Need help with gift/shipping reimbursement/online friend situation.

[sbjf]

A friend of mine from another online community offered to send some baby clothes to whoever thought they could use them. I emailed her and wrote that I would love them and asked her to let me know how much the shipping came to so that I could send her a check for that. In her email back to me she never mentioned the shipping offer. I recieved a pretty large box of beautiful baby girl clothes from her recently with a handwritten note saying to pass on whatever I can't use, but no mention of the shipping charges. I just wrote out a thank you note to her and I'm stumped as to how to handle this now, do I include a 10-15 dollar check for shipping (estimated), or is that tacky? She is a classy mommy and I don't want to insult her by sending money, but I don't want to take advantage of her either.

What would you do??

[BeachBaby]

Bonnie, instead of a check could you get her a $10-15 gift card to a bookstore or wherever and say it is a small token of your appreciation for sending the clothes?

[ribbit1019]

I agree with Megan, send her a gift card with a nice thank you. She probably just wanted the clothes out of her house and wanted them to go to someone she knew and that could use them.

Christy
Maddy born 6/09/04
http://lilypie.com/baby2/040609/3/4/0/-5/.png

Little Man due 3/02/06
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Co-Owner Ribbit Baby

Frogs are lucky, they eat what bugs them.

[sbjf]

the shipping label has the shipping cost on there, $14.50. I am tempted now to just send the check for that amount instead of a gift card, though I like that idea, too. What do you think?

[BeachBaby]

I don't think you can go wrong either way. I'm probably splitting hairs, but if there is any difference the GC may be seen more as a general thank you and the check may be seen more as reimbursement for the shipping. Does that make sense? Really, though, I'm sure she will appreciate either gesture!

[Alys the Cat]

I would still send a gift card rather than a check. Since you offered to cover the shipping costs and she didn't respond, I think she doesn't want/expect to be reimbursed. She's a sweetie - and sending her the card would be an equally nice gesture on your part. :)

[Metermaid]

I wouldn't send money. Can you send a gift basket or something small just to say "thanks"?

[cbm]

I would send her an email saying that the box arrived, and that I would like to know how she wants to handle the shipping charges. I would thank her for the box, but I would send her a thank you note as well for the beautiful things she sent (perhaps focus on a particular item of clothing I really liked).

If no answer is forthcoming, I probably wouldn't worry about it.
It sounds like your friend wanted someone to have it and she truly wanted to gift it. If she is a close friend, you could send her a special gift at any other time of the year calling it a friendship gift.


C.

DS 12/18/04

[kristenk]

I would send a gift card instead of a check. I sent some stuff to an online friend and did it because I wanted to. Granted, shipping didn't come close to $14.50 on my box. She sent me some clothes for DD that she knew I'd like as a thank you and that was wonderful. I think that a gift card would really be appreciated.

[denna]

I wouldn't send a check either. Especially since you mentioned repaying shipping and she did not respond. I would send a gift card or maybe just a gift that you think she'd like. A gift basket w/ candles/food/books anything to show you appreciate her generosity. I am sure she would be happy w/ whatever you decide, she seems like a sweet friend.

HTH

~Denna~

[Jen841]

I had a similar situation with someone, and it was ackward. In lieu of $ I have sent some random gifts for the family/child. They are not ones I would normally gift, but it is fun to do a one for you and one for me thing for someone else. I hope the random things are a day brightener for her.

Do you have some favorite family music... send a CD when a you get one?
Any good books you have read lately.... send it to her
Any fun kitchen gadget... buy 2