topic Re: Get It By Christmas in Community Chat

Get It By Christmas

Suhse — Sun, 11 Dec 2016 21:36:56 GMT

My local paper, today, offered some insights, on this familiar holiday refrain.

"Are you a procrastinator, or, are there other, perfectly valid reasons, such as budget, that have you shopping at the

Last minute?"l

Whatever the reasons, shopping on line, through electronic retailers, or by catalog, at the last minute, is very risky business.

Those promises of "guaranteed Christmas Delivery", arent really much of a guarantee, and arent likely to get you more than a return of shipping fees, if the promise falls short.

Consumer advocate groups, caution shoppers to use common sense . "The retailer can only control getting the merchandise out the door, then its in the shippers hands. Nasty weather, overworked, overstressed employees, all manner of unforeseen complications, can have you and your recipient, disappointed and angry, when your gift is a no show.

If you choose to, or must, shop late, and you're not buying locally,

be prepared for the possibility, of a late arriving gift, and should it happen, DON'T let it ruin your holiday.

On the the overall scale of life's disappointments, a late gift is pretty minor. You and the people that you love, are here, and getting ready for a new year. Apologize explain what happened. Dont make it a bigger deal than it is. Chances are, your recipient won't either.

Bottom line, if a late gift, Would ruin your Christmas, be smart, shop as early as possible, and shop local!

Re: Get It By Christmas

Annabellethecat66 — Sun, 11 Dec 2016 21:47:24 GMT

After my daughters became adults, I don't worry much about giving gifts RIGHT AT Christmas. I enjoy the days leading up to Christmas but the day itself comes and goes so quickly and people often forget what it's about.

I have 7 young grandchildren and I really enjoy giving them things for Christmas. They are very appreciative. I get what their Mothers tell me to get so the children and the parents are happy.

I give them lots of things all during the year (called, "I love you gifts". I take the one's who live her shoe shopping, movies, lunch, book store, etc. Just getting to spend time with them is my gift from them and their parents. I feel honored because their parents trust me with the most valuable thing in their lives. They tell them stories about growing up with my husband and myself and how much fun it was. That, also, is a gift.

Often I don't get everything to them right at Christmas. I think it's fun to get presents AFTER Christmas too. It's like the gift that keeps giving.

Re: Get It By Christmas

DiAnne — Sun, 11 Dec 2016 21:51:40 GMT

I am heading to the post office tomorrow to mail my gifts and deliver a few cookie plates. After I get that done I can enjoy the holidays.....

Re: Get It By Christmas

chrystaltree — Sun, 11 Dec 2016 21:57:22 GMT

That last sentence says it all. I'm pretty sure experienced shoppers already know all of tha stuff. It delivery situation gets worse every year, I started experienceing delays in delivery two weeks ago. I'm okay with it, they weren't gift items. For me tomorrow 12/12 is the final day for my online shopping for gifts. I'm fairly certain that anything I buy up until tomorrow will get here by Christmas. And if it doesn't.....it doesn't. I'm not buying for children, I'm buying for adults. If a gift doesn't arrive, I'll do what I have done in the past. Wrap a picture of the gift up in a great big gorgeously wrapped box and and with note that says....."in transit". I suppose I could shop in October and November but I like shopping for Christmas gifts during the Christmas season.

Re: Get It By Christmas

Trix — Sun, 11 Dec 2016 22:11:56 GMT

Long time shoppers of catalogues, television (shopping channel and infomercial), and now online know that unless an order is placed before December 15, or you are willing to pay addtional fees for expediated shipping, there is no guarantee of anything being delivered by December 24.

@Suhse, I do think it was a good editorial decision for your local paper to run an article explaining this because thousands folks join the ranks of being mail order shoppers every year. These people are transitioning from being primarily brick and mortar, and/or trying out some of the great retailers one can shop from home, so they need this type of information to help have a better experience using this format of shopping.

Re: Get It By Christmas

Moonchilde — Sun, 11 Dec 2016 22:22:18 GMT

And yet, what do you want to bet we'll have plenty of the usual "QVC/Amazon/Online Retailer Ruined My/My Husband's/Child's Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!" threads on Xmas week?

There will always be people who will never, ever get past "But they PROMISED! And now life as we know it is RUINED because THEY BROKE THEIR PROMISE!"

I haven't felt sorry for these people for years.

The only ones who have a right to feel hard done by are those who order in early-mid November and run into back orders and will-they-or-won't-they get it shipped. Other than that, *it doesn't matter what they promise*, Life Happens. Deal with it.

Re: Get It By Christmas

Nancy Drew — Sun, 11 Dec 2016 22:26:44 GMT

Everyone knows when Christmas is. It is up to you to order in plenty of extra time if you want it by the 25th. While it is nice that retailers try to do last minute delivery there are just too many reasons while it won't make it. I have ordered a few items last minute and twice they did not make it. But I did not care. They were just extra.