Hey Lynn, I noticed that sheran still has you name on her list for anticipated seeds arrivals for the Round Robin Trading: 2nd in time for xmas swap. You dropped out after your seeds were sent back, didn't you?
Round Robin Trading: 2nd in time for xmas swap
Lynn the best way to get them down there is *not* to mark seeds on the envelope. If it is just a regular brown sized bubble envelope (even oversized ie costs $1.65 in Cdn. stamps to mail) regulations don't require that it be marked with contents at all. I tape the seed packages evenly along a piece of cardboard (that will fit inside the envelope) so it doesn't have unseemly bulges. Others have been known to put "craft supplies" on the declaration form (if they are made to fill one out by a clerk that's not in the know.
I was really lucky, I guess Pam. I wasn't aware at the time of mailing to sheran in California that there was a restriction of seeds to the US from Canada. I put them and the gift in a little 6X8 bubble pack and even put "seeds" on the customs declaration sticker. But, what do you know, they went through! Shannon's got through too, but I don't know what she declared on hers. Who knows, huh?
Pure luck and whoever was checking the mail at U.S. customs slipped. I haven't lost any I've sent but have seen where seeds sent from Britain and other countries were seized. That's why I don't think it's a good idea for Canadians to get involved with Round Robin Trading..... exception the only ones I have become involved in is where the originator of the Round Robin has sent me an email stating what came back to her and I picked just the ones I wanted. I sent mine straight to her/him ahead of time so they already had my end of the deal. Having the whole robin sent here is risking that all seeds could be lost when they go back across the U.S. border.
This message was edited Nov 29, 2004 4:57 PM
Actually that is the way the Canadian Trading: Round Robin Trading: 2nd in time for xmas swap ws handled. All of us sent our seeds to sheran, and she repackaged them and sent them out from her place to designated people that only she knew. Knowing what I know now, I don't think I would attempt sending seeds to the US for any reason. But I am thankful that there isn't the same restriction on US seeds to Canada, as I have had many packets sent to me over the past several weeks, and still have some coming. Kinda doesn't seem fair does it, but oh well, I shan't be tempted the next time becasue of course, I would never break the Law, knowingly!! :)
echoes
Nov 30, 2004
I just got seeds last Friday from a US trade that were sent October 18th. Had all but given up on them. The last two that I've sent down there got to the destination OK.
It's a drag isn't it when you see all those seeds you'd love to have being offered for a trade or an SASE and you can't participate.
You can participate in the SASE nightowl.......just send a SABE and include 2 American dollars. Some Canadian postal outlets also carry U.S. stamps.....one here in town does. The owner has an American relative send him stamps.
I've done trades too....just asked that they wait till they received mine.
Ok, I am confused now. Lilypon, I know we are restricted when it comes to live plants, but I am sure that I recently read on DG that there is now new seed restrictions from Canada to the US as well. Did I read this wrong. Can we legally send seeds to the US?
Nope not legally....I have made sure however that I send package seeds that sell on both sides of the border.
Forgive me for being so dumb when it comes to understanding this but are you saying that this would this make it OK then, with the powers that be?
Nope......I just feel that the law was brought in to stop gardener's from trading so that the seed companies just make money. I usually trade with those in much higher zones.....so the only seed I can send is purchased seed. But it has U.S./Can and sometimes British prices so I know the company sends it's seeds to all three.
OK, I got it now, thanks. :)
Okay, I need to get this straight too. I guess the thing to do is email the person and ask if they're willing to send seed to Canada and, if so, how many stamps they figure it would take. Then send them that many stamps (if you can get them) with your SABE or 2 dollars. I noticed on another forum that they prefer the real bubble envelopes, not an envelope with bubble wrap inside. Is that correct? I've found my homemade ones work great but I guess they're going a lot further and would be handled much more if coming from the US, so it would make sense. Has anyone had problems sending money through the mail?
Sandy
I sent a toonie to sheran for return postage for the Christmas seed exchange. Put it in the bubble envelope with the seeds and gift and it made it through, apparently, without any problem. I don' think I'd rsik any more than that, though.
edited to say Geesh, I must be losin' it! I didn't send a toonie, I went to the bank and exchanged for an American bill and sent that in the bubble envelope. (Sigh, Oldtimers Disease!) But I still wouldn't mail more than a couple bucks.
This message was edited Dec 1, 2004 2:14 PM
If it's a small bubble envelope (3x5) an American dollar will cover it (without too much extra weight)....the larger (4?x7) will take over a dollar so I send 2. Once you get to know the mailing cost, and can get U.S. stamps, all should go well. I've sent dollar bills with no problem but have lost some that had change (even with the quarters taped so they don't rattle).
I send purchased (self addressed) bubble envelopes and tuck them inside a plain brown envelope. Have also included little craft ziplock baggies to replace the sender's supplies.
Thanks for all the great information. Of course Donna, you know what I'm dying to send for don't you? I need/want to feed my little? obsession with Brugmansias.lol I'll have to ask at the post office if they sell American stamps. Maybe they get them for stamp collectors. That's a good idea to send some replacement seed packets. I make my own little paper ones but I guess they would be okay.
Have you seen the cute little printable seedpackets that they have here at DG. They are under "extras" at the top of the home page. They have all kinds. I used a couple different Chrisitmas ones for the Chrismas Exchange.
If you have any problems,Sandy, let me know. I should have some Brug seeds I could sent to you in a few days.
Donna
It's funny you should mention those little envelopes Donna. I was just looking at them the other day. I have some that someone from the GW site sent me. I made a bunch of my own though because I hate wasting paper. I put 6 envelopes on a page as opposed to 3 or 4. Also, I need a new ink cartridge for my printer so I need to stick with ones that don't have too much colour, at the moment. I'll be looking at them again when I get a new cartridge, as some of them are awfully pretty. If you have Microsoft Publisher on your computer I could send you some of my envelopes.
I haven't seen anybody offering Brug seeds recently so I'm not actually getting any at the moment. Hopefully I'll be able to use the information about dealing across the border in the future though. If you end up with too many seeds I'd certainly be willing to trade you for something. I haven't got my trade list posted here yet. It's going to take me awhile to figure out all the information that they want like the genus and the species, etc.
Sandy
I don't have my trade list posted yet either. I should quit procrastinating and get it done, though. Thank you for the offer of envelopes, Sandy, but unfortunately I don't have Publisher, but I am familiar with it So it's just as well or I'd never get off this blinkin computer. LOL
I know what you mean.
Hi Donna, & everyone - I got lucky with my seeds as well, in this RR. And like you Donna, I had even put 'seeds' on the customs sticker. Plus, I taped a dozen US quarters or so onto a piece of cardboard, in the package. I'm amazed the whole works got there. This is the first time I've actually used any of those 'murrican coins we always seem to have kicking around.
BTW, have any of you actually seen a poppy quarter in person yet? The Tim Hortons around here are all out.... :-(
I never did, Shannon. I wish I had.
Me either. Whether the red wears off or not, it still would've been nice to see one, without paying premium bucks for the gift version. Hmph.
:-)
This message was edited Dec 2, 2004 1:24 PM
We found one too...wish the paint was of better quality tho.
I have 4 of them. It seems you only get them if you ask for them.
Even asking for them is no good here; they were all gone within a few days. I'd better go get some cheese to go with this wine eh?...
I feel guilty now but....I actually only have 2. I gave 2 to my mom. I was at one of the Tim Hortons the other day and I noticed they still have the sign up. Do you want me to try to get a couple more? I could trade you for some seeds.