How should I select an international gift vendor / international Gift Store?
Sending gifts from your local vendor?
Using your local gift basket shop is an option. They might know the gift market very well, and can be a great resource to recommend to you the best gift companies in various regions of this world. But beware of your local shop if they suggest that they will 'try' themselves to send your gifts to other continents. Experience is key when sending gifts abroad. When a gift is sent from the USA to Europe and vice versa there will be taxes, duties and restrictions. (For more information see the Pricing Issues Paragraph). In a worst case scenario, one that occurs more often than you might think, the gift you spent a fortune on getting sent with overnight shipping can get stuck in customs for weeks.
Using a local vendor in your recipient’s country?
This is a better option than using your local gift basket shop. You will get a far better deal on shipping and you will avoid any taxes, duties or customs issues. There are a few concerns with a local vendor. How can you confirm that your gift was actually delivered? You may end up paying a great deal for a gift that is never delivered and how do you prove that and get your money back? You are out of sight and out of mind. How do you know that they delivered the gift that you asked for? If you don’t know their reputation, a local gift company might not deliver exactly what was promised. There are also often communication issues. If you don’t speak the language of that country, you may have difficulty finding a local vendor and then communicating with them once you find them.
Using a vendor that specializes in a region?
This is generally the best compromise. A gift company that specializes in a region – Europe, Asia, the Americas – is generally larger with a great deal of knowledge of customs regulations and taxes within their region and even around the world. Since they handle shipping across borders on a daily basis you can be assured that your gift will not be stuck in customs and will arrive on time. Larger companies also generally have a higher stake in ensuring that your recipient is pleased with their gift, since they have a reputation to protect. A vendor that specializes in a region and international shipping will also save you time when you need to send several identical gifts to various countries. Having one company that can do it all makes a big difference.
