Be careful sending luggage to Santiago

[Karen C.]

Followed Ivar's directions regarding shipping our luggage from SJPP via post office. Even brought shrink wrap with us! Post office in SJPP had never seen luggage shipped that way and warned us that shipping this way was not advisable. Shrink wrapped and taped all tightly with shipping labels taped on and inside as well. Well, you can guess what happened. It was considered damaged before it even left SAPP and a month later still sits in the damaged shipping area awaiting a call from us to see if we can retrieve it. We leave for USA tomorrow. Did the camino without phone, so we're unable to do anything until we arrive home. 3 days in Paris still in Camino clothes! So sad.

 

[ivar]

Hi Karen,

I believe we have been emailing about this. And as you say, when we looked at your tracking number the parcel was damaged before it left France and could not be transported to Spain and Santiago. Why was this? Who knows... I certainly do not.

Is this normal? No, I receive hundreds of parcels (boxes and suitcases) from the SJPP post office each year (not sure why they would tell you that this was not normal).

I am sorry it happened to you. When these things happen, the customer service from the french post office is minimal.

All the best,
Ivar

 

[Anniesantiago]

3 days in Paris still in Camino clothes! So sad.

What a wonderful opportunity to go shopping in France!

And how wonderful if this is the worst thing that happened on your trip.

The Camino sure can throw people some curves.
Hope you had a great walk otherwise.

(... and it certainly was not Ivar's fault! Stuff happens.)

 

[bmcbride]

Followed Ivar's directions regarding shipping our luggage from SJPP via post office. Even brought shrink wrap with us! Post office in SJPP had never seen luggage shipped that way and warned us that shipping this way was not advisable. Shrink wrapped and taped all tightly with shipping labels taped on and inside as well. Well, you can guess what happened. It was considered damaged before it even left SAPP and a month later still sits in the damaged shipping area awaiting a call from us to see if we can retrieve it. We leave for USA tomorrow. Did the camino without phone, so we're unable to do anything until we arrive home. 3 days in Paris still in Camino clothes! So sad.

Followed Ivar's directions regarding shipping our luggage from SJPP via post office. Even brought shrink wrap with us! Post office in SJPP had never seen luggage shipped that way and warned us that shipping this way was not advisable. Shrink wrapped and taped all tightly with shipping labels taped on and inside as well. Well, you can guess what happened. It was considered damaged before it even left SAPP and a month later still sits in the damaged shipping area awaiting a call from us to see if we can retrieve it. We leave for USA tomorrow. Did the camino without phone, so we're unable to do anything until we arrive home. 3 days in Paris still in Camino clothes! So sad.

I'm sorry that you had this unfortunate experience. I sent a package to Santiago, from Bilbao, about a week ago and got an email from Ivar as soon as it had arrived. I am a happy camper, as I would also love to have some "good clothes" to wear after I finish my Camino.

 

[Karen C.]

What a wonderful opportunity to go shopping in France!

And how wonderful if this is the worst thing that happened on your trip.

The Camino sure can throw people some curves.
Hope you had a great walk otherwise.

(... and it certainly was not Ivar's fault! Stuff happens.)

No blame to Ivar. Post office on SJPP might have been a little lax. Maybe they could have contacted us or Ivar to see what we would like them to do with our luggage, but no contact was made. We did indeed have an awesome camino and did in no way let this inconvenience slow us down. Got 2 new camino tees for my new wardrobe!

 

[jo webber]

Shopping for clothes - in Paris - YES.
And the cutest shoes I have ever seen were in Paris.

 

[1Cynthia10]

Followed Ivar's directions regarding shipping our luggage from SJPP via post office. Even brought shrink wrap with us! Post office in SJPP had never seen luggage shipped that way and warned us that shipping this way was not advisable. Shrink wrapped and taped all tightly with shipping labels taped on and inside as well. Well, you can guess what happened. It was considered damaged before it even left SAPP and a month later still sits in the damaged shipping area awaiting a call from us to see if we can retrieve it. We leave for USA tomorrow. Did the camino without phone, so we're unable to do anything until we arrive home. 3 days in Paris still in Camino clothes! So sad.

Hi Karen,

I'm sorry you had that experience. I started my camino in Pmplona, and planned to visit Ireland afterwards so I had my backpack and camino clothes plus my Ireland holiday things in a large suitcase. When I arrived in Pamplona I went to the Spanish post office nearest the old city. They were very helpful, even were gracious with my awful broken Spanish. I did not have any plastivc wrap just mailed the large cloth suitcase age lock to Ivar's. The post office was already familiar with the process, and they took care of it for me. When I arrived in Santiago several weeks later my suitcase was there waiting for me, and I was able to add a few more things to it that I had picked up along the way. Ivar kindly allowed me to store some additional items and retrieve my iPod from my luggage, then return it to storage so I could continue on to Fisterre and Muxia. When I returned to Santiago, I picked up my huge suitcase and caught the next flight to Dublin.

It may be that the French post office was not as familiar with the routine, or perhaps there were new people there who were unfamiliar with it, but my experience was a positive one, and really eased my mind while on my walk.

And thank you Ivar for looking after my things.

Buen Camino,

Cynthia

 

[JillGat]

No blame to Ivar. Post office on SJPP might have been a little lax. Maybe they could have contacted us or Ivar to see what we would like them to do with our luggage, but no contact was made.

How could they have contacted you?

 

[ranthr]

In 2009 I sent a packet from Le Puy to Lista de Correos SdC. When I arrived to months later there no packet. To years later it suddenly turned up in my postoffice in Norway.
Some days after Le Puy I sent a postpacket to Norway that never arrived.

 

[Annie Little]

The Camino sure can throw people some curves.
Hope you had a great walk otherwise.

(... and it certainly was not Ivar's fault! Stuff happens.)

In my humble opinion ... isn't that the whole point of the Camino ? ... learning to accept life's many curve balls and deal with them ... I enjoyed the curve balls ...

 

[Finisterre]

I blame Ivar.

 

[RobertS26]

I blame Ivar.

He's been nothing but trouble.

 

[t2andreo]

I always use Express Bourricot to send luggage from SJPdP to Santiago. Yes it can be pricey.

But, consider that the ONLY people who touch that bag once you leave it at the front desk of your lodging are Caroline, or her assistant. The luggage is transported in their van directly to the Hotel Hostal La Salle in Santiago. There it goes into a secure luggage room to await you arrival...whenever.

In my experience, the concept of a unified EU is a myth when sending parcels or luggage from one EU country to another. Nothing has changed. All these countries maintain distinct mail systems.

Logically, one would presume one mail system servicing the entire EU. But I imagine there are hundreds of thousands of well paying jobs, and votes, involved in consolidating postal systems across 27-28 countries ...just saying...

Conversely, mailing parcels or luggage wholly within one country is a different matter entirely. In Spain, the postal system is inexpensive, reliable, and fast.

I hope this helps, for the future.

 

[grayland]

I always use Express Bourricot to send luggage from SJPdP to Santiago. Yes it can be pricey.

But, consider that the ONLY people who touch that bag once you leave it at the front desk of your lodging are Caroline, or her assistant. The luggage is transported in their van directly to the Hotel Hostal La Salle in Santiago. There it goes into a secure luggage room.m to await you arrival...whenever.

In my experience, the concept of a unified EU is a myth when sending parcels or luggage from one EU country to another. Nothing has changed. All these countries maintain distinct mail systems.

Logically, one would presume one mail system servicing the entire EU. But I imagine there are hundreds of thousands of well paying jobs, and votes, involved in consolidating postal systems across 27-28 countries ...just saying...

Conversely, mailing parcels or luggage wholly within one country is a different matter entirely. In Spain, the postal system is inexpensive, reliable, and fast.

I hope this helps, for the future.

However....most of us loyal forum supporters opt to use the great Luggage Storage Service provided by Ivar.

Support of Ivar's service helps to to keep the forum operating.

 

[trecile]

I always use Express Bourricot to send luggage from SJPdP to Santiago. Yes it can be pricey.

But, consider that the ONLY people who touch that bag once you leave it at the front desk of your lodging are Caroline, or her assistant. The luggage is transported in their van directly to the Hotel Hostal La Salle in Santiago. There it goes into a secure luggage room.m to await you arrival...whenever.

In my experience, the concept of a unified EU is a myth when sending parcels or luggage from one EU country to another. Nothing has changed. All these countries maintain distinct mail systems.

Logically, one would presume one mail system servicing the entire EU. But I imagine there are hundreds of thousands of well paying jobs, and votes, involved in consolidating postal systems across 27-28 countries ...just saying...

Conversely, mailing parcels or luggage wholly within one country is a different matter entirely. In Spain, the postal system is inexpensive, reliable, and fast.

I hope this helps, for the future.

I plan to use the Express Bourricot service because I just want the easiest option, and I'm willing to pay extra for it.

 

[SYates]

... Post office in SJPP had never seen luggage shipped that way and warned us that shipping this way was not advisable. ....

So, why didn't you pay attention to that warning? BC SY

 

[ivar]

There are a lot of options when it comes to shipping to Santiago. Another one is to ship it to your hotel in Santiago (after getting the OK from them). My service is just one of many. One service is not the best for everyone, each have their preference.

Buen Camino!
Ivar

 

[FamPed]

I think all have been said about this now. So what did we learn?

Check out opsions and credibility.
Make your own choice, and take responsibility for your choice.
Have in mind that sometimes things happen, yes they can happen even to you.

And.. Ivar.. Is nothing but trouble Sorry Ivar!

And to all you in need of sending luggage forward, there are no more mishaps here then anywere else.
Ivar can´t take responsibility for the postservices. His responsability lyes in taking good care of your belongings when in storedge.
Can we maybe leave this to rest now?

Buen Camino

 

[Annie Little]

He's been nothing but trouble.

To clarify in case anyone is new .... this is a joke of course ... everyone here knows Ivar is the best ...

Thank you Ivar for your valuable services to all .... I did not get to meet you in Santiago but strangely I thought of you a lot because this forum was a great help to us all ...

 

[t2andreo]

However....most of us loyal forum supporters opt to use the great Luggage Storage Service provided by Ivar.

Support of Ivar's service helps to to keep the forum operating.

To clarify, I use Express Bourricot to send a piece of luggage from France to Santiago. However, once I am in Spain or Portugal, I send parcels through the post office to Ivar.

I share the enthusiasm for this valuable service.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Another option is simply NOT to ship luggage at all?
I'm not sure why it's necessary.
I love shopping in Spain, especially in Madrid or Santiago.
Or in Paris... WOW!
Lots of GREAT clothes at very inexpensive prices.
You can also buy quality but inexpensive luggage there if you need it.

 

[Karen C.]

How could they have contacted you?

Email address and Ivar'a phone number were both on the mailing label, as instructed.

 

[peter obrien]

Followed Ivar's directions regarding shipping our luggage from SJPP via post office. Even brought shrink wrap with us! Post office in SJPP had never seen luggage shipped that way and warned us that shipping this way was not advisable. Shrink wrapped and taped all tightly with shipping labels taped on and inside as well. Well, you can guess what happened. It was considered damaged before it even left SAPP and a month later still sits in the damaged shipping area awaiting a call from us to see if we can retrieve it. We leave for USA tomorrow. Did the camino without phone, so we're unable to do anything until we arrive home. 3 days in Paris still in Camino clothes! So sad.

Hi i sent luggage to Ivar in Santiago and he very kindly dropped it off at my hotel when i had finished The Camino Frances a great service thank you Iar regards Peter Obrien

 

[Liz Ward]

Hi Karen,

I believe we have been emailing about this. And as you say, when we looked at your tracking number the parcel was damaged before it left France and could not be transported to Spain and Santiago. Why was this? Who knows... I certainly do not.

Is this normal? No, I receive hundreds of parcels (boxes and suitcases) from the SJPP post office each year (not sure why they would tell you that this was not normal).

I am sorry it happened to you. When these things happen, the customer service from the french post office is minimal.

All the best,
Ivar

Hi Karen and Ivar,
So sorry to hear about your trouble with luggage. My husband met me in Leon (October 2016) and we shipped a suitcase on to Ivar in Santiago. The process could not have been easier. Post Office in Leon was efficient and price was very reasonable (20 USD). It would seem that shipping across country boundaries may present more problems. When we arrived in Santiago, Ivar's place was easy to find and he was his charming self. Also we did not shrink wrap our luggage, just used some duct tape to secure handles.

Liz

 

[wcsjms]

I blame Ivar.

 

[wcsjms]

WoW, someone comes on the forum looking for information or assistance and instead of that, they get berated for the service they used, how they packed their belongings, not having a phone, not heeding a warning about their "damaged package" ( which by the way is a commonplace way to ship in the USA aka shrink wrap) and to top it off they are told what a wonderful time they will have spending more money in Pair for things they already own and having it inferred that they blame Ivar. WOW, let the Inquisition begin !

 

[Jeff Crawley]

WoW, someone comes on the forum looking for information or assistance and instead of that, they get berated for the service they used, how they packed their belongings, not having a phone, not heeding a warning about their "damaged package" ( which by the way is a commonplace way to ship in the USA aka shrink wrap) and to top it off they are told what a wonderful time they will have spending more money in Pair for things they already own and having it inferred that they blame Ivar. WOW, let the Inquisition begin !

Yes, it seems that some people are over reacting to this (if you get my drift?)

 

[Angie94]

I agree it's Ivars fault! He's the worst and to top it off he's not even friendly nor helpful.

HAH! kidding..........quite the opposite! HI IVAR!

 

[Saint Mike II]

I have used Ivar's services on all three occasions I have been a pilgrim in Spain - never had any problems. However from St Jean this year I used one of the alternative freight forwarders - yes it was not cheap - but it did arrive in Santiago (at the La Salle hotel/hostel/albergue) where I received a 20% discount of my room charge. Cheers

 

[Peter Crowe]

Hi Karen,

I believe we have been emailing about this. And as you say, when we looked at your tracking number the parcel was damaged before it left France and could not be transported to Spain and Santiago. Why was this? Who knows... I certainly do not.

Is this normal? No, I receive hundreds of parcels (boxes and suitcases) from the SJPP post office each year (not sure why they would tell you that this was not normal).

I am sorry it happened to you. When these things happen, the customer service from the french post office is minimal.

All the best,
Ivar

I found French post most hospitable, though the only way to ship bags, so you know it WILL happen is by SendMyBag, expensive, but effective. What is the price of not having your bag is the deciding factor