lennynatural's blog post - A Minor Dilemma

Tuesday, November 11, 2014, 8:37:00 PM

A woman on a food site I visit has a Meyer lemon tree (Meyer lemons are the Cadillac of lemons) and she has much more than she can use or give away locally, so she offered them to her fellow food forum rats. I was lucky enough to get my name in on time. So now the lemons are in route. She said she doesn't want anything for them but some people (including me) asked about reimbursing her for the cost of shipping. While no one is obligated to reimburse her it just seems like the right thing to do. She has sent out 15 packages total at a cost of just over $18 per package. Now, this is my question. I don't want to send a personal check so I was thinking about stuffing a $20 bill in an envelope. Chances are it will arrive to her with no problems but there is always the outside possibility of it getting lost. So I'm thinking about a gift card. But if I mail a gift card I might as well just mail the currency. Then I thought maybe an Amazon gift card that would be delivered to her via email. Easy and guaranteed instant delivery. What are your thoughts on the Amazon gift card? Good idea or not?

Just in case you're thinking this might be a scam, not to worry, I won't be sending reimbursement before the lemons are in my hands. Of course I could get a money order but I don't want to jump through hoops, just wanna get this nice lady her money back with minimal effort.

Comments

Others Have Said:

DubbleStrubble on 11-Nov-14 21:02:34

If it were me, I'd be delighted with your thoughtfulness and a gift card.

sexyeyesblondie1 on 11-Nov-14 21:19:23

Agrees with Dubble.

Ellefoxie on 11-Nov-14 21:38:30

Walmart also do something similar I think it is called an e-card - a phone call to her local store/stores may help and not just Walmart. I had an Walmart e-card given to me and it worked fine :) Good luck lenny luvvy xox

lovitt on 12-Nov-14 5:24:36

I have sent cash in a card before with no problems.

juicy on 12-Nov-14 14:00:48

I am sure the US Postal service has something similar to here. Registered mail. It is guaranteed to get there and has to be signed for. It is another thought anyway.

LuLusBakery on 12-Nov-14 15:06:09

I remember when I was a kid and all of my relatives would send cash in the mail, never a second thought. Those were the days!

If it were me, I'd probably take the chance with the $20 cash. I'm a gambler that way.

Wodja on 14-Nov-14 10:12:04

I would wait out the 30 day money back trial period ...... just incase there is a lemon in amongst them :D

Jersey_Girl on 30-Jan-15 5:04:55

I'd go with the Amazon card. That way you don't even have to give her your return address. I'm of the opinion that when it comes to online personal communications, the less traceable info, the better. It would be more than worth it to me just to avoid having to put my return address on the envelope.
Registered mail costs at least $4.00, a high price for sending a money order of $18.00.
Cash is cash. Once it's lost in the mail you have no recourse. Ditto a gift card. The chances of it being lost, however, are low. Companies mail checks for $100K and more and don't worry about them, but, then again, they are checks. Boy, I bet you never expected or wanted to know everything I know about mailing;)