British Expats

British Expats (https://britishexpats.com/forum/)
-   USA (https://britishexpats.com/forum/usa-57/)
-   -   Gift Shopping Online Sites for Peeps in the UK (List) (https://britishexpats.com/forum/usa-57/gift-shopping-online-sites-peeps-uk-list-339975/)

Englishmum Nov 28th 2005 8:21 pm

Gift Shopping Online Sites for Peeps in the UK (List)
 
I suppose I'd better get my act together in the next few days and buy Christmas (and some birthday) gifts for family and friends back in the UK. I usually order gifts online (mainly from Amazon.co.uk) and last year for a change I did make the mistake of actually buying some things in Macy's....and the cost and hassle of mailing them to the UK makes me doubly-determined not to repeat the experience this year.... :rolleyes:

Perhaps it might be nice to start a list of online stores which are reliable, not outrageously expensive and easy to send gifts to the UK?.

In previous years I've had some problems where I was about to place an order and gone through the whole process and then found the company didn't take a non-UK credit card and/or billing address - even with my Lloyds TSB offshore bank. This used to be the case with Marks and Spencers....but yesterday we were pleased to find that we could send some birthday gifts to the M-in-law without a problem. I like to order from UK online stores as the postage costs are less and I think less likely to go 'missing' in the transatlantic crossing:

I'll get the ball rolling:

1) http://www.amazon.co.uk

2) http://www.marksandspencer.com/


Any others?

BigDavyG Nov 28th 2005 8:30 pm

Re: Gift Shopping Online Sites for Peeps in the UK (List)
 
For movies, computer games, etc try play.com. Very good service.
Personally I use either play or amazon for pretty much absolutely everything - saves a lot of hassle.

robskatie Nov 28th 2005 8:34 pm

Re: Gift Shopping Online Sites for Peeps in the UK (List)
 

Originally Posted by Englishmum
I suppose I'd better get my act together in the next few days and buy Christmas (and some birthday) gifts for family and friends back in the UK. I usually order gifts online (mainly from Amazon.co.uk) and last year for a change I did make the mistake of actually buying some things in Macy's....and the cost and hassle of mailing them to the UK makes me doubly-determined not to repeat the experience this year.... :rolleyes:

Perhaps it might be nice to start a list of online stores which are reliable, not outrageously expensive and easy to send gifts to the UK?.

In previous years I've had some problems where I was about to place an order and gone through the whole process and then found the company didn't take a non-UK credit card and/or billing address - even with my Lloyds TSB offshore bank. This used to be the case with Marks and Spencers....but yesterday we were pleased to find that we could send some birthday gifts to the M-in-law without a problem. I like to order from UK online stores as the postage costs are less and I think less likely to go 'missing' in the transatlantic crossing:

I'll get the ball rolling:

1) http://www.amazon.co.uk

2) http://www.marksandspencer.com/


Any others?

I just sent my Aunt a DVD player and some DVD's from
www.woolworths.com
but, they did require the visa/debit card have a UK postal address.
I also have used amazon alot.
Thanks for the heads up on M&S!

NC Penguin Nov 28th 2005 8:36 pm

Re: Gift Shopping Online Sites for Peeps in the UK (List)
 

Originally Posted by Englishmum
I suppose I'd better get my act together in the next few days and buy Christmas (and some birthday) gifts for family and friends back in the UK. I usually order gifts online (mainly from Amazon.co.uk) and last year for a change I did make the mistake of actually buying some things in Macy's....and the cost and hassle of mailing them to the UK makes me doubly-determined not to repeat the experience this year.... :rolleyes:

Perhaps it might be nice to start a list of online stores which are reliable, not outrageously expensive and easy to send gifts to the UK?.

In previous years I've had some problems where I was about to place an order and gone through the whole process and then found the company didn't take a non-UK credit card and/or billing address - even with my Lloyds TSB offshore bank. This used to be the case with Marks and Spencers....but yesterday we were pleased to find that we could send some birthday gifts to the M-in-law without a problem. I like to order from UK online stores as the postage costs are less and I think less likely to go 'missing' in the transatlantic crossing:

I'll get the ball rolling:

1) http://www.amazon.co.uk

2) http://www.marksandspencer.com/


Any others?

I have no experience of ordering gifts from the UK to send to friends or relies in the UK. I tend to send cheques (recipients are all adults) or buy NC produced stuff (food, clothing, art, etc.) and mail it to them. I've never had a problem with things I send to the UK. Delivery time may be slower at this time of year but that's to be expected.



NC Penguin

jamjar Nov 28th 2005 8:44 pm

Re: Gift Shopping Online Sites for Peeps in the UK (List)
 

Originally Posted by Englishmum

Perhaps it might be nice to start a list of online stores which are reliable, not outrageously expensive and easy to send gifts to the UK?.

In previous years I've had some problems where I was about to place an order and gone through the whole process and then found the company didn't take a non-UK credit card and/or billing address - even with my Lloyds TSB offshore bank. This used to be the case with Marks and Spencers....but yesterday we were pleased to find that we could send some birthday gifts to the M-in-law without a problem. I like to order from UK online stores as the postage costs are less and I think less likely to go 'missing' in the transatlantic crossing:

I'll get the ball rolling:

1) http://www.amazon.co.uk

2) http://www.marksandspencer.com/


Any others?

www.shopsafe.co.uk a directory of hundreds of online shopping sites in the UK. All of the sites have been checked for security etc. I have used this site quite a lot. It's got a wide range of shops and I've never had a problem using my US credit card.

clydegirl Nov 28th 2005 8:48 pm

Re: Gift Shopping Online Sites for Peeps in the UK (List)
 

Originally Posted by NC Penguin
I have no experience of ordering gifts from the UK to send to friends or relies in the UK. I tend to send cheques (recipients are all adults) or buy NC produced stuff (food, clothing, art, etc.) and mail it to them. I've never had a problem with things I send to the UK. Delivery time may be slower at this time of year but that's to be expected.



NC Penguin

I mailed all my parcels last tuesday to the UK pleased to say they arrived today.

Englishmum Nov 28th 2005 8:58 pm

Re: Gift Shopping Online Sites for Peeps in the UK (List)
 

Originally Posted by robskatie
I just sent my Aunt a DVD player and some DVD's from
www.woolworths.com
but, they did require the visa/debit card have a UK postal address.

How did you get around that if Woolworth's still require a UK postal address on credit and debit cards?

robskatie Nov 28th 2005 10:53 pm

Re: Gift Shopping Online Sites for Peeps in the UK (List)
 

Originally Posted by Englishmum
How did you get around that if Woolworth's still require a UK postal address on credit and debit cards?

I still have a UK bank account with statements going to a relative, my ex pays child support into it so it works out easier :)

Wintersong Nov 28th 2005 11:21 pm

Re: Gift Shopping Online Sites for Peeps in the UK (List)
 
Good ideas that I've used before are wine deliveries, hampers from e.g. Harrods and Next stuff. Sorry I'm too lazy to google links right now!

scrubbedexpat099 Nov 29th 2005 5:30 am

Re: Gift Shopping Online Sites for Peeps in the UK (List)
 
My Bruv

Tell him to let me know the cost and I will send him a cheque, if I remember.

Sentosa Nov 29th 2005 10:04 am

Re: Gift Shopping Online Sites for Peeps in the UK (List)
 
I use internet shopping in the U.k alot here are a few that I use all the time:
www.argos.co.uk
www.past-times.com [they have 20% off untill Sunday]
www.Tesco.com [had a problem using visa but they accepted mastercard]
www.bunches.co.uk
www.ukshops.co.uk[lots of shops on this site]
www.voucherexpress.co.uk.you can get vouchers for any major store here I always get the choice voucher as it can be used in 100's of stores in the u.k.delivery is usually within 2days and they will put a message in for you cost one pound i think for shipping and handleing

neil Nov 29th 2005 12:20 pm

Re: Gift Shopping Online Sites for Peeps in the UK (List)
 
For CDs and DVDs www.cd-wow.com is pretty good. I have used this for delivery to the UK and to the US (free shipping worldwide - everything seems to get sent from Hong Kong)

Lizzi Nov 29th 2005 12:34 pm

Re: Gift Shopping Online Sites for Peeps in the UK (List)
 
Add:
Thorntons
Hamper.co.uk

Anyone else send tons of stuff home via the net and never get a bean back? :mad:

britchicknyc Nov 29th 2005 2:05 pm

Re: Gift Shopping Online Sites for Peeps in the UK (List)
 
John Lewis
http://www.johnlewis.com/

Good thread!

Englishmum Nov 29th 2005 2:51 pm

Re: Gift Shopping Online Sites for Peeps in the UK (List)
 

Originally Posted by britchicknyc
John Lewis
http://www.johnlewis.com/

Good thread!


Ooooh!

Elvira will be delighted to see that they take US credit cards - it's one of her favourite stores. Mine too.

Thanks for the heads up :)


All times are GMT. The time now is 11:38 am.

Powered by vBulletin: ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.