How to get seeds from Russia - Page 3

**carolyn137** · March 9, 2014

I agree with everything that Craig, nctomatoman, said above.

So Please tone it down. I'm here for a brief time, see the thread started by my brother in General Discussion as to why I've been
been absent and am here now only b'c Liza is watching me to make sure I get back to bed OK.

Thanks in advance, for the cooperation of everyone,

Carolyn

efisakov · March 9, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by carolyn137

I agree with everything that Craig, nctomatoman, said above.

So Please tone it down. I'm here for a brief time, see the thread started by my brother in General Discussion as to why I've been
been absent and am here now only b'c Liza is watching me to make sure I get back to bed OK.

Thanks in advance, for the cooperation of everyone,

Carolyn

Hope you getting better, Carolyn.

Father'sDaughter · March 9, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony_Toronto

Re. placing seeds in regular paper envelope if I recall correctly some people had concerns that going through several sets of rollers unprotected might damage seeds, but not sure if that would really be an issue for seeds that were fairly dessicated.

Based on this package of Dwarf seeds sent to me for the Dwarf Project last month, I'd say the rollers are still a concern. Several seeds were broken into pieces.

Anthony_Toronto · March 10, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Father'sDaughter

Based on this package of Dwarf seeds sent to me for the Dwarf Project last month, I'd say the rollers are still a concern. Several seeds were broken into pieces.

Wow, so it's either pad the package and risk the xray, or don't pad and risk the rollers? Ugh...

Too bad there isn't another solution...I buy a lot of wine from the US, and a lot of the people I see discussing shipping issues talk about shipping bottles of 'olive oil' instead of wine to avoid courier bans on shipping alcohol between individuals in some states, but seems like that type of violation of the law is risky for several reasons, not the least of which is that if the shipper discovers your wine they pay confiscate and destroy it, and who wants to risk several thousand dollars of wine just to save a little money or convenience on shipping...but that never involves international borders, so I don't thing any creative solutions would be at hand in any event, not that I would try anything like that...who knows what customs would do, that's why you always have to be honest when making declarations when crossing the border, unless of course you want 7 years bad luck in the form of being pulled aside and searched every time you cross.

Wi-sunflower · March 10, 2014

I'm curious about how much was in that seed package other than a piece of toweling / napkin ??

While I have been using a folded piece of paper toweling on many packages, i also have at least 1 or 2 pages of paper ( instruction sheet and packing sheet) also wrapped around the seeds. I use those 1/2 sheets of toweling as they are just the right size. But I'm thinking I may need to go with a piece of 1/8" foam that I have available. It would be a bit more squishy for the seeds but would require cutting to make it fit.

Carol

Doug9345 · March 10, 2014

My dwarf project seed was one coin envelope in the half sheet of paper towel. While it wasn't as sever as Farmer's Daughter's packet I could still see indents. It's the only seed that I've gotten that way among the several SASE I've done this year. As far as I can tell it varies from place to place. It may just be differences in how the machines are set or there may be different machines at centers that are higher volume than others.

The other factor is where the seed is in the envelope. Most seeds that are trades or SASE are taped inside so they don't bunch on the bottom or on top of each other. I simply don't remember about the Dwarf seed.

My packet had 12 seeds in it.

Father'sDaughter · March 10, 2014

It was packed the same as most SASE mailings--a standard business envelope with the seed packets tucked inside a folded piece of paper towel. The other two coin envelopes included were unscathed. I didn't take note of where each seed envelope was located within the mailing envelope.

Interestingly, the only other seeds I've ever gotten that were packed this way and arrived damaged were Dwarf Project seeds from a couple of years ago. It must be some USPS sorting facility between here and NC that has heavy duty rollers.

remy · March 10, 2014

As far as shipping to Canada and why some companies won't do it. There are a couple practical reasons.
One is you must actually go to a post office with a Customs Form filled out. The post office is now required to fill out the information on the form into the computer. So you can't just mail out orders like you can for orders within the USA. A big company like Burpee may not be near a PO or think it is worth the expense to send an employee to the PO.
Because Two, the base price of shipping a bubble package (and seeds do need to go in a bubble as mentioned already) to Canada is now $6.50. That is shipping only. It does not take into account the packaging and of course the trip to the PO.
I am about a mile from a PO and charge $8.50 from small packages to Canada, and I really should charge a little more, but people often think it is not worth the cost to them as it stands. I imagine a place like Burpee would have to charge way more to make it worth their time so they just decide not to do it.
Remy

**carolyn137** · March 10, 2014

In 2008 was when some here were getting seeds that had been damaged and showed pictures. So I did an experiment and sent Orange Minsk seeds to different people in different places, same # of seeds, same coin envelopes, some were padded and some were not.

In I think almost all cases the unpadded seeds had damage.

This refers to the roller problem. And since that time there are several of you here who have gotten seeds from me via my seed offers, you've seen how I pad them and no problems reported.

As for X-rays, the only place that's being done, and has been for many years, is mail going to Federal offices in Washigton DC as well as he Senate and House of Representatives, etc.

Hope that helps, and as I look out back Freda and her son, and dog are about to tap some huge maples for sap. No, Luna the dog doesn't do it.All is about two weeks behind here as to sap running and now a big storm for Wensday/Thursday.

Carolyn

**Mischka** · March 10, 2014

Ban hammer in hand - not going to tolerate any more nonsense. The next time, I will be deleting accounts and not posts.

The world is a stressful place these days, fraught with bad things happening. People come here to decompress, speak tomato and forget about their troubles, if only for a little while.

I have an extremely short fuse when it comes to discord here, for those not familiar with my style of moderation... enough said.

Anthony_Toronto · March 10, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by carolyn137

In 2008 was when some here were getting seeds that had been damaged and showed pictures. So I did an experiment and sent Orange Minsk seeds to different people in different places, same # of seeds, same coin envelopes, some were padded and some were not.

In I think almost all cases the unpadded seeds had damage.

This refers to the roller problem. And since that time there are several of you here who have gotten seeds from me via my seed offers, you've seen how I pad them and no problems reported.

As for X-rays, the only place that's being done, and has been for many years, is mail going to Federal offices in Washigton DC as well as he Senate and House of Representatives, etc.

Carolyn

Useful info, good to know. Most of what I've received from across the border comes in padded envelopes, but not always...4 or 5 shipments on the way, will be interesting to see how they do as they were smaller orders so less reason for shipper to throw them in a padded envelope.

neoguy · March 20, 2014

When did dustdevil become a moderator?

Quote:

Originally Posted by dustdevil

To all combatants:

Political and religious topics are prohibited on ALL forums. If anything is meant to be a joke, better put an appropriate smiley after it. Choose your words wisely...we like it peaceful here!

**carolyn137** · March 20, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by neoguy

When did dustdevil become a moderator?

I don't think he was trying to act as a Moderator.

I just went through this thread and some before him and after him said the same thing, so IMO he was just echoing what others had already said.

That happens in many different threads for different reasons, as in "I agree with what's already been said".

Carolyn

March 9, 2014	#31
carolyn137 Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Upstate NY, zone 4b/5a Posts: 21,169	I agree with everything that Craig, nctomatoman, said above. So Please tone it down. I'm here for a brief time, see the thread started by my brother in General Discussion as to why I've been been absent and am here now only b'c Liza is watching me to make sure I get back to bed OK. Thanks in advance, for the cooperation of everyone, Carolyn __________________ Carolyn

March 10, 2014	#38
remy Buffalo-Niagara Tomato TasteFest™ Coordinator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Z6 WNY Posts: 2,354	As far as shipping to Canada and why some companies won't do it. There are a couple practical reasons. One is you must actually go to a post office with a Customs Form filled out. The post office is now required to fill out the information on the form into the computer. So you can't just mail out orders like you can for orders within the USA. A big company like Burpee may not be near a PO or think it is worth the expense to send an employee to the PO. Because Two, the base price of shipping a bubble package (and seeds do need to go in a bubble as mentioned already) to Canada is now $6.50. That is shipping only. It does not take into account the packaging and of course the trip to the PO. I am about a mile from a PO and charge $8.50 from small packages to Canada, and I really should charge a little more, but people often think it is not worth the cost to them as it stands. I imagine a place like Burpee would have to charge way more to make it worth their time so they just decide not to do it. Remy __________________ "I wake to sleep and take my waking slow" -Theodore Roethke Yes, we have a great party for WNY/Ontario tomato growers every year on Grand Island! Owner of The Sample Seed Shop

March 10, 2014	#39
carolyn137 Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Upstate NY, zone 4b/5a Posts: 21,169	In 2008 was when some here were getting seeds that had been damaged and showed pictures. So I did an experiment and sent Orange Minsk seeds to different people in different places, same # of seeds, same coin envelopes, some were padded and some were not. In I think almost all cases the unpadded seeds had damage. This refers to the roller problem. And since that time there are several of you here who have gotten seeds from me via my seed offers, you've seen how I pad them and no problems reported. As for X-rays, the only place that's being done, and has been for many years, is mail going to Federal offices in Washigton DC as well as he Senate and House of Representatives, etc. Hope that helps, and as I look out back Freda and her son, and dog are about to tap some huge maples for sap. No, Luna the dog doesn't do it.All is about two weeks behind here as to sap running and now a big storm for Wensday/Thursday. Carolyn __________________ Carolyn

March 10, 2014	#40
Mischka Tomatoville® Administrator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Bay State Posts: 3,207	Ban hammer in hand - not going to tolerate any more nonsense. The next time, I will be deleting accounts and not posts. The world is a stressful place these days, fraught with bad things happening. People come here to decompress, speak tomato and forget about their troubles, if only for a little while. I have an extremely short fuse when it comes to discord here, for those not familiar with my style of moderation... enough said. __________________ Mischka One last word of farewell, Dear Master and Mistress. Whenever you visit my grave, say to yourselves with regret but also with happiness in your hearts at the remembrance of my long happy life with you: "Here lies one who loved us and whom we loved." No matter how deep my sleep I shall hear you, and not all the power of death can keep my spirit from wagging a grateful tail.

March 10, 2014	#35
Wi-sunflower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,591	I'm curious about how much was in that seed package other than a piece of toweling / napkin ?? While I have been using a folded piece of paper toweling on many packages, i also have at least 1 or 2 pages of paper ( instruction sheet and packing sheet) also wrapped around the seeds. I use those 1/2 sheets of toweling as they are just the right size. But I'm thinking I may need to go with a piece of 1/8" foam that I have available. It would be a bit more squishy for the seeds but would require cutting to make it fit. Carol

March 10, 2014	#36
Doug9345 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Durhamville,NY Posts: 2,706	My dwarf project seed was one coin envelope in the half sheet of paper towel. While it wasn't as sever as Farmer's Daughter's packet I could still see indents. It's the only seed that I've gotten that way among the several SASE I've done this year. As far as I can tell it varies from place to place. It may just be differences in how the machines are set or there may be different machines at centers that are higher volume than others. The other factor is where the seed is in the envelope. Most seeds that are trades or SASE are taped inside so they don't bunch on the bottom or on top of each other. I simply don't remember about the Dwarf seed. My packet had 12 seeds in it.

March 10, 2014	#37
Father'sDaughter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MA/NH Border Posts: 4,919	It was packed the same as most SASE mailings--a standard business envelope with the seed packets tucked inside a folded piece of paper towel. The other two coin envelopes included were unscathed. I didn't take note of where each seed envelope was located within the mailing envelope. Interestingly, the only other seeds I've ever gotten that were packed this way and arrived damaged were Dwarf Project seeds from a couple of years ago. It must be some USPS sorting facility between here and NC that has heavy duty rollers.