Sending gifts overseas is a nightmare

THIS is a friendly warning to anyone who is contemplating sending gifts to loved ones overseas.

If you want to be halfway sure that it gets ,use a non-governmental courier service.

If you use the government service, it probably won’t get there.

This is the second time in a year that I have sent a gift to a relative in the States and it never got there.

The last time I used a tracking number and all they can tell me is that the ‘ship left on 4 December’.

I used the surface mail because it was cheaper. Sometimes if you use airmail it may wind up costing more than the gift itself.

You must know that the courier service will cost a pretty penny, but at least you know it will get there and they can have a Merry Christmas or Happy Birthday or whatever.

So to the South African Postal Service I say, ‘Thanks a lot!’

CASUAL BYSTANDER