Looking for a unique gift to send someone this holiday season, as well as for a birthday gift, anniversary, or just because? Consider sending them a Sendaball in the mail. What is a sendaball you ask? It is a 10 inch vinyl play ball that is sent through the mail. When ordering, you can choose a color and saying/phrase from the following they have in stock:
How cool would it be to receive a playbill (the size of a volleyball) in the mail? Well, my daughter and I got to experience it firsthand, as one of the co-founders, Michelle, sent me a ball to review. So, last month, I had a knock at the door, and it was my post man. He had a puzzled look on his face, and then took out a large vinyl ball from his mailbag. Now, he is used to delivering packages on a daily basis to me, but never has he seen someone receive a vinyl ball in the mail. He thought it was a novel idea, but also thought it strange to have a ball sent through the ball. You should have seen the smile on Savannah's face when he handed her the ball. Both the postman and I, were pleasantly surprised to see how the ball, without any bubble wrap or packaging, kept in such great condition during transport.
So, how do they send these https://secure.sendaball.com/startsendaballs in the mail? Just like any other package. Based on the size and weight, they put a few stamps taped to the ball. And, with permanent marker, they address the ball, just like they would a letter. Then, the ball is ready to be shipped and enjoyed by the recipient. When I first heard about this product, I thought it was a novel idea, and one that everyone (not just kids) would get a kick out of receiving a 10 inch vinyl sendaball in the mail. As the mail carrier was leaving, he said he would be buying one of these for his children this holiday season. So, I guess once you see this ball and experience it for yourself, having it delivered to you, you will end up buying this for someone else.
Know someone who lives outside the US, and you want to send them a sendaball? You can -- for only $3 more, and 2-3 weeks longer for delivery. I have marked my calendar and will be sending a sendaball to my husband on Valentine's Day, to his work (wonder what his colleagues will say?) and also to my girls on their birthdays. What a fun idea, and one that would put a smile on anyone's face, who was to receive one.
So, what are you waiting for? Head on over to the sendaball website and check out their vinyl ball selection. And, as a bonus to Inspired by Savannah readers, use coupon code “blog” at checkout to receive $2.00 off your total order.
About Sendaball, Inc.:
Sendaball, Inc. is a family business headquartered in Chicago. It is owned by a couple of BALLSY sisters who live across the street from each other in the same northwestside Chicago neighborhood they grew up in. They have been sending balls since the 90s, but one day in 2003, it seemed this CRAZY idea was meant to be a BUSINESS.
Michele tells it like this:
How did it start? I come from the direct mail world, so I knew the mailing rules. I made a practice of sending silly things in the mail over the years. One day I was in Osco, saw a BIN of bouncy balls, grabbed one and thought "I can mail this". Took a sharpie, addressed it to my BFF Sharon, wrote "Have BALL with your new baby", went to the post office and mailed it. Sharon loved it so much, my sister and i sent them again and again to other friends. A few years later while standing in line at the post office, a guy behind me asked about the balls and asked if I could send one for him. Initially I instructed him in the steps to do it himself, but by the time we got to the front of the line, he had given me the info and $5. Laughing, I called my sister and told her how funny that just was. She said, " MICH, I THINK WE ARE ONTO SOMETHING".
Melisa tells it like this: When I got that call, I told Michele I had just been to an OPRAH the night before about women who took a chance & started a business with their unique ideas; I told her to listen to me, (she is older) and told her that these were all 'signs' and WE should start a business, and NOW.
Number one rule - if someone offers to pay you to do something you are already doing, you may have a business!!! (Donny Deutsch said this all the time on his show THE BIG IDEA). Sendaball has been very fortunate to have been growing since 2003 by taking baby steps in the business world. Our customers are the absolute best, and most order over and over. Many of the people who get a sendaball in the mail, order a ball for someone else. We enjoy hearing the stories from the customers about how a simple ball coming in the mail can bring so much laughter. Oh the stories we could tell. Maybe we should write a book!Michele is married and has four children. Melisa is married and has 3 children .
Before starting SENDaBALL, we spent many hours trying to come up with a way to run a business so at least ONE of us could stay home with the children. Who would have thought the idea was there all along. One of our brothers, Marc (we call him Sparky), lives next door. His wife, Deanna works for SENDaBALL, too. It is truly a family affair. The sisters have two other brothers who don't live on the same block, but are certainly ON CALL if they are needed.
Disclosure: I was sent a sample from the vendor in order to write up an honest review. The views above are mine and mine alone.
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