My most popular post and the one I recommend the most is about parcel forwarding. I have compared prices with MyUS, Bongo, Price USA etc and have found the service and cost is way better using Ship it to. I have the occasional account where you only pay as an item arrives. For $8.50 they take a photo of your item to confirm it's yours, email to let you know it's arrived, give you free limited time storage and sends it on. You log into your account check the photo, fill in your customs form online and then check how you want to send it. There are usually 5 or 6 choices and the time each service takes is right there and whether they have tracking and insurance or not. Then using Paypal or credit card you pay the cost and within a day the parcel is on it's way.
My bedding set by Migi arrived from Baby Super Mall within 10 days and for a huge box it was quite cheap compared to posting within Australia. I ordered shoes and had them sent for $13 with regular air mail which takes about 3 weeks compared to the $86 the store was going to charge.
The setting up of your account is very easy and you are given your own private US address that you supply to the store you are buying from.
They have a contact number and online forum if you have any questions or concerns.
My third parcel is on it's way and I have been super impressed with how easy it has been.
Also my Asos Australia order came within 10 days and they now have a return address within Australia so there is no huge cost to return unwanted items. With free shipping it's a great way to try and buy within the comfort of your own home.
SHIP IT TO
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Not happy Jan
I used International Checkout for the first tome to buy nursing tops from a US store. They arrange payment and shipping and if you pay with a non US card you have no choice but to use their service. Well the order was placed and a few days later I got an email saying one item was out of stock, they refunded the cost. 2 weeks go by and no news so I log on and check my account and it says they are waiting on one item. Well if they didn't have it how could I order and pay for it? Why no email to explain the delay! I emailed and asked how long it would be. They said they would check,next thing I know I get an email saying I had another refund then my items were posted. I don't which items have been sent and no actual person spoke to me.
So lesson learnt I will stick to parcel forwarding or sending direct from the store.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Favourite Things Part 2
Dummies! I had 3 very sucky babies that loved their dummies but it wasn't until this time around that I found gumdrop dummies. Gumdrop dummies in Australia
You can order them from the US Baby Haven US here too.
What do I like about them?
All in one peice
Safer than plastic ones
BPA free
Easy to hold onto
Great sizes
The smell- yummy!
Incredibly cheap
The colours
We have tried so many brands and these are by far my favourite!
Swaddling: the Woombie!! Another new find that has been a godsend. We tried swaddles, miracle blankets, wraps and velcro and this one has lasted the distance.
http://www.woombieaustralia.com.au/
I love the deluxe version as they are so cute :)
You can order them from the US Baby Haven US here too.
What do I like about them?
All in one peice
Safer than plastic ones
BPA free
Easy to hold onto
Great sizes
The smell- yummy!
Incredibly cheap
The colours
We have tried so many brands and these are by far my favourite!
Swaddling: the Woombie!! Another new find that has been a godsend. We tried swaddles, miracle blankets, wraps and velcro and this one has lasted the distance.
http://www.woombieaustralia.com.au/
I love the deluxe version as they are so cute :)
Peaceful sleep :)
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Prams....for 2!
I have had a few double prams most were unusual ones but my new one for baby 3 is the iCandy Peach.
I have had the iCandy Pear before but this new version is quite different.
It is great to use with a baby capsule on the back and toddler in the front. Large basket with easy access too, nothing more fustrating than having no where to put anything. It looks very stylish too and most importantly it doesn't push like a truck. Unlike a side by side we fit tthrough check outs and doors and don't knock clothes off the racks lol
http://www.icandyworld.com/au/en/
http://www.icandyworld.com/au/en/products/peach_blossom the double
I love that this is a double, single and suitable for twins or siblings.
video of the iCandy Peach
I have had the iCandy Pear before but this new version is quite different.
It is great to use with a baby capsule on the back and toddler in the front. Large basket with easy access too, nothing more fustrating than having no where to put anything. It looks very stylish too and most importantly it doesn't push like a truck. Unlike a side by side we fit tthrough check outs and doors and don't knock clothes off the racks lol
http://www.icandyworld.com/au/en/
http://www.icandyworld.com/au/en/products/peach_blossom the double
I love that this is a double, single and suitable for twins or siblings.
video of the iCandy Peach
Parcel Forwarding...
It has only become popular in the last few years for US stores to send here but even if they do they often have exorbitant shipping costs or only use Fedex or DHL which are quick but costly.
The alternative is to use a parcel forwarder. There are quite a few on the market like Myus and Bongo but after seeing their fees I shopped around. I used:SHIPITO
I ordered a pair of shoes and the store wanted $86 to send them but I wasn't in a rush so I sent them to shipito and opened an account. It costs $8.50 per parcel on the casual membership with no annual fee. Once you have an account you get a personal address which you use when buying items. When it arrives you get an email notification and have 7 days free storage before sending it. When you go into your account there are several different postage options from different companies and you choose how much to pay and how quickly you want it. My shoes were sent via USPS and took about 4 weeks which is a bit slower than the normal 2-3 weeks but most of my mail has been slow this month. It cost only $13 to send but this option had no tracking either.
With some US companies they have partnered up with: http://www.internationalcheckout.com/
I ordered nursing tops from the US and checked out with them....the store sends the goods to the company who then send them to you. It is slightly more expensive than just the postage costs because of this. the downside being one of the items I ordered is not in stock and the parcel won't be sent until it arrives. When I paid it didn't say out of stock and I got no email notification until I sent an email asking why it hadn't been sent yet. 3 weeks from purchase date and still waiting........
The alternative is to use a parcel forwarder. There are quite a few on the market like Myus and Bongo but after seeing their fees I shopped around. I used:SHIPITO
I ordered a pair of shoes and the store wanted $86 to send them but I wasn't in a rush so I sent them to shipito and opened an account. It costs $8.50 per parcel on the casual membership with no annual fee. Once you have an account you get a personal address which you use when buying items. When it arrives you get an email notification and have 7 days free storage before sending it. When you go into your account there are several different postage options from different companies and you choose how much to pay and how quickly you want it. My shoes were sent via USPS and took about 4 weeks which is a bit slower than the normal 2-3 weeks but most of my mail has been slow this month. It cost only $13 to send but this option had no tracking either.
With some US companies they have partnered up with: http://www.internationalcheckout.com/
I ordered nursing tops from the US and checked out with them....the store sends the goods to the company who then send them to you. It is slightly more expensive than just the postage costs because of this. the downside being one of the items I ordered is not in stock and the parcel won't be sent until it arrives. When I paid it didn't say out of stock and I got no email notification until I sent an email asking why it hadn't been sent yet. 3 weeks from purchase date and still waiting........
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
My favourite buys....
Now I am on my third child it feels like I have bought and tried it all!
From baby bottles to dummies and clothes we all have a favourite brand or item that works for us and I have certainly learnt from the failures. So here is the first post on my favourites:
Number one pram.....Stoke Xplory. After trying many, many prams this has been my number one favourite. At the moment I am using it with both the car seat and the bassinet and the toddler board. The shopping bag on the front holds so much and easily detaches to carry it inside. The hood is large and has a mesh panel to open for extra air flow. The seat goes higher and lower so it is great as a high chair while eating out. As the child sits higher than most prams they see the world and not the floor, plus you don't hurt your back tending to baby.
I recently upgraded to the 2011 version with the shaped seat, new colours, easier footrest and so much more.
http://www.stokke.com/en-au/stroller/stokke-xplory-concept.aspx
Favourite kids clothing....I love quite a few brands from the overseas labels I love Gymboree and Mothercare. I have found both are great value and last so much longer than our labels. For clothes here I love Oobi and Sooki. Both have unique patterns, colours and styles so your child doesn't blend in with everyone else.
More to come....
From baby bottles to dummies and clothes we all have a favourite brand or item that works for us and I have certainly learnt from the failures. So here is the first post on my favourites:
Number one pram.....Stoke Xplory. After trying many, many prams this has been my number one favourite. At the moment I am using it with both the car seat and the bassinet and the toddler board. The shopping bag on the front holds so much and easily detaches to carry it inside. The hood is large and has a mesh panel to open for extra air flow. The seat goes higher and lower so it is great as a high chair while eating out. As the child sits higher than most prams they see the world and not the floor, plus you don't hurt your back tending to baby.
I recently upgraded to the 2011 version with the shaped seat, new colours, easier footrest and so much more.
http://www.stokke.com/en-au/stroller/stokke-xplory-concept.aspx
Favourite kids clothing....I love quite a few brands from the overseas labels I love Gymboree and Mothercare. I have found both are great value and last so much longer than our labels. For clothes here I love Oobi and Sooki. Both have unique patterns, colours and styles so your child doesn't blend in with everyone else.
More to come....
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