Mooching Books

Dear Me,

Out of boredom, I found myself surfing through piles of websites about books. It is no secret that among other things, books are one of my countless passions in life.

Anyway, I bumped into this site. Actually, I have already known a long time ago what the site and its services can offer to a bibliophile like moi. I wasn't a believer then.

Mid-August, I found myself converted so I signed up. I told myself why not give it a try. If it is good and it works for me, then go ahead and enjoy. Well, I did. I already have five (5) books mooched (2 from overseas and 3 locally).


1st book mooched by moi: Wander Girl by Tweet Sering (Summit Media book). Thanks to Patricia (PH)! =)


2nd book mooched by moi: Ang Paboritong Libro ni Hudas by Bob Ong. Thanks to Patricia (PH), again! =)


3rd book mooched by moi: No Boyfriend Since Birth by Claire Betita (Summit Media book). Thanks Jesser (PH)! =)


4th book mooched by moi: Can You Keep A Secret by Sophie Kinsella. Thanks Elly (FR)! =)


5th book mooched by moi: The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella. Thanks Kris (USA)! =)


On the other hand, I have already sent two (2) books as they were mooched from my inventory. One (1) which was sent locally and the other, to France.


1st book mooched from moi: Final Option by Gini Hartzmark. Happy reading, June (FR)!


2nd book mooched from moi: I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. Happy reading, Jesser (PH)!

Since it was my first time to do the mailing of parcels (I used to request this task to our office messenger), I had no idea how to go about it. I didn't know the process and how much it would cost me to mail them either through the local post office or via courier. Also, which would be more efficient in terms of handling/distributing the package to the desired recipient, duration and costs while considering if it's domestic or international?

Anyway, I have decided the following:

1. If the book is to be mailed locally, I prefer to use the courier service of 2Go(bold-link). The good thing is that the book will be (a) safe in their hands, (b) reach the recipient the next day. In terms of cost, it's a lot less cheaper if mailed through the post office but there's a danger that it will take eons for the recipient to get it or worse, be lost in the mail.
   
   
2. If the book is to be sent overseas either in Canada or in Europe, I have to utilize the local post office. Why? Because of the fact that using the courier is way too expensive for my empty pocket. Hehehe. It will cost me thousands of pesos if I do that. I can buy 2-3 brand new books in exchange for that. The sad thing is that it will probably take 2-4 weeks at the most before the overseas recipient receives the book. With regards to the safety/condition of the book to be mailed via post office, I took precautions such as wrapping the book in sealed plastic and carefully-taped envelope and having it mailed in the business district's post office in Makati. I just leave the book to chance that it will still arrive as it is.

By the way, I still have one (1) more mooched book to arrive from the US. Meanwhile, June (FR) still has to receive mine from the mail; probably for 2-3 weeks more. Hope he won't get tired of waiting.