Shipping International USPS - March 2011

[NewYorkIslander]

Was going tp post this in the B&S, but didn't want to bump people without selling something...I hate those ******* threads.

Anyway, went to my PO the other day to ship some items international (Australia and Canada) and got HAMMERED with charges. The package of boots to Oz was around $60 and the package of boots to Canada was around $30. I had shipped to these places before similar items and never paid this much. The guy behind the counter said they only offer air priority to Oz now and I could have shipped cheaper using UPS to Canada. WTF? IS this everywhere? I only ask because my PO is known for being lazy and incompetent, and if those options were just the easiest for them, then they wouldn't bother explaining the others.

I guess I'm done shipping int'l. Almost $100 dollars off my sales killed me this week.

 

[meister]

Originally Posted by NewYorkRanger

Was going tp post this in the B&S, but didn't want to bump people without selling something...I hate those ******* threads.

Anyway, went to my PO the other day to ship some items international (Australia and Canada) and got HAMMERED with charges. The package of boots to Oz was around $60 and the package of boots to Canada was around $30. I had shipped to these places before similar items and never paid this much. The guy behind the counter said they only offer air priority to Oz now and I could have shipped cheaper using UPS to Canada. WTF? IS this everywhere? I only ask because my PO is known for being lazy and incompetent, and if those options were just the easiest for them, then they wouldn't bother explaining the others.

I guess I'm done shipping int'l. Almost $100 dollars off my sales killed me this week.

I have heard this bullshit from eBay sellers and I guess it is because as you put it the USPS staff are "lazy and incompetent" and did not inform you of first class international. Incidentally so called USA priority arrives exactly the same time as first class international except some idiot comes to the door rings and asks you to sign for it and the next question is "darling who was that at the door?" ...I'll let yous all fill in the rest...

 

[jrd617]

Originally Posted by NewYorkRanger

The package of boots to Oz was around $60 and the package of boots to Canada was around $30.

Was it too heavy for First Class? What about Flat Rate Priority?

Better still, why don't you just charge people not in the CONUS for shipping?

 

[IndianBoyz]

I recently posted a magazine to Canada from the Netherlands. Shipping fee: 20 euros.

 

[medtech_expat]

Originally Posted by NewYorkRanger

I guess I'm done shipping int'l. Almost $100 dollars off my sales killed me this week.

I feel for you. I still do USPS international shipping with a surcharge. Unfortunately, there's no delivery confirmation with international priority mail, so I use international express mail. Throw in the customs documentation, and international shipping is a PITA.

 

[Wicky]

Try shipping to the US..... Due to these ******* terrorists that tried to blow up the UPS plane, all kind of security charges apply.

 

[GiorgioHilfiger]

Please people do not quit int'l shipping - just let the buyer pay the charges and decide if the item is worth it! I do not know how complicated forms you have to fill for customs, around here I just stick a free sticker with "clothing 0.5g $20" written on, to the package, and hand it to a nice lady at the post office

 

[TRINI]

Originally Posted by GiorgioHilfiger

Please people do not quit int'l shipping - just let the buyer pay the charges and decide if the item is worth it!

At least don't stop shipping to me.

 

[makewayhomer]

I guess this is a bad time to remind you paypal charges more for foreign currency tx's as well...

anyways on Ebay now, I just charge $75 for USPS International Express to places like Europe or Japan. for people here I upcharge like $50 or so for Int'l Express, which is about what it normally costs for a shoebox.

for Canada, I do just send UPS, I think that is a better option.

re: paperwork, it sucks, but its soooo much easier when you print the label from paypal. you just have to sign your name

 

[Frank Davis]

Well really sorry it is that expensive, but I am sure there must be a cheaper way to do this. Can't you ship them through another company? say US mail service? Must you use UPS? I think the postal service is a lot more cheaper. So what is the deal?

 

[Hartmann]

UPS to Canada is not a better option, the brokerage fees are ridiculous.

 

[aj_del]

I got a pair of shoes from the UK today and the shipping was 27 GBP as stated on the Royal Mail label. And it came in 2 days. IME as fast as Fedex, UPS etc.

Anyways, 40 USD is par for the course for Priority Mail from US to India for a pair of shoes.

 

[makewayhomer]

Originally Posted by aj_del

Anyways, 40 USD is par for the course for Priority Mail from US to India for a pair of shoes.

the trouble is that there is no tracking or delivery confirmation, iirc

so it's too easy to get scammed as a seller

 

[NewYorkIslander]

Originally Posted by Frank Davis

Well really sorry it is that expensive, but I am sure there must be a cheaper way to do this. Can't you ship them through another company? say US mail service? Must you use UPS? I think the postal service is a lot more cheaper. So what is the deal?

The "cheapest" way is what I started the thread about. US Postal Service. The fella behind the counter said for the two packages, "Thats the only way these can go." and honestly the regular international doesbn't provide tracking info, just a customs number which USPS says can't be traced. My Post Office locally is terrible. I live and work within the same zip, so I'm just lucky that I work at a school in regard to accepting packages. They don't mess round when it comes to delivering there, but the carriers typically only leave a "Last Notice" at my apt building and then I have to go get the package in a day or so before its sent back. My zip is 11209...I'm sure you can read some great stories or reviews about the clowns there.

UPS, for a box containing two shoes to Canada cost me $25, USPS with a box containing one pair of boots was $28. The fact that they said they only offer "Express Airmail" to Australia pisses me off.

I just HATE telling potential buyers that an item will be $60 more for them, even though I shouldn't. It would be just easier to ship domestic only but I feel it cuts off so many potential buyers. i guess I just have to decide if the hassle is worth it. On top of the horrendus fees, my PO also is notorious for having one teller open, and waits that exceed an hour. UPS is so much easier to deal with domestically as well for me and worth the slight upcharge, but they are a fortune to ship via air (which i s all their int'l.

Anyway, sorry for the venting.

 

[Mr.K]

That sounds a bit high. I shipped a pair of boots to Hong Kong for @35.00 dollars. YOu should be able to send most itmes by international priority for a reasobable cost. I would suggest that for heavier items get a quote for the shipping first. I always charge extra for out of the US, since it requires more work and I have to go the post to fill out the forms and get them shipped.