Anyone getting deliveries from overseas?

[LewisM]

Optolong still hasn't sent my L-Extreme filter ordered 12 days ago. They told me next weekend (but said it was in stock). Ah well...the weather will be warmer when it finally arrives :)

[Nikolas]

optolong told me end of the month as they are changing factories or something like that, I ordered it from cyclops optics

[LewisM]

Yeah great timing by me :lol:

What did Cyclops charge? I prepaid Optolong and it came to $391 including express courier and GST

[LewisM]

From SA (Tak Australia) to me for my FSQ extender - 2 days.

[graham.hobart]

still waiting a scope from Bintel from May- GSO (and an IR cut filter)
Yesterday two Winter coats arrived, ordered months ago- just in time for Spring weather!
One UPS one from the UK. Going straight into storage me thinks.

A Synth I bought from Melbourne did arrive after 7 days though.

[Nikolas]

Same price after exchange rate

[inline_online]

I have an item that is coming from Armenia, via London.
Tracking suggests it is at Perth Airport awaiting clearance and has been since Wed 9th Sept.
Does this sound normal? Why would it take so long to get out of the airport?

[Saturn488]

Once it hits the shores and goes into Aussie Posts hands, it will be a good 2-3 weeks until I see my package.

I just received a package from DHL, took 2 days to go from Hong Kong to my hands! Unbelievable service, you do pay for it though but sometimes it's necessary.

[17particles]

I found out that apparently USPS provides "expected updates" (i.e. fibs) about locations once it leaves the US. Couldn't understand why I was getting two different sets of events from Auspost and USPS websites.

[Gary47]

I made a purchase on eBay and decided to try the click and collect option as it would be too bulky to go through our mail slot and we are keeping the drawbridge pulled up.
What a screw up.
I started getting SMS messages saying that my item was ready for collection 2 days (+ the week end) later. Drove over (35 Km) to pick it up. No parcel. The agent at the pick up point said this happens all the time.
It has been just over a week now and I keep getting reminders every day saying that my parcel is waiting for pick up but the pick up point says no, they have not received it.
The parcel point help line is totally useless, they seem to pull out a stock answer from a list and then ask for feedback.
Can anyone suggest some new profanities, I have used all the ones I know.
For sure I will never use the click and collect option again.

[LewisM]

Ordered an item from AliExpress yesterday evening, paid specifically for DHL ($29 extra) versus FedEx ($74 extra)

They posted it today... via FedEx :)

Not complaining - it’s due to arrive Monday. And the entire item plus courier post came to $93 - a not insignificant $43 cheaper than a well known Aussie retail outlet and they aren’t including postage.

[Nikolas]

ASIAIR pro ordered from zwo already in customs in Melbourne and significantly cheaper than the backordered cluster***k you get in Australia

$420 as opposed to $599 that's quite the markup

[Nikolas]

Cleared customs now at processing facility, no GST added

[TrevorW]

Why would you buy any astro gear in Australia markups are atrocious if you can stand a wait more often than not its cheaper even including freight to buy OS and some items you just can't get here. I've only found one local retailer that has comparable prices with OS suppliers and that is Andrews

[pgc hunter]

I want to get a couple of lumicon filters and buying them from the US would save me around 80 bucks and that's with shipping.

Should I go with UPS or USPS (those are the options from the vendor)?

[Spidy]

Definitely go with UPS!

[LewisM]

USPS...if you want them in 2027

Otherwise, UPS as they’ll arrive within a week

[TrevorW]

Not that bad, I buy from ADM, USPS cheapest option, usually takes around 2 months ;)

[gregbradley]

I got a ZWO autoguider and it arrived around a week later.

Greg.

[Nikolas]

ASIAIR pro arrived today, that's service and $180 cheaper than from here where it is still on backorder

[pgc hunter]

UPS it is, cheers guys.

Ordered a Lumicon OIII and a paracorr while I was at it, from the states. Saved $200 over buying here, and the equivalent filters I wanted are backordered here to boot.

[glend]

I have a package coming from TS in Germany, it is coming via UPS. I expect it in a week, with no customs issues based on previous dealing with UPS on inbound.

[Zuts]

Hi,

ZWO EAF Advanced focuser. Focuser, hand control and temperature probe. USD 249 with free postage via DHL. Ordered on 23rd September from ZWO, arrived today (Sunday delivery) so 4 days from order to delivery from China.

[FlashDrive]

Radio Parts from the Netherlands ...2 weeks to be delivered .... that's pretty good in my books.

[AdrianF]

Waited 6 months for gear from China, arrived last Friday. Wife waiting for package from the US ordered in July tracking says arrived in Sydney August but that’s were the tracking ends.

Adrian

[glend]

My package from TS left Germany last Wednesday evening, it arrived at my door this morning (Monday), less than five days. Thank you UPS for your great service. It actually arrived in Australia last Friday but had to wait for customs clearance.

[pgc hunter]

Back in July I ordered a copy of Luna Cognita direct from Springer. However, after 2 months it is still not here so I emailed Springer about the whereabouts of my books. I was told that the shipping company they use is not shipping to Australia because of covid. Basically their email said "we are very sorry, we are unable to fulfill your order at this time". There is no time frame on when shipping will resume , just, and I quote - "when the situation allows".

They've had my money for over 2 months, I had to follow up, only to be told that they are not shipping complete with no ETA. In other words, tough noogies.

Any suggestions on where to go from here guys? I'm thinking of asking for a refund.

:mad2:

[TrevorW]

Order form ADM shipping via USPS last update on tracking 9th Sept as far as I can tell it hasn't even left the US yet, I think COVId has become the excuse for mediocrity and complacency in some circles :)

[LewisM]

Still waiting my Optolong 2" L-Extreme. Seems the factory relocation is taking it's time. I have extended my Ali-Express processing time twice now.


I am in no rush yet - still cold enough here.


My helical focuser I ordered through AliExpress and they sent Fedex is due tomorrow now.

[Saturn488]

Well I just may have broken the record of how slow and pathetic Aussie Post is.

I received a package that was only 16km from me and it took 3 weeks.

I calculated that it was travelling an average of 0.03km/h. Snails walk at 0.04km/h so I can officially say Aussie Post is slower than a snail!

[Mark]

My item from ADM arrived today. Posted 26 August. New York 28th August. Hong Kong 2nd September. No further updates until 13th October when Aus Post got their mitts on it.

Unfortunately, I'd stopped checking by the end of September, and feared it lost in the Stygian depths of Freight Hell. Thus, I made alternate arrangements. Mayhap, too soon. There's likely to be an EQ6 saddle plate & puck in the IceTrade Classifieds soon... :rolleyes:

[jahnpahwa]

I just had a nice time working with the guys at Kyoei Tokyo branch for some gear. They ended up setting up a DHL vendor account and in the end sent out the order on Friday, in my hands today at lunch time, just on 4 days door to door.

I went through and compared kit with FLO. Items were a fair bit cheaper at Kyoei, shipping a little more expensive, netting a $83 saving on a $720 (inc shipping) order.

[LewisM]

The japanese postal system and the couriers ex Japan are PHENOMENAL and put the rest of the world to shame. I have found that Japanese EMS is CHEAPER than Australia Post and actually get to Canberra in about 2 days! I am not sure though if the Japanese Post Office is working yt though - I suspect not.

Switzerland looks like going into another shut down any day now, and likely the rest of Europe will follow, so if you want something ex-T.E, act NOW.

[raymo]

Well, I ordered some roof rails for my car from Dublin, Ireland, late on friday
16th[W.A. time], they left Dublin on Saturday, arrived in Amsterdam on the Sunday,
arrived in Frankfurt on Monday, arrived in Perth Wednesday, cleared customs Friday, delivered yesterday. Great job DHL and everyone else involved with
my package.
raymo

[AdrianF]

Package from US arrived 12 weeks after posted via USPS. Waiting on small package from Adelaide for last 3 weeks still not here. I don’t think the hold up is overseas postal services.
Package from US could be tracked until it reached Sydney then ..... nothing

Adrian

[aepost]

I have brought items that say coming from Australia but after waiting for ages they arrive from China

[raymo]

I don't know where you shopped, but this deceit is now common on ebay.
raymo

[LewisM]

USPS sagas continue.

I bought a SMALL item on eBay, US seller. Checking after the tracking number was given show delivery estimate to be December 20 - Jan 14. :eyepop:

Yet things from Europe have been 14 to 20 days for me, from Russia, Poland, Switzerland, France and Germany (regular post, not DHL or UPS)

[LewisM]

Oh wow, a USPS update...

Your item arrived at our USPS facility in SANTA CLARITA CA DISTRIBUTION CENTER on November 4, 2020 at 7:40 pm. The item is currently in transit to the destination.

That's 53km in 4 days....typically a half-hour trip :lol: (Calabasas to Santa Clarita)


And before anyone says, no, UPS/Fedex/DHL was not offered - many US sellers are now refusing this due to the extra paperwork required.

[TrevorW]

What about local post, I sent items to people over east one to QLD and one in TAS on the 26/10 ordinary mail as only small package no weight both had a RTS address and both parties have still not rec'd the item -nearly 3 weeks later although I must admit one was sent local to an address 19k from where I live and it took 11 days - not happy JAN :(

[jahnpahwa]

Fedex hong kong to canberra in a week for a small part. DHL still a slight preference for me.

[AnakChan]

Ordered my Pegasus Astro PPBA on 24th Oct, was shipped off on 27th via regular HK Post. Arrived on Australian shores on 8th and got it on my doorstep today 13th Nov (in Perth). No idea of shipping routes if it came in via Sydney or direct.

Also ordered the GMK NUCBox via Indiegogo. It was picked up by DHL on 12th Nov, and targeted to arrive 20th.

Edit: 19th November 2020, I got my GMK NUCBox 1 day early.

[Aron]

I had two packages, from USA and Japan. One is UPS, one is DHL.
Both are telescopes, not small package.

UPS: 12th , arrives at 18th
DHL: 16th ,arrives today

My preference is on DHL though. UPS is way too expensive.

[Nikolas]

I had a crap experience with ups

[Aron]

It's a gamble, but I think it's better than USPS at least?
I've had very few delivery from UPS but they were alright.

[Renato1]

Orders from China using Ebay have been a bit of a mixed bag for me.
Several items took five to seven months to arrive. But most show up in about three to four weeks, one even in a week and a half.

I bought some stuff I couldn't get here from the Vitamin Grocer in Pennsylvania with low cost postage. It got here in two weeks, then sat in the DHL depot for another week before finally being delivered.
Cheers,
Renato

[AnakChan]

Has anyone ordered from AliExpress? Any pointers/gotchas on what to be careful of or look out for? How fast are their shipments and are they reliable?

[PCH]

Hi Sean,

I’ve ordered some stuff very recently from Ali and they were fine, even with the included free postage.

My stuff arrived within a fortnight. A missing item was reported and it turned up within another ten days. So no complaints from me, although I understand not everyone has enjoyed the same excellent service.

[AnakChan]

Cheers Paul. I'm pleasantly surprised to hear that you got you stuff in a fortnight esp in the current climate. I may try ordering small USB cables, etc. first then.

[notoriousnick]

I ordered a couple of EPs through Aliexpress, using free shipping. Received them a few days ago. It took about seven weeks.

[doppler]

Hi, I ordered an eqdirect cable for my neq6 from Astro Gadgets in the Ukraine ($53 AU inc post). It was posted on the 9/11/20, arrived in Australia on the 24th and was delivered to me on the 1/12/20. Online tracking was available until it arrived in Au. 3 weeks not bad, will buy from them again.

Rick

[astroron]

Awaiting on a parcel from China,even though the company I ordered it from made no mention it was coming from China.
Fooled again by the blurb saying it was an American company.
The parcel is still sitting in Sydney,even though it has cleared customs and "Delivered to local Courier for delivery to me"
That is the blurb on the tracking site.
It's been the same message for the las 9 days.
Oh well there is a small chance it may be here by Christmas,but
won't hold my breath.
Cheers:thumbsup:

[TrevorW]

Things must be improving USPS priority intentional 2 weeks delivered :)

[yoda776]

For me have had the same - 2 weeks priority international from US. Other service was more like 4 weeks.

UK 3 weeks.
France 3 weeks
Germany was 3 weeks

Hong Kong ... still waiting after 3 weeks ...

Just surprised some stuff actually moves given the situation in some countries.

It is difficult to say that a priority services or express services and paying for it is actually worth it if you can wait. In some cases I have had non-priority mail arrive before priority mail ... usually stuck in Australia the longest out of all of the postal journey steps in most cases.

[PererHigham]

I have a new mount from 10micron that only took a bit over a month to get here from Italy and the supplier is getting an adapter plate made for me in China which could take a while.

[Boozlefoot]

Using 2 companies, 1 mainland PRC and the other Hong Kong for PCB's and chainsaw parts. Thought 3 weeks was good last year, but lately had a 13day from order date to letter box, then next shipment was 11 days from order date to letterbox, and then a 10 day. Using Aus direct mail options, not airmail option, $2 dearer ($7.50 total, would have thought the airmail dearer and faster, but it isn't). A LOT depends on company you're dealing with too. Other companies take that long to get it into a box, let alone send it.

[rustigsmed]

Less than 1 week from China (ZWO / DHL). :thumbsup:

[glend]

Transit times should be pretty good, as most of the international flights on flight tracker, are actually cargo only flights. Many airlines have converted planes for cargo to keep some revenue flowing.

[Venter]

Ordered ‘Mastering PixInsight’ from the US on 27 May…..it arrived today. It was in the US parcel delivery centre for all of June, only leaving there on 4 July.

Given San Fran (from where it was originally shipped) is approx 12,000km to Sydney, that works out to an average speed of 12.5km/hr :rofl:

Fortunately RBA sent a digital copy via email link which was helpful

[multiweb]

Got an unsolicited shipping refund from Amazon today. Reason stated was that shipping was late. :question: I'll take it. :lol:

[Stonius]

I've had two deliveries from ZWO via DHL in the last fortnight. Both were 3-4 working days. Quicker than getting something from Sydney via AusPost.


Markus

[MortonH]

Resurrecting this thread as I ordered something from ADM Accessories over a week ago and tracking has been stuck since Feb 9, then I've just read that the USPS has suspended delivery to several countries including Australia.