Just got a bit more confidence in Aliexpress - had a 3d printer motherboard that I ordered in April, but never arrived, fully refunded, despite tracking showing it had been posted. Raised a dispute when the buyer protection ran out. Took some waiting time, but refund was ordered by Ali. Will continue to buy there...
FWIW
Gary
Mine sat in Los Angeles for 8 weeks. I can only agree with Greg. If USPS is the only shipping option, find another vendor if you want whatever it is not to have corroded to nothing before you get it.
It's the pits..I finally decide to get the new set up but Andrews don't even know when they may get a mount in... maybe a good thing ...time to come to my senses.
Alex
11 Days from order to delivery. Hong Kong > Darwin with DHL.
Ordered through Cyclone Optics. Cannot fault the service received from Robin, absolutely fantastic. Due to the Virus all postage to Australia was in lock down as advised by Australia post to CO, so Robin upgraded to DHL express at no extra cost. I'm not affiliated with them in any way, just very happy with the customer service I got from Robin.
11 Days from order to delivery. Hong Kong > Darwin with DHL.
Ordered through Cyclone Optics. Cannot fault the service received from Robin, absolutely fantastic. Due to the Virus all postage to Australia was in lock down as advised by Australia post to CO, so Robin upgraded to DHL express at no extra cost. I'm not affiliated with them in any way, just very happy with the customer service I got from Robin.
Just googled Australia post in lockdown?
There has been No nationwide lockdown of Australia Post.
There may have been delays,for obvious reasons.
But definitely No Lockdowns of Australia Post in the Corvi-19 Pandemic
period.
Cheers
11 Days from order to delivery. Hong Kong > Darwin with DHL.
Ordered through Cyclone Optics. Cannot fault the service received from Robin, absolutely fantastic. Due to the Virus all postage to Australia was in lock down as advised by Australia post to CO, so Robin upgraded to DHL express at no extra cost. I'm not affiliated with them in any way, just very happy with the customer service I got from Robin.
Ordered a couple of things and have had it delivered within 6 days, excellent result. Got it today ordered last Tuesday
Bought some ebay stuff out of China, Ten days for it to clear China. Just a sniff better than sitting in one place for 8 weeks like my bit did in the US.
Just got my Pegasus Astro Focus Cube & Pocket Powerbox Advance from Cyclops Optics
With other bits & pieces
Total of 6 days from ordering to doorstep
Highly recommend Cyclops Optics
DHL seems to have limited service from Germany.
I ordered a 10" mirror blank and was told that there is a 22 euro surcharge for a parcel under 5 Kg - on top of the normal 46 euros.
I went ahead and the parcel was lodged on the 15th of June but after arriving to Frankfurt, the tracking went dead for two weeks or so. It turned out that, even though it was a DHL booking, the parcel was handled by Deutsche Post and then passed on to Australia Post.
Anyway I finally got notified that it arrived to Melbourne on the 2nd of July, and it was delivered yesterday.
I think Europe deliveries are starting to come through now. Perhaps some ban has been lifted.
In the last two weeks I have had delivered items ordered from March/April; those being 'Luna Cognita' from Germany through Springer using DHL/Au post, a small item just posted in normal post from France, and a few weeks before those a tripod from Berlebach which also used DHL.
Ordinary postal services have become very unreliable, I guess due to a lack of international flights. I just paid extra for express services from HK (L-extreme filter) and the UK (mgen III) whereas I've previously used the cheap post.
I would favour local purchases if the items had been available here.
Not just an Australian issue...I have been waiting since April for some items from a retailer 2 hours drive from me. Item has been backordered but I was told today that A shipment arrived and they would ship to me tomorrow.