I have never purchased from them before but believe they ship to APOs.
I bought a bug and a whole bunch of embossing folders from Thrifty Scrappers ([email protected]). She shipped to my APO address without a problem. She was really great to work with and her prices were pretty good.
Also, for shopping outside of stamping you can go to: http://www.shopapofpo.com/department.htm
There are a whole bunch of businesses that will ship to an APO/FPO
I bought a bug and a whole bunch of embossing folders from Thrifty Scrappers ([email protected]). She shipped to my APO address without a problem. She was really great to work with and her prices were pretty good.
Also, for shopping outside of stamping you can go to: http://www.shopapofpo.com/department.htm
There are a whole bunch of businesses that will ship to an APO/FPO
Seriously there are companies that will not ship to Hawaii even without charging an arm and leg extra.......there are many that state that they will not ship to APO/FPO address. I think it is also a time or tracking issue as well as laziness on their part.
I personally dont shop from anyone who will not ship to our Military abroad. Ebay sellers included...If I read that they do not ship to APO or even HI without charging extra I will not buy from them.
Why should I support them if they do not support my dh or other Military families?
I just want you all to know, I am not military and I don't have anyone in my family who is but I won't shop from them either. I do appreciate the sacrifices you and your families make for the rest of us!