My daughter checked Yale Station this afternoon and picked up her second Amazon package. Still no sign of the package I mailed. I emailed usps and a case number was created (thanks for the tip @Clarimom).
So the Amazon packages made it with little delay, that’s good.
Just mailed off care package via Fed Ex ship center. Medium size box, not weighty cost $45!!!
My kiddo better enjoy those yummy treats and goodies. That was an expensive endeavor :-/
You guys are making me wanting to send a care package to my DS now. What do you all put in the care package?
I’m lazy with the care packages. I usually choose treats from Amazon Prime options! Gets there fast. You can also find five things that are Subscribe and Save, get the 15% discount, and then cancel them and choose different ones for another time (if you don’t love them). I almost never box anything myself to send.
Good news, someone from Yale Station just called me and they found the package. Someone had transcribed a number incorrectly and put it in the wrong place. Emailing USPS about the issue (which created a case number) was the key to getting this sorted out quickly and efficiently.
With the exception of freshman year when her books got caught up in the initial rush, we have not had any problems with sending items to my D who is now a junior. She filled out paperwork so that she could receive FedEx and UPS packages from Amazon Prime, etc. Usually when I send something, I send it USPS. Yale Station has been virtually the same since I went there in the late 70’s with the exception that UPS and FedEx did not exist!!
@love2cheeses I tend to just drop off care packages but the things that are commonly requested are… microwave popcorn, mini-moo creamers, avocados, easy Mac, drawer sachets from BB&B, anything chocolate, gift cards for coffee, fuzzy socks, nylons, hair ties, Nail polish/remover, things she forgot at home and I always throw in something that I think she forgot like cute bandaids, a loved stuffed animal (or something she thought was childish to bring but she would love to have an excuse to have at school) , something sparkly to wear and whatever silly things I pile up for her during the week like junk mail with her name on it etc. I think in my case a care package is just a way of letting her know that she is remembered while she is away. That and food- she likes convenient food… lol
If anyone is from NJ, I did make that parent page on fb. Feel free to search for it. It’s very small to start, but it will grow with time. The one I made for Cornell is a decent size now.
I’m game, but please tell me what the group name is.
Not really supposed to promote other sites here. It’s pretty obvious. Yale University Parents NJ. A whopping four of us so far (since I only know two other NJ kids there now). Slow start but only one day.
Maybe not for the kids, but it looks like bar cars are returning to the New Haven Line, which originates in Grand Central and terminates at New Haven: http://gothamist.com/2016/09/12/metro-north_bar_cars.php
On a similarly celebratory note, I gather today is Tap Night for most of the a cappella singing groups. At 10:30 there will be a concert with the Whiffenpoofs and Whim 'N Rhythm at the High Street gate of Old Campus, and then madness will ensue as the groups run to the rooms of the freshmen being tapped and initiate them.
Congrats to all the singers tapped tonight! It’s a very exciting night and I keep watching social media for pictures. Last year at this time I was so nervous.
@Musicmom2015 - ME TOO!!! UGH… I am so happy for having snapchat though. I got to see a lot of it unfold on her story. I hear that the guys had some solid acceptances before it even began. It “sounds” like they all had a great night! LOL
@tonymom In my experience, USPS flat rate boxes are the way to go when you want to ship something from home rather than Amazon. Regional Rate boxes, which can be ordered for free on the USPS site, are worth sending away for and stashing in a closet. A Regional Rate A box, which is slightly smaller than a Medium Flat Rate box, costs just under 9 dollars to send from my neck of the woods, and I can stuff it full with whatever I want without ever exceeding the weight limit.
We didn’t have too many problems with the Yale mail service last year–just some delayed packages–but the UPS store has been better, and with two kids sharing one box, about the same price. They send email notifications when packages are available and so far, all have arrived on schedule.
@classicalmama
I think I will try the USPS with a low risk item “trial run” first and if it’s a problem opt for the UPS paid box service. I’m sure kiddo can find another willing “box mate” to make it worth while.
Thanks for advice.
As far as care packages go…which local businesses are good for sending “gift cards” to our kids? Starbucks seems a no brainier but I’d prefer to support a local, non-big name business or small business entity…any suggestions? Keep in mind barter needs to be purchased by mom in Ca and sent to kid.
I guess it’s not local but my kiddo loved Insomnia Cookies. There is a local cafe my daughter ate at sometimes (Atticus) but I don’t know if they have cards. Blue State Coffee is a rather small chain I think.
@tonymom
Even though I had a small problem with a package last week, I think the main issue with Yale Station is a delay between when the package arrives (these days we know the precise time because of online tracking) and when the student actually gets it since there is another layer of sorting that has to happen after the package is delivered. So as long as you are aware of that and expect it, I think Yale station is fine. For something really important or valuable, I would do pick up at FedEx, but I will most likely use Yale Station for most things I send myself or by Amazon.
My daughter really likes Blue State Coffee; the website says it’s a family run business. I looked into gift cards for family members to give to my daughter and they sell them online.
There’s also a student run care package delivery service - I haven’t used it but it’s listed on the Yale student agency site.
Ugh. After speaking somewhat nicely about the Yale Post Office, my D had her own bad experience the other day. After ordering from Amazon and them placing a notice in her box her package was there, they then could not find it after she stood in line forever. They then told her they would help others in line before they would stop to look. She let them do that and finally left in frustration. After texting me, I told her to go back, stand in line, and then when she got to the counter, make them stop and go find the package they have already said was there. It doesn’t matter who else is in line, their job is to help the customer at the counter, no matter how long it takes. I have stood in line at the Post Office forever while someone was going through a difficult transaction. That’s life. I told her to tell them that she will wait, but that she will not let them go on to other customers until they find her package. Well, she went back, followed my advice and they found it. She said they had a bad attitude the whole time. What the heck!! Obviously the package was there, she had the note in her box. How is it her problem that they are so unorganized.
I just sent another package on Monday with an outfit she needs for a conference this weekend overnight express that was delivered yesterday (per tracking). She better be able to pick it up today since I paid a premium for the delivery so I could ensure she got it in time. This is crazy. Okay - vent over. Though if she has problems with this package, I’ll come back and update.