Shipping Costs - Unbelievable. (1 Viewer)

[Phantom Warrior]

I got quite a shock today. Someone wanted to buy one of my tanks. The package weighed 4-1/2 lbs and was 14"x10"x10". To send it by air to South America from Canada and get a delivery confirmation and insurance will cost $120. Costs to Europe, the far east and Australia are just as bad. For me to ship the same parcel to the US and get a signature is only $22.

I'm sure the costs to ship International from Canada with delivery confirmation or a signature are higher than shipping from the US.

What do vendors do with shipping costs that high.

And how do you guys in Australia, UK, and other international locations pay costs like that?

Terry

 

[Obee]

Terry,

its the tyranny of distance for us 'colonials' in the penal colony...... being so far away from the rest of the toy soldier world, we have to pay, and thats a fact of life (along with birth, death and taxes )

You just grain and bear it.. and enjoy your figures when they finally arrive. The only alternative to send via sea mail, which takes about 3 months ... on a 'Slow boat to China"


John

 

[Phantom Warrior]

For sales on e-bay or even on the Treefrog Classifieds when selling to people I don't know, for items worth more than $100 I want a tracking number and delivery confirmation and for values over $200 I also want a signature. As soon as those items are included, the costs outside Canada/US just skyrocket. And in most cases, 4 - 6 weeks on a ship is beyond the time I want to wait to see that the package got there safely.

I still can't believe how expensive it is.

Terry

 

[mikemiller1955]

For sales on e-bay or even on the Treefrog Classifieds when selling to people I don't know, for items worth more than $100 I want a tracking number and delivery confirmation and for values over $200 I also want a signature. As soon as those items are included, the costs outside Canada/US just skyrocket. And in most cases, 4 - 6 weeks on a ship is beyond the time I want to wait to see that the package got there safely.

I still can't believe how expensive it is.

Terry

Terry...I once sent 6 sets of Jenkins to Australia...I didn't know the guy so I got insurance...confirmation...etc...$80.00 as I remember...outrageous...

 

[jazzeum]

I suppose I've been lucky but unless it's over $200 I'm not obtaining insurance. Even still, insurance isn't that much. On a K & C type set, shipping is only about $35 to 40 to Europe. I never do delivery confirmation. Just not worth it.

 

[Napoleon1er]

I know its not quite the same thing, but I will look at a large item on ebay, and it will be only $15, and the shipping will be $100. For example, MKL models has a WBritain Dunker Church, which pretty much fits this description.

 

[glossman]

The substantial international shipping cost is the price I have to pay for living so far away from the mainstream of the toy soldier collecting world.

If I really want a set, I have to bite the bullet and pay up. There is no choice for most of what I want to collect.

Raymond

 

[45thdiv]

I've shipped from the US several times overseas. We have priority post which allows for up to 20 lbs of weight to be sent for a flat rate of somewhere in the area of 50 dollars.

If you want it to be signed you send it express mail. They weigh that but it gets there in 3 business days. 10 lbs guaranteed delivery in 3 business days to Hong Kong = 48 dollars.

And the US Post office gives you the boxes to ship in for free.

That's been my experience so far in the last few months. Worth checking out if you need to.

Matthew

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I've shipped from the US several times overseas. We have priority post which allows for up to 20 lbs of weight to be sent for a flat rate of somewhere in the area of 50 dollars.

If you want it to be signed you send it express mail. They weigh that but it gets there in 3 business days. 10 lbs guaranteed delivery in 3 business days to Hong Kong = 48 dollars.

And the US Post office gives you the boxes to ship in for free.

That's been my experience so far in the last few months. Worth checking out if you need to.

Matthew

Not available for shipping from Canada.

Terry

 

[Mitch]

That sounds quite reasonable
Mitch

 

[ucla1967]

I will not bid on eBay items if I feel that the shipping is too high; for example, there is one U.S. eBayer who regularly charges $20 shipping for one set. I will not bid on his items as a matter of principle.

It usually costs me about $1,000 for Fed Ex Air shipping for my annual order from Hiriart in Uruguay. Although expensive, I marvel at the fact that I receive the shipment in 48 hours. Hiriart boxes are too long to fit in the Postal Service's Priority Mail or flat rate boxes, so I can't take advantage of them. It costs $40 to ship three sets to Denmark (which is the maximum weight I am allowed) via First Class Air Mail, uninsured and about $20 to ship the same via Priority Mail to the east coast. In the states, I usually use delivery confirmation, because it is cheap (less than a dollar) and it allows me to track the shipment. Like Brad, I never insure.

 

[Gideon]

This is crazy...

I get yelped at from all sorts of people around the world because they think "my" shipping prices are high.

I just plug in the weight and set the proper USPS shipping options - First Class, Priority, etc. I used to use UPS but they always wind up costing $2-$5 MORE than their stated shipping prices when I received my statements from them. They even charged me $6 because they called a customer to tell them that a package was available for pick up. $8 for some other nonsense.

But back to my point, I hear routinely people on this forum having to spend/bill $30, $40, $50 + for shipping.

I just have to shake my head and ask why I catch so much flak for being honest and displaying the proper shipping rates.

BTW, I get delivery confirmation on everything I ship out. It does help if somebody is being difficult or dishonest. Paypal will protect me. eBay is a crap shoot.

 

[ucla1967]

This is crazy...

I get yelped at from all sorts of people around the world because they think "my" shipping prices are high.

I just plug in the weight and set the proper USPS shipping options - First Class, Priority, etc. I used to use UPS but they always wind up costing $2-$5 MORE than their stated shipping prices when I received my statements from them. They even charged me $6 because they called a customer to tell them that a package was available for pick up. $8 for some other nonsense.

But back to my point, I hear routinely people on this forum having to spend/bill $30, $40, $50 + for shipping.

I just have to shake my head and ask why I catch so much flak for being honest and displaying the proper shipping rates.

BTW, I get delivery confirmation on everything I ship out. It does help if somebody is being difficult or dishonest. Paypal will protect me. eBay is a crap shoot.

I have bought from you before on eBay and your rates are reasonable and fair.

 

[uksubs]

I got quite a shock today. Someone wanted to buy one of my tanks. The package weighed 4-1/2 lbs and was 14"x10"x10". To send it by air to South America from Canada and get a delivery confirmation and insurance will cost $120. Costs to Europe, the far east and Australia are just as bad. For me to ship the same parcel to the US and get a signature is only $22.

I'm sure the costs to ship International from Canada with delivery confirmation or a signature are higher than shipping from the US.

What do vendors do with shipping costs that high.

And how do you guys in Australia, UK, and other international locations pay costs like that?

Terry

Hi Terry for a start be careful where you ship your items to as even delivery confirmation and insurance won't count in some country's For me shipping to Australia is a no go as the cost are of the wall but your still get people bidding on your stuff , just sold a K&C item to Latvia & DHL have been to the buyer house four times & he still not got in contact with them As a buyer US shipping is very high & I can get stuff shipped from Hong Kong cheaper Lucky Treefrog Treasure do free shipping to the UK on my order problem is my tanks are sitting in Uk custom today & just waiting for the letter with how much import tax I'm going to pay

 

[MarkeytMaker]

I got quite a shock today. Someone wanted to buy one of my tanks. The package weighed 4-1/2 lbs and was 14"x10"x10". To send it by air to South America from Canada and get a delivery confirmation and insurance will cost $120. Costs to Europe, the far east and Australia are just as bad. For me to ship the same parcel to the US and get a signature is only $22.

I'm sure the costs to ship International from Canada with delivery confirmation or a signature are higher than shipping from the US.

What do vendors do with shipping costs that high.

And how do you guys in Australia, UK, and other international locations pay costs like that?

Terry

I ship USPS Express International "only" overseas. So far it's been averaging $40-50 for a medium box and arrives in about 3 days...SO far so good! I don't open up my ebay to International bidding but if someone emails me from the forum or Ebay and asks to ship overseas I can add them to my exemption list. This allows only the people I have filtered as acceptable to bid from overseas. I learned this input from Ray and others here on the forum. Works very well...I wish the other side would offer this to as I was watching a DD39 (NIB) sell for around $175 today overseas...seller does not and will not ship overseas...maybe for the better anyhow as I could only imagine the condition of the DD39's rib cage upon arrival

 

[Northgate Woods]

Guys,
Australian collectors are at the bottom end of the world and therefore will always cop large shipping costs. One has to be a smart buyer and pick and choose where and from who they buy from.

Markeytmaker: Has said he only will use USPS Express International which is insured and fast (3 to 5 days to Oz) but I always use, over the last four years of buying USPS Priority International which is cheaper, also insured and sometimes faster than Express. This is based on receiving two to three parcels from the US on a weekly basis.
Terry: I cannot understand why shipping costs from Canada is so dear when you are right on top of the US. I therefore try to avoid Canada unless there is an item I really want.
UK Subs: I would average a parcel from the UK fortnightly from dealers and Ebay. Postage is dear but so is anything else in the UK. Once again if I really want the item then I am prepared to pay the postage.

To sum up, if I buy on Ebay an old set from a dealer, then I ask if I combine the set with an order of current stock up to their free shipping limit will the ebayed set become free shipping. Answer is usually YES.
Sometimes however, when you want a Figarti LCT, a K&C Lancaster or a Hudson and Allen Hotel de Lille, then you just have to bite the bullet and pay.
TS collecting is a funny hobby, but I love it. Just my thoughts.

Cheers from the Land Downunder, Howard

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I will not bid on eBay items if I feel that the shipping is too high; for example, there is one U.S. eBayer who regularly charges $20 shipping for one set. I will not bid on his items as a matter of principle.

It usually costs me about $1,000 for Fed Ex Air shipping for my annual order from Hiriart in Uruguay. Although expensive, I marvel at the fact that I receive the shipment in 48 hours. Hiriart boxes are too long to fit in the Postal Service's Priority Mail or flat rate boxes, so I can't take advantage of them. It costs $40 to ship three sets to Denmark (which is the maximum weight I am allowed) via First Class Air Mail, uninsured and about $20 to ship the same via Priority Mail to the east coast. In the states, I usually use delivery confirmation, because it is cheap (less than a dollar) and it allows me to track the shipment. Like Brad, I never insure.

Yes - I have spoken to such a Treefrogger. He doesn't feel comfortable with the cheaper shipping methods so I have not been able to buy from him yet. If he had 4 or 5 figures I wanted at the same time, then it might be different with the costs spread out over a bigger package.

Terry

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Hi Terry for a start be careful where you ship your items to as even delivery confirmation and insurance won't count in some country's For me shipping to Australia is a no go as the cost are of the wall but your still get people bidding on your stuff , just sold a K&C item to Latvia & DHL have been to the buyer house four times & he still not got in contact with them As a buyer US shipping is very high & I can get stuff shipped from Hong Kong cheaper Lucky Treefrog Treasure do free shipping to the UK on my order problem is my tanks are sitting in Uk custom today & just waiting for the letter with how much import tax I'm going to pay

Canadian shipping rates are even higher than US shipping rates.

If the item is less than $100, I will ship almost anywhere. Higher value than that and I need a signature and full insurance for some places. Also a problem is shipping international surface because of the 4-6 week (read 6 - 8 weeks sometimes) time to arrive.

Terry

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I ship USPS Express International "only" overseas. So far it's been averaging $40-50 for a medium box and arrives in about 3 days...SO far so good! I don't open up my ebay to International bidding but if someone emails me from the forum or Ebay and asks to ship overseas I can add them to my exemption list. This allows only the people I have filtered as acceptable to bid from overseas. I learned this input from Ray and others here on the forum. Works very well...I wish the other side would offer this to as I was watching a DD39 (NIB) sell for around $175 today overseas...seller does not and will not ship overseas...maybe for the better anyhow as I could only imagine the condition of the DD39's rib cage upon arrival

That works well for popular items that will attract bidders. But some of my items like F1 racing cars have a big following world wide but not so much in Canada/US, so to get decent prices and in some cases even to get bids, I have to go global. Fortunately, K&C items sell very well in Canada/US so I do not have to go global with them.

Terry

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Guys,
Australian collectors are at the bottom end of the world and therefore will always cop large shipping costs. One has to be a smart buyer and pick and choose where and from who they buy from.

Terry: I cannot understand why shipping costs from Canada is so dear when you are right on top of the US. I therefore try to avoid Canada unless there is an item I really want.

Cheers from the Land Downunder, Howard

The simple answer is that Canada Post is a Crown Corporation and must pay it's own way i.e. a government run agency that has to cover it's costs every year. The USPS is 10X the size, has a much dense population, and can (and does) lose money every year so they can offer much lower rates than Canada Post can

Terry