Recently, I went to Haven’s Candy to order some favorite items to have shipped to our son, daughter and son-in-law that are stationed in Afghanistan and Germany. I was surprised to find that Haven’s Candies charges to have items shipped to an APO, military address. I ordered a few of their favorites, peanut butter cups, Boston Baked Beans, and Needham’s. I was surprised to have the candy cost $16.02 and the shipping cost $16, a total of $32.02.
After paying for the items, I recalled the City Council meeting a few months ago that Haven’s Candies attended regarding a fee that the city was charging Haven’s for and how unfair they felt the City had been. I remembered Haven’s sharing the positive things they have done for the community.
I called them on Monday morning and asked to speak to the manager regarding a shipping issue. I explained the situation and was surprised that yes, indeed, Haven’s does charge to have items shipped to APOs. I believe the question I was asked was, “so you feel that Haven’s Candy should be impacted by the cost?”
The issue really isn’t the $16 shipping cost; it was the comment of “impact.” As a mom having both children overseas during this holiday season and trying to think of items to ship has been difficult, not to mention how one feels. Shipping to our son, a set of L.L. Bean sheets, tooth paste, a new tooth brush, dental floss, baby wipes and a box of cigars, just isn’t Christmas.
Needless to say, I was surprised by the reaction of the person on the other end of the phone, if only they realized if they had had a bit of compassion, how much differently my opinion would have turned out this holiday season…
I realize that we all have forks in the road to take, and going forward, the fork in the road I take will be to Scarborough, to another candy location.
Susan L. Lombard
Westbrook
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