[OT] Americans: I need your help. (fedex / Vegas questions)

[mork]

Hello,

As I've seen several fellow canucks on these forums mention, it is indeed true that diamonds are a lot cheaper through the US online vendors. Having it mailed home to Canada is a killer, however. There's a 10% excise, followed by a big duty fee, and 7% GST. Adds a lot of money to the whole thing.

So, I am planning a trip to Vegas, and will be proposing there. So I thought, why not have the ring delivered to me in Las Vegas and she can wear it home. It'll save me hundreds of dollars.

Now, my questions - how would I go about doing this? I'm going to be staying at the MGM Grand, but I'm not sure I'd trust them to recieve the package and get it into my hands - (10,000 guests there and all, seems it would easily get lost) ... that is if they would even agree to recieve the package for me. Am I being silly? Is it normal to request a hotel accept a package for you while staying there?

I've heard people have FedEx hold a package for pickup or some such thing? Is this true? Is there such a 'holding' place anywhere near the strip in Vegas? How does one arrange these sorts of things?

Or - any Vegas locals here want to do a poor man a gigantic favor and recieve a ring and deliver to me in person (in exchange for __?__)? (note: I'm arriving Feb 6th)

 

[BSHAW]

Mork,
Just thinking about letting someone you don''t know recieve your ring and hold it for you makes me nervous!!! I would rather have it at the hotel then just send it to some random address that you got off an internet forum!!

 

[VegasAngel]

From the MGM website:

Q. Does the MGM Grand Hotel offer an on-site Business Center to assist guests with personal and business needs?

A. Our business center is open 6:00am - 9:00pm, Monday - Friday and 7:00am - 7:00pm, Saturday - Sunday. Services provided include :

DROP OFF ITEMS
Provided for hotel guests only.
Only non-valuable items will be accepted.
Items not accepted include: Keys, Tickets, Jewelry and Electronics.
FAXING
PHONE CARDS
PHOTOCOPIES (Black & White only)
RENTALS
Beepers, Cellular phones, Computers, Copiers, Fax Machines Printers, Workstations.
RETAIL
Boxes, Calculators, Notepads, Pens, Scissors, Tape, etc.
NOTARY
Please call for Notary schedule.
SHIPPING & RECEIVING
Federal Express, United States Postal Service, and UPS.
Pick up and delivery at any MGM location, guest must be
present. Handling fees are assessed for each incoming and
outgoing package and are based on weight of the package.
INTERNET
Internet Access
America Online also available
E-mail to MGM Guest - [email protected] (Fee will apply)
Hi-Speed Internet Access
24-hour self service features such as Hi-Speed Internet access and faxing capabilities
DELIVERIES
Package deliveries occur between the hours of 6:30am and 8pm . We deliver anywhere in the hotel.

 

[belle]

mork,
you are not going to let some fool take delivery of your diamond..that is insane. have it sent to fedex to be held for pick-up. they will hold the package for 5days. you will have to have your i.d. to pick it up. that is the safest way to go about it. just locate the closest fedex station to your location and have it shipped there.

 

[jimk]

As usual, belle is right on the money.

And from what I''ve been told, vendors will not send it to a hotel because they cannot insure it that way. They will, however, send it to a fedex location for your pickup as belle suggested.

 

[qtiekiki]

Here''s something that I had heard from a former Fedex employee. It''s bad but I guess it does happen. Sometimes there are bad employees who will steal small packages because often time jewelry are in small packages. Because of that I don''t know if I would trust Fedex enough, but then again the stories had made me super paranoid about such valuable item. Those stories were from more than 5 years ago, so there might be better security within Fedex now.

 

[Waited2Long]

When I bought our ring from Whiteflash, they delivered it to the local Fedex station, where I picked it up. The box was BIG. Good vendors know not to send e-ring-sized packages . Regardless, the package is insured, so you''re covered if it gets stolen. Call up FedEx. If they recognize Canadian ID cards, then have the vendor ship to the station nearest where you''ll be staying.

 

[mork]

Ok, thanks for the tips guys. I will talk with FedEx and try to arrange something. I also appreciate the tip on the MGM business center. I may call them and see if they have an opinion on recieving it.