Mailing non-perishables

[Patty]

I have read several posts from folks who have sent a box ahead of their trip. Just wondering how far ahead I should send it?

[Dave-a-roni]

I've never mailed to St. John, but I've mailed non perishables back from and it took about a month
I called the post office on St. John and the guy on the phone said (tongue and cheek):
"Slow boat to China, man!"
My guess is that it would be a lot faster the other way around. But who knows.

[susan & herb]

Actually I mailed a large box down before our trip in May. Sent it thru the post office return receipt requested and sent it to Connections (they have an "office" in Coral Bay next to Skinny Legs and one in Cruz Bay. It took about a week to get there. I sent it 2 weeks out just to be sure. If you e-mail connections they will tell you how to address the label so that it doesn't get held up in Puerto Rico. Seems the post office scanners are very sensitive. Worked out great for us. I sent loads of books, suntan lotion etc.

[StJohnRuth]

ALWAYS use Priority Mail, regardless of what they tell you at your local Post Office. "Parcel Post" is ground service to Miami, then they put it on a boat and it take 3-5 weeks.
Priority Mail is supposed to take 3-5 days. In reality, it can tak up to twelve days but it's always better than the other way.
If you can, look into the Flat Rate Boxes. Either get them at your local Post Office or go online to www.usps.com and have them mail some to you. There are two sizes now. One is around $10.00, the other $13.00. Always use delivery confirmation.
Recap: Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation, Flat Rate Boxes if you can get them. Allow two weeks to be safe.
-Ruth

[flip-flop]

We did priority mail with receipt confirmation and it got there in less than a week.

[TropicAtHeart]

Has anyone noticed any time delivery difference between sending a Priority box to St. Thomas (let's say to a hotel) and sending one to St. John? I usually send a Priority box directly to the first place I'll be (this time a hotel in St. Thomas). I was thinking of allowing about 10 days and notifying the hotel just to hold it 'til I arrive. Staying at the Morningstar on free points for a few days before heading to St. John. Any comments.

[Ksea]

I sent two priority mail boxes down on 6/2. One flat rate box and one square cardboard box. The flat rate box arrived on 6/4. The other one arrived 6/10 according to the USPS tracking service. I emailed the Villa owner to let him know they were there and could he pick them up for me. He went yesterday but the STJ post office says nope, they are not here yet.
The Villa owner explained that things don't work the same on STJ, you know, Island Time. I said yes I understand that. Im sure they will "arrive" soon. We'll be there in 8 days.