Balikbayan Boxes

[joe_guillen 0]

We live in Kentucky and having a hard time finding a shipper. does anyone use a shipper in this area?

[joe_guillen 0]

We live in Kentucky and having a difficult time finding a shipper, does anyone use a shipper in this area?

[DEDixon 39]

KY will be a difficult place to send from.

even though i'm in CA, we have only sent one box for christmas. we wanted them to have something to open, something to bring the family together on christmas day. the cost of shipping adds to the cost of the products inside so we just send a little cash for birthdays. my wife sometimes wants to send clothes, however the RP is full of cheap clothes, way cheaper than we can get so i tell her, "what's the point?" i say to her, "if you want them to have clothes, send them some money, it is way easier."

only reason i can think to send a box is when all the stuff inside is free. there might be a few other one-off reasons, but to supply the family with their basic needs, we occasionally send money. sending basic needs in a box just doesn't make sense to me.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

There are things, like vitamins, and chocolate, that are hard to find, or are expensive in the R.P. Plus, anything with a label, just to say it came from the US, makes it a treasured item. For the 70 or 80 dollars it costs to send the box, you can make a lot of people smile back in the barrio.

ETA: Organizers! OP would get better responses in the PI Forum

Edited May 16, 2010 by ##########

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

Regarding the why of Balikbayan Boxes, the point has nothing to do with how much the things cost here vs there. It's about the family member who is abroad helping to take care of those they left behind. In the Philippines mail isn't an everyday thing like here and packages are even more special.

My mother-in-law always asks for SPAM in the B.B. Boxes (as we call them) even though it's actually cheaper there. Like she says to my wife, it tastes better because it's free! Ha ha ha...

Seriously, when they know a Box is arriving it's a big event for everyone in the family (locally) because it's more special than Christmas. It tells them that they are still remembered and loved by the distant family member.

When we send the boxes we try to include something for everyone in the family, even if it's something small & seemingly trivial.

I guess it goes with the way OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers) have become a normal part of life in the Philippines.

[DEDixon 39]

and when that RP bank account is refreshed, they smile too.

to each their own, i'm more into supplying needs rather than wants and the money we send does that just fine.

just stating the opposing view for others who might be feeling a little guilty for just sending money.

***

we are supporting the enrollment of 3 nephews in private school and a tutor to help the older nephew survive in private school. i tell the parents, your future is in your kids. so anything beyond the cheapest way to help is just over the top for me. christmas is the exception because it is a very special time of year in the RP.

[Markieboy 104]

We live in Kentucky and having a hard time finding a shipper. does anyone use a shipper in this area?

Hi Joe,

You may want to contact Ben. His email address is listed on his website. He and his wife offer balikbayan box delivery services.

I'm not sure how near they are to you, but at least it's within your state. Hope this helps some.

Edited May 16, 2010 by Markieboy

[Dogwood_Poet 16]

Search for an Asian store close to home. We live in Paducah (western Kentucky) and there are several about an hour's drive and they are drop off locations for shippers. The prices are from $80 to $110 depending on carrier and what island it is going to.

We can drop off a box on a trip to stock up on her 'hometown' favorites.

[proudcebuana 0]

Ask for "SaL" he is in Louisville. You can send a large box for $115 to anywhere in PI

phone (502)-495-0255

3435 brecken ridge ln Louisville, KY 40220

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

and when that RP bank account is refreshed, they smile too.

to each their own, i'm more into supplying needs rather than wants and the money we send does that just fine.

just stating the opposing view for others who might be feeling a little guilty for just sending money.

***

we are supporting the enrollment of 3 nephews in private school and a tutor to help the older nephew survive in private school. i tell the parents, your future is in your kids. so anything beyond the cheapest way to help is just over the top for me. christmas is the exception because it is a very special time of year in the RP.

I am happy for you that your wife's family can be trusted with money. My in-laws, however, are total scammers, and are always laying a guilt trip on the wife. They will go as far as to borrow money from another relative, and have the relative ask my wife to pay the relative back. They exaggerate every little bump and bruise, and then there are the nieces, nephews, cousins, all that want on the gravy train. When my BIL shows up with a new car, a new girlfriend (he's still married), and a new GPS, and then asks the wife to cover the tuition he was supposed to send back home, for his own kids, you can see the papaya doesn't fall too far from the tree.

Edited May 16, 2010 by ##########

[SuperDuper! 230]

Refreshing the bank acct is nice, but sending a B-Box is very exciting for the family, because the box is filled with L-O-V-E. We like to collect decent things from Estate Sales and fill the Box with dead people's junk and send it back to the PI. Hope the Ghosts don't hitch a ride, hehe. Ded is my kinda guy, tho. Just keep feeding 'em cash and keep 'em quiet, hehe.

[rogail 2]

Ask for "SaL" he is in Louisville. You can send a large box for $115 to anywhere in PI

phone (502)-495-0255

3435 brecken ridge ln Louisville, KY 40220

[rogail 2]

Ask for "SaL" he is in Louisville. You can send a large box for $115 to anywhere in PI

phone (502)-495-0255

3435 brecken ridge ln Louisville, KY 40220

We always use them when sending a box to philippines. They ship thru forex.

[DEDixon 39]

I am happy for you that your wife's family can be trusted with money. My in-laws, however, are total scammers, and are always laying a guilt trip on the wife. They will go as far as to borrow money from another relative, and have the relative ask my wife to pay the relative back. They exaggerate every little bump and bruise, and then there are the nieces, nephews, cousins, all that want on the gravy train. When my BIL shows up with a new car, a new girlfriend (he's still married), and a new GPS, and then asks the wife to cover the tuition he was supposed to send back home, for his own kids, you can see the papaya doesn't fall too far from the tree.

my wife has warned them not to violate my trust and so far, no problems. the tuition is bigger money so we electronically deposit it into the school's bank account.

one time, my wife's mother was in the hospital and i joked with my wife that i wanted pictures before sending a penny.

[DEDixon 39]

Ask for "SaL" he is in Louisville. You can send a large box for $115 to anywhere in PI

phone (502)-495-0255

3435 brecken ridge ln Louisville, KY 40220

wow, that's big money! 45 to 65 from CA.