Anonymous wrote:I like to send things to my grandkids occasionally. Often they are small items or good bargains, like a tshirt or book, and the cost to ship would be as much as the item itself! So I order as store pickup rather than directly shipping to their house and let my daughter and DIL know so they can pick it up. I only do this for stores relatively close to them, it's not like they are an hour away.
Well I thought this was fine but I ordered a couple things for the start of school and my son contacts me yesterday saying to please stop because his wife does not "have time" to pickup up the items before school starts. Apparently the store closes too early to go in the evening and even though she teleworks can't find the time to go at lunch? I really don't get how no one wants to shop in a store anymore! I had to take my kids everywhere in person when they were little. Should I just stop sending gifts and wait until the holidays? Or only order from stores that offer curbside pickup so they don't have to physically go in?
OP, How much money are you saving on shipping?
And then, how much does your DIL maker per hour? (her salary/40hrs. I am guessing)
Considering the above math, are you saving like $5-10 of shipping, while DIL is "spending" the value of $X of HER TIME chasing down an inexpensive gift INSIDE of a store?
Sorry, while the thought is there, it is likely just not worth it.
And from a household perspective, why didn't you charge YOUR SON with tracking down these gifts over the years?
If it's the thought that counts of these little gifts, how about small gift cards that you order online for a local frozen yogurt or ice cream shop, or mini-golf place etc. that you can ship FREE of cost or send via email. No clutter, fun gift, and ease of receipt.