Highway Robbery.
Jan 4, 2013 23:06:15 #
I was wondering if other non-American residents have had a massive price hike in postage costs from the US. I am a regular ebay buyer (mainly photographic gear, electronics, & bulk buys of CD/DVD blanks).
Postage is usually free from Hong Kong & Germany. Postage from the UK in reasonable/acceptable, but is absolutely horrendous from the US. I'll quote two examples...
I recently bought a barrel & key for the LH door of my old DeVille. The part was $28-postage to Australia was $32. Today, I was browsing ebay for a Sigma 1.4X TC. I purchased one from Hong Hong. Why?
The same item was available from HK & the US for about the same price. Free postage from HK--$63 postage from the US. Obviously, Aussies won't be buying much from US dealers. US postage to AU used to be about the same as from the UK, but not anymoe.
Anybody else noticed this price hike??
Postage is usually free from Hong Kong & Germany. Postage from the UK in reasonable/acceptable, but is absolutely horrendous from the US. I'll quote two examples...
I recently bought a barrel & key for the LH door of my old DeVille. The part was $28-postage to Australia was $32. Today, I was browsing ebay for a Sigma 1.4X TC. I purchased one from Hong Hong. Why?
The same item was available from HK & the US for about the same price. Free postage from HK--$63 postage from the US. Obviously, Aussies won't be buying much from US dealers. US postage to AU used to be about the same as from the UK, but not anymoe.
Anybody else noticed this price hike??
Jan 5, 2013 07:22:07 #
DOOK wrote:
I was wondering if other non-American residents ha... (show quote)
No idea how the postage works in these cases. I can say that here in the UK I purchased a pack of DVD sleeves - from the UK - for £1.20 post paid. If I subsequently sent those same sleeves to my sister - also in the UK - the postage would be about £2.20!
On Ebay I have noticed that sometimes the postage charged is very much more than it actually costs the sender.
Jan 5, 2013 08:15:40 #
I had a friend from Aus. tell me the same thing. I checked at the post office and the same object would only cost me about $3.00 U S. to ship to Aus.
Jan 5, 2013 08:36:35 #
I like to believe that there are a lot of people on eBay who are trying to improve their profit margin by charging high shipping costs. I buy from U.S. frequently and I am quite sure the costs are heavily inflated.
Jan 5, 2013 09:03:16 #
DOOK wrote:
I was wondering if other non-American residents ha... (show quote)
Yes we have noticed it as well.
Jan 5, 2013 09:08:43 #
Recently our postal service implemented a rate hike which may have something to do with your problem.
The US Postal Service is supposed to be self-sustaining with it's fee system but operates at a loss of several millions every year. The government is then supposed to "loan" them money to get back to even. Because of email and private delivery systems it is predicted that the US Postal Service will either vanish or be a shell of what it was within the next few years.
I do believe that some eBay sellers make an additional profit on their shipping fees. I've stopped buying from any of them that have fees higher than what I would have to pay.
The US Postal Service is supposed to be self-sustaining with it's fee system but operates at a loss of several millions every year. The government is then supposed to "loan" them money to get back to even. Because of email and private delivery systems it is predicted that the US Postal Service will either vanish or be a shell of what it was within the next few years.
I do believe that some eBay sellers make an additional profit on their shipping fees. I've stopped buying from any of them that have fees higher than what I would have to pay.
Jan 5, 2013 09:37:24 #
ted45 wrote:
Recently our postal service implemented a rate hik... (show quote)
US domestic shipping using those USPS "If it fits... it ships" boxes are all of stardarized pricing. However, some sellers ship using UPS, DHL or FEDEX and also insure the item for damage or loss. This adds to the final price of the shipping. International rates have recently skyrocketed though and I guess that's because of air freight charges by carriers.
Also, the prices charged to individuals is greater than those charged to retailers for shipping for USPS, FEDEX and UPS or DHL.
Jan 5, 2013 10:40:57 #
Crwiwy wrote:
On Ebay I have noticed that sometimes the postage charged is very much more than it actually costs the sender.
On Ebay I have noticed that sometimes the postage charged is very much more than it actually costs the sender.
It isn't just eBay. It is a standard marketing method by some retailers to make their money by "shipping and handling". You'll find many low cost items on Amazon nearly free with a huge shipping and handling charge that brings the total price of the retailers offering the same item at a reasonable price.
It has nothing to do with the actual cost of shipping.
BTW with Amazon prime you get free shipping on everything so you can actually get those low prices on many things. I don't know if this is available outside the U.S.
Jan 5, 2013 11:32:53 #
ole sarg
Loc: south florida
It is usually shipping and handling. It is the handling where they get the buyer.
Jan 5, 2013 11:48:48 #
ole sarg wrote:
It is usually shipping and handling. It is the handling where they get the buyer.
So wouldn't be easy for you to shop with internet stores that only charge their advertised price plus standard shipping fees? Amazon doesn't charge a handling fee nor do other sites I've shopped with. It's the ASOTV stuff that charges those exorbitant handling charges so they can advertise a rediculously low price and then jack it up with overstated shipping and handling charges in the final sale. My advice is to just doing business with these outfits.JMHO
Jan 5, 2013 14:19:24 #
Wabbit
Loc: Arizona Desert
DOOK wrote:
I was wondering if other non-American residents ha... (show quote)
Hey Doc ..... you can go to the USPS site for a shipping estimate .....
..... http://postcalc.usps.com/
Jan 5, 2013 16:02:30 #
Thank y'all for the feedback. I went to the USPC site, provided by Wabbit, & here's what I found for priority paid US to AU.
Max size 8 5/8 X 5 3/8 X 1 5/8..max wt 4 lb--$16.95.
" " 13 5/8 X 11 7/8 X 3 3/8 " 20 " $47.95
" " 11 X 8 1/2 X 5 1/2 " 20 " $47.95
As you can see, if the package exceeds 1 5/8 on any side, it jumps from $16.95 to $47.95. So, the vendors may be jacking their P&H, but the postage is ridiculously high in the first place.
I've been buying CDs from CDUniverse in Connecticut for a long time. 8 CDs used to cost about $16 in freight. My last order, a few months ago, tripled in freight cost. The US would have one of the highest international freight/postage rates in the world.
By the way, when are you guys going to get with the rest of the world & go metric? This old guy had to go back to school to visualise a package in feet & inches.
Max size 8 5/8 X 5 3/8 X 1 5/8..max wt 4 lb--$16.95.
" " 13 5/8 X 11 7/8 X 3 3/8 " 20 " $47.95
" " 11 X 8 1/2 X 5 1/2 " 20 " $47.95
As you can see, if the package exceeds 1 5/8 on any side, it jumps from $16.95 to $47.95. So, the vendors may be jacking their P&H, but the postage is ridiculously high in the first place.
I've been buying CDs from CDUniverse in Connecticut for a long time. 8 CDs used to cost about $16 in freight. My last order, a few months ago, tripled in freight cost. The US would have one of the highest international freight/postage rates in the world.
By the way, when are you guys going to get with the rest of the world & go metric? This old guy had to go back to school to visualise a package in feet & inches.
Jan 5, 2013 17:05:11 #
Wabbit
Loc: Arizona Desert
DOOK wrote:
Thank y'all for the feedback. I went to the USPC s... (show quote)
Hey Doc ..... FYI, when an eBay seller uses his PayPal account for a shipping label the cost is less (and delivery confirmation is free) than what you see on the USPS site.
Jan 5, 2013 17:11:44 #
I once ordered 4 resin chairs from an on-line retailer for $17.00 each. When I received the invoice it showed the $17.00 each for the chairs but added $70.00 each for shipping, Needless to say I quickly canceled that order!
DOOK wrote:
I was wondering if other non-American residents ha... (show quote)
Jan 6, 2013 10:08:50 #
DOOK wrote:
By the way, when are you guys going to get with the rest of the world & go metric? This old guy had to go back to school to visualise a package in feet & inches.
By the way, when are you guys going to get with the rest of the world & go metric? This old guy had to go back to school to visualise a package in feet & inches.
I understand that is scheduled to happen right after our Congress balances the budget.
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