Am I being cheap???

fran13

Once again I am looking for a gift card for my in-laws.  This time for Afternoon Tea at the Empress Hotel in British Columbia.  Tea will cost $110.  (not a typo)  The gift card must be ordered online and costs $15.48 to ship it to me.  WTF????

That makes me not want to buy it.... Is that cheap?

jimjen

Why does it cost $15.48 to ship?  That is crazy, I don't think your being cheap.

tmp-178865

Coming from British Columbia and most likely insured, I don't think $15.48 is unreasonable. 

You are spending $110 on tea for two, or two for tea (mary poppins??).  Just suck it up and spend the $15 on the shipping.  And whatever you do, if you ever order concert tickets online, never look at the charges they hit you up for, if the $15.48 gets you so ticked.  You'll be off the wall with Ticketmaster fees. 

MonaLS

That drives me crazy.  Is it 2 day or 1 day shipping?  I have chocolates I love to order for people and its 25 dollar shipping.  Needless to say, only my gramma has gotten them.

fran13

The card is coming from the Fairmont Hotel group, located in the good old US of A.  I think maybe I'll just buy a Visa gift card and print out a certificate.  Is there a charge for the Visa gift cards?

tmp-178865

Is it coming via FEDEX or UPS by chance.  That could explain it.  

fran13

$15.48 was the cheaper shipping method.  It was $20.48 for UPS. 

tmp-820013437509176

Fran - Visa Gift cards, once activated charge a monthly maintence fee I think of $2-$5 (can't remember).  I was given one as a gift ($100) and had a hard time finding places that it would go through as a credit, it got denied everywhere!  And eventually the monthly maintence fees ate up the balance.  I think I used maybe $30 or $40 of the gift card.

I would pay the $15 S&H.  At least you know they won't have trouble using the gift certificate.

ilovescottd

It is expensive but it's a memory and experience that you're offering them.  I would pay it and be done with it so you don't have to worry about anything else. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Blond1e9

I dont think thats cheap...
My confession for my inlaws I have lunch with a client and then get a gift card from that restaurant and then I write the whole check off for work... Now thats cheap

hope no one i work with is spying on me

jlcs519

Just consider it as part of the total package.  If you want to get them the tea,  it costs $125.48.  If that is more than you want to spend, that is the issue.  But to get them this gift, that is what it costs. 

sue_bride

I agree with pp, it is a memorable experience.  I went two years ago with friends and we dragged the husbands.  They even had a good time.  

As for the shipping.  It is international.  I know that Canada is just to the north, but it does have to go through customs.  It is probably insured as well.    Just suck it up and buy it.