Does anyone out there have any experience sending something like a tv to a deployed soldier?
Amazon has what I want, but they say they won’t send “most” electronics to an APO address. And I’m afraid to complete the order just to find out whether a tv falls under what they won’t send and have an $800 credit card charge tied up with amazon when I could just go somewhere else and get it done.
Are there any vendors out there who will ship a tv to an APO address without a bunch of hassle, I guess is my main question.
So I go looking on google to see what the problem is with sending electronics to an APO address, and I’m reading message boards where other people are having similar problems especially with Best Buy, and I’ve read that electronics get stolen because you have to tell what’s in the package on the customs form. Stolen? Really? But I haven’t found an answer, so here I am.
Any help would be appreciated greatly because my particular soldier is going batty having to watch her movies on a laptop.
A TV for a soldier posted overseas? Kind of a weird request by a young solider. I would think that solider could easily get all the TV access they wanted. Sending a sizeable LCD screen overseas is fraught with risk and difficulties.
This device might make more sense, can easily be shipped in a USPS APO flat rate box for less than ten dollars, and will have utility after her service is over.
Well I doubt she’s going to be watching local TV! Iraqi soap operas are notoriously unpopular with American soldiers. Too much ululating for our taste.
For the OP, have you checked out this website and entered your soldier’s ZIP? Supposedly, they can tell you the exact restrictions on APO mail. Theoretically, you could buy the TV at Best Buy and ship it yourself, if it falls within the guidelines (a longshot, in my opinion). Those TVs are heavy!
For the record, I’ve shipped an entire case of Dr. Pepper to an APO address, but that was within the system.
Amazon won’t send certain electronic devices to APO/FPO addresses because they have had too much trouble with electronic devices getting “lost” or damaged. (Per my conversation with Customer Service at Amazon)
My son bought a Kindle and had it shipped to me here in the US, and I repackaged it and sent it to him at his FPO mailing address through the US Postal Service without problems. You have to fill out a US customs form for each package sent to an APO/FPO address (for security purposes). I insured the package for the full replacement value.
Don’t send through Amazon, they won’t send something like that to an APO address. They won’t even send a pair of reading glasses to an APO address. I believe Best Buy does ship to APO (but not DVDs or computer programs). Before you send, be sure about what you are sending, is it 110v or 220v at his facility, etc.?
I’ve made some visits to some very austere places (though not in Iraq) and I was surprised at the number of big screen, high-def TVs hooked up to X-Box 360s I found. I asked a question once and was told something vague like, the Army and Air Force Exchange can be a great friend, or something like that.
Rather than shipping a TV from a US retailer, has the OP has his soldier whether she has access to an exchange?
Iraq power is 230V, 50hz system, like most of Europe. They use mainly the 2-round pins plugs, common in older Europe & UK systems.
Adapter plugs to plug into this system are readily available. And most current TV’s have a switch on the back to allow either 110-120V or 230-240V. And most can accept either the %0 or 60Hz power.
And the snarky answer to “What voltage is used in Iraq’ power lines?” would be: “Zero volts, most of the time.” According to a friend recently back from there, the power lines are not at all reliable, and power failures happen nearly every day, for at least an hour or two.
Theoretically, you can ship anything to any soldier (except alcohol to islamic countries, explosives/bad stuff)…
just take the TV box well taped/secured to the Post Office, fill out a customs form and you pay the same rate as domestic US shipping.
Just one important note…electricity voltage is probably 220V, so you’ll need adapters/voltage converters.
USPS.gov probably has an extensive website on how-to ship packages to APOs.
source: personal experience my brother was in Iraq.
as for the stealing thing…supposedly some legs of the APO mail is handled by contractors (like KBR/Halliburton who employ locals/employees hired from various third-world countries), while you’d think that the government would keep mail theft low, I’d imagine you’d want to keep your package as inconspicuous as possible…so repackage any electronics into a plain cardboard box and under contents, write something like “toys”.
being in the military in Iraq/Afghanistan is a lot like any other job…you do wind up with days off/downtime. unfortunately that time can be excruciatingly boring as entertainment options can be dismal if you’re on one of the smaller bases. so DVDs/X-boxes, etc help break the monotony.
Check out anysoldier.com if you’re interested in donating/supporting the troops. Something simple as donating your unwatched DVDs can be a big morale boost…assuming the movies are good, lol.
FYI, Hub said that most of the posts he was stationed in Afghanistan had 110 circuits. Iraq may be different, especially if the soldiers are located in an area previously built but if the military has built the post, it’s likely running 110.
Come to think of it, I’m almost certain I have seen TVs for sale in PXs in Iraq, maybe you could just send him money, I bought an xbox in Iraq at the PX.
Hey all. Thanks for your replies. And yes she only wants it for laptop movies and video games. And she told me the specs on the electrical voltage requirements. I’ll see if she’s interested in the projector thingy Astro mentioned. Maybe that will suffice. And I’ll try ya’ll’s other suggestions too. (I thought about just buying one and packaging it myself, but I figured folks who regularly package TVs for shipment probably knew better how to pack it.) Again thank you.