Secret Santa gift exchange! discussion
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2017 Gift Exchange
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Technical Questions
Lisazj1 wrote: "Sorry Camylle, autocorrect insisting on re-spelling your name! So annoying."LOL no worries. I got it figured out. Thanks!!!
Christelle wrote: "And if Smashword can be an additional option for you, it's great. Just the selection is nothing compared to Amazon :-("My wishlist took ages 'cause I wanted to make sure whoever my secret santa is had the options of choosing between gifting from Amazon, Dreamspinner, Riptide, or Smashwords. And each site has at least 4 of my wish list books, so it actually worked out okay for me.
I had thought I'd be scrambling to find books on Smashwords, but a lot of the Riptide Publisher books are also on Smashwords.
Anyhow, I think my wish list is now international friendly. Thanks for the reminder though that there are restrictions for some. I had mine originally setup with just Amazon only.
Am4u ❀ ~ AprilMarie4u ~ ❀ wrote: "Anyhow, I think my wish list is now international friendly. Thanks for the reminder though that there are restrictions for some. I had mine originally setup with just Amazon only"I love that term : "international friendly". Thank you so much for this effort, that's very sweet. And I cross my fingers that the talks about global e-commerce will get finalized soon and in place for the next SS exchange :-)
OMG a lot of info to process...@Isaiah, so sorry to hear that! I didn't know these things happened in a first world countries (I'm naive like that) What a shitty world we're living in :(
@Christelle. As I can see you are helping out every where, you are the sweetest!
@Josy, I don't have a lot to spend this year either, so you have to join and I won't be the only one with a "tight budget". I don't want to be the only one here! I like to be special but not in the bad "no money" way :)
I'll check all you've said to find out what to do and how.
Thank you, people!
Isaiah wrote: "Josy wrote: "Am4u ❀ ~ AprilMarie4u ~ ❀ wrote: "I really think you should join. A lot of people tend to isolate themselves or excludes themselves when feeling down or when going through struggles. A..."I am so sorry to hear that Iasiah. I am shocked to hear that this is actually legal. xxx
Am4u ❀ ~ AprilMarie4u ~ ❀ wrote: "My wishlist took ages 'cause I wanted to make sure whoever my secret santa is had the options of choosing between gifting from Amazon, Dreamspinner, Riptide, or Smashwords."Hmm, doing this didn't occur to me. I thought that just listing the book itself would be enough and if someone couldn't gift via Amazon, they could easily find it thru another vendor.
Darn you over achievers!!!!
@Vir & @Josy - you are not alone!! I have a tight budget too. I hope this is okay to throw out there - I know the whole premise to SS is to gift someone the book so I apologize if I am speaking out of turn. To anyone who is short of funds this year, even if you can't gift a book, I personally would be totally ok with you lending me your ecopy if it's something you own. That does become somewhat problematic though because some of the books on my elfster list I have read and borrowed from the public library. This is just a thought.
Happy gifting and woohoo - it's hump day! :)
Hi all! I went to RSVP on Elfster and was required to enter my mailing address. Although I'd prefer a "cyber gift", I understand that may not be possible in all cases and I assume that is why we are required to enter an address. However, it currently appears on my profile page for the entire Elfster community, and I'm a bit wary of displaying my address to those outside the book exchange. Does anyone knows if there is a way to set it so that ONLY potential Secret Santas would see it?! I did adjust my privacy settings, but when I refreshed the page, the address was still on display.
Apologies in advance for any confusion over my poorly worded question :)
-Anne
Melissa wrote: "Hmm, doing this didn't occur to me. I thought that just listing the book itself would be enough and if someone couldn't gift via Amazon, they could easily find it thru another vendor. Darn you over achievers!!!!"
LOL, don't you worry, Melissa : the non-US elves will not be stopped by this little impediment and will know where to find gifts ;-) #ElfPower, LOL !!
Mod
I went to RSVP on Elfster and was required to enter my mailing address. Although I'd prefer a "cyber gift", I understand that may not be possible in all cases and I assume that it why we ..."
I never put in my mailing address. You can write anything you want :)
Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "I never put in my mailing address. You can write anything you want :)" Good to know. Thanks, lady!
Christelle wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Hmm, doing this didn't occur to me. I thought that just listing the book itself would be enough and if someone couldn't gift via Amazon, they could easily find it thru another vendo..."Whew, lol. :) Thanks, Christelle.
Anne Boleyn's Ghost wrote: "Hi all! I went to RSVP on Elfster and was required to enter my mailing address. Although I'd prefer a "cyber gift", I understand that may not be possible in all cases and I assume that is why we ..."
I enter it then delete it immediately right after I've RSVP'd.
Lisa ~ Books Are My Drugs ~ wrote: "I enter it then delete it immediately right after I've RSVP'd."While, I put in my email address again and list my city and country (Melbourne, Australia), just in case my reason for not giving my mailing address isn't clear.
Anne Boleyn's Ghost wrote: "Hi all! I went to RSVP on Elfster and was required to enter my mailing address. Although I'd prefer a "cyber gift", I understand that may not be possible in all cases and I assume that is why we ..."
I have a fake address listed on Elfster. [love your username - in my younger days I read a lot of Henry the 8th books and his respective wives]
I very much appreciate the suggestions! I'm thinking fake address...tempted to use "Tower of London" but I don't want someone to actually send a smutty book there...Lei - Thank you! Aren't they fascinating? I have avoided certain works because I don't feel that they do Anne justice (grr) but I always appreciate a good Tudor tale.
Lisazj1 wrote: "Camille, are you wanting to add a link to your GR wishlist or just add books off Elfster?"How do I find my GR wishlist? I thought that was just my "to read" shelf but is there actually another place (apart from Elfster) I need to make my "wishes" known?
Thanks for the help!
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How do I find my GR wishlist? I thought that was just my "to read" shelf but is there act..."
A lot of people make a shelf on Goodreads for their wishlist for the exchange and put the link in their elfster profile.
QUESTION: Specifically for M/M retailersDoes anyone know whether or not we can gift books that is on their upcoming soon list? I mean, I have a number of upcoming books that I am salivating on, and would like to add to my wishlist.
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they may check here and see what you wrote. Also, you can put it in your elfster profile that you love reading new books and authors!
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Does anyone know whether or not we can gift books that is on their upcoming soon list? I mean, I have a number of upcoming books that I am salivating on, a..."
May not be on Elfster but you can link to a wishlist on goodreads and includes TBR books.
Butterfly wrote: "I love reading new authors and books. Is there a way that my Secret Santa will know that it's ok to send other books than in the list mentioned? I mean, can I add this somewhere on Elfster? I only ..."I looked at your Elfster profile and if you go to your profile and edit your Settings and scroll down, you can add verbiage to your Notes section. You can look at my Elfster for an example https://www.elfster.com/profile/view/...
Just noticed that Google Play has an option to gift books. Does anyone know how this will work in regards to geo restrictions?I have never had to deal with this, as this is the first time I am participating in gift exchange with people from all over world.
Per Website Google Play Country availability ...
Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States
Not sure if this help or not.
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I have never had to deal with this, as this is the first time I am pa..."
That's awesome!
Trio wrote: "AliciaJ wrote: "I also have a probably silly question, but does anyone remember how to add the elfster button to add things to our wishlist from different websites? I"ve looked on the elfster site,..."Does anyone know how to add this link button with a Mac?
Just a reminder:There is a list of vendors who offer either direct gifting or gift certificates in Message 18
I have two dumb questions as a newbie that has never used Elfster or participated in this large of a gift exchange. 1) To purchase an item for our person--all we have to do it buy something from their wish list... correct? Since they're registered with Elfster, the site knows where to send the book and everything, right?
OR do I buy a book and then have it mailed to that person. Is there one certain, easy way we're all doing this. Again--I am so sorry for all the questions. I just want to clarify.
2) What if you're paired with someone that has nothing on their wish list? In this event do I just get to give one of my favorite books!!!
We can stay anon until the end, correct?And i am also a bad listener because i have book scheduled until Christmas, which is when i will reveal to my elf who i am...i hope that's ok?? lol ((as if anyone will be mad getting books?? :p))
Michelle wrote: "I have two dumb questions as a newbie that has never used Elfster or participated in this large of a gift exchange. 1) To purchase an item for our person--all we have to do it buy something from ..."
Elfster sometimes has the information from the person you are paired with. The site has an option to ask anonymous questions to your partner so you can always ask for clarification on address or email if they aren't listed.
I had the no wishlist part happen last year and her GoodReads was private so I couldn't see anything at all. I managed to find out that we had a friend in common and asked for help. Sometimes you have to be persistent or just guess. I would try and track down their opening post in the introduction thread to get ideas. Good luck!
My person has no wishlist, how do i figure out there goodreads name so I can learn more about what they like to read?
Heidi wrote: "My person has no wishlist, how do i figure out there goodreads name so I can learn more about what they like to read?"By searching his /her email on goodreads
Michelle wrote: "I have two dumb questions as a newbie that has never used Elfster or participated in this large of a gift exchange. 1) To purchase an item for our person--all we have to do it buy something from ..."
You could try finding them in this group just go to members and type there name or ask Heather. Most of us read ebooks you can purchase don't forget to remove your name or you will give yourself away. I don't have a wishlist on Elfster I have a link to my amazon wishlist and my GR wishlist
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How do I purchase an ebook for my person?
Mariah wrote: "How do I purchase an ebook for my person?"when you are purchasing the ebook's from amazon on the page on the right it says give as gift select it and it will ask for the person email you hit place order make sure to remove your name from sender or you give yourself away
here is a link of what it looks like https://www.amazon.com/gp/digital/fio...
Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "I haven’t gotten to go through my messages yet but first always check the person’s email in Goodreads if they don’t have a wishlist on elfster. Also, sometimes a person’s elfster wishlist is accide..."I just needed more coffee this am....
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This may help those of you who live in other countries. I sent a friend in NZ an ebook she couldn't claim it but was able to get a refund and buy the book.
I've seen on Elfster people can acknowledge receipt of a gift as well as send a thank you. How do you do that? I can't find a way. Thanks!
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Maybe someone can jump in? I think it's just on the elfster page?
I just got my first gift through Amazon, but when I went to claim my gift it told me that the book wasn't available in my country.Instead of the 'claim gift' button, where the 'buy now with 1 click' button usually is, I had a link that said 'Learn how this works or exchange for gift credit'.
I clicked that link and it brought up a page which explained how gifting worked and at the bottom there was another link that said 'request a gift credit from customer service now'.
I clicked that link and the page expanded with this message 'Thanks, your request to exchange your Kindle ebook gift for an Amazon.com Gift Card has been submitted to Customer Service. You will receive an email notification when your request has been processed, generally within seven days.
The amount of the gift card balance you receive will be equal to the amount paid for the Kindle ebook gift plus any applicable sales tax (after deducting any discounts or promotional credits) and will be applied to your account.'
So, for those of us having troubles with the stupid location restrictions, this might be some good news. I can't tell what country my Secret Santa is from/what Amazon account they've used, so I don't know whether this will work for all locations, but this is definitely heartening for those of us (like me) feeling like the location restrictions are putting a dampener on the fun of this gift exchange (a gift card just isn't quite the same as that book you've been wanting for ages).
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Instead of the 'claim gift' button, where the 'buy now with 1 cli..."
That is good news!
Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "That is good news!"I just now got an email saying that the amount for the book had been credited to my account, so it took much less than seven days for them to award me the credit. I think this is a really good option. I'm now going to buy the book that my Secret Santa gifted me with, with my credit.
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I just now got an email saying that the amount for the book had been credited to my account, so it took much less than seven days f..."
Perfect! Then you can post what you got :)
Sarah wrote: "I just got my first gift through Amazon, but when I went to claim my gift it told me that the book wasn't available in my country.Instead of the 'claim gift' button, where the 'buy now with 1 cli..."
REALLY useful info Sarah. I am in the process of doing so. It seems easy, so far.
Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Perfect! Then you can post what you got :) "I got what my Santa bought me, it was just a few extra steps before it could be downloaded onto my Kindle.
Do not be afraid! It's quick and easy! It does work the whole refund-and-then-buy procedure, guys. It took only 3 hours and 45 minutes of Amazon to approve my claim. And what I did was just a click. I live in Bulgaria and my SS is probably lives outside the US( I guess because he paid app. 6% VAT (tax) which is not applicable to US territories or currency difference which goes to show the same). Enjoy!
Pavellit wrote: "Do not be afraid! It's quick and easy! It does work the whole refund-and-then-buy procedure, guys. It took only 3 hours and 45 minutes of Amazon to approve my claim. And what I did was just a click..."Phew!! So pleased, Pavellit. I was slightly worried it was just me or where my Secret Santa is from and that I was giving everyone bad information.
I did what was suggested in the random chit chat thread and logged into the Amazon site of the person I had and sent a gift card and it worked perfect. I was able to use my saved card info. No issues.https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Pavellit wrote: "Do not be afraid! It's quick and easy! It does work the whole refund-and-then-buy procedure, guys. It took only 3 hours and 45 minutes of Amazon to approve my claim. And what I did was just a click..."
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There are different rules on the Amazon sites, depending on countries. Rules for the French and Spanish sites (and as my kindle and bank account are in France, I'm automatically sent to the French site) make it impossible to gift books outside of the country. It does drive me up the wall, LOL.
And if Smashword can be an additional option for you, it's great. Just the selection is nothing compared to Amazon :-(