Shipping Stuff From the U.S.A.
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Shipping Stuff From the U.S.A.
I've just learned an expensive and painful lesson about buying stuff from the U.S.A.. It concerns shipping.
Some months ago I bought a handheld transceiver. It arrived in four days from New Jersey at a cost of about US$35 via the U.S. Post Office express post service. Their tracking system is fantastic.
This time when buying a DC headset I opted for UPS "Expedited" service by making the stupid assumption that because it cost US$135 it was going to be even faster than the Post Office, since the goods were coming from California as well.
Silly me! I should have checked first! UPS is one third the speed of the Post Office and over three times the price!
Moreover, the UPS internet tracking system is a disgrace. It showed my goods received by UPS on October 4th, then zip, nada, nothing until this morning when it showed my goods are in Melbourne. However I now discover that this is not true! Even though it SAYS they are in Melbourne, the stuff is actually in a container in Sydney and won't hit Melbourne until tomorrow, scheduled delivery is Wednesday, if I am lucky.
Then of course there is the little matter of GST and "handling" fees which dont seem to be a problem with airmail.
In addition repeated calls to UPS demonstrate that they have zero interest in customer service. I've received an extremely painful lesson. All I can hope for now is that the goods arrive undamaged.
Some months ago I bought a handheld transceiver. It arrived in four days from New Jersey at a cost of about US$35 via the U.S. Post Office express post service. Their tracking system is fantastic.
This time when buying a DC headset I opted for UPS "Expedited" service by making the stupid assumption that because it cost US$135 it was going to be even faster than the Post Office, since the goods were coming from California as well.
Silly me! I should have checked first! UPS is one third the speed of the Post Office and over three times the price!
Moreover, the UPS internet tracking system is a disgrace. It showed my goods received by UPS on October 4th, then zip, nada, nothing until this morning when it showed my goods are in Melbourne. However I now discover that this is not true! Even though it SAYS they are in Melbourne, the stuff is actually in a container in Sydney and won't hit Melbourne until tomorrow, scheduled delivery is Wednesday, if I am lucky.
Then of course there is the little matter of GST and "handling" fees which dont seem to be a problem with airmail.
In addition repeated calls to UPS demonstrate that they have zero interest in customer service. I've received an extremely painful lesson. All I can hope for now is that the goods arrive undamaged.
The 'GST and Handling' is for Customs. The courier companies must declare the value of the goods, then customs decide what the charges will be.
I have used Fedex and that was the procedure. If you ring customs before hand, they can tell you what you can expect to pay.
I have used Fedex and that was the procedure. If you ring customs before hand, they can tell you what you can expect to pay.
Join Date: Sep 2004
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Your package can also be delayed (by several days) awaiting customs clearance.
And if you have to pay customs duty (there are still lots of custom duties that the wonderfull GST hasn't removed ) then you will also pay GST on those duties.
And if you have to pay customs duty (there are still lots of custom duties that the wonderfull GST hasn't removed ) then you will also pay GST on those duties.
Join Date: Mar 2002
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I get parts sent over on a weekly or monthly basis.
Stay away from UPS if it can be helped.
FEDEX is great - they will call immediatelty the package arrives to get customs fees paid.
UPS are happy for the package to sit in Customs until you call and find out where the shipment is.
Shipping ex-OZ.
Stay away from Australia Post Courier.
As soon as it leaves Australia, their tracking system takes no responsibility.
Stay away from UPS if it can be helped.
FEDEX is great - they will call immediatelty the package arrives to get customs fees paid.
UPS are happy for the package to sit in Customs until you call and find out where the shipment is.
Shipping ex-OZ.
Stay away from Australia Post Courier.
As soon as it leaves Australia, their tracking system takes no responsibility.
