USVI-On-Line

ok, I see many people ship stuff down befoe they go, how do you do it? Where do you send it? It's not like I have family down there!

You can send boxes to either Connection or The Mail Room. Call them ahead of time and let them know you will be sending the package and when you will pick it up. They will receive the package and hold it for you until your arrival.

Also, some of the rental companies allow you to send a package to them and they have it waiting for you at the villa. It's always good to check with them first as they may not charge for the service.

XOXO
Bug

I've shipped stuff (mostly kid related) twice, both times directly to Christy's of St. John. They deliver the boxes with our rental gear (also kid related - car seat and packnplay, etc).

I would love to ship everything down ahead of my trip in the interest of traveling light but I do not trust FedEx or the USPS. That would suck if they lost your stuff.

We just shipped a 40 pound box (with all the forumite suggestions about what to ship, it got heavy) USPS Priority and it literally got to Connections in 5 days. You need to address the box exactly as the Connections people tell you with virtually no punctuation so that is scans correctly and goes directly through the system.

Apparently, if the address isn't correctly printed, your box kicks out of an automated sort into a manual system that slows delivery down. Good luck! Connections people have been very helpful.

Just curious..what are the avg costs to ship about 40 lbs? I know it will vary depending on where its coming from..

That's good to hear about the 5 day delivery. I just shipped a package on Monday to Connections for pick-up by the management company. Connections closes at 1:30 on Saturdays which is before our flight arrives. You definitely need to be in their system before the package arrives.

This is our first time at shipping a package.

I just priced sending a 20 pound, 2 ft by 2 ft package down by US Postal Service and it would cost $120. So what is everyone's secret? How did others send down packages, and what was cost? Thanks!!

The secret to control costs is to use a USPS flat rate shipping box. I use the extra large one it was just under $15 with tracking. I actually mailed stuff home this past trip. I put all my liquids in it plus snorkel gear and purchases from the island - it was heavy! I mailed it the morning I left (Weds) and it was on my front door step on Saturday. Again, I reiterate, no punctuation - it messes up the Puerto Rico mail system.

We are carry on all the way and love the convenience of shipping.

I sent a large box down last May and it only cost me $35.00. It was so heavy I couldn't even carry it myself.
Most importantly, and if you call Connections they will give you the exact way to address the box. Seems any misplaced comma causes the box to be delayed!

I sent a 35 pound box (6 sets of snorkel gear, lotions, shampoo, bug spray) from Boston. The cost (with insurance, etc) was $45-50. Now that I have done carry-on only, I would NEVER check bags again. I checked in for our Boston flight 45 minutes before take-off (no problem at all) and was able to be in a cab from STT to the CA ferry in about 5 minutes - I'm guessing this got me on-island at least an hour earlier (with schedules). HOWEVER - next time I won't ship anything at all. The snorkel gear could have been split up into 3 bags (each counting as a "personal item") and the money "saved" on lotions, etc was definitely lost in shipping cost.

Trip report to follow . . . .

Dux

Robin~

We fall into the "shipper" catagory! We ship ahead every trip and love it. We literally ship everything! Nothing like getting on the plane with your purse and a camera bag!!! IMHO!

If you print out your mailing labels on the computer (I simply use Microsoft Publisher...) to read just like so...you should have no trouble! (I mailed three boxes last Tuesday afternoon from Clear Lake, IA and they were sitting in Connections on Friday morning!!!)

CONNECTIONS
6D CRUZ BAY
PO BOX 37
ST JOHN VI 00831-0037

Notice...ALL CAPS, black ink, both the PO Box AND the physical address and no puctuation except the hyphen in the zip-code! Ship priority mail with confirmation. The confirmation is only $.65 and you can track the status of your package(s) online. I typically find the tracking information to be a little on "island time"! Mary Pat usually e-mails me a day or two before the website says they have arrived!

Connections charges a very nominal fee for holding your box(es)...depending on how large they are...and how many times they trip over it! Well worth it...if you want my opinion!

I also print out return labels and stick it in one of our boxes along with an extra roll or two of packing tape! To us...from us...same appearance! Works like a charm!

Having said all of that...I may just have some really good mojo with the USPS...

Be sure to e-mail the girls at Connections to let them know you are shipping. They will be sure to accept the package(s) that way! They are super duper girls!!!

Soon Come

We do USPS priority with DELIVERY CONFIRMATION and paid about $30-35 for a box that was probably 20 or so pounds. It got there in less than a week.