Post by Sandy on Mar 23, 2009 4:51:18 GMT
Hello all
It is clear from the volume of mail I am receiving that many large groups, are sending large quantities. This is wonderful, but it is raising two issues.
1. the cost
2. the possibility of duty needing to be paid in SA on arrival.
On the last point Ronda is finding out for us the issues around duty. A recent parcel had been registered and contained balls of yarn, so perhaps that was the issue, but if it is about weight then we will let you know immediately to ensure that for the most part, we only send below that weight.
We all want squares by the tonne load, so the last thing this is aimed at is dampening enthusiasm. On the contrary if we need to raise funds to pay for duty then that is what we will do.
But in the meantime, what we really want to explore is the possibility of finding corporate partners who could act as a local depot in the US, Canada and UK and would sponsor the postage of large quantities, or I have been told about ‘backloading’. That is when a container is shipped to South Africa that has space in it for a much cheaper price.
So I thought I would just put it out there to you all and the world at large to see if any of you have ideas, contacts or thoughts on this issue. If we can (over time) work something like this out, then people will not be inhibited from continuing to knit and crochet squares because of the cost of sending them.
The initial concept was based on small quantities of squares and then the cost of postage was a bit like completing the charitable donation. But you have all enchanted and surprised us by your generosity, and so I would really love to see if there is another option regarding postage.
In the meantime, we are truly grateful for your bearing the cost of the postage to ensure that these children get their blankets.
“the more squares, the more blankets, the more warm children”
Sandy
It is clear from the volume of mail I am receiving that many large groups, are sending large quantities. This is wonderful, but it is raising two issues.
1. the cost
2. the possibility of duty needing to be paid in SA on arrival.
On the last point Ronda is finding out for us the issues around duty. A recent parcel had been registered and contained balls of yarn, so perhaps that was the issue, but if it is about weight then we will let you know immediately to ensure that for the most part, we only send below that weight.
We all want squares by the tonne load, so the last thing this is aimed at is dampening enthusiasm. On the contrary if we need to raise funds to pay for duty then that is what we will do.
But in the meantime, what we really want to explore is the possibility of finding corporate partners who could act as a local depot in the US, Canada and UK and would sponsor the postage of large quantities, or I have been told about ‘backloading’. That is when a container is shipped to South Africa that has space in it for a much cheaper price.
So I thought I would just put it out there to you all and the world at large to see if any of you have ideas, contacts or thoughts on this issue. If we can (over time) work something like this out, then people will not be inhibited from continuing to knit and crochet squares because of the cost of sending them.
The initial concept was based on small quantities of squares and then the cost of postage was a bit like completing the charitable donation. But you have all enchanted and surprised us by your generosity, and so I would really love to see if there is another option regarding postage.
In the meantime, we are truly grateful for your bearing the cost of the postage to ensure that these children get their blankets.
“the more squares, the more blankets, the more warm children”
Sandy