Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Send-A-Ball

*UPDATE*:  Michelle, one of the owners of the Send-a-Ball company that I mentioned below, commented on this post and offered $2 off a ball for my readers! Imagine that! If you want to send a ball through her company, use the coupon code BLOG at checkout. Happy mailing!
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I've been wanting to try this out for long time and finally got the excuse to do it. Interestingly enough, I actually got the idea from an episode of "Shark Tank" where someone was starting a business of sending balls in the mail for special occasions. Instead of paying them to send it for me, I thought I'd just try it myself and see what happens. If they can, why can't I? 


Since it's my little cousin Jacob's 5th birthday next week, I thought he'd be the perfect candidate to receive my first ball-in-the-mail experiment.  


I found a cheap, plastic ball at the pharmacy and using a sharpie, decorated it with a birthday message. I made sure to buy a ball that was plain or lightly marbleized, so my design would show up. 


After I finished decorating, I wrote the address right onto the ball (large and clear) and brought it to the post office. When I brought the ball up to the counter, the post-woman smiled and said "This is why I love my job!" I ended up needing to use about $2.50 of postage to send the ball from Massachusetts to Minnesota. I made sure to ask for fun stamps that a 5 year old would like and I ended up with race cars. So, it's officially in the mail and hopefully it will make it safe and sound. I can't wait to hear what Jacob thinks of his birthday "package"!


My mind is already spinning trying to come up with other fun and creative things that I could stick some stamps on and send through the mail. A flip flop? A hat? An altoid tin? Fabric? A soda bottle filled with goodies? I'll keep you posted (har har!). 


7 comments:

  1. Kerrie, there is a business that sends rubber duckies in the mail! No joke!! http://www.mailaduckonline.com/

    I LOVE sending ducks in the mail! But I'd totally love sending a ball too! I'm going to steal your idea and I know just who is going to get one ;)

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  2. You need to check out Giver's Log's Happy Mail. She sends all sorts of things through the mail...
    http://www.giverslog.com/?tag=happy-mail

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  3. Ahhh, Caroline! Great idea! I wonder where you'd put the address...on the back? I'll have to look it up. That is really fun!

    Phyllis, thanks for the tip, I'm going there now! What fun!

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  4. I'm seriously too scared... but it's the coolest thing ever!

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  5. hey - this is exactly how I started the ball business that was featured on that episode of SHARK TANK. www.sendaball.com
    I can offer your readers a discount of $2 per ball just type in the coupon code "BLOG" - it will save them a few bucks at check out. SO GLAD you liked the idea.
    Michele
    Founder and CFH (chief ball handler)
    at SENDaBALL.com

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  6. THIS IS AWESOME!!!! I'm totally going to do this! HAHAHAHA!!! Thanks for sharing. LOVE SHARK WEEK!

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  7. I found a place online called SHIPaBALL.com they have the best balls for any occasion. I used the promo code BigBalls and got 10% off at checkout. www.shipaball.com

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