Packaged/Shipped Gifts...What You Might Be Paying For

Of course, with 2 weddings in the house, we have gifts coming in via mail, FedEx, and UPS...not daily, but almost.  We have seen some things that panic us, or at least make us shake our heads.                                                                                                                                                                  
I REALLY wish I'd had the presence of mind to take pictures when Princess Bossy opened a HUGE box sent via UPS from Pottery Barn.  Our excitement suddenly turned to panic when she turned back the flaps.  The 32" x 22" x 18" box had approximately 5 smaller boxes inside.  They contained different parts of their porcelain dish set, so breakable merchandise.  The boxes were scattered loosely inside the larger container, with only a few of the plastic, air-filled pillows to 'pack them in.'...Which they didn't.  Thankfully, the packing within each of the smaller boxes adequately protected the dishes, which, I guess, they were counting on.                                                                                                                                  
The gift card had the prince's and princess' name on it, but not that of the sender.  I suppose that, technically, that was an oversight on the part of the gift giver.  We had to search the packing slip to find who had originally ordered the gift.                                                                                                                                                                 

 

When the next gift came questionably packed, I began to take pictures.  Princess Sassy and Prince Steadfast received flatware, again from Pottery Barn.  The flatware itself is packaged in a thin cardboard box, possibly lighter weight than a cereal box.  This box was 
placed in only a plastic, unlined, unpadded UPS envelope for shipping.  When she opened the envelope, Sassy found a mangled mess...the box flaps open and torn. Again, the plastic wrapping within the little box 
saved the flatware, so that there was, thankfully, no damage.                                                                                                                                                         
Our 3rd, and hopefully last, problem with a Pottery Barn gift came this week.  Princess Sassy opened the box and was happy to see that the inner box was almost as large as its external counterpart, so no shaking around, and no box mangling occurred.  However, 
while the packing slip matched the contents of the gift, and listed the buyer as one of the groom's relatives, the gift card congratulated two people unknown to us, and wished their new baby well!  We wonder if the baby's present arrived at his home with Sassy's and Steadfast's gift card.                                                                                                                                        
Our other strange gift situation was, at least, not from Pottery Barn.  A friend in Oklahoma went to his local Target, generously and thoughtfully, bought, wrapped, and sent a Keurig Single Cup Home Brewing System, as well as a non-stick skillet set and a baking pan, to Princess Bossy and Prince Helium.  Bossy was out of town when it arrived, so had me open it and tell her what had come.                   

The large outer box was in perfect condition, as were the skillets and baking pan.   I noticed a slight stain from dampness on the box of the coffee maker, but it was small and seemingly insignificant, so I didn't think much of it.                                                                                                                                  

I realized as I unpacked further, though, that it was actually damp, so I opened the manufacturer-sealed box.  The deeper into the box I got, the wetter things were, until I could see that inside the plastic over the coffee maker itself, was water, and plenty of it.  The whole coffee maker was wet and dripping.                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Did they test it, and not empty and dry it before packing it up?  Who knows.  I let it sit out for the few days until the princess came home again.  She tried it this morning and it apparently works.                                                                                                                                            
In all of these cases we can say "All's well that ends well."  But, there is definitely some sloppiness and negligence going on out there!


On a more positive note, I encourage you to hop over and visit Laxsupermom at Sugar & Spice in the Land of Balls & Sticks, and enter her first giveaway.  Get the chance to win one of her creative pieces, Picture Letter Art, made just for you!