Delivery from the USA

[mithrandir]

I am expecting a parcel from B&H Photo and have been following its progress with UPS's tracking web page.

It took 2 calendar days to get from the east coast USA to Botany with a stopoff in Hawaii. Maybe that means 3 days losing one crossing the dateline. UPS say it will then take 4 or 5 days to cross Sydney.

I can only suspect Customs clearance is being deliberately delayed because it's between $800 and $1000 and they are waiting to see if anything else turns up and they can charge duty on the aggregate.

[Ric]

I'm waiting on a parcel as well, I don't think the company has sent it as yet.

[Tandum]

Andrew, It's probably already on it's way to you. Updates will be slower here without the NBN :scared3:

[mithrandir]

Ric, I presume you mean B&H and they will supply the tracking number when they dispatch it.


Robin, 3 days US to Oz - fine. Botany to Castle Hill (about 30km) 5 days???????????

And would you believe it!!! While I was typing this reply it arrived - a day before UPS said it would be here.:party2:

Assuming it is still a goer after the election, the NBN is supposed to be laid here in either 2014 or 2015. We might have moved by then - to a place where fibre might never be laid. I might be looking back on the 13Mb/sec I get here and weep.

[Ric]

Hi Andrew

I waiting on a package from Fire Cam, it's a small video camera that fits under my helmet, our brigade can then have a record of hazard reductions and fires in our zone. Should be a great training aid for old and new members.

I should have been a bit clearer. :D

Cheers

[hotspur]

I've noticed all the USPS charges have gone up,I use to pay $55 for a twenty pound box,which I could have 4 dingo traps sent over in (they call them coyote traps in U.S),But now its $75,so gone up $20.

I am getting a trail camera sent over now,use to be $25,now $35:( Still a huge saving buying all this gear and having it sent over,than buying here.

[erick]

Yes, happened to me on a $900 package of goods - held up for some weeks until they decided it wasn't a split shipment (which it wasn't).

[slt]

I ordered a lens from B&H last Thursday evening our time. Arrived at Mascot on Saturday morning. Received a call from UPS re GST on Monday morning. Was delivered today.

I don't think the delays are Customs waiting for additional items, because mine was clearly above $1000 and still sat on the ground for 2 working days (plus the weekend).

[LewisM]

Got a small package today from California. It left on Friday, arrived this afternoon. USPS is back on the ball again. This time last year, they were a nightmare, simply because of the BULK of shoppers buying from the USA. They jack up their postage prices - CONSIDERABLY - and the volume dropped - CONSIDERABLY :)

[Stardrifter_WA]

Actually Lewis, I have never had a problem with their prices or their delivery. And, I get a lot sent from the US and have found that they seem to be the quickest delivery....well, mostly anyway. I did have one delivery that only took 4 1/2 days :eyepop:. I had ordered something from Sydney at the same time and it took 7 days to get here. Both items were small and about the same weight. Go figure :question:

Cheers Peter

[naskies]

I've found UPS to be very, very good for both USA->AUS packages and domestic USA packages.

However, sometimes their delivery would be inexplicably delayed - e.g. 3 days sitting on the ground in Sydney *after* clearing customs.

I've recently learned that the UPS Worldwide Saver and UPS Worldwide Expedited services that OptCorp/B&H typically use are "guaranteed delivery". That is, UPS guarantee to deliver the package by the quoted day, otherwise you get your money back.

You can use the "Calculate Time & Cost" feature on the UPS website to generate a retrospective quote. If the package was delivered after the *original* guaranteed date, and you can show that it wasn't due to customs delays / no one at the door / etc (evident in your package's tracking history), then you can ask the retailer (B&H) to petition UPS for a shipping refund.

I've done this successfully with OptCorp and have had the full shipping cost (less the GST I paid on shipping) credited to my account.

[LewisM]

I have no issue with USPS at all, even though the prices have gone up a bit. BUT, between May and August last year, USPS had MAJOR issues - items would sit in storage and WAIT for the next flight, and wait.... even Australia Post was well aware of this, and their customer service centre was well versed at explaining what the USPS issue was (staff issues and delaying shipments until certain capacities etc) - I had to ring up on a few occasions when GUARANTEED 4 day International Express (USPS) were significantly delayed - one 4 day express arriving almost 2 months late! Needless to say during that period, I was refunded MOST of my postages by USPS - they DO guarantee it, and we DID get our postage refunds :)

[Marke]

5 days then your lucky , last couple of peices I got from AP were only a couple hundred dollars took 3 days to get here and 10 working days to go thru customs .

[Ric]

This might be a dumb question but who sends the tracking number??

Is it the company you bought from or the USPS?

It's actually the first time I've actually bought anything outside of Australia.

Cheers

[mithrandir]

In my experience it is the seller.

[hotspur]

Never had any issues,at all with USPS,all items arrive in about 8 to 10 days,the seller sends tacking number,have looked to see where parcel is sometimes,they do sit around in customs a bit sometimes-all my parcels are always opened by customs.Never had any issues,its a bit of a learning curve Ric,when its your first parcel.But after awhile,its all easy,I even taught the hairdresser down the road to get parcels from U.S,via USPS,not sure what customs think when they open her parcels,-different type of 'hardware',but she sells it quick and makes a profit.Even with the price hike-it still all worth it.Does anyone know if there is a larger parcel rate for larger sizes and weights? 10 KG box size is good,but a larger flat rate box would be kinda handy.

[Larryp]

I get my stuff from the USA via USPS. Never had a problem.