Korean Job Discussion Forums

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Ok, this is just funny and annoying at the same time...

I get a package from my parents delivered today. Of course, it was searched and all of the little christmas gifts torn open slightly. But get this... someone opened the bag of party mix my parents sent (homemade), and it spilled out all over everything. It would be easy to say that it came open by itself, BUT, as a joke my mother also packed a package of Wrigleys gum with a note that said, "Eat after party mix for bad breath".

Five pieces of gum were missing, and my mom had packed a new package.

Welcome to Korea!

ratslash · Joined: 08 May 2003

unbelivable! the more i see of this country the more bewildered i get about some of things people do.

mack the knife · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: standing right behind you...

Even if this were true, big deal.

Try sending something of value to say, any South American country. You'll never get it, and if by some miracle you do, it will be either a) damaged b) exchanged for another item! c) months, possibly years late

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

It all comes down to how much sh*t your'e prepared to take. because, its unavoidable here. Do you just throw your hands up and say, "well, I'm still getting paid fairly well at the end of the day", or do you spend all your time here fighting these A**holes for whats yours??

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

rapier,
You seem to have had your share of battles in Korea.

People wonder why there is such a high turnover in Korea. People wonder about the lack of foreigners coming to and staying in Korea.

Did you see this thread?
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=13403

While the number of foreign visitors to the country is expected to mark the largest drop in the nation�s history this year, the Korea National Tourism Organization (KNTO) on Thursday pointed to the nation�s poor and even discriminatory public transportation service as one of the reasons for such a huge drop.
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200312/kt2003121117135911960.htm

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

I have 45 kilos of stuff arriving into korea tomorrow..
should be able to recieve it monday. I have gone through a private airmail freight company. express delivery. cost 600 bucks..
do you think customs will search it? I have never had problems before with regular post.. my father tapes that box real good! so if they do open it I would know.. and I have never had that problem before..,
I am worrying now.. because I am getting a ALOT of stuff this time.
3 boxes and HEAPS of FOOD and not to mention my duvets for the winter.
hope it all gets here ok!!

Wishmaster · Joined: 06 Feb 2003

Geez man, get a grip. So what...they scored some of your treats. Just be happy you got anything at all. I got several packages this year and everything got to me. No problems.

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

Swiss James · Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Location: Shanghai

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

Kwangjuchicken · Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2003 3:07 am Post subject:

My "mom" sends me stuff to korea on a regular basis and has done so for 5 years. When I told her how the Pusan post office tore open all her packages and put it back together she was so mad. I mean, after all, before a package from the usa can be put on a plane to come to Korea they already know it is safe. Anyway, she decided to teach them a lesson. She took a paper clip, wrapped it in tissue, then put a rubber band around it. Then wrapped it in aluminun foil. Next put that in a sip lock bad. Put that in a small box. Taped the small box up very well. Then put the small box in a huge box filled with plastic packing material (you know the foam peanut things. Then taped the sh**it out of that box. She very clearly wrote on the form you have to put on it Contents: One Paper Clip. Then sent it. Well as usual they inspected it. They undid everything and then put it back just like she had it. And guess what. From that day on, Pusan post never opened another package she sent me. And I guess her repuation is known here in Kwangju, because I just got a package from her, and it was not opened Smile

J.B. Clamence · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

justagirl · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Cheonan/Portland

Last year, from around October to February the mail service started getting really bad. Our parents sent a Christmas box air mail (spent equivalent of 70,000) and it NEVER came.

Then I didn't get my birthday gift from my mom. And another package sent air-mail took 6 weeks to get here, rather than the 7-14 days.

Maybe in some countries it's "no big deal," but we're not living in those other countries. It seems like in Korea, a foreigner's box is more likely to disappear than a Koreans--just my point of view on it.

I have to say it's really disappointing to not get a box you know is coming, when you only get one or two boxes a year. After living here for months, and then years, one needs things from home. It is a big deal. It's very frustrating to think of some customs person or a post office person with my birthday gifts. We haven't had any problems in the last 6 months, thank goodness.

Itaewon guy--I hope everything gets to you in one piece!

justagirl

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003