FREE SHIPPING to the Contiguous US
For anyone who hasn't purchased a kendama before, you might have a few questions about shipping. It's nothing too complicated, but if you've never experienced it, you might not know what to expect. If you are looking to buy, sell, trade, or ship kendamas to a buddy, you might be looking for advice as well.
When you purchase a kendama, unless its from Amazon, it typically won't arrive within 2 days. Typically, companies ship kendamas via the United States Postal Service, or USPS for short. There are usually two types of services: first class mail, and priority mail.
First class mail is by far the most cost effective way to ship kendamas. First class will usually arrive in 3-5 days, depending on the distance. You can use your own package, which usually is a bubble mailer or cardboard box. The only catch, however, is that you're only allowed up to 16 ounces. You may be able to pack two kendamas into a first-class package, but you want to make sure whatever you're sending is safe, otherwise, what's the point?
Priority mail is the next option above first class mail. Priority is if you want to ship 2+ kendamas, or really anything at all. Priority mail is called that because these packages have priority over first class! They are delivered a little bit faster and usually arrive in 2-3 days, anywhere in the United States.
If you don't really care about price, then flat rate boxes are very convenient. They are shipping priority mail, but you don't have to weigh what goes inside, because it will cost the same no matter what. This is usually more expensive, but if you just want to write on the box, tape it up, and send it, then it can be very convenient.
Unfortunately, sometimes things arrive broken. Before blaming anyone, think about what your package went through: in some cases, it may have traveled over 600 miles! It is passed through many hands, buildings, equipment, and vehicles. Given that kendamas are made of wood, these things happen.
If you are trading someone, then you are in a tough situation. That person may have no way to replace it, and if they did, it might be hard to believe that the package itself was broken before you even received the kendama. You kind of have to play the situation smart and be mature about it all.
If you ordered it from a company, then you're likely in luck. Many companies will be comfortable replacing your broken kendama if you have good photographic evidence. Take pictures of your destroyed package and the kendama, and email the company. Explain your situation and be patient. Patience goes a long way. If you are not angry, but understanding, you will get it fixed!
