Can one order up a miracle?

December 17, 2008 4:23 PM

Online shopping in Calgary - help!

ACK! I just got notified that a gift I'd ordered to be delivered in Calgary is on backorder (I am in the US). I will kill someone at the original company eventually, but for now I need need need (please, please, please) online shopable Calgary stores *that can deliver before Christmas* to a downtown office. I am willing to look at anything quirky, fun, geeky, motorcycle-ish, art, office toys, any cool stuff - even willing to do food (although that is low on the list) - if you know of a place in Calgary that does online ordering and can delliver - especially if it is one of your favorite places to shop - please tell me about it.

I already know Lee Valley, I have ordered from them before, and while they are great, their non-tool selection is a bit limited from the last time I looked, and nothing jumped out at me as a great gift for my friend. I have had horrible luck with Amazon Canada, and am not willing to do them again.

Any help truly gratefully received - thank you!

posted by faineant to shopping (11 comments total)

Here's a list of Canadian Shipping Deadlines for Christmas 2008, for my money I'd go with chapters.indigo.ca or apple.ca. Sorry that you've had horrible luck with amazon.ca, otherwise they'd be my third suggestion.
posted by kate blank at 4:44 PM on December 17, 2008

Also! I just remembered that Etsy.com allows you to shop by location -- there are at least 100 etsy shops in Calgary and I'm sure one of them would have something to suit your needs. Plus -- they'd be shipping to Calgary from Calgary.
posted by kate blank at 4:47 PM on December 17, 2008

The Cirque du Soleil's store has some interesting and unique stuff (and not cheap, though some stuff is on sale). I don't see a shipping deadline, but I ordered Sunday, received product Tuesday in Ottawa.
posted by valleys at 4:52 PM on December 17, 2008

UPPERCASE Gallery is in Calgary and have cool stuff for sale online.
posted by barnone at 5:43 PM on December 17, 2008

Other handmade, vintage, artsy stuff in Calgary.
posted by barnone at 5:45 PM on December 17, 2008

White Elephant Vintage is in Ontario but just call them for shipping deadlines - super cool vintage stuff.
posted by barnone at 5:59 PM on December 17, 2008

Purolator will pick up from any store and drop off at most businesses. While not pizza cheap it's pretty reasonable. Futureshop (a bestbuy/circuit city analog) offers shipping through them on most items. I ran a couple tests and they are currently showing "air" delivery around December 22nd.
posted by Mitheral at 6:48 PM on December 17, 2008

I'm in Calgary and just ordered something from Apple.ca, and they said it will be here in 2 days. FedEx tracking says it's on its way.

Worst case scenerio: PayPal and the MeFite Network might get you something picked up and delivered in town.
posted by blue_beetle at 6:53 PM on December 17, 2008

Thank you ALL so very much; truly appreciate your help.
posted by faineant at 10:16 PM on December 17, 2008

Belgian ex-pat and local celebrity Bernard Callebaut is to chocolaterie as Picasso is to painting. I know you said food was low on the list, but Callebaut treats have considerable cachet here in Cowtown.

There's also Mountain Equipment Co-op which has some cool stuff. Because of the Rockies in our backyard, lots of Calgarians are into outdoor and snow activities and MEC stuff is often regarded as top quality.
posted by angiep at 10:56 PM on December 17, 2008

Thanks angiep, I'd forgotten about MEC - and the chocolate looks incredible :)
posted by faineant at 1:21 PM on December 18, 2008