Ripped Off And Pissed Off

Here we are all becoming parents. Some new parents and some just expanding their families. My wife and I have been doing some shopping over the Internet for stuff for Ava. We ordered a baby carrier and some other things from an on line store called BABY GURU. We went to their web site called www.babyguru.com. Our total sale came to over $175.00. That was back in March of this year. We have yet to receive our merchandise or get our money back. We have sent over twenty e-mails to this company. We have called the number that shows up on their web site and it is no longer in service. We finally threatened them with going to the Mississauga Police and reporting them for fraud and after about fifteen un-answered e-mails they finally returned that one. They tried telling us that they were changing owners and that is why we haven't received our merchandise. They gave us two options. We could either wait for the ownership change to be completed and they would send us our merchandise or if we send them a copy of the original receipt that they would refund us our money. We of course picked the second option. Surprise Surprise. We sent them what they wanted and we still haven't gotten our money back. Their web site is still up and running and people can still order stuff from them. So we finally contacted the Mississauga Police and they said that they can't do anything about it. The Police suggested that we contact Pay Pal, which we already have and or take them to small claims court. Pay Pal did an investigation and have ruled on our behalf but said that they can't do anything about it because after numerous attempts to contact the company they have realized that the number has been dis-connected. So I thought that I would put this post on our blog to warn any excited new parents or parents who are expanding their families to stay away from this web site and this company. THEY ARE CROOKED AND THEY ARE THIEVES. I still can't get over the fact that their web site is still up and running and that people can still order from them. Through our investigation we have found out that aren't even registered at the Better Business Bureau. So we can't even register a complaint with them. I'm so pissed off now that I'm to the point that if I could find out their business address in Mississauga that I would take a drive and visit their store in person. Although it probably wouldn't do me ant good because I would be willing to bet that the store doesn't even exist. So do your selves a favour and don't buy anything from them.

We have a date!!!

We were emailed our itinerary today. We will meet our beautiful Ava July 27th. My nephews 3rd birthday! Yay!

We will be staying at the Jian Guo Garden Hotel in Beijing and on Sunday the 26th we will fly to Nanning, Guangxi. Apparently Nanning is on the same latitude as Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and Havana, Cuba. So it is going to be friggin' HOT!!! HUMID!!!!

We will go to the civil affairs in Nanning on the 27th and meet our daughter for the first time! We have her from that moment on. She is ours!

Tuesday we return to the civil affairs office to apply for Ava's passport.

Wednesday we visit the Quin Xia Shan Park and Flower and Bird Market.

Thursday we have a day to relax. Orphanage visits have not been mentioned but I think if they are allowed this will be the day we go.

Friday we pick up Ava's passport.

Saturday we fly back to Beijing.

Sunday we visit the Great Wall! What an experience that will be.

Monday we have a medical examination and a Canadian Embassy appointment.

Tuesday we will visit Tian'an Men Square and The Forbidden City. Then we will have a Peking Duck dinner that night. That scares me. I am not very adventurous and I have heard that in China if you order chicken you get the whole chicken beak, feet and all so I am sure this is true for the duck as well. Good thing I like rice is all I can say!

Wednesday we pick up our visas.

Thursday we head home to start our new life. Oh what a life it will be!

One Month...

So today we are one month away from flying to China. OMG!!! It is so hard to believe that after almost four years of waiting it has finally coming down to days. Wow! Mike and I start holidays on Saturday for two weeks. We have lots of little jobs to do that should keep us busy. We will install some baseboards for a good friend, visit my sister and her partner in Toronto and maybe do a little shopping. I need some light clothes for China as it is suppose to be very hot and humid.
We will enjoy this last holiday as a couple but are so looking forward to our first holiday as a family.
One of our group has gotten their itinerary and they will meet their boys July 27th. We hope to get our itinerary soon and I expect July 27th will be our day as well. We will let you know as soon as we get more information.

Have Money - Can Travel

We went to the bank today and picked up all the US money that we need for China. The bank was nice enough to order in all new fifty dollar bills for us. Now we don't have to worry about being able to get all new bills or not. I must admit though that after seeing the thick stack of fifties I am starting to wonder  how we are going to carry them on us through the Canadian airport and the China airport. It will be stressful carrying all that money. I will be glad to get it all dispersed to the proper people in China.  

Nothing new really.

Well not much new. We sent our paperwork back to Childrens Bridge for processing. Flights are booked. Now we wait again. It is going to be a long 7 weeks. Thankfully we have the first 2 weeks of July off for holidays so that will help. It will give us a chance to get all of our packing lists together and figure out how to pack it. We have got some great packing tips from RQ forum. Thanks to all who have gone before us for sharing.

We are hoping that we will get some updates about Ava before we go. It would be nice and right now its just a hope. We haven't had anyone say its possible but we can hope right?

Anyway, we are so excited to get this trip started and finally hold that beautiful baby girl in our arms. Thanks for all of the Congrats and prayers. We will keep you informed!