Secret Santa gift exchange! discussion

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2019 Gift Exchange > Technical Questions

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message 201: by Zach (new)

Zach | 38 comments I wish there was a way to note people/items that you want to go back and gift later. I don't get paid until the end of the week, so I can't buy anything much until then.


message 202: by Bookbee (new)

Bookbee | 38 comments I found out today that Dreamspinner doesn't allow gifting books any longer. I know they did in the past. Now they only have the option of gift cards.


message 203: by Bookbee (last edited Nov 19, 2019 02:58PM) (new)

Bookbee | 38 comments Kristy wrote: "So do you have to have contact customer service at Smashwords to actually change your identity or can you do it yourself? I just totally sent someone a gift and instead of using the name I entered ..."

I was having this very issue! Yes, you can change it yourself but give it a little time to actually register on the system. Click the "profile" button at the top, then click on "edit account" on the left-hand side. Then, under "Your real name or pen name" enter what you want to appear. Ta-Da! and Bob's y'er uncle!


message 204: by Kristy (new)

Kristy Johnston | 220 comments Bookbee wrote: "Kristy wrote: "So do you have to have contact customer service at Smashwords to actually change your identity or can you do it yourself? I just totally sent someone a gift and instead of using the ..."

Bookbee - thanks. It's seems to be changed now. Hopefully, my next gift register from an elf.

And thanks for being my guinea pig too! ;)


message 205: by Bookbee (new)

Bookbee | 38 comments Your welcome... and thanks for using me as a guinea pig! <3


Heather K (dentist in my spare time) (dentistinmysparetime) | 2075 comments Mod
Zach wrote: "I wish there was a way to note people/items that you want to go back and gift later. I don't get paid until the end of the week, so I can't buy anything much until then."

Don't worry- still plenty of time left in the exchange!


message 207: by Cadiva (last edited Nov 20, 2019 03:21AM) (new)

Cadiva | 173 comments Ami wrote: "Just FYI, Google Play Books also doesn't allow cross-country gifting. I just received email from the kind Ivy Mistletoe but the code didn't work in my country, unfortunately. So add Google Play Boo..."

Oh that's utter rubbish. Did they give you any help for exchange or anything?

Just found this on their help page.

Eligibility
To send a digital gift, your recipient must be registered for Google Play in the same country as you. Currently, you can't send other digital content as gifts or lend digital content to another account. However, you can share apps and digital content with your family with Google Play Family Library.

Google Play Books gifts are available in the following countries:

Country availability
Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Mexico, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States


That's a real shame as they could have made a great alternative to Amazon's restrictions between countries.


message 208: by Jairo (last edited Nov 20, 2019 03:29AM) (new)

Jairo Cadiva wrote: "Ami wrote: "Just FYI, Google Play Books also doesn't allow cross-country gifting. I just received email from the kind Ivy Mistletoe but the code didn't work in my country, unfortunately. So add Goo..."

My secret elf sent me a book only available in the USA, I'm from Colombia so at first, I was not able to claim it. However, I just followed https://www.howtogeek.com/328197/how-to-change-your-country-on-your-amazon-so-you-can-buy-different-kindle-books, putting Central Park as my address and I was able to claim the book. So, does not matter where you are, just put an address of the country the book is from and you will be able to buy it and claim it. (Only for digital content)


message 209: by Cadiva (last edited Nov 20, 2019 03:36AM) (new)

Cadiva | 173 comments Jairo wrote: "Cadiva wrote: "Ami wrote: "Just FYI, Google Play Books also doesn't allow cross-country gifting. I just received email from the kind Ivy Mistletoe but the code didn't work in my country, unfortunat..."

Yeah you can switch countries on Amazon but that doesn't work with Google Play unfortunately as it's tied to your Google Account.

Also Amazon will sometimes flag accounts that switch between countries unfortunately, so it can end up causing more issues.


message 210: by Ami (last edited Nov 20, 2019 03:51AM) (new)

Ami (amie_07) | 332 comments Jairo wrote: "My secret elf sent me a book only available in the USA, I'm from Colombia so at first, I was not able to claim it. However, I just followed https://www.howtogeek.com/328197/how-..., putting Central Park as my address and I was able to claim the book. So, does not matter where you are, just put an address of the country the book is from and you will be able to buy it and claim it. (Only for digital content)

While it's true for Amazon, unfortunately it is not the same case as Google Play. Because my gmail account (which I used for my Android phone system) is registered in Indonesia. And I don't think I can change the address like Amazon. I mean Google basically tracks your phone too, right, like maybe location where you first registered or something 😅


Julia (bookish.jka) Probably a really easy answer and I am just a 🦖 but how do you post photos of your books into your ‘show is your goodies’ posts?!!?😳


message 212: by Louise (new)

Louise H's Book Thoughts (louisesbookbuzz) Julia wrote: "Probably a really easy answer and I am just a 🦖 but how do you post photos of your books into your ‘show is your goodies’ posts?!!?😳"

Just above the box you type in is a blue link that says 'add book/author'. If you click on that you can search for the book and add it as a link. You need to choose the cover option from the bottom of the search results.


message 213: by Hemmel M. (new)

Hemmel M. | 402 comments Zach wrote: "I wish there was a way to note people/items that you want to go back and gift later. I don't get paid until the end of the week, so I can't buy anything much until then."

Don't worry, Zach. I haven't met a Gringe in this group.
I suppose everyone has been in your situation sometime in their life.


message 214: by Josy (last edited Nov 22, 2019 12:29PM) (new)

Josy (aceofhearts83) | 668 comments Zach wrote: "I wish there was a way to note people/items that you want to go back and gift later. I don't get paid until the end of the week, so I can't buy anything much until then."

If you want to gift them later, you could still mark them as purchased on their wishlist now. Just in case, I would still keep track of the 'Show Us Your Goodies' thread so you don't send a gift to someone which they have already gotten. Because it can happen that very eager elves who want to spead the Christmas Cheer might gift a book without looking at the wishlist first to see if it was already purchased by someone else ;)


message 215: by Kirstin (new)

Kirstin (myromancereviews) | 24 comments I have gone through my person's entire list. Everything is either pre-order or is no longer available for sale. Not sure what to do...


Lisa ~ Books Are My Drugs ~ (lisa44870) | 201 comments Kirstin wrote: "I have gone through my person's entire list. Everything is either pre-order or is no longer available for sale. Not sure what to do..."

DM Heather. She will contact your person & have them revise their wishlist. :)


Julia (bookish.jka) Thank you for your help Louise H 😔


Julia (bookish.jka) Ooooooops!!!!! Wrong emoji!!! I meant 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰


message 219: by Louise (new)

Louise H's Book Thoughts (louisesbookbuzz) Julia wrote: "Ooooooops!!!!! Wrong emoji!!! I meant 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰"

Not a problem - if you're still struggling let me know and I'll try and add some screen shots


message 220: by Nadia (new)

Nadia (nadia9600) | 10 comments Hi how do I know if my person gets the gift. I sent it through amazon ebook. But I want to make sure that it didn't end up in spam.


message 221: by Melissa (new)

Melissa | 395 comments Nadia wrote: "Hi how do I know if my person gets the gift. I sent it through amazon ebook. But I want to make sure that it didn't end up in spam."

Amazon will send you an email when the recipient claims the gift.


message 222: by Anyta (new)

Anyta Sunday | 49 comments Hey Heather . . .

I am a Secret Santa for someone and unfortunately I've tried messaging over Elfster three times over the last weeks and gotten no response . . . (I can't figure out his/her email addy)

I'd love to be giving goodies, though. Is there someone else who needs an Secret Santa?

Or should I be more patient? <3


message 223: by Sandra (new)

Sandra  (readingontheporch) | 391 comments Hi Anyta,

in the person's elfster profile, toward the top, there should be a "more info" button. when you click that, does it display an email?


message 224: by Anyta (last edited Nov 29, 2019 10:39AM) (new)

Anyta Sunday | 49 comments Sandra wrote: "Hi Anyta,

in the person's elfster profile, toward the top, there should be a "more info" button. when you click that, does it display an email?"


This is the problem... when I click on it, it only displays half the email, and I am completely unfamiliar with this email provider, so I don't know where to send gifts to. And no response to my questions.


message 225: by Sandra (new)

Sandra  (readingontheporch) | 391 comments Anyta wrote: "Sandra wrote: "Hi Anyta,

in the person's elfster profile, toward the top, there should be a "more info" button. when you click that, does it display an email?"

This is the problem... when I click..."


try to right-click on the email, then copy. Maybe that'll work.


message 226: by Louise (last edited Nov 29, 2019 11:06AM) (new)

Louise H's Book Thoughts (louisesbookbuzz) Anyta wrote: "Sandra wrote: "Hi Anyta,

in the person's elfster profile, toward the top, there should be a "more info" button. when you click that, does it display an email?"

This is the problem... when I click..."


I contacted Heather to help when my person didn't see my questions.
Did you ask for the email using 'ask a question' or 'send a message?'. Only the second one emails the person, if you use the first they will only see the question if they log into their account.


message 227: by Lila (new)

Lila Hunter (hunterromances) | 273 comments Sandra wrote: "Anyta wrote: "Sandra wrote: "Hi Anyta,

in the person's elfster profile, toward the top, there should be a "more info" button. when you click that, does it display an email?"

This is the problem....."


It should work. That's what I had to do to get my person's complete email address.


Heather K (dentist in my spare time) (dentistinmysparetime) | 2075 comments Mod
Lila wrote: "Sandra wrote: "Anyta wrote: "Sandra wrote: "Hi Anyta,

in the person's elfster profile, toward the top, there should be a "more info" button. when you click that, does it display an email?"

This i..."


Yup, just press "copy" and highlight part of their email and you'll get it all! If you can't do it, DM me and I'll send it to you!


message 229: by Anyta (new)

Anyta Sunday | 49 comments Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Lila wrote: "Sandra wrote: "Anyta wrote: "Sandra wrote: "Hi Anyta,

in the person's elfster profile, toward the top, there should be a "more info" button. when you click that, does it display an em..."


Okay, lol, embarrassingly this worked. I'm no good with techical stuff. haha. It didn't solve the question of what her/his preferred format is, etc, but I sent some books anyway and will hope for the best! <3


message 230: by Anyta (new)

Anyta Sunday | 49 comments Lila wrote: "Sandra wrote: "Anyta wrote: "Sandra wrote: "Hi Anyta,

in the person's elfster profile, toward the top, there should be a "more info" button. when you click that, does it display an email?"

This i..."


It did. I suck. hahaha.


message 231: by Anyta (new)

Anyta Sunday | 49 comments Louise wrote: "Anyta wrote: "Sandra wrote: "Hi Anyta,

in the person's elfster profile, toward the top, there should be a "more info" button. when you click that, does it display an email?"

This is the problem....."


Yeah, many times. No answers. I hope that the format I sent works! <3


message 232: by Anyta (new)

Anyta Sunday | 49 comments Thanks for all the help, guys! <3


Heather K (dentist in my spare time) (dentistinmysparetime) | 2075 comments Mod
Anyta wrote: "Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Lila wrote: "Sandra wrote: "Anyta wrote: "Sandra wrote: "Hi Anyta,

in the person's elfster profile, toward the top, there should be a "more info" butto..."


I always assume Kindle/ebook format unless specifically stated on top that they want another format. I think that's a good rule of thumb


message 234: by MG (new)

MG *Bury Me with My Kindle.. & a REALLY Long Charger* (martrob) | 454 comments This is a really dumb question I am sure, but I can't find it on the Elfster site and in the page's Q&A. Apologies if it has already been asked out here, but I am getting a little cross-eyed trying to read thought the 5 pages of conversation :)

I received an email that says I have an unclaimed gift, but there is no place to claim it... There isn't a link or anything, so I have no idea how to access it.


message 235: by Louise (last edited Dec 01, 2019 11:33PM) (new)

Louise H's Book Thoughts (louisesbookbuzz) MG wrote: "This is a really dumb question I am sure, but I can't find it on the Elfster site and in the page's Q&A. Apologies if it has already been asked out here, but I am getting a little cross-eyed trying..."

I got an email from Amazon and Smashwords sent to the address I log in with. If you haven't got that it might be worth checking that your secret santa didn't mistype your email address when purchasing the gifts


message 236: by Pam (new)

Pam | 195 comments MG wrote: "This is a really dumb question I am sure, but I can't find it on the Elfster site and in the page's Q&A. Apologies if it has already been asked out here, but I am getting a little cross-eyed trying..."

Also check your spam/junk folder


message 237: by MG (new)

MG *Bury Me with My Kindle.. & a REALLY Long Charger* (martrob) | 454 comments Thanks ladies! I checked my junk emails and didn't see anything there, so I messaged my Elf - I hate to be a high maintenance elfster!! :(

I do have a really long email address, though (in my defense, it was assigned to me) :)

Thanks again!!


Heather K (dentist in my spare time) (dentistinmysparetime) | 2075 comments Mod
MG wrote: "This is a really dumb question I am sure, but I can't find it on the Elfster site and in the page's Q&A. Apologies if it has already been asked out here, but I am getting a little cross-eyed trying..."

Is the email from a vendor or your match through elfster?


Heather K (dentist in my spare time) (dentistinmysparetime) | 2075 comments Mod
MG wrote: "Thanks ladies! I checked my junk emails and didn't see anything there, so I messaged my Elf - I hate to be a high maintenance elfster!! :(

I do have a really long email address, though (in my def..."


And what's your name on Elfster? You can also message me :)


message 240: by MG (new)

MG *Bury Me with My Kindle.. & a REALLY Long Charger* (martrob) | 454 comments Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Is the email from a vendor or your match through elfster?."

It's an email from Elfster that says, "You have an unclaimed gift." When I go on Elfster, it looks like it came from a message from my Secret Santa, but there isn't a link or anything in my email that takes me to where or what it is. My name in there is also MG.


message 241: by Ottilee (new)

Ottilee B. (goodreadscomottilee_b) | 35 comments I just sent my S two books, one of which is a pre-order to arrive in '20. I DIDN'T GET TO SIGN MY CARD EITHER TIME!!!! bah! I've got a neat name too but do I just keep it for NEXT year??


message 242: by Trio (new)

Trio | 156 comments Could you cancel the order and then reorder them using the clever name?


message 243: by Zuzu (new)

Zuzu (zuzu4141) Or send them an anonymous note through Elfster but sign it with the name you want to use


Heather K (dentist in my spare time) (dentistinmysparetime) | 2075 comments Mod
MG wrote: "Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Is the email from a vendor or your match through elfster?."

It's an email from Elfster that says, "You have an unclaimed gift." When I go on Elfster, i..."


That's just a person letting you know. There isn't a link. You probably have a link in your email somewhere from someone. Try searching for "amazon", "smashwords", and "audible."

Also, that is probably taking you to a chat on Elfster, so you can reply and ask for more information.


message 245: by Ottilee (new)

Ottilee B. (goodreadscomottilee_b) | 35 comments Trio wrote: "Could you cancel the order and then reorder them using the clever name?"

THANKS fior the tip!!! I didn't press the "Wish" button before as I was afraid of screwing up!


message 246: by MizzItalia (new)

MizzItalia (mizzitalia8) | 5 comments Somebody sent me a gift and now I can't find the email, I saw part of the hint was a male from Michigan... I can't claim my gift now. What do I do?


message 247: by Isaiah (new)

Isaiah (jugglingpup) | 180 comments MizzItalia wrote: "Somebody sent me a gift and now I can't find the email, I saw part of the hint was a male from Michigan... I can't claim my gift now. What do I do?"

If the email gets re-sent to you from the person, then you can claim it. I had someone not claim a gift for a whole year. If you post this in general chat and maybe show us your goodies you should have a pretty decent shot of getting it re-sent :)


Heather K (dentist in my spare time) (dentistinmysparetime) | 2075 comments Mod
Isaiah wrote: "MizzItalia wrote: "Somebody sent me a gift and now I can't find the email, I saw part of the hint was a male from Michigan... I can't claim my gift now. What do I do?"

If the email gets re-sent to..."


Yeah, ditto this. I also sent you a private message about this to talk further :)


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