Cantillon Balloon Glass Order!

Wow! Due to overwhelming response to the possibility of a group order, I am not going to be able to open this up for signups. Instead, I'd like to help ensure that those that got in touch with me already will have a chance at getting at least one glass. Therefore, I will be getting in touch with each of you for order totals, addresses, and detailed details about the order. Thanks for the responses ... I'm looking forward to putting this together.

Here are some options that I'd like some feedback on:

Glass Insurance:
I don't know if this has ever been done before, but due to shipping casualties in previous International orders that I have been a part of, I thought about offering an "insurance" option that would help ensure that everyone who ordered got the glasses that they were hoping for. With this option, I would order two additional glasses (which will reduce the prices per glass marginally) but charge each participant their portion of the order (minus those two glasses). The difference is $0.72 per glass, but this will help ensure that you get your glass, in the event that any glasses break in transit. One exceptional BA offered to cover my glass for putting the order together, so IF all the glasses arrive safely, one of the additional glasses will be gifted away. That means that if you weren't included in the order, you will still have a chance to get a glass ... FOR FREE!!! Unfortunately, this is somewhat unlikely, but I'd love the opportunity to give one away to a lucky BA.

This option isn't set in stone, but I thought I'd offer it, just to cover the possibility that a glass or two will be damaged in shipping. Please give me your feedback on this option!

Non-Payment:
Because I will be putting a fairly large charge on my credit card, I will be putting a 7-day payment requirement from the date of purchase (you will be notified). This is simply to ensure that I will be reimbursed for the order, since I am fronting the money. If, after 7 days, you have not paid (via PayPal), you will be removed from the list, and the next person that got in touch with me after you, will have the option to purchase your glass. I HATE to put a stipulation like this on the order, but my wife and I are both in graduate school and can't afford to have people bailing on the order after they've committed. I hope that this is understandable, but based on previous experiences on BA, I don't see this being a problem anyway.

Feedback:
Please let me know if you have any comments, suggestions, questions, or qualms about the order. I'd also like to know if anyone has any info on receiving PayPal payments ... is there a way to receive a payment without forfeiting fees? I think I've heard that if it's sent as a "gift" it's free of fees, but I'd like to be sure before setting this up, just so I don't take an unexpected hit.

For those of you who have planned International orders in the past, if I'm overlooking anything, your input would be very much appreciated. (I think I've covered everything, though.)

Thanks:
We're very much looking forward to putting this order together and sincerely hope that the order goes smoothly and everyone gets their glasses. Thanks again for the awesome response! We'll all have to do a cheers with the new glasses when they arrive and have been redistributed to each of you.

All the best,
Ian

 

Yup, we missed out on this. I have a list completed of those who were the first to respond and would have been included in the order. I'll hang onto that and if they pop back up again, I'll place an order and sort the details out later. If you notice them up, let me know and I'll pull the trigger!