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This is a question that's been bugging me for a while: Why does GW shipments take to long to arrive?

My experience has been that even the cheapest of the cheap shipping methods take about a week, but GW takes about a month. I have had thing shipped from China and the middle east arrive before a GW package is even processed. It's like they just sit in the USPS facility. Why is this?

Where in the US do you live? GW is located in Texas, I believe, and I'm in Ohio and usually get shipments from them within a week or so of notification.

Merlebird wrote:Where in the US do you live? GW is located in Texas, I believe, and I'm in Ohio and usually get shipments from them within a week or so of notification.

Pennsylvania. my average GW time is 2-3 Weeks

macstrat wrote:...Why is this?

Because you touch yourself at night.

TwoPiece wrote:

macstrat wrote:...Why is this?

Because you touch yourself at night.

I knew I should have covered my webcam...

I typically get my GW shipments quickly. Then again I live in Texas. However others living in other states have said they received their shipments about the same time as me. Unfortunately I never know what they shipped as there is no packing slip provided, which is a pain.

What I've noticed is GW will create a shipping label, then it can take 4 - 10 days for that to finally scan at the initial facility. Once on route, it doesn't take long...

I heard somewhere that many/most shipping fulfillment centers will place stickers somewhere on the item for inventory, and it would obviously upset card collectors to get decks with random stickers on the cello (that reminds me, the theory11 cards I've seen at Target have an additional barcode sticker on the cello ) so that's why finding an alternative to GW isn't as simple as Googling for another service - however they keep track of decks they do it without stickers

wingedpotato wrote:What I've noticed is GW will create a shipping label, then it can take 4 - 10 days for that to finally scan at the initial facility. Once on route, it doesn't take long...

That actually makes A LOT of sense and would explain the long ass times between getting a shipping number and the actual deck

hsbc wrote:I heard somewhere that many/most shipping fulfillment centers will place stickers somewhere on the item for inventory, and it would obviously upset card collectors to get decks with random stickers on the cello (that reminds me, the theory11 cards I've seen at Target have an additional barcode sticker on the cello ) so that's why finding an alternative to GW isn't as simple as Googling for another service - however they keep track of decks they do it without stickers

I get what you are saying. Recently, they have just been adding a "Packaged by"card in the bubble wrap. This has less of an impact for me, as I open all the decks I get like a kid at Christmas. But I can see where that would make other shippers an issue.

I started getting the “packed by” cards as well. Only two so far and both by “Amy”.

I just got one today, packaged with care by Mirian, thanks Mirian

It's nothing but upsides for GW - they get to advertise their fulfillment services and use the name to be able to narrow down any quality control issues (I've never had a GW package be incorrect but I'm sure it happens), and it's a personal touch for consumers

hsbc wrote:I just got one today, packaged with care by Mirian, thanks Mirian

It's nothing but upsides for GW - they get to advertise their fulfillment services and use the name to be able to narrow down any quality control issues (I've never had a GW package be incorrect but I'm sure it happens), and it's a personal touch for consumers

I got a Miriam too, but not an amy. I wonder what happens when you collect the whole set...

Shipping issues aside, you are right. I have never recieved a bad shipment from them.

The only problem I have with GW is that they don't mention the project they are shipping and that poses a huge problem to international backers if things get stopped at customs. How hard could it be, to mention the project in the email with the tracking number?

macstrat wrote:

hsbc wrote:I just got one today, packaged with care by Mirian, thanks Mirian

It's nothing but upsides for GW - they get to advertise their fulfillment services and use the name to be able to narrow down any quality control issues (I've never had a GW package be incorrect but I'm sure it happens), and it's a personal touch for consumers

I got a Miriam too, but not an amy. I wonder what happens when you collect the whole set...

My Arabesque Players pair came with a card indicating it had been packaged by an Anayancy. Could be fun to collect 'em all. I got a shipping notification (without any kind of reference information, naturally ) from GW yesterday, so I guess I'll see in a week or so whether I get a new QC rep trading card

Smocito wrote:The only problem I have with GW is that they don't mention the project they are shipping and that poses a huge problem to international backers if things get stopped at customs. How hard could it be, to mention the project in the email with the tracking number?

Thats a good point. I know I usually match things up by kickstarter comments. I have only ever had one shipment stopped by US Customs. When they called about it, they explained what was in the box. How does this work for other countries? Do they just not tell you?

I've gotten two of those cards so far, both "by Yuridia."

Now, I'll have to hold onto these and, as you say, collect the whole set. Because I don't have enough other crazy cards to collect....

Mine was packed by April. And yes, it is flipping annoying that GW notices do not contain any details on what is being shipped.

macstrat wrote:

Smocito wrote:The only problem I have with GW is that they don't mention the project they are shipping and that poses a huge problem to international backers if things get stopped at customs. How hard could it be, to mention the project in the email with the tracking number?

Thats a good point. I know I usually match things up by kickstarter comments. I have only ever had one shipment stopped by US Customs. When they called about it, they explained what was in the box. How does this work for other countries? Do they just not tell you?

In Portugal, they only open the package in rare situations.
Customs only tell you who sent it (Gamblers Warehouse) and the description they see in the box (usually it just says playing cards or something like that).

Everything above 22€ (shipping included) should pay taxes and customs fees.
The cost declared in the box is ignored by customs, everybody knows the value is fake.
We need to provide documents with the description and value of the goods and a document with the money transaction (a print of the PayPal email or the credit card movement)

I also have to check Kickstarter comments and sometimes ask creators for help identifying the tracking numbers.

Smocito wrote:

macstrat wrote:

Smocito wrote:The only problem I have with GW is that they don't mention the project they are shipping and that poses a huge problem to international backers if things get stopped at customs. How hard could it be, to mention the project in the email with the tracking number?

Thats a good point. I know I usually match things up by kickstarter comments. I have only ever had one shipment stopped by US Customs. When they called about it, they explained what was in the box. How does this work for other countries? Do they just not tell you?

In Portugal, they only open the package in rare situations.
Customs only tell you who sent it (Gamblers Warehouse) and the description they see in the box (usually it just says playing cards or something like that).

Everything above 22€ (shipping included) should pay taxes and customs fees.
The cost declared in the box is ignored by customs, everybody knows the value is fake.
We need to provide documents with the description and value of the goods and a document with the money transaction (a print of the PayPal email or the credit card movement)

I also have to check Kickstarter comments and sometimes ask creators for help identifying the tracking numbers.

In Germany, we hav'ta go to the customs office where the package is being held and are required to open it ourselves which I have no complaints about since I know they're not just gunna tear into it lol. But yea, for the most part, they do base the VAT off what the cost is declared... I think I only had one incident in which I had to prove it but even then, I just pulled up the first random transaction on paypal and that seemed to satisfy them enough...

Honestly, what gets flagged and what doesn't here seems so completely random - I've had a 7€ amazon purchase get pulled my theory is that they just pull those that look suspicious in some way... for example, if docs are all in some language they can't identify, or the box is hobbled together with just duct tape, or multiple shipping labels still leftover and crossed out to reuse the box, or the cost declared seems especially high/low for what's supposedly inside. (ps. those that do send me stuff, I know it seems stupid, but please send it in a "pretty box" 'kay, thnx! lol) But, without knowing what exactly is being shipped from GW, I have so little idea of what to expect or what I'll need to bring if anything and it's a real pain in the @ss... like c'mon - just tell what's in dem damn boxes ffs! Is it really that hard?!

PipChick wrote:(ps. those that do send me stuff, I know it seems stupid, but please send it in a "pretty box" 'kay, thnx! lol)

i came out to have a good time and i'm honestly feeling so attacked right now

PipChick wrote:(ps. those that do send me stuff, I know it seems stupid, but please send it in a "pretty box" 'kay, thnx! lol)

Does this qualify for /r/ChoosingBeggars? Sure, send me free stuff, but only if it comes in a pretty box I kid, I kid!

Merlebird wrote:

PipChick wrote:(ps. those that do send me stuff, I know it seems stupid, but please send it in a "pretty box" 'kay, thnx! lol)

i came out to have a good time and i'm honestly feeling so attacked right now

lol - never had a problem with yours 'Bird <3

But I have recieved boxes that weren't actually boxes... just like bubble wrap duck-tapped together with a shipping label slapped on lol... I mean, it worked for me and I don't really care but, admittedly, I can understand why customs pulled it as it probably looked like a bomb or g-pack of crack lmao

MagikFingerz wrote:

PipChick wrote:(ps. those that do send me stuff, I know it seems stupid, but please send it in a "pretty box" 'kay, thnx! lol)

Does this qualify for /r/ChoosingBeggars? Sure, send me free stuff, but only if it comes in a pretty box I kid, I kid!

o yea, of course! gimme gimme gimme! If you do, I'll be your very bestest best friend for life

totally just playin' btw... I still won't be your friend

PipChick wrote:But I have recieved boxes that weren't actually boxes... just like bubble wrap duck-tapped together with a shipping label slapped on lol... I mean, it worked for me and I don't really care but, admittedly, I can understand why customs pulled it as it probably looked like a bomb or g-pack of crack lmao

I worked for Volvo Construction at one point in their copy room. I remember we had a guy whose sole purpose was filling out customs forms for international delivery. We would always be getting them back in the mail, wrapped up like a dead body because somewhere along the line the paperwork got screwed up.