The Italian (and Mexican) Job

Despite their rich cultures and beautiful and friendly residents, international relations have been tense between Abbamart and Italy and Mexico in recent months. And it's not because we don't like each other - no! Not at all! I'm blaming it on the postman.

As more and more customers from these countries started making orders, it became painfully obvious that somewhere, something in the system is failing. About 65% of all packages sent to customers in Mexico and Italy were lost altogether or dramatically delayed (Gee, I wonder if she wanted those eyelashes in time for her wedding last January?). Frustrated customers, refunds and replacement packages galore meant each new order coming from either country felt like an omen of trouble on the horizon - which was usually spot-on.

Premium carriers like UPS, DHL or FedEx have much better track records of successful deliveries to Italy and Mexico, but they are prohibitively expensive. Who's going to to be willing to fork out $65 to ship a $5 makeup brush? I suspect not many! And there isn't anything Abbamart can do to improve the US Postal Service we already use. As a result, several weeks ago I made the uncomfortable decision to close Abbamart's doors to Italy and Mexico altogether.

Many of you let me know you weren't happy about it, and I completely understand. I didn't like it, either. At the same time, it wasn't good for business to keep things the way they were. So I've come up with a compromise I hope will be acceptable.

As of today, you'll once again be able to select Italy and Mexico for a shipping address! There will be a difference, though. You'll notice a higher shipping amount because a $11.50 surcharge will be added to each order from either of these countries. This is the exact cost of adding a 'Registered Mail' service to the package. By shipping via Registered Mail, the package will be

1. handled separately from all other mail during transit,

2. be accessible by only certain postal personnel, and

3. be kept by a registry number.

Theoretically, this should mean an overall better chance of your order being delivered safely and on time, the first time!

I value all of your business very much, and I want Abbamart to be able to provide the very best service it can to as many countries in our wide and wonderful world as possible. This is one way we can continue to do so, and hopefully put an end to our international lost package crisis once and for all!