When we first arrived here, we were told that there was a waiting list to get a PO Box at the Cuenca post office. Of course, we never believe what we hear. We go to the source. So, after first settling in to life in Cuenca and trying a couple of other recommended mail sources (Ecuador Movers and Club Correos), we went to the local post office and rented a PO Box. There was no waiting list, and we paid our $22 for the year and got our key and new "Consillero" address.
I tried our first PO Box mail delivery by ordering some products from iHerb.com after reading that they will ship to Ecuador via Global Priority Mail DHL for only $4, if the package weighs under 4 lbs. My main order had to be Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil because I was paying an outrageous amount here for 8 oz (if I could find it!!!), and we use LOTS of this wonderful healing product for cooking and in our tea, coffee, etc. I have also found PURE vitamins and TRUE organic products here to be more expensive than what I want to pay. Enough said!!!
Okay, when I placed my first order with iHerb.com I desperately wanted to get some COCONUT OIL SENT!!!!! Well, my first order was comical. First, I had no idea where it was coming to. I thought it would arrive through the DHL office. I had no idea that their $4 "Global Priority Mail DHL" came to the Cuenca Post Office. When I finally figured that one out, I went to the Post Office window and found out that my package was in and had been there for over two weeks. It took about three weeks total from the time I ordered from iHerb. Everything I ordered was there!!! I was so HAPPY!! (It's the little things that make me happy living in Cuenca - like getting my mail......) Keep in mind, for this low $4 shipping rate, there is NO TRACKING available for your order. Yet, I've never had a problem receiving my orders, to date!!
Today, while walking the city of Cuenca, we met up with a couple we know. She began to share with me that she pays way too much for her coconut oil here. Guess what I shared with her??? iHerb.com. Hey, I don't get any kickbacks for this. My whole heart here is to share what I know to be my own personal WONDERFUL experience about living in another country and what I learn along the way. I share the good, the bad, and the ugly (and I believe for us there is more GOOD!!). It's not to whine or complain. It's to help others from my own PERSONAL experiences through TRIAL and ERROR. Bo and I have learned what works for us, personally! Maybe it's not for you - but it works for us.
I remember that the first package I received from iHerb.com sat at the Cuenca Post Office for two extra weeks because I didn't know where to pick up my Global Priority Mail DHL delivery. Today, I went to check on my "two packages" from iHerb.com that I ordered on April 19th. They were there!!!! Why two packages? Because I needed several products, and I had to split it up to weigh under 4 lbs each so I would get the $4 "great shipping rate" they offer. Actually, the packages had arrived on May 7th, and I had checked on them on Monday, May 6th. I ordered my product on April 19th. That's a little over 2 weeks!!! I'd say that's excellent for getting mail here, wouldn't you???
I'm happy!!! Today I have wonderful products for wonderful prices. I would recommend to anyone that they order from iHerb.com. By the way, my gift code # is LHK894. If first-time buyers who are reading this place an order and use this code, you get $10 off on your first order. What a deal!!!! Let me know (leave your comments) as to what you think about this company, too, if you do order. It would be helpful to others, I'm sure.
Our iHerb.com Orders:
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| I split up a large order, so that each order would weigh under 4 lbs. and our shipping charge via Global Priority Mail DHL would be only $4. I've also learned to read every ingredient (thank you Dr. Caroline for teaching me this) to make sure they are SOY, SUGAR, AND FOOD DYE FREE, GLUTEN FREE, ETC., AND TRULY ORGANIC!!!! This order cost $62.21, which included a discount and only $4 shipping. I'm HAPPY to have floride-free toothpaste, probiotics (they are soooo expensive here) and other wonderful products I am trying out. |
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| Ahhhhh, Nutiva ORGANIC EXTRA VIRGIN Coconut oil, 29 fl. oz. for $19. Deodorant that is aluminum-free!!! Wonderful Shea Butter for my body cream. I told you, it's the little things in life living in Cuenca that make me HAPPY!!! Bo always says, "Happy wife, happy life!!!" He's such a smart man, ya think????? This order was $40 with shipping. |
