Secret Santa gift exchange! discussion

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2018 Gift Exchange > Technical Questions

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message 101: by Josy (last edited Nov 20, 2018 08:43AM) (new)

Josy (aceofhearts83) | 668 comments Christelle wrote: "Woah : that's a new option, and a pretty good one. Too bad it was not released when I went there, LOL.
But whatever the effort, Josy, you're soooo worth it, <3 ..."


Thank you so much <3
I'm pretty sure it isn't new. It's just that it isn't easily visible and Amazon doesn't offer to change the language to English. So unless you know where to look, you're pretty lost, lol!


message 102: by Christelle (new)

Christelle | 472 comments Message to the whole Elfscapade Brigade :
On Elfster, when you select a book to gift someone, don't forget to tag it as "purchased". It avoids a giftee to receive the same book from different elves :-)


message 103: by Josy (new)

Josy (aceofhearts83) | 668 comments Christelle wrote: "Message to the whole Elfscapade Brigade :
On Elfster, when you select a book to gift someone, don't forget to tag it as "purchased". It avoids a giftee to receive the same book from different elves..."


^^THIS^^

Also, this reminded me of a pic I tweaked two years ago, lol!



Debra ~~ seriously slacking on her reviews ~~ (debrae) | 245 comments Josy wrote: "Debra wrote: "So I used Book Depository for the first time ever. My international giftee had no e-books so I was sending a physical book and the Paypal checkout was so quick it didn't give me any o..."

This was a first too since it was going to be an actual book international shipping and was told it was easy. It certainly was, but it turned out to be a bit too easy to be sneaky!


message 105: by Teresa (new)

Teresa (teresab78) | 68 comments I think I may have sent my match’s gifts to her kindle email not her real one. Would she still get them?


Heather K (dentist in my spare time) (dentistinmysparetime) | 2075 comments Mod
Teresa wrote: "I think I may have sent my match’s gifts to her kindle email not her real one. Would she still get them?"

No, I don't think so! Contact Amazon and they will be able to help you (if you gifted through there).


message 107: by Ami (new)

Ami (amie_07) | 332 comments Debra wrote: "So I used Book Depository for the first time ever. My international giftee had no e-books so I was sending a physical book and the Paypal checkout was so quick it didn't give me any options to add ..."

I hope Book Depository becomes a wonderful Secret Santa helper to all international readers this year *lol*


~ Lei ~ Reading Is An Adventure ~ (leilanilives2read) | 345 comments Christelle wrote: "Message to the whole Elfscapade Brigade :
On Elfster, when you select a book to gift someone, don't forget to tag it as "purchased". It avoids a giftee to receive the same book from different elves..."


I deleted it off my Elfster wish list - then realized I couldn't thank my gifter through Elfster. Oops.


Shile (Hazard's Version) on-hiatus (shile) | 107 comments Hello! I am on Amazon.com. I just realized that i can only receive and send book gifts that are only in my country. Some titles i am given a warning that the book is not available in my country due to copyright.

I can do so via smashwords, but smashwords doesn't have many books.

Can i buy books and then send them via email or will that out me?


message 110: by Ami (new)

Ami (amie_07) | 332 comments Shile wrote: "Can i buy books and then send them via email or will that out me? ..."

I did this a couple of times over the past years when my giftee couldn't accept ebooks from Amazon. My suggestion, if still want to keep yourself anonymous, just create a separate email address, with unrecognizable address like SecretSanta2018@gmail.com or something like that. And of course with email, you can use any name you want. I think that's acceptable :)


Shile (Hazard's Version) on-hiatus (shile) | 107 comments Ami wrote: "Shile wrote: "Can i buy books and then send them via email or will that out me? ..."

I did this a couple of times over the past years when my giftee couldn't accept ebooks from Amazon. My suggesti..."


Thank you Amy. I will do that.


Shile (Hazard's Version) on-hiatus (shile) | 107 comments ~ Lei ~ Reading Is An Adventure ~ wrote: "I deleted it off my Elfster wish list - then realized I couldn't thank my gifter through Elfster. Oops...."

I did this too. damn! sorry my secret santa and elf. I will leave them on the list.


Debra ~~ seriously slacking on her reviews ~~ (debrae) | 245 comments Good thing Heather's mail came. I checked my wish list settings on Elfster and saw that it was only marked visible to the older Secret Santa groups so anyone new to the exchange since last year wouldn't be able to see it, which is weird. I guess it doesn't do that automatically anymore.


message 114: by Cadiva (new)

Cadiva | 173 comments I managed to send a physical book to an American based giftee because I've got a US Amazon account as well as a UK one.
I had their physical address so I could just add it to my account and send it.
Still can't purchase ebooks or gift cards for other people on .com though :(


message 115: by Josy (new)

Josy (aceofhearts83) | 668 comments Cadiva wrote: "I managed to send a physical book to an American based giftee because I've got a US Amazon account as well as a UK one.
I had their physical address so I could just add it to my account and send it..."


I did this once or twice, too, and so far, it worked well :)

But you can't buy gift cards on .com? I had no trouble gifting gift cards through .com in the past.


message 116: by Lulu (new)

Lulu | 110 comments Unrelated. But I wonder if there is a glitch in amazon gifting. I'v sent some books. One of that says unclaimed but the receiver apparently got the book and thanked "me" for the book.
Another says claimed but I didn't notice an acknowledgment....makes me wonder


message 117: by Melissa (new)

Melissa | 395 comments Lulu wrote: "Unrelated. But I wonder if there is a glitch in amazon gifting. I'v sent some books. One of that says unclaimed but the receiver apparently got the book and thanked "me" for the book.
Another says..."


It's possible they got the email notifying them of their gift but they haven't actually gone thru amazon to collect it.

As for the one that is marked as claimed but you didn't get an acknowledgement - you can always message them anonymously thru Elfster and just make sure they did get it.


message 118: by Judith (new)

Judith (jude111) | 109 comments BananaBerry wrote: "Hi all! How is everyone posting an image of the book cover in the thread posting their gifts? I tried and had a major fail. But it's so much cuter listing it with the photo."

In the message box towards the right you'll see the option to 'add book/author'


message 119: by Judith (new)

Judith (jude111) | 109 comments HELP NEEDED!!


I'm stressed.My giftee has no books on her Wishlist.After going through her whole tbr pile(about 9 pages) i cannot find a single book on any site but Amazon.

I know there are problems sending books from UK to US but does anyone know if there are the same problems sending to other countries( in this case from the UK to India) through Amazon?


Shile (Hazard's Version) on-hiatus (shile) | 107 comments Judith wrote: "HELP NEEDED!!


I'm stressed.My giftee has no books on her Wishlist.After going through her whole tbr pile(about 9 pages) i cannot find a single book on any site but Amazon.

I know there are probl..."


I believe you will still have a problem, if you and your giftee are not on Amazon.com.


message 121: by Vicki (new)

Vicki (bvicki) | 74 comments Do you think you'd be able to send a gift card, instead of books?

Judith wrote: "HELP NEEDED!!


I'm stressed.My giftee has no books on her Wishlist.After going through her whole tbr pile(about 9 pages) i cannot find a single book on any site but Amazon.

I know there are probl..."



message 122: by Judith (new)

Judith (jude111) | 109 comments Shile wrote: "Judith wrote: "HELP NEEDED!!


I'm stressed.My giftee has no books on her Wishlist.After going through her whole tbr pile(about 9 pages) i cannot find a single book on any site but Amazon.

I know ..."


I have an Amazon.com acc as well as my uk one but I'm not sure about her.I've messaged her through Elfster so I'll see.

I've spent about 2 hours going through her books and I've got a splitting headache and neck tension!!
Is it too early for wine?


message 123: by Judith (new)

Judith (jude111) | 109 comments Vicki wrote: "Do you think you'd be able to send a gift card, instead of books?

Judith wrote: "HELP NEEDED!!


I'm stressed.My giftee has no books on her Wishlist.After going through her whole tbr pile(about 9 ..."


From past experience it's the same problem with a gift card.


message 124: by Josy (last edited Nov 23, 2018 06:29AM) (new)

Josy (aceofhearts83) | 668 comments Judith, I'm not sure but I'm guessing that India doesn't have their own Amazon store so I think your giftee is using the US store and won't be able to access the books you are sending from the UK store. You can log into the US store and send physical books (if you have her address) or gift cards. To make sure, you can ask her anonymously on elfster if she's indeed using the US store before sending anything. You can also message Heather. Maybe she has another idea to help you.


message 125: by Josy (new)

Josy (aceofhearts83) | 668 comments Josy wrote: "Judith, I'm not sure but I'm guessing that India doesn't have their own Amazon store so I think your giftee is using the US store and won't be able to access the books you are sending from the UK s..."

Edit: maybe sending physical books to India from the US store isn't the best idea because I'd think they won't ship them for free. You could look up Book Depository for physical books. I think they don't charge shipping costs no matter to where in the world you are sending books.


message 126: by Judith (new)

Judith (jude111) | 109 comments Cadiva wrote: "I'm UK also so I tend to buy via Smashwords as myself but marking the purchase as a gift, then you get a link to the download code which you can forward on to your giftee by way of a secret email a..."

The problem is literally none of the books she wants to read are on any site apart from Amazon.There are book summaries of some of the books she wants on Smashwords so that might be a last resort.


message 127: by Judith (new)

Judith (jude111) | 109 comments Judith wrote: "Cadiva wrote: "I'm UK also so I tend to buy via Smashwords as myself but marking the purchase as a gift, then you get a link to the download code which you can forward on to your giftee by way of a..."

Think I've just replied to a different question here


message 128: by Judith (new)

Judith (jude111) | 109 comments Josy wrote: "Judith, I'm not sure but I'm guessing that India doesn't have their own Amazon store so I think your giftee is using the US store and won't be able to access the books you are sending from the UK s..."

I'll try that.I'm waiting for a reply from her on Elfster.She has a wish list,just doesn't contain any books!!


Shile (Hazard's Version) on-hiatus (shile) | 107 comments Judith wrote: "Shile wrote: "Judith wrote: "HELP NEEDED!!


I'm stressed.My giftee has no books on her Wishlist.After going through her whole tbr pile(about 9 pages) i cannot find a single book on any site but Am..."


Nope.. Every time is wine time. Damn.. If they are not on smashwords too, it will be a difficult one. Pm Heather maybe she can offer a solution.


message 130: by Judith (new)

Judith (jude111) | 109 comments Shile wrote: "Judith wrote: "Shile wrote: "Judith wrote: "HELP NEEDED!!


I'm stressed.My giftee has no books on her Wishlist.After going through her whole tbr pile(about 9 pages) i cannot find a single book on ..."


IKR? I couldn't believe i couldn't find one on Smashwords.I thought about a Dreamspinner gift card but it's pointless as i don't think anything on there would be her thing.

I'll message Heather,who is probably well sick of me by now!


Heather K (dentist in my spare time) (dentistinmysparetime) | 2075 comments Mod
Judith wrote: "Shile wrote: "Judith wrote: "Shile wrote: "Judith wrote: "HELP NEEDED!!


I'm stressed.My giftee has no books on her Wishlist.After going through her whole tbr pile(about 9 pages) i cannot find a s..."


Never- haha! ;)


message 132: by BananaBerry (new)

BananaBerry (cherry78) | 34 comments Judith wrote: "Shile wrote: "Judith wrote: "HELP NEEDED!!


I'm stressed.My giftee has no books on her Wishlist.After going through her whole tbr pile(about 9 pages) i cannot find a single book on any site but Am..."


1) It's never too early for wine - throw a little orange juice in it and it's breakfast :)
2) It looks like Amazon.in has kindle books, if she has a kindle? Otherwise, I saw some instructions on Quora on how to buy/ship to India through Amazon: https://www.quora.com/Does-Amazon-shi...

Hope this helps!


message 133: by Judith (new)

Judith (jude111) | 109 comments BananaBerry wrote: "Judith wrote: "Shile wrote: "Judith wrote: "HELP NEEDED!!


I'm stressed.My giftee has no books on her Wishlist.After going through her whole tbr pile(about 9 pages) i cannot find a single book on ..."


Thank you.And the wine went down very well!!


message 134: by Jewel (new)

Jewel | 226 comments Does anyone know if there's a way to exchange an ebook gift on Smashwords? I've just been gifted a duplicate


message 135: by Melissa (new)

Melissa | 395 comments Jewel wrote: "Does anyone know if there's a way to exchange an ebook gift on Smashwords? I've just been gifted a duplicate"

I am going to guess no. This is what their website says:

Are books returnable if I don't like them?
No. All sales are final. This is why most authors allow you to sample much of their book for free so you can try before you buy.

But I couldn't find anything about specifically about gifts/exchanges.


message 136: by Jewel (new)

Jewel | 226 comments Melissa wrote: "Jewel wrote: "Does anyone know if there's a way to exchange an ebook gift on Smashwords? I've just been gifted a duplicate"

I am going to guess no. This is what their website says:

Are books retu..."


Yeah, it isn't a matter of not liking it. I haven't claimed it. Well, poo. I've emailed their customer service. I'll reply with the verdict when I hear back.


message 137: by Melissa (new)

Melissa | 395 comments Jewel wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Jewel wrote: "Does anyone know if there's a way to exchange an ebook gift on Smashwords? I've just been gifted a duplicate"

I am going to guess no. This is what their website says:..."


Fingers crossed!


message 138: by Josy (last edited Nov 24, 2018 02:50AM) (new)

Josy (aceofhearts83) | 668 comments Judith wrote: "IKR? I couldn't believe i couldn't find one on Smashwords.I thought about a Dreamspinner gift card but it's pointless as i don't think anything on there would be her thing.

I'll message Heather,who is probably well sick of me by now!..."


Judith, another thought just occurred to me. Smashwords have changed their settings/filtering for content recently. You have to confirm that you are fine with being shown mainstream erotica/all erotica. Otherwise some books just won't show up when you searching for them. I don't know which kind of books your giftee is reading but maybe that's the reason why none of the books you were looking for showed up?


message 139: by Judith (new)

Judith (jude111) | 109 comments Josy wrote: "Judith wrote: "IKR? I couldn't believe i couldn't find one on Smashwords.I thought about a Dreamspinner gift card but it's pointless as i don't think anything on there would be her thing.

I'll mes..."


Oh,right,I'd forgotten about that but i don't think she's into erotica x


message 140: by Josy (new)

Josy (aceofhearts83) | 668 comments Okay :) Just thought that this might have been the reason :)


message 141: by Judith (new)

Judith (jude111) | 109 comments Josy wrote: "Okay :) Just thought that this might have been the reason :)"

It was great advice,i wish it would have been that simple!


message 142: by Josy (new)

Josy (aceofhearts83) | 668 comments Judith wrote: "Josy wrote: "Okay :) Just thought that this might have been the reason :)"

It was great advice,i wish it would have been that simple!"


I'm really sorry it wasn't! Hope you can figure something out for your giftee!


message 143: by Judith (new)

Judith (jude111) | 109 comments Josy wrote: "Judith wrote: "Josy wrote: "Okay :) Just thought that this might have been the reason :)"

It was great advice,i wish it would have been that simple!"

I'm really sorry it wasn't! Hope you can figu..."


Honestly,I've given up! She has 173 books on her tbr shelf and while i obviously didn't check them all ,i checked A LOT on smashwords and couldn't find any!!


message 144: by Ekollon (new)

Ekollon | 35 comments I posted this on another thread where it came up as an issue, but I'm going to post it here, too, as it's on topic.

Just some info for people who have preferences on what they want to get, format wise:

If you absolutely don't want physical books at all under any circumstances, you can remove your address (if you put it in your profile when you registered, you can still remove it), and then no one can send you anything physical by mistake. If this isn't a matter that will be solved by removing your address (maybe you only have a preference for ebooks and are still willing to take physical books, or maybe you want ebooks from a specific store, or maybe something else), you can go to your wish list, hit "settings," and make an "optional note" for people to read.

You can put anything there, really, that you want people to see. It's a way to communicate with people who might be considering giving you gifts before a purchase is made.


message 145: by Hazel (new)

Hazel (x1f4d6hx1f4d6) Judith wrote: "Josy wrote: "Judith wrote: "Josy wrote: "Okay :) Just thought that this might have been the reason :)"

It was great advice,i wish it would have been that simple!"

I'm really sorry it wasn't! Hope..."


If you haven’t done this already I would send her a message through elfster and say due to international gifting issues could she pick some books from Smashwords.
I’m from Uk and I went onto Smashwords and added books from there to my wish list. They are not necessarily the books I would most want but there are still some good ones to pick from. Xx


message 146: by Judith (new)

Judith (jude111) | 109 comments Hazel wrote: "Judith wrote: "Josy wrote: "Judith wrote: "Josy wrote: "Okay :) Just thought that this might have been the reason :)"

It was great advice,i wish it would have been that simple!"

I'm really sorry ..."


Thanks.I messaged her yesterday,with no response yet.It's beyond frustrating!


message 147: by Midniteillusion (new)

Midniteillusion | 89 comments A thought for people having problems with international (I'm on the receiving end of one of these and it is really frustration that Amazon doesn't let you buy/send outside of your region) but I sell on eBay for a local small business and we ship internationally so if your person wants physical books or is willing to take physical even if it's not their top choice that might be another place to look.


message 148: by Midniteillusion (new)

Midniteillusion | 89 comments On the topic of Smashwords does anyone know who to get it from Smashwords on to my Kindle App (I don't have a Kindle but I use the app to read my ebooks). I can't seem to figure it out. :(


message 149: by Melissa (last edited Nov 24, 2018 05:51PM) (new)

Melissa | 395 comments Midniteillusion wrote: "On the topic of Smashwords does anyone know who to get it from Smashwords on to my Kindle App (I don't have a Kindle but I use the app to read my ebooks). I can't seem to figure it out. :("

Smashwords offers MOBI versions, which is Kindle. I am sure others can tell you different ways to get your book but this is how I do it.

Go to the book in your Smashwords library, there is an button that says "Send to Email." This will email the book to whatever email you provided Smashwords with. When you get that email, you can then forward the MOBI version only to your kindle (app) email address.

If you don't know what your kindle (app) email address is, go to your Amazon account, find "your content and devices" under the menu, and then click the "devices" tab. Find the Kindle (app) you are looking for and click on the button next to it and it will tell you your Kindle (app) email address.

I hope the above instructions are clear. If I left anything out, hopefully someone will clarify. :)

Edit: I found this link. https://www.amazon.com/gp/sendtokindl...


Shile (Hazard's Version) on-hiatus (shile) | 107 comments Midniteillusion wrote: "A thought for people having problems with international (I'm on the receiving end of one of these and it is really frustration that Amazon doesn't let you buy/send outside of your region) but I sel..."

Oh! i thought i was the only one. I can receive on Amazon.com, but i can't send. Good thing smashwords allows both, for people outside US. But we can send gift cards at least that is a plus.


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