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Long Island,New York

OK...so now we see there might be a problem...so what happens when you make a USA-Canada trade, the USA seed makes it to Canada and the Canadian seed gets gobbled up by customs? Opinions on this hypothetical but inevitable situation????....g

1/21/2004 7:34:18 PM

canal winchester ohio

I guess it would be up to the parties involved G. As far as the swap I have with someone, if the seeds get gobbled up by customs...they get gobbled up by customs.
I can't hold it against the person I swapped with, they sent them with good intent. If they sent the seeds back & they got taken then both parties lose. So I would just write it off , with no hard felings toward the friend I swapped with.
What other option do we have ?????? Storm the border...LOL
.....Paul ( trying to keep a level head about things)

1/21/2004 7:50:17 PM

Ontario

I've mailed off about 50 seed packages so far to the US without a problem that I know of. I always take my bubble packs to the post office and fill in a declaration sticker (cucurbita maxima) for each pack. Even if they changed the rules yet again about seeds, it's against the law of averages that the bubble packs will be checked. The odds have to be hundreds to one that they'll check it out. There are simply not enough postal inspectors to check everything.

1/21/2004 7:54:05 PM

Webster, NY

I agree with Paul. It wasn't the fault of anyone, so what can you do. I received seeds this year from Canada with no problems. If for some reason they didn't arrive, then I'm just out of luck.

Dave

1/21/2004 8:27:27 PM

[email protected]

With all due respect for my beloved Bush, our Homeland Security has made unreasonable demands on our Canadian friends. We have mandated (but not funded) tightened security measures on our neighbors to prevent "bad stuff" from entering our borders. One might say Canada is "sharing our pain" so to speak.

It is my guess that "some" vacationing neighbors are waiting until they arrive in warm vacation destinations to mail their seeds this year because of this.

At least my friend (an area post-master) seems to think this may be the case. Darn snappy good idea too.

Steve

1/21/2004 9:02:04 PM

Calif

Could be a total fluke-----and yes Jim Ives is on vacation in the US and being the dedicated guy he is taking care of his obligations to growers that help support the Prince Edwards weigh-off .

1/21/2004 9:27:00 PM

Hensler North Dakota

What about a big orange pumpkin? Can we take it across and then bring back into the states?

1/21/2004 10:34:36 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

so let me get this straight, it's o.k. for illegal aliens to pour across the us/mexican border but it's no o.k. for pumpkins seeds to cross the us/canadian border?
o.k. i got now.

1/22/2004 8:22:28 AM

Ga.

Our friendly government at work Glen!

1/22/2004 8:40:34 AM

Utah

well g - not hypothetical to me ! it has happend ... but it was not US Canada ... it was Utah to Ga. i sent a seed to Jeff in Ga. and it didn't make it ! why ? I have no idea !!!the seed he sent me did make it. the other 3 bubble packs i sent that same day all made it to there various destinations within the US. I offered to send his seed back. He was generous and said just keep it. but either way someone gets shorted. it's not fun and i don't know what to do about it. I do know that i owe Jeff some kind of favor in the future.

1/22/2004 9:52:42 AM

ontario

I think this situation stinks.......I have mailed seeds to USA and have had answers back within a week...others two weeks and others not yet...makes the Canadian growers look bad....I held off on mailing because I was afraid to lose seeds like.1016.712....898.....845...582 etc being lost..the USA seeds make it here no problem......I've sent Glenn a 600.5 but it still not there......guess if I don't hear soon will have to make other arrangements...I have had seeds arrive in far out regions of USA but closer ones still haven't gotten there ???.....

1/22/2004 2:41:45 PM

Ontario

I'm losing bubbles that I sent to a couple mid west growers as well and I sent them from the US. Seems if they go thru Chicago there is a problem. Only common denominator I have seen so far. Unsure!!
drew

1/22/2004 5:41:07 PM

Hanover,Ontario,Canada

I too have sent many seed bubble packs to the USA and have received many back. I always try to send them in regular envelope thickness and forget about the customs sticker. The Can.post office says it is not necessary on regular envelopes. I have only had problems with the ones I sent to Ben Bortner. Dave

1/22/2004 7:44:30 PM

Key West, FL

I haven't gotten ones from wayne either and I think he sent them 2 or 3 weeks ago. I don't think those post office ladies like me. lol

1/22/2004 8:26:39 PM

Western NY

I hope nobody's mail went through Versailles, NY. Their post office burned to the ground last weekend! not to worry i'm sure. it's a tiny place so your packs shouldn't be going there unless you were mailing to or from there (only serves about 500 people)

1/22/2004 8:38:45 PM

Indiana

Hmmm sounds like there may be a giant pumpkin grower working at the post office or customs in chicago.
Steve

1/22/2004 8:45:13 PM

Tipp City, Ohio

My Brother-in-law sent a letter to my wife a few years back. It took seven months to travel only 580 miles. Sometimes items do get lost in the mail.

1/22/2004 8:47:38 PM

Norton, MA

At my post office they recently discovered an 80 year old postcard. The people who sent it and the intended receiver were both dead.

1/23/2004 6:11:32 AM

[email protected]

Back in November, I had an eBay purchase that was to ship from Illinois to CT get routed to Alaska. Seems the sellers brother moved to Ancourage 3 years ago & the Post Office somehow forwarded the package to him. The problem? He has since moved from Alasaka to CT. LOL

At least the post office paid all the postage to get the package to me in the end.

1/23/2004 8:28:34 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

I sent someone a seed(good one too)in the mail a few months back...not seen. Last year a Canadien grower sent me kelp powder...never arrived. And last year I also traded for an 805 Pukos to come from overseas...arrived completely crushed.
What can ya' do?

1/23/2004 8:36:14 AM

Long Island,New York

Ok....1 question, 19 follow up posts....5 "what can ya do's?",3-4 political comments,and a bunch of fluff. Dave's is a idea. I can't believe in a hobby so anal as this noone has a definite opinion or a plan for the future. What can you do is just not gonna cut the mustard next year. C'mon braintrust....creative ideas and plans needed !!

1/23/2004 9:32:53 AM

Ga.

G,my political comment was at Glens post about illegals crossing border..
I have a 735 pukos in lala land I guess..Me and Gordon sent same day,,he got his,,I got nothing..Not blaming Gordon,as I believe him.So I guess another proven seed gone..Its been over a month,,almost 2 months..So I dont blame the christmas rush..It will definetly make me have who ever I send seed to from now on sign for them..At least I'll know if that someone gets it or not..
My guess is only 100% way of knowing is to place seed in other persons hand..Then ya know for sure..
Jeff

1/23/2004 9:44:24 AM

Indiana

I suppose whoever in canada could ship them to somone close to the border and they could bring them across and mail them in the states.
Steve

1/23/2004 9:45:32 AM

canal winchester ohio

One possible idea.
E-mail Howard Dill & ask how he handles it. He probably sends more seeds across the border than anyone else.

1/23/2004 9:50:00 AM

Indiana

Or i suppose you could go to niagra and swap seeds there.
Steve

1/23/2004 9:51:41 AM

Long Island,New York

Problems are: The border inspects and can confiscate too. Dill has phyto certificates....as a mass exporter its probably easy to send off the seeds, have them tested and lab certified as phyto-free.....

1/23/2004 10:21:08 AM