Filipino nurse Marbhee Anne Gutierrez was so excited to send three balikbayan boxes recently to her family in Pangasinan, Philippines. Only to learn that two of the three boxes were damaged due to leaks.
“Affected were ten glass bottles of olive oil, 4 plastic tubs of honey and 3 plastic tubs of Hershey’s powder and some chocolates melted,” she told The Philippine Times.
Marbhee, who is based in Melbourne, Australia, said she is not blaming the shipping company. “I’m sure it wasn’t their fault. I guess this is from the shipping process like they need to roll and move around the boxes,” she said, adding she was rushing for box pick up and spent one day shopping and packing.
She warns others preparing goods to be sent overseas to bubble wrap the products they are sending regardless of whether it’s glass or plastic.
“The cargo company I used was reliable and rendered fast delivery (five weeks) but the problem was that I did not secure the items well enough.”
“Lesson learned,” Marbhee said. She now knows what to do next time and said she will continue sending boxes to her loved ones in the Philippines. In fact, she has three boxes ready to be filled for the next batch.
“I will make sure I will use lots and lots of bubble wrap,” she said.
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