From

Location

Message

Date Posted

British Columbia, Canada

Is it just me or does it cost a fortune to send seeds to and from Canada? Is it like this everywhere else?

1/18/2014 12:04:19 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Try Switzerland $12.75

1/18/2014 12:09:02 PM

Saskatchewan Fosston Canada

I got seed from Putnam.CT.yesterday,and the postage was $ 2.07.And i sent to Germany close up to the Austria border earlier,and that was close to$ 3.00

1/18/2014 12:28:18 PM

Going Green

Since none of us know what it will cost exactly to send seeds anywhere why not improve on the system. Lets say a guy in Australia wants some seed from me. If (I don't) I tell him to send me a Self address stamped envelope (SASE) he says to himself, "How much postage will I need to put on the envelope to get it back to me? He doesn't know because he doesn't know whether I am sending him one AG seed or twelve. And even if he did he must now put the SASE or bubble in another envelope and put additional stamps on it to send it to me. O.K. I receive it and put 5 seeds in the package and send it to him. The post office says these are Australian stamps not American so you must put $2.50 American. Who benefitted the post office Australia and America. Now if I had emailed the guy and said send me $3.00 American and I will ship you seeds. I put the $5.00 in my fertilizer account and go to my office where I have a supply of Bubble envelopes and address the envelope to him and put in 5 seeds. I go to the Local post office and they weigh it and tell me it is $2.50! So I spent $2.50 postage and $o.50 on bubble and I still have $2.00 fertilizer money!
Also it took one less week as the package from Australia was held up fort a week by customs the envelope with $5.00 was not.

1/18/2014 12:47:53 PM

Going Green

Certain countries will only accept their own stamps if you are mailing out but they have an agreement on envelopes or bubbles coming in. How much faster is it and how much less does it cost me to just send the grower in Australia money rather than a SASE. First off through email I have gotten to know the grower on the other end. I got his address, I notify my bank to mail him $5.00 or whatever he requires and a bubble comes back to me in half the time. He is happy, I am happy and the Post Office did not get extra dollars in stamp purchases. I do not ask anyone for money or SASE. I am happy that they will grow my Giant Vegetable Seeds and that I have made a new friend who is a fellow grower.

1/18/2014 12:55:40 PM

Going Green

I am very happy to send my fellow growers seed at my own expense because what goes around comes around. I have numerous friends in the Big Pumpkins community who would send me seeds without cost to me. Simply provide an address and tell me what seeds you would like. They do it for me and I do it for them. But if you would rather keep the SASE method do so. If you want to expedite things let the grower know you will be glad to send him 1 seed, 5 seeds or whatever for $3.00 or $5.00 or whatever amount you deem necessary. I can just hear people say, "But we have never done it that way!"

1/18/2014 1:03:52 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Alas, Mr. P Farm (or G Green) "We have done it that way"!!! ...and I am pleased as punch to hear you trying to recreate that system!!!
Create a relationship w/someone, & trade w/out postage, is the way I started!!! Usually in person, but not always!!! Peace, Wayne

1/19/2014 1:44:09 AM

Going Green

I appreciate your comments Peace Wayne. Ken has done a wonderful job creating a community of growers who are knowable and helpful and generous. I don't just want someone's Giant pumpkin seed, I want their friendship, fellowship and a sharing of knowledge. In the last seven years I have grown to appreciate the brotherhood and sisterhood of fellow growers on bigpumpkins.com and any success I have had in the garden is shared with my fellow growers. Pap and Ron Wallace, JR Landry, The Wiz, Phil and Jane Hunt, John Vincent, Dan Westfall, Scott Marley, Daho Medhi, Matt Caps, Jake Hollawy, Kevin Marsh, Doug English, Greg Kurkowski and 100's of other growers have given me advice and techniques in planting that have accelerated my learning curve in the field of Giant Vegetable growing. I can not possibly list all the growers that have been so generous in their time, advice and seeds and I really, really appreciate it. When I saw the premier membership here on bigpumpkins.com I had to join immediately. How else can I express my appreciation for all that bigpumpkins.com has done for all of us! I love this sight and want to support it and my fellow growers in whatever means possible.

1/19/2014 7:35:40 AM

Manitoba

If you don't have stamps for the country the seeds are coming from, you send an International Reply Coupon in lieu of the necessary stamps.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_reply_coupon

1/19/2014 2:40:51 PM

Muddy Waters

try swimming them over, much cheaper if you make it.lol

1/19/2014 9:40:49 PM

Going Green

Me Too! From Manitoba...Whether I send an International Reply Coupon or $5.00 would you not go to the post office to insure proper postage and mail it! The $5.00 is simple easier for all involved!

That try swimming them over did not work for me...I could not breathe with my passport in my mouth, trying to keep it dry! Thanks Handyhomegrown. I love you nick name Muddy Waters.

1/20/2014 10:17:00 AM