I spent all day today doing publishing stuff. I processed all the orders up until about 2p.m. today, and as soon as my new envelopes arrive tomorrow, I’ll stuff them and ship them, so if you got a confirmation e-mail from me yesterday or today, your book should arrive before the end of next week.
Based on early feedback from buyers, I’m changing a couple things for future orders. First, I have stronger, more reliable bubble envelopes that will protect the books better than the ones I used in the first batch. I thought they’d be fine because we used them for Dancing Barefoot, but I guess when they changed the postal rules for Canadian shipping, they also added claws and chainsaws to the equipment. Books aren’t getting damaged, but the envelopes sure are, and that’s making people nervous. Second, I found out today that it costs about 40 to 50 cents more to ship first class mail, which arrives in three days or so, instead of media mail, which has taken over two weeks for some people. I’m really sorry about that, by the way, for those of you who (like me) thought that when the USPS said, "This takes 2-9 days to arrive" that’s what they actually meant.
I also printed out all the
Canadian orders, which will have to be processed by hand, the way we
used to do it, because thanks to the fucking bullshit new US Postal
Service rules that I guess are new for 2007, I get to fill out a
customs form for each book, and have each one go individually through
the post office, so it costs $4 per book to ship, rather than $9. I
hope you really love this book, Canada, because it’s quite an ordeal to
get it to you. It’s almost like the US government wants to make it as hard as possible for small, independent businesses like mine to do anything with the rest of the world. Er, except send jobs to India. They’re totally cool with that.
I’m desperately hoping that the fucking bullshit with PayPal not telling me what item number goes with what order will resolve itself before the hard cover books arrive. If it doesn’t, I don’t know how I’m going to be able to sell them. (Incidentally, the signed and numbered hardcover will be limited to 300. I was going to limit it to 100, but would had to have charged an outrageously high price just to break even, and that’s not cool. Regardless, I’m guessing — okay, hoping — it will sell out very quickly, so I’ll give 24 hours notice before they go on sale.)
I want this to be fun and awesome again. The last few days, it’s just been frustrating and demoralizing.
Discover more from WIL WHEATON dot NET
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Hey Wil, as a hardcover holdout, I’m sure it will be worth the wait. Sorry you’re having problems with shipping and international orders…I think the whole DHS was just an excuse for more government red tape sometimes. And don’t get me going on the TSA. Anyhow, I bet your hardcover edition will sell out in record time! I’ll be keeping an eye out for it.
Yeowch. Hope everything straightens itself out soon. Unfortunately, the only thing I know about paypal is how to pay people. Which, depending on your perspective, isnt really a bad thing…
Would it be easier (but slower) to
– put your Canadian orders into their addressed envelopes.
– take a week’s worth of these and put them in a single box
– send the box to a friendly Canadian
– have the Canadian put postage on each envelope and mail them off?
Double dumb ass on the USPS and U.S. government in general
Ahem.
Get a rubber stamp made for all the repetitious stuff?
Including signature?
–ml
don’t worry be happy!
Reason I don’t try selling my artwork out of the country myself…don’t want to have to mess with the custom forms! They suck.
You might want to think of getting a merchant acount instead of Pay Pal.
As far as shipping there is always FED EX, UPS and DHL.
DHL is giving grants to small businesses. You can GOOGLE for more info.
Wil, FWIW:
about 40% of my design business is web-based, and I have a number of small business-folk who do short-order cook-type web orders…
some are happy with PayPal, and others (notably a couple of small book publishers) have decided to go the merchant account route, instead. It’s a bit more of a headache to setup (and there are the monthly fees), but _hey!_ no PayPal headaches, at least.
One of my clients uses PracticePay Solutions for their merchant back-end, and they’re really happy with it, including their customer support.
As a USPS employee for the past 12 years, I can empathize with your frustration, Wil. I’ve heard many a customer complain about one or more of our regulations.
I got my own copy of HDOOL two days ago, and it was in excellent condition. The envelope had a slight tear in one corner (perhaps an inch in length) but there was no other visible damage that I could see.
I just finished the part where you wrote about comparing ice cream to sorbet – that’s one thing I don’t know that I’ve ever tried. I know what it is, but I can’t recall ever having any.
Pain-in-the-ass Canadian here… anxiously awaiting the arrival of a book touched by Wil Wheaton!
Also BTW, friendly Canadian right here… see cferg7‘s comment above.
I still say to set up the second shipping cost for Canada on Paypal, as we are more than willing to pay the extra $$, just for the privilege of “loving” your book (wink wink, nudge nudge, know what I mean?!)
xo
Hey Wil,
hope you don’t have as much trouble with HC i’tel orders.
Do yo have Downunder sorted out, or should we give up hoping? (‘cos I *really* *really* *really* want my own copy bad) 😉
Cheers CST
Hi, Wil. I’m holding off buying the book because I’m hoping (hint, hint) that you’ll do another book signing. I was at the one you did at Borders Hollywood. Any chance you’ll do another one???
PLEASE???
🙂
Thanks!
Scott
I know you’re totally fustrated with the amount of crap you’re having to wade through to send your books out. But I’m still really envious of the fact you have yours in your hands.
Royal Mail have managed to lose my very first order of my comic book in hard copy. I suppose they may turn up but they’re over ten days out of customs now. So we’ll start the process over again. It make take another two months and I’m totally gutted. I thought it might help a tiny bit. You’re continuing with your journey, I’m stuck in customs.
I’ve ordered Moo Cards to cheer me up though. 😀
Lynn
Hi Wil,
I am the distributor for a line of costume patterns to sold to Ren Faire folk and their ilk, so I’ve got a lot of experience in the kind of shipping you’re dealing with. From my experience, I would suggest taking a long look at the USPS Priority Mail service offered through PayPal if your books will comfortably and safely fit in the Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope.
The benefits: The Flat Rate Envelopes are free, and can be ordered in bulk from the Post Office website. They’re chipboard, so they provide a degree of protection to their contents as long as not overstuffed. And the really nice thing for my process is that PayPal integrates really smoothly with it – people order the patterns on PayPal, I get a notice, and print out labels on half-page label sheets, and a packing slip on a second page. Slap the pattern in with the slip, seal, and stick the label on the front. Then I leave it on the porch for the mailman.
The service costs $4.60 if you do the thing electronically. They’re using the same envelopes for international stuff now, so that’s not much more effort. And the best thing is that the Priority level is pretty quick – usually three days across the country, and less than that for shorter runs.
I don’t know if that price fits with your current shipping charges, but if it’s not a lot more expensive, it might ease your effort.
Uhh, Will, The USPS is not the US Government.
It’s an independent entity that is overseen by the US Government.
You’re dealing with sending books to another country, just because Canada speaks the same same (more or less), is attached to the US, is dependent on the US, as one who lives on the border, they most certainly are different and there will be hassles dealing with a foreign country.
If, there were no rules in what and how foreign mail is sent and some whackjob sends something that harms dozens, hundreds or thousands of people, you liberals would be the first to complain.
Want to be in business selling and sending items, it’s not easy not should one expect it to be.
Next time, hire a local fulfilling house to send it all out.
Dear international customers,
Perhaps you could get a friend in the US to gift the book to you. Hint, hint.
So I guess I can give up all hope of getting a signed copy here in Europe huh? 🙁
Lol, *too* funny buildersent! You crack us up!
Well I’m holding out for the signed hardcover so thats another order to add to your list! I used to work at a UPS Store near a college campus and I agree that international shipping (even to Canada) is a royal pain. It didnt help that most of the people where I worked who were doing the international shipping were international students and usually spoke very little English. Needless to say both of us were usually very confused!
Don’t get discouraged! It’s a pain in the butt right now but when this initial rush is over you’ll have the knowledge that lots of happy people are out there with your book. And that there are even more out there who want it but can’t get it yet.
but I guess when they changed the postal rules for Canadian shipping, they also added claws and chainsaws to the equipment.
*snerk* Yeah, well, I suppose that’s why the postage went up. They have to pay for the chainsaws somehow.
I’m glad you upped the number for hardcovers. Now I have a better chance of getting one. 🙂
Breathe, Wil. It’s okay. We’re patient folk. We’ll be here when paypal and the post service finally get around to cooperating with you.
{{{{{book shipping mojo}}}}}
Cheers!
Are you able to ship the signed hardback copies to the UK? I think I remember reading that you would only be able to ship them in the US. Is this true?
Thanks
Sorry you are having problems with the USPS but I personally appreciate you using them for your shipping needs. If there is anything I can do to help, please don’t hesitate to email with your questions.
I am also a holdout for the hardcover edition and I hope I get one 🙂
Here’s a suggestion to all the frustrated folks overseas (but not in Canada) who want to get Wil’s soft cover book. What you should do is club together and place a special order with your local, friendly, independent bookstore. That way Wil gets to ship a lot of books overseas all at once and can say something like his book’s sold out in Europe, you all get your hands on HDOOL, and the store might order some extra for some other customers who wander in and want to read that awesome book by Wil Wheaton.
Everybody wins!
If you want to cheer up and piss yourself laughing, check out “The 30 Most Hideous Gaming Tattoos” at http://www.gamerhelp.com/article_viewer.cfm?article_id=129780. Hideous AND hawesome. Via Whitney Matheson’s “Pop Candy” blog.
If you want to cheer up and piss yourself laughing, check out “The 30 Most Hideous Gaming Tattoos” at http://www.gamerhelp.com/article_viewer.cfm?article_id=129780. Hideous AND hawesome. Via Whitney Matheson’s “Pop Candy” blog.
I think you’re underestimating your audience. If Canadians want a book shipped internationally, they’ll totally pony up the money for it. You shouldn’t take a pay cut for it.
Likewise with any and all costs (signed books, etc)… I know how good-hearted you are, but this is business, and if it is going to cost $50 to get a signed hard book and for you to make the proper percentage on it, then that’s what it costs. Charge that much and see what happens.
I’m looking forward to reading this book, and I really don’t care if it costs $19.95 or $25.00. I’d pay extra for you to feel good about it.
Dear Wil;
Please allow Canadian orders again soon. We’re already short-changed when it comes to all things Wheaton. We don’t get any Cons, we don’t get any visits, and all our TNG episodes are redubbed in French-Canadian accents. It’s actually a bit painful, having to watch LeVar say “It’s the warp coil, eh? Dontchya worry now, I’ll git er dun, eh?” and then whack the core with a frozen beaver. Stupid Canadian-Content laws. Although I suppose it’s not all bad, I mean, obviously they redub the American episodes too. Really, how funny is it that they take a guy named Jean-Luc Picard and dub him to have a British accent? Hah!
Anyways, I digress. I know it’s a lot of extra work and pain in the rump, but that’s what you get for having broad appeal. I, for one, don’t mind a longer turnaround time as a small price to pay for (a) getting to read the book, and (b) knowing that all the profits go to you instead of a publisher or bookstore or some guy on eBay.
So, please reconsider! 🙂 Or, alternatively, bump the shipping cost a bit to compensate. Now that the canadian dollar is kicking butt, it’ll still work out to $20 🙂
Also, do you find it weird that people you’ve never met call you by your first name?
I am full of random today.
-Cerv
The answer, of course, is *cheap labor*. Just hire out a local cub scout troop.
My Canadian perspective:
Offers from fellow Canadians to help with the distribution process are nice and all, but it’s better for Wil to be in control of the entire process. This way he’s accountable for any mishaps.
Now, if Wil could find some professional, reputable, distribution house here it would be different, but relying on individuals is risky.
Guess Canadians will have to do what we’ve been doing for years with products that can’t be shipped to Canada: Have orders shipped to the American address of someone we sometimes see.
Wil,
I’m sorry you’re having such a terrible time with orders and it’s been so frustrating with you. Even so, you responded promptly and politely when I e-mailed to inquire about the book, something few people would have done.
I’ll be sending some good postal mojo your way over the next few days. =)
“I hope you really love this book, Canada, because it’s quite an ordeal to get it to you.”
Damn you, Post Office! You know we love it, Wil. Thanks for all the extra work.
“Would it be easier (but slower) to
– put your Canadian orders into their addressed envelopes.
– take a week’s worth of these and put them in a single box
– send the box to a friendly Canadian
– have the Canadian put postage on each envelope and mail them off?”
As I mentioned once before, if it would help I would be willing to do this.
It’s almost like the US government wants to make it as hard as possible for small, independent businesses like mine to do anything with the rest of the world. Er, except send jobs to India. They’re totally cool with that.
Have you considered outsourcing the shipping and handling of your books to India?
Hi Wil, sorry to say but my book arrived with some damage from the tight fitting packaging and the equiment it has to go through in the mail. Nothing major but the corners are soft now. Kinda surprised me to have it come in that way knowing how careful you are with your work. Maybe you just haven’t heard from all the others who had my experience?
Wil – I received my book two weeks ago, and it arrived in perfect condition. I read the entire book at the first opportunity, and really, really enjoyed it. Several of the stories I recognized from your blog, but some were unfamiliar to me and so wonderful. It was beautifully written and I felt uplifted when I finished reading. Kudos to you on a job well done. Please believe all your hard work is worth it – your fans will love this book.
buildersent – I can’t help but wince when I see a post from you, because it is usually some hateful criticism of Wil or a political comment eviscerating all liberals. I don’t like to generalize, but I truly hope all republicans are not as narrow-minded and unsympathetic as you.
They should have a sign that says:
You are now
entering Canada.
Wil Wheaton
you are always
welcome.
Thanks for taking care of us up here, you know eh!
Hey Wil, if you’re abrasive along the boards, like sandpaper, you can play on my team anyday.
Be cool,
Mark.
Wil – I got my copy on Friday, just in time to give it to my wife for her birthday on Saturday. Thanks! She was thrilled.
With luck, I’ll be able to start reading it tomorrow.
-Dan
I finally ordered my copy today. After my tirade about PayPal, no one mentioned that you do not need to have or create a PayPal account in order to buy. The Monolith Press order page implies that you do have to have an account (“We can only ship to the address confirmed in your PayPal account.”) The payment just uses their system to make the one transaction, which is no different than using any other online payment system.
I still want a signed hardcover, though…