Secret Santa 24 GB Feeler

[brandonk]

I have hosted the SSGB for several years over on FSM and it was quite popular with the regulars. I passed on it last year as I needed a break. I have had some feedback from many who have participated in the past and some time to think. I feel it is now time for me to get back on this horse.

SO, I am putting this out there. Is anyone interested in doing the SSGB here as its official home? All the same rules would apply.

All participants will give a list of kits they would like to have and keep the pricing reasonable, say $50 or so. Then everyone will be randomly assigned a giftee who will be sent their kit by their assigned SS. Everyone MUST be signed up no later than Thanksgiving and names and kits will be assigned on Thanksgiving. You will then shop and send your kit to your giftee to arrive before Christmas. You also need to let me know whether or not it is rapped and safe to open the package and put under the tree, or have the better half handle it first. If you don't get on board by the deadline you will not be allowed to join as we have to have this in place to assign gifts etc. Everyone who participates is expected to build their kit during the 2025 calendar year. The build runs from Dec 25 '24 thru Dec 24 '25. You should all ALSO post up a separate build thread of your progress for everyone NOT in the GB to see so they don't have to wade through all the posts in the GB. It is very important that unless life gets in the way that you post progress of your build for your SS and everyone else to see as they took the time to find you a gift and send it to you. The least we can all do is put a priority on these kits and don't just take the gift and bounce. Once I see whether or not this is worth doing I will post up the rules and a sign up thread. I await your feedback.

[tcoat]

I would love to get in on something like this but it just is not financially responsible for either myself nor the giver to pay the "international" shipping costs involved.

[keavdog]

You know I'm in!

[brandonk]

Jul 17, 2024 10:38:56 GMT -5 tcoat said:

I would love to get in on something like this but it just is not financially responsible for either myself nor the giver to pay the "international" shipping costs involved.

We've dealt with this before for others. What I suggest is having the SS order and ship from stores within your country and it becomes doable. Shipping in from the US to elsewhere is expensive, but from within the same country is usually not an issue.

[tcoat]

Jul 17, 2024 10:54:43 GMT -5 brandonk said:

Jul 17, 2024 10:38:56 GMT -5 tcoat said:

I would love to get in on something like this but it just is not financially responsible for either myself nor the giver to pay the "international" shipping costs involved.

We've dealt with this before for others. What I suggest is having the SS order and ship from stores within your country and it becomes doable. Shipping in from the US to elsewhere is expensive, but from within the same country is usually not an issue.

That could work. OK I am in.

[brandonk]

We usually have one overseas member join every year. If we are careful how and where we order it can work out fine. It's all about that proper planning...

[project510]

Jul 17, 2024 10:38:56 GMT -5 tcoat said:

I would love to get in on something like this but it just is not financially responsible for either myself nor the giver to pay the "international" shipping costs involved.

First, I am for sure in on this.

Second, I did a quick search and FedEx looks to be the cheapest for international ground shipping to Canada. If we can get 2 or 3 people willing to go for this, TCoat could participate and he would still be surprised as to who the SS is. Assuming he is willing to ship to US. I will volunteer for one of those people. Another option would be couldn't someone find a Canada based seller and just have it shipped direct to the person they are responsible for? Maybe even an Amazon gift order? Something like that. There has to be a way haha.

[tcoat]

Jul 17, 2024 11:22:15 GMT -5 project510 said:

Jul 17, 2024 10:38:56 GMT -5 tcoat said:

I would love to get in on something like this but it just is not financially responsible for either myself nor the giver to pay the "international" shipping costs involved.

First, I am for sure in on this.

Second, I did a quick search and FedEx looks to be the cheapest for international ground shipping to Canada. If we can get 2 or 3 people willing to go for this, TCoat could participate and he would still be surprised as to who the SS is. Assuming he is willing to ship to US. I will volunteer for one of those people. Another option would be couldn't someone find a Canada based seller and just have it shipped direct to the person they are responsible for? Maybe even an Amazon gift order? Something like that. There has to be a way haha.

The problem isn't just the shipping cost but the probable duty and taxes charged at the border. Sometimes they don't bother but I have paid over $100 in duty, fees and taxes on a $30 Ebay purchase in the past. Had to give up on buying from Ebay other than in Canada as it was always a huge risk. Even then the Canadian companies often charged in US dollars so everything is actually up to 35% more expensive than it seems. On top of that FedEx and UPS both charge brokerage fees to the receiver that the sender doesn't even see. Our friends from Portland sent my wife a home made quilt for Christmas one year and by the time we ended up paying all the brokerage fees and other stuff it cost us over $200. 
It is more costly to ship to the US but the receiver doesn't get hit with all the surcharges we do so I don't have an issue with sending stuff there. 

[jeaton01]

I'm in.

[brandonk]

I've bought from Amazon Canada and had free shipping to two giftees in Canada and only paid for the kit, they paid nothing. We can also buy from Canadian sellers and ship direct to the Canadian resident, which also works. We just need to avoid having the gift cross the border if at all possible. I've done the same thing for Australia as well. The best option is to find Canadian based sellers and look at what they can do. I've not had any issues doing things that way. It takes a bit more planning and coordination that what we can do in the US, but it works. Even members in the UK can do the same thing. Focus on where your giftee is and work on the logistics after that.

[tcoat]

Jul 17, 2024 11:49:11 GMT -5 brandonk said:

I've bought from Amazon Canada and had free shipping to two giftees in Canada and only paid for the kit, they paid nothing. We can also buy from Canadian sellers and ship direct to the Canadian resident, which also works. We just need to avoid having the gift cross the border if at all possible. I've done the same thing for Australia as well. The best option is to find Canadian based sellers and look at what they can do. I've not had any issues doing things that way. It takes a bit more planning and coordination that what we can do in the US, but it works. Even members in the UK can do the same thing. Focus on where your giftee is and work on the logistics after that.

YEP! Amazon seems exempt from all the extra costs even when it does cross the border.  

[project510]

Jul 17, 2024 11:49:11 GMT -5 brandonk said:

I've bought from Amazon Canada and had free shipping to two giftees in Canada and only paid for the kit, they paid nothing. We can also buy from Canadian sellers and ship direct to the Canadian resident, which also works. We just need to avoid having the gift cross the border if at all possible. I've done the same thing for Australia as well. The best option is to find Canadian based sellers and look at what they can do. I've not had any issues doing things that way. It takes a bit more planning and coordination that what we can do in the US, but it works. Even members in the UK can do the same thing. Focus on where your giftee is and work on the logistics after that.

Great, its settled. tcoat should be able to enter!

[tcoat]

Jul 17, 2024 12:07:36 GMT -5 project510 said:

Jul 17, 2024 11:49:11 GMT -5 brandonk said:

I've bought from Amazon Canada and had free shipping to two giftees in Canada and only paid for the kit, they paid nothing. We can also buy from Canadian sellers and ship direct to the Canadian resident, which also works. We just need to avoid having the gift cross the border if at all possible. I've done the same thing for Australia as well. The best option is to find Canadian based sellers and look at what they can do. I've not had any issues doing things that way. It takes a bit more planning and coordination that what we can do in the US, but it works. Even members in the UK can do the same thing. Focus on where your giftee is and work on the logistics after that.

Great, its settled. tcoat should be able to enter!

I just don't want to be a pain to anybody getting my name. 

[406 Silverado]

Man this is just great!! I'm really glad to see this GB starting up here as I've seen it on FSM for years. Thank you for getting this going Brandon.

[keavdog]

It was Dodgy from Australia the last time wasn't it? If BK can make that work I'm sure he can make Canada work

[brandonk]

Jul 17, 2024 13:47:21 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Man this is just great!! I'm really glad to see this GB starting up here as I've seen it on FSM for years. Thank you for getting this going Brandon.

[brandonk]

Jul 17, 2024 13:48:51 GMT -5 keavdog said:

It was Dodgy from Australia the last time wasn't it? If BK can make that work I'm sure he can make Canada work

[dukemaddog]

I would like to participate here in this. We used to do this on my old Forums before, but none since.

[brandonk]

This is what comes to mind thus far. If anyone has ideas or suggestions I would greatly appreciate it.

Rules for SSGB 

This GB is all about giving to others and sharing the thrill and fun of building a gift someone took the time to find and give to you. Share that joy with others.

• All signups must be in no later than the day before Thanksgiving, no exceptions.
• Everyone is expected to share their build progress throughout the year with comments and pics
• Participate with the thread and comment on other’s build progress and have a good time
    o Receiving your gift and never coming back is not cool, don’t be that guy.
• Try to have your gift complete whenever possible by Thanksgiving of the following year.
• Create a separate thread for others to follow your build outside of the GB thread
• Purchase and ship your gift so that it arrives for Christmas, stash gifts are allowed provided they are complete and not started.
• You may improvise on the gift if you know the giftee will like it based on your experience of what THEY like. Try to get the giftee what they wish for in most cases. However, surprises are fun and keeping your Wishlist broad will help the SS pick something special you were not expecting. But, asking for a specific kit is allowed.
• No opening gifts before Christmas
• Post your gifts you receive to the thread once you open them and have time away from family and friends.
• Any kit, any scale, any subject, AM is fine to add if you like
• Try to keep the kit to $50 or less. REMEMBER shipping is expensive
• Overseas giftees should provide the name of a seller/store in their region/area where the SS can purchase and ship the gift from to keep cost reasonable.
o Using sources that provide free shipping is encouraged
• GB runs from Christmas day to Thanksgiving.
• All members will PM me with their
o Name
o Address and phone for shipping
o Wishlist

o Let me know whether the gift is wrapped or not to prepare the giftee in advance

I will randomly assign members with a SS and provide the wishlist to the SS for shopping and shipping. I will not divulge the names of SS to giftees, but some of you will figure it out.
Most importantly, build a cool kit with friends and have fun.

[kyledehart5]

Nice Brandon!! This is pretty darn cool. Thanks for putting this together. The toughest part about this is the wishlist. Last thing I need is another kit to build. 🤣🤣🤣

[keavdog]

I've been doing BKs SS GBS for four years or so and they are great when everyone participates. Really fell off the last couple years in terms of folks building their gifts. I keep my wish list pretty vague - like "An airliner" or "Modern British Aircraft 1/48".

My SS builds:

[brandonk]

We've had some incredible gifts given and the results are always great to watch. I feel like each and every build is a gift I gave and I love seeing each and every one.

[brandonk]

Bump this to keep it on the front page

[project510]

Already sent over my info to Brandon. This will be fun! Too bad there isn't a way we could all open these on a call together haha. Would be hard with time zones and family obligations lol.

[brandonk]

New OFFICIAL thread open in GB's.

Sign up in that thread.

modelerssocialclub.proboards.com/thread/16865/official-secret-santa-gb-2024?page=1&scrollTo=421389

[modelcrazy]

Ok, now that my bench is set up and I'm back at it (clearly not as often as I was) I'd like to jump in again. Unfortunately I was one of those guys that, after years of making my gift a priority, I received one two years ago, put it aside to work on other life's priorities, and never started it.
However, if you want to trust me with it again, I'm in.

[keavdog]

Great to have you aboard! Numbers makes this so fun.