USPS spoils this ebayers experience

[Wild Dingo]

Lucky for me I know my seller quite well now... but could you imagine my surprise and increadible fear if I didnt know him well and he didnt tell me that USPS have changed their international charges?

Seems that since I last dealt with Brian (my veneer seller in the states) the US Postal Service have changed the way they do business with international mail charges... they no longer allow "surface" or standard mail it ALL now MUST go air express... and there in is where they have UPPED the prices INCREADIBLY!!!

The last time I got 12lb of veneers from him it cost around $20 for the postage of the carton this time they have quote him $62.40c to ship it downunder... while my usual 30lb carton will now cost me an extra $131.03 compared to the $55 it cost last time!!

So it seems I may not be buying terribly much from the US anymore... one just KNEW it was too good to last and that some wanker would change things so that they a killing of us or we would drop out of the market :~ So what was once a good thing for both me and Brian has now been sat on the back burners while I decide if Im still going to buy that 200lb of exotic veneers from him that Id planned on for this year (spread over the year of course!!) sad as shyte I am cause it appears at this stage to mean that Im back to dealing with the extremely DEAR and EXPENSIVE veneer merchants here which phisses me off badly :~

Anyway just thought Id give you the heads up on USPS's changes.

Cheers
Shane

[petersemple]

Youch. AS someone who has bought heaps of stuff from the US, partly because the postage prices aren't too bad, this is gonna hurt.

Peter

[tameriska]

Wild Dingo, If you and a couple of mates get together and order one big lot togeter, and split the cost by 4 or 5 (or by whatever times), would it work out more competitive price / quality wise that dealing through the veneer merchants here?

[Wild Dingo]

Wild Dingo, If you and a couple of mates get together and order one big lot togeter, and split the cost by 4 or 5 (or by whatever times), would it work out more competitive price / quality wise that dealing through the veneer merchants here?

Quite simply? Yes.

The prices AND quantities that can be bought for a bloody good price up there was what made it worthwhile... its another of "those things"... I will probably keep buying from Brian just not as much or as often which is a shame because he does have some excellent veneers :C and personally Id rather pay exhorbitant postage prices and the same prices for the veneers than pay the WAY OVER the top prices here... its still cheeper to do so.

Actually its all dependant on what you plan on using it for... and how much you require... if all you require are small amounts then stick with the local Aussie merchant... definantly... but if your after quantity as in enough in sizes to allow you to do the door facings of a kitchen then it is better and to me at least cheeper to go US... all depends on what you need the veneer for and how much you need... IF all I was going to use it for was a bit of marquetry now and again then local definantly... but as Ive been ordered from on high to do the kitchen cupboards in the new house along with the bedroom and her "BLOODY BIG" sewing room (ex theatre room by the plans) then I need quantity and size and I dont want to loose my knuts getting it... which from my experience is what would happen if I were to buy Aus.

In other words for the kitchen cupboards I need veneers that a) flow b) are at least 12in wide c) are at least 90 inches long... I cant get that here without loosing a limb in doing so... small no worries say a foot long x four inches wide easy as no sweat... but in the wider sizes? in matched lengths? in long wide lengths? no I cant simple fact.

All depends on what you need it for

But this USPS thing is gonna hurt... and will probably curtail my bi monthly buying a fair bit :C

Never mind... I guess its one of those things... just gotta suck it up cause theres not much one can do about it... just thought Id warn people about it is all.

A bulk order would be okay I guess... would have to think about it a bit though I think... my experience is that most people only want or need small amounts a few small sheets whereas I tend to go for bulk... anyway will see eh!... good idea though :2tsup:

Cheers
Shane

[martrix]

yep, doh!:homer:

May 14 was when they brought in sweeping changes and wiped out the surface shipping option. Looks like the value of my veneer stock just went up!:q.................:bubbles:

[Wild Dingo]

:slap2: yep I was thinking of you and a couple of others when I posted that mate :whistling:

ah well I may just have to start cuttin the ones I dont want to smaller sizes and becoming an Aussie ebay seller to pay for my US buys eh!! :peace2: :innocent: :2tsup:

[bsrlee]

Actually surface IS available, you just have to be a MAJOR volume shipper - officially. So people like Rockler or the major magazine distributors can get access to surface, but not small merchants.

Unofficially, if you don't put all the right notices & stamps on, or the dweeb at the P.O. just couldn't be bothered, you pay for air and the parcel gets shoved in a surface sack & takes 3 months to get here - I've had this happen a few times since the supposed abolition of 'surface' & am NOT happy, but UPS is even worse value, so I don't have a lot of choice.

If your shipper is friendly, there are probably some 'break points' in the shipping charges, so it may be worth the time for both of you to do some checking & split shipments into smaller lots, or make HUGE shipments, to get the best weight for the dollar.

[Wild Dingo]

Yeah... shame really but there you go

This new lots going to set me back about $300 landed so I think that will be it for awhile :C

damned shame since I have some serious stuff to do in a few months but ah well onwards and upwards... must get around to REALLY setting my blasted bandsaw up and having a go at cutting my own... wont be any exotics and probably no where near as thin but well way it is I guess :roll:

I cant see me getting into a group lot and buying bulk... so I guess I will just buy as I need when I need and restrict myself to once every 6 months or so man thats gonna hurt!

Never mind its all good :2tsup:

[Dion N]

Actually surface IS available, you just have to be a MAJOR volume shipper - officially. So people like Rockler or the major magazine distributors can get access to surface, but not small merchants.

Unofficially, if you don't put all the right notices & stamps on, or the dweeb at the P.O. just couldn't be bothered, you pay for air and the parcel gets shoved in a surface sack & takes 3 months to get here - I've had this happen a few times since the supposed abolition of 'surface' & am NOT happy, but UPS is even worse value, so I don't have a lot of choice.

If your shipper is friendly, there are probably some 'break points' in the shipping charges, so it may be worth the time for both of you to do some checking & split shipments into smaller lots, or make HUGE shipments, to get the best weight for the dollar.

True - I recently bought from Lee Valley and took the Surface Post option - expected delivery time 8-12 weeks...:C

[ss_11000]

thats weird...i just placed my first order over seas ( usa ) and they quoted me postage of ten bucks:cool: $500 order and i think it would wiegh around 5-6 kg.
from CSUSA if that makes a difference.

[Cruzi]

thats weird...i just placed my first order over seas ( usa ) and they quoted me postage of ten bucks:cool: $500 order and i think it would wiegh around 5-6 kg.
from CSUSA if that makes a difference.

Get prepared for a shock, postage will be much higher.

Surface mail is, for all intents and purposes no longer available, whilst it was cheaper packages could take up to 5 months to arrive.

I regularly buy books from OS and getting one particularly heavy book (think yellow pages) used to cost $10 surface, it now costs $35 :o but it does arrive within 10 days.

[Wild Dingo]

Get prepared for a shock, postage will be much higher.

Surface mail is, for all intents and purposes no longer available, whilst it was cheaper packages could take up to 5 months to arrive.

I regularly buy books from OS and getting one particularly heavy book (think yellow pages) used to cost $10 surface, it now costs $35 :o but it does arrive within 10 days.

What he said! Only Id say that like this

MUCH HIGHER

although I never waited 5 months for anything to arrive I can believe it... worst wait I had was 3 months and I was near on totally insane by that stage :roll:

[ss_11000]

i dont think they can charge me more actually because of two reasons.
1) i sent an email asking how much postage would be for a 3-5kg package to nsw australia and they said under ten dollars.
2) my order was over $500 so i qualify for free postage anyway and i couldnt find conditions that said they were to be only in america ( i shall read up on that again anyway.

cheers

[hansp77]

I just got my first ebay package from the states, a birthday pressie to myself, 4 different sized unhandled slick chisels (1 1/4 inch to 2 3/4 inch) :cool:, a pile of mini files, and a gorgeous estwing leather handled hatchet.
I wanted the slicks, and because the seller was going to combine postage, grabbed a couple of other things while at it (missed out on a couple of things I really wanted too:-- just went to bloody high).

He charged me $38US for a priority airmail box, that can take a weight up to 20 pounds- its not exactly a big box. Reciept on the box shows he paid $37US- so one dollar extra for 6 different ebay items, well I am pretty happy with that.

Apparantly this is the base way to do it now from the US.
Though other sellers will no doubt run a bit of profit on top.

btw
I LOVE MY SLICKS:2tsup::D

i must admit, I have a rather disgracefull chisel addiciton.:wink:

[Wild Dingo]

So who did he use as his carrier Hans? Very curious here as it may be helpfull for other ebayers and sellers in the states to know about alternatives
Cheers

[Stuart]

What about getting it shipped? Not through the postal service, but actually going to a shipping merchant. The ships themselves are still plowing back and forth, whether the mail is flying above them or not.

Might be an option. Imagine a whole teachest full of veneer..... :)

[hansp77]

So who did he use as his carrier Hans? Very curious here as it may be helpfull for other ebayers and sellers in the states to know about alternatives
Cheers

Shane, he used the USPS, airmail priority. He just called it a 'priority box'. I have thrown it out already, but I am pretty sure this (http://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10152&storeId=10001&categoryId=13359&productId=11699&langId=-1) is the one
these are its dimensions if that is so
11-7/8" x 3-3/8" x 13-5/8"
It would be good for smaller heavier items, such as tools, planes, etc, but unless your veneers are small pieces, then you might not fit very much.

Good luck, unfortunately some ebayers I have contacted recently will definately charge more than the $37.

Hans.

[Wild Dingo]

Yeah Hans the first thing I noticed was the small size... nope no good for the veneers... most of the ones coming will be around 80in long by up to 20in wide some smaller in width but none shorter in length... so unless he was to bend :o break :o :o or scrunch it all down :o :o :o :no: its got to be something other than that

no worries were trying to sort a work around will have to see :;

[joe greiner]

The critical factor is probably the awkward size. The "priority boxes" are all the same size, so a whole lot easier to stow for shipment. Just for fun (NOT), I checked with a UPS store on my Tuesday expedition; they have three tiers of service, quoted me the lowest example (pulled info out of the air). I said, "OK, we're done." You don't want to know. IIRC, UPS has the world's largest airline, but no ships or barges.

"Shipping merchant" might be unfamiliar to sellers here. I think the usual term is "freight forwarder." It'll involve several days extra time at each end for logistics of collecting the goods and packing the container; mirror at the other end. Plus customs.

Joe

[bsrlee]

Another bummer for Ding - Aust. Post has recently decided that they will not accept anything longer than 1 metre. It used to be a formula based on L+W+D and a maximum of 1.8m long, but not anymore.

There are shippers other than UPS out there that do parcels - FedEx don't try to hit you for imaginary customs duty for instance, DHL are another - used by Amazon. The freight forwarders are more of a problem - no tracking, no insurance, take as long as they want - it can take a month or more before they fill a container, then months on a boat.

[ss_11000]

thats weird...i just placed my first order over seas ( usa ) and they quoted me postage of ten bucks:cool: $500 order and i think it would wiegh around 5-6 kg.
from CSUSA if that makes a difference.
well, they tried to charge me $91 but i showed them thier quote and all i got charged was $10, thats good customer service IMO:cool:

[Cruzi]

well, they tried to charge me $91 but i showed them thier quote and all i got charged was $10, thats good customer service IMO:cool:

They will either never ship to Australia again or be careful about the amount they charge next time...........

[ss_11000]

They will either never ship to Australia again or be careful about the amount they charge next time...........
yeah, they told me next time it wont be so cheap:)

[Hafgan]

I purchased a few things ($170 or so) from a good Canadian Co back in June; price for air freight was over $100 - almost as much as the items - so had them sent surface freight (still $70) but had to wait 3 months....

It just makes it difficult to buy things that aren't available here in Aus....

[durwood]

I have been getting stuff mailed from the States for years. First by car parts dealers and then ebay sellers and if they wouldn't post overseas I has it sent to friends in the States who then posted them on to me here. Up until recently no problem it was always 7 to 10 days without fail.

In the last couple of months this has become quite a problem. Friend in California was put through the 3rd degree on Tuesday when she went to post a couple of kids dresses the wife had purchased on ebay.

Today SHMBO emailed a seller to ask if she would post to Australia. her answer " no more! post office is so difficult to deal with now its not worth the hassle'

Same with a magazine I get posted air mail, used to arrive 10 days its took 5 weeks this time!!!

Canada is just as bad if not worse, I wanted to purchase a router bit on ebay, cost $9.99 plus $50.00 postage. So I had it sent to a friend in the States $6.50 and then a further $8.70 to Australia.

Seems like postage overseas has become a major problem in this 21st century with all the progress we have supposed to have made. So much for fast jet planes and computer assisted mailing systems!!!! You can ship a container or a car to or from the States in 30 to 40 days with no problems how come they can't now ship a container of mail?

I hope this new US post office system gets so bad they have to put a bomb under its management and it will be returned to an actual service again sometimes in the future.

[durwood]

I got a reply from someone in the States today and this was what they gave for not posting to Australia anymore.

Any parcel destined to go overseas now has to be taken to the PO and presented upacked so that staff can varify the contents. It then has to be packed and addressed at the counter.

Previously senders could pack merchantice at home ( or business) and look up the costs on the USPD website put the required postage on the parcel and leave it in their letter box for the mailman to collect. This practice has now stopped for all air mail parcels going overseas.

No wonder no one don't want to send stuff!!!

[Eli]

I told Dingo by PM, but I'll put it here if anybody's interested. My family has a customs brokerage house - they are freight forwarders. So if there is any thing of size or quantity (or not) let me know and maybe they can make it a bit easier. One of their specialties is shipping motorcycles, but they've done cell phones, containers of paper, household goods, you get the idea. They ship stuff.

[Chris Parks]

If you think the Yanks are expensive try posting something from the UK to anywhere, you need a gold credit card for the charge. All freight and postal services are getting on the Ebay bandwagon, it is a gold mine to them.

[Wild Dingo]

Well... thanks for all the above (especially Eli thanks mate :2tsup: )

Brian sent it on the 13th October it left the US on the 17th it arrived in Aus 18 October got out of customs the same day and got here today 25 October... not to shabby eh! :2tsup:

But the cost??? holeyshyttincatsip!! the veneers were by weight 24lb 2oz the cost was $49USD and the postage??... try $104.50USD!!! :o

ah well Brians as disappointed as I am that its at this stage over we were doing incredible sales and buys until now... dont worry if I decide to go again I will give Eli the opportunity to cost it for me cause that was a bit much even for me!! :doh:

oooh and what were the veneers I hear you ask?... some drop dead gorgeous long wide Rosewood... some long wide birdseye maple both between 10 and 14ft long and 18 or so inches wide... a fair whack of waterfall bubinga not so long as the others but still 3ft or so... some beautiful redwood crotch size would be large enough to do about 20 or so small side tables... and some long wide ebony about 8ft long by 15in wide... all in all a bloody good haul I reckon!! :2tsup:

Having now received this lot I can actually see me saying "to hell with it!!" and buying more... especially the rosewood and redwoods man theyre purty :;

Will try to get some pics up tomorrow am :2tsup:

Cheers
Shane