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SHIPPING -- The least good news of the century.... 8 years into the new century ... and we've got a global environmental problem AND a global economic problem. (Not to mention a war.) Regardless of blame, fault, bad ideas, too little/too late, and the seemingly endless list of people, corporations and governments refusing to take responsibility -- we have an incredibly useful shopping medium (the internet) that is fast becoming crippled by the cost of gasoline to deliver eagerly anticipated purchases to anxious buyers. FedEX, UPS, DHL, and the USPS have to pay for fuel just like the rest of us -- and their volume discounts are not keeping up with the rising prices. The result is an almost daily increase in fuel surcharges, weight and size limit changes, and a constant pressure on carrier employees to deliver more goods -- faster. Some of the delivery drivers who service our store are now working 12-14 hour shifts (at no increase in pay) to keep from being laid off like so many of their peers. And more boxes are being damaged, torn open, and lost than ever before -- probably because of all that rush and pressure. We have tried to hold back increasing our shipping costs to keep pace with the carriers' rate increases, but we have finally hit the wall. We have been taking the loss on shipping since the last postal increase (back before Christmas) -- but it is now obvious that "resistance is futile." We are (at least for the time being) holding our "under a pound rate" for USPS Priority Mail to below $7 for all US contiguous 48-state shipping. This covers the spring USPS rate hike, but will probably not last beyond another. We have many light-weight toys -- but we also have a few that are just heavy. Some are realllllly heavy. So pay attention to what you're putting in your basket so you don't go into shock when you see the shipping costs as you check out. As long as you are not in Texas, you're still not paying sales tax -- so that helps level things out. Wooden toys, stone building blocks, and paints can add up the fastest -- so choose carefully if shipping costs are too frightening. We will offer coupons to repeat customers as often as it is feasible -- but that probably won't be as often as we'd like. We've always been more about customers than stuff -- and we still are. ********************************************* Purciful's Magical Toys now ships to international addresses in Canada, Australia, & the EU. We offer 2 choices: USPS International Priority or Express Mail, and FedEx International Shipping. (FedEx is available to customers with their own FedEx accounts, and USPS International Priority/Express is available to all customers.) We still don't have electronic rate tables for International shipping, so -- either call us [806 239 2927] (10am-6pm central time M-F), or email us [purcifuls@yahoo.com] and we will handle your order person-to-person. ****************************************** WELCOME! Here at Purciful's, we have always enjoyed our role as the purveyors of smiles and laughter via our wonderful toys -- These days we also find that we are in the POSITIVE ANCHOR business! An "anchor" is something -- anything -- that has emotions and memories tied to it (you may have experienced this when you turn on the radio and a particular song calls up some event or person from your past....) For many people a Teddy Bear or some other hugable is a strong POSITIVE ANCHOR because they provide comfort, warmth, and they represent feelings of unconditional love and acceptance. These POSITIVE ANCHOR toys also become confidants and best friends -- and often carry the memory of the person who gave the toy. The key to giving a good POSITIVE ANCHOR or "comfort" toy is to make sure the recipient receives a lot of positive emotional content along with the toy. If you are physically present when the toy is given, make sure it is accompanied by hugs, stories about the toy, prophesies about how it will be played with for the next 10 or 20 years, and anecdotes of "remember when we did such-n-such?" Give the toy a history and a personality. Enjoy the toy together and it will hold the momories of that shared time forever! If you are not present when the toy is received -- you may want to attach your voice to the event via telephone call. Tell a story about how and why you picked this toy. Give it personality and history that it can take with it in the future. If a phone call is not possible -- send a note, email, or a letter. Write down what you would want that toy to represent and say in the future. Most of all, be generous with POSITIVE EMOTIONS and let them flow freely over the toy, the event of giving, and the recipient. We all have POSITIVE ANCHORS that last a lifetime -- the smell of home cooking, a special blanket or pillow, a piece of jewelry, a photo or a special song.... These should be treasured and guarded because of the positive effect they can have on us in difficult times as well as good times. If you are looking to give a child, a relative or a friend a POSITIVE ANCHOR -- choose carefully and with joy, then give with the same care and joy. For more information on Positive Anchors and other considerations when choosing toys, we want to help with our TIPS section (currently featuring information on childrens' different modes of play). We offer so many good choices that you can have quickly just what you need to build that happy childhood, whatever your stage in life. Happy browsing -- feel free to email any questions -- We love to hear from our customers. --Dr. James Whitlark & Lynn Whitlark, Proprietors of Purciful's Magical Toys ************************************************************************* TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF OUR SPECIALS, FEATURED ITEMS, AND BEST SELLERS: |