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Nikolas
23-04-2020, 11:30 AM
Hi all
Just asking how deliveries are going from overseas, China and Europe mainly I hear all sorts of convoluted reports but am interested in anyones first hand experience.

multiweb
23-04-2020, 11:33 AM
I had 3 deliveries from China for orders placed in Feb and March. Two arrived damaged and one disappeared/never arrived so waiting on a refund. The two others I lodged the usual paypal dispute but was told eventually to suck it up.

AndyG
23-04-2020, 12:54 PM
I have 2 Ebay economy freight items from Ebay waiitng since early March. Under $20 postage so not too worried. One of the Sellers even asked me how it's going. I told them I'd wait another 2 weeks and let them know.
Still waiting on a Camera from Bintel. I hope they call me once it's in. No idea when that will be. Patience is a virtue, so they say :)

DarkArts
23-04-2020, 01:00 PM
I have a small, low-cost item from China that's about a month overdue. It may still turn up ...

DeWynter
23-04-2020, 01:03 PM
China is delivering (eBay and Aliexpress) but at much longer times.
Germany - can be delivered to AU only by UPS (a bit more expensive and slightly longer delivery time). No other delivery options are available ATM.
Spain - no delivery to other countries right now.

Wilso
23-04-2020, 01:44 PM
A lot of items use to come with unused cargo on passenger planes also, so that has dried up. Austpost said they have to charter planes to get deliveries to Australia. I don’t think I’ll be ordering from overseas for a while now.
Good luck with your deliveries :thumbsup:

The_bluester
23-04-2020, 02:58 PM
I am waiting on a small part from the US, previously things from there were pretty quick across the US and then maybe two days from departing the states before they hit Australia. 15 days and counting since what I am waiting on left the states via USPS first class international. Fleabay has reset the estimated delivery date to 15 May, so six weeks...

And the part that is to screw into is MIA as well, I should follow up with the local supplier and check if he is in the same boat as me, waiting for delivery of a part from outside Aus, not something I could get made locally unfortunately.

Exfso
23-04-2020, 08:10 PM
I got an order in from the USA, made it to Sydney 2 weeks ago, still showing as sitting there on tracking.

Also got 4 orders from the UK for Amiga bits and pieces, so I reckon there could be quite a wait for them too.

chrisp9au
23-04-2020, 08:37 PM
Waiting on an Orion scope cloak from the USA. Orion apparently closed for now.

pgc hunter
23-04-2020, 08:45 PM
I ordered some DVDs which were dispatched from the UK. Nearly 2 months and counting now...

TwistedRider
23-04-2020, 08:45 PM
Waiting on 1 from China. About 2 weeks overdue so far

3 from Qld. In transit for 10 days so far... Suspect another 10 might be needed yet

FlashDrive
23-04-2020, 09:25 PM
Waiting for a Radio Part from China .....ordered on the 8th Feb' ....around 9 weeks now .. still waiting.

Waiting for an order from Agena Astro ..... USPS shows it still sitting at International Dispatch Center as at the 8th of this month...that was 15 days ago ...still waiting.

Col.

DeWynter
24-04-2020, 08:14 AM
Just a few tips. Most "government" postal services like USPS, AusPOST etc (including EMS) are using passenger aircrafts for shipping. Because passenger fleets are grounded it's very difficult to deliver anything with "default" shipping provider. Courier services like DHL, FedEx and UPS are using their own aircrafts to major destinations and therefore could deliver. So if you want to purchase anything from overseas then try using UPS/FedEx/DHL. But please do check their websites if they are delivering to Australia from the country of origin.

UPS: https://www.ups.com/cn/en/service-alerts.page?id=alert1 (delivery from US, Europe etc to Australia is possible)
DHL: https://www.simplydhl.com/covid-19updates (US to AU - possible, Europe to AU - technically possible as webb, but check with the shop)
FedEx: https://www.fedex.com/content/dam/fedex/us-united-states/Service-Alerts/images/2020/Q4/2019_nCoV_Service_Impacts_Apr_23.pd f (Not clear, better to drop them an email to clarify)

castor
24-04-2020, 09:13 AM
Ordered Minox 10x52 binoculars from B&H in New York - arrived in two working days. Courier order from Brisbane also arrived very quickly.

2 recent, small, Australia Post parcels from Qld (I'm in Melbourne). One arrived almost on-time, other has been in transit for 8 days with no progress.

h0ughy
24-04-2020, 09:55 AM
Yes took 8 weeks

astroron
24-04-2020, 10:05 AM
A book coming from Book depository UK not arrived.
They said it was shipped over 1 month ago.
Normally takes about a fortnight,no sign of it so far.
Large book parcel came from Amazon 10 days before the predicted
delivery time.
Cheers:thumbsup:

RB
24-04-2020, 10:53 AM
A drop in the ocean compared to the unboxing....

:rofl:

h0ughy
24-04-2020, 11:33 AM
Took 30seconds and was on the scope in 5minutes:lol:

DeWynter
24-04-2020, 08:27 PM
FYI. Ordered items at Telescope-Express in Germany this Tuesday. Arrived to Sydney today with UPS.

astroron
24-04-2020, 09:32 PM
Book arrived today 1 month and 8 days.
But at least it is here.:D
Cheers:thumbsup:

Nikolas
17-05-2020, 08:17 PM
Any updates on your deliveries? I'm thinking of ordering a guidecam from ZWO as they haveit in stock unlike Bintel and every Australian retailer.

Retrograde
17-05-2020, 08:42 PM
Ordered an Optolong filter from SVbony in China.
Arrived in 5 days.

Astronut07
17-05-2020, 08:46 PM
Hi

I have had two orders delivered from Cyclops Optics in Hong Kong ( one order was a month ago other order was one week ago )
Both orders took less than 6 days to arrive from time of payment
All the staff at Cyclops Optics are first rate
I would not hesitate to recommend them

Clear skies

astroron
17-05-2020, 09:00 PM
Still waiting for a parcel from the good old USA that was dispatched on the 19th of April,express mail. US $109:00.
Tracking says it is still in the USA and no word of when it will leave those disperate shores.
At least the Sun is quiesant,so can wait a bit longer. ;)
Cheers:thumbsup:

raymo
17-05-2020, 10:01 PM
I'm up to 15 days so far for a delivery from Melbourne, let alone overseas.
raymo

astroron
17-05-2020, 10:05 PM
[QUOTE=raymo;1474057]I'm up to 15 days so far for a delivery from Melbourne, let alone overseas.
raymo[/QUOTE

Cobb and Co still clip clopping across the Nularbor plain;):rofl::rofl::rofl:
Cheers:thumbsup:

raymo
18-05-2020, 12:23 AM
I don't know about that Ron, I've had simple letters take 12 days from Perth,
only 300kms away, so maybe it arrived there many days ago.
raymo

FlashDrive
18-05-2020, 12:40 AM
Radio part from China ... never arrived ...full refund from PayPal

USPS shows my order from Agena Astro is STILL sitting at the International Dispatch Center waiting for O/Seas shipment :shrug:.

raymo
18-05-2020, 02:35 AM
I wouldn't think there would be many flights coming in from the U.S. at the
moment, when the passengers have to self isolate for 14 days, probably
just a few locals finding their way home.
raymo

dreamstation
18-05-2020, 09:34 AM
I'm returning an item to Amazon US which was posted from my local Australia Post on May 8 and the last recorded update on the tracking information was on May 12 which stated it was cleared and awaiting international departure. Not sure what's been going on for the last week then.

LewisM
18-05-2020, 10:06 AM
3 weeks sitting in LA for one of my items sent USPS express. 2 months on 2 other items sent express registered from Switzerland.

They'll turn up next year...

Nikolas
18-05-2020, 03:26 PM
So I wonder if I should risk ordering from ZWO direct then. Express post is an extra $US20

Still cheaper than here and they have it in stock.

LewisM
18-05-2020, 03:46 PM
My daughter's phone cover arrived from China today...sent in February.

I know it must have been at the bottom of the pile from when NOTHING was moving ex-China, hence why it took so long.

Nikolas
18-05-2020, 07:11 PM
Just got a reply they reckon 2-3 weeks as opposed to Bintel's 4 weeks depending on where in the queue you are

DarkArts
18-05-2020, 07:18 PM
Good news that some things are getting through.

My package from China is sitting in Sydney somewhere, according to tracking. It's been there since 24 March.

carneb
29-05-2020, 10:51 AM
Ordered some more hotspots directly from Jim at Catseye in the U.S. 2 weeks ago. Arrived yesterday and was only sent in an envelope sent airmail. I was expecting it to take much longer.

astroron
29-05-2020, 11:03 AM
One month on from an order posted "Priority Paid from the Good Old USA using USPS and still no sign of it.
No communication from the sender,even though I have sent them an email on their official link.
Not very good at all,seeing as the freight is US$106:00.
Beginning to think I have blown my Dough:question:
Cheers:thumbsup:

raymo
29-05-2020, 11:16 AM
My item from Melbourne that I posted about earlier, has finally arrived; 24 days.
raymo

FlashDrive
29-05-2020, 11:47 AM
Still nothing from Agena Astro ...!! ( goods paid for on the 1st April ... Agena posted them on the 2nd April.

Near on 8 weeks now

Col...

astroron
29-05-2020, 11:54 AM
Yes Col, it really isn't good enough:mad2:
Not when other friends are receiving good posted only
a couple of weeks ago from the US.
Cheers:thumbsup:

LewisM
29-05-2020, 01:16 PM
China delivers again- ordered some stuff on Saturday, arrived this morning (free post).

Finally got an update on USPS re my item mentioned above. Scanned as departed US 27 May. Auspost shows nothing of course though. Aus post webpage says US imports currently 5 to 7 weeks.

Still waiting on one item ex Switzerland going nearly 2 months.

rrussell1962
29-05-2020, 01:46 PM
Delivery coming from the USA with UPS. Departed International Facility in California on the 9th May and disappeared into a Black Hole.

raymo
29-05-2020, 01:58 PM
Lewis, how did you get your order from China so quickly? I have bought
hunderds of items from there over the years, and my best ever is around 18 days, and usually around 20-22 days. I have rarely seen express post offered by Chinese vendors.
raymo

Saturn488
29-05-2020, 02:06 PM
Sure am but my latest order from ZWO I am still waiting.

LewisM
29-05-2020, 04:49 PM
Bought on eBay, regular SpeedPak free post offered by most Chinese sellers on eBay and AliExpress. With Canberra being close to Sydney - the ONLY port I believe air mail is currently coming into - I assume this is why we get items ex-China so rapidly.

I placed another order ex-China for some items at half the Australian price this morning. Already marked as posted, so we'll see how long these 2 take.

raymo
29-05-2020, 09:56 PM
Thanks Lewis
raymo

Nikolas
29-05-2020, 10:31 PM
waiting on an order from ZWO still in singapore according to Fedex

etill
30-05-2020, 08:15 AM
I had two stepper drivers delivered from china so quickly I had no idea what the package was as I didn't expect it for weeks, I had selected a lower priced economy shipping rather than free, but never expected that to make much difference. I'd say they arrived within ten days.

Another order for a helical focuser is marked as departed country of origin (China also) and has been that way for three weeks.

My cats eye collimator set is still sitting in Miami apparently and has been since April 24. I emailed James about it and he was aware of several orders stuck like that.

The_bluester
30-05-2020, 09:30 AM
Still waiting on my bit from Agena via Ebay, Shipped with USPS on 03/04, black holed in California seven weeks ago on 08/04. The only advice Agena could only offer two weeks ago "It is still coming, shipping is slow under the virus, just wait". The USPS website now tells you that their call agents only have access to the same tracking information as you can get on the website, in other words "Yes sir, it appears that it was last scanned seven weeks ago" I.E. not much use.

I should have had a custom adapter made up locally, it would not have cost much more and I would have had it six weeks ago. I am certainly leery for the foreseeable future about buying anything that is not already on Australian soil.

truss
30-05-2020, 09:59 AM
Pro tip regarding overseas deliveries, don't use any postal services. The delays are beyond ridiculous and no indication of when they will get back to normal. If the option is there, use FedEx or DHL. I've been funneling my orders for the business through those two and the US is five days delivery, China is six, Singapore is three.

astroron
01-06-2020, 11:19 AM
I have just received a notice from USPS.
My parcel has just arrived at their International terminal in Chicago Illinois and is now in transit to me.
Nearly five weeks to travel the 477miles=770kms from Warrensburg Missouri to Chicago:question:
I could have walked it in that time,and i'm an old man.
My parcel was sent "Priority Paid" cost US$ 109:00= aprox AU$176:00.
Even on their web site USPS state Priority Mail is not effected by Corvid-19.:rolleyes:
Now lets see how long the second part of the journey will take:question::question::question:
Cheers:thumbsup:

FlashDrive
01-06-2020, 01:42 PM
It's just wrong ... !! :(

astroron
01-06-2020, 01:51 PM
Yes it is.
I think one could possibly have a case for fraud,as I paid
for priority mail,and obviously,it is no where near that.
Not happy Jan.:mad2:
Cheers:thumbsup:

raymo
01-06-2020, 02:23 PM
The way things are in the world at the moment, you should thank your
lucky stars if you receive it at all. As I said in my earlier post, it took me 24 days to get my small packet from Melbourne.
raymo

The_bluester
01-06-2020, 04:48 PM
I just hope Chicago is doing better than Los Angeles.

If it ever shows up it will be a paperweight. I have given up on mine and am going to get something made up locally.

Nikolas
01-06-2020, 07:27 PM
Just received my guide scope from ZWO all up a week not including the weekends so pretty good. Of course it brought the rain.

Nikolas
02-06-2020, 05:50 PM
And the amazon article m54 to m48 adapter from canada arrived today just on a week

LewisM
02-06-2020, 07:38 PM
Helical focuser ordered from China on Friday. Currently at Chullora sorting centre, so likely delivery tomorrow. M42 male/M42 Male adaptor (bought for a whopping $6 including post) arrived into Sydney Customs today (ordered Saturday). Unbelieveable... Chinese service pre-COVID was not this quick, so one can assume they are trying hard to regain their position. Fair enough, I can live with that.

I can say that Andrews has been absolutely SUPERB this entire period, so they definitely keep me as a loyal buyer. Luke has been great, answers questions quickly and the prices are better than everyone else. I ordered a NEW HEQ5 mount for less than the price many people here sell them second - or third - hand. They definitely have NOT gouged during the pandemic. Kudos!


As for my US item...it now says "Arrived at origin airport"...so it still has not left the USA (despite the obviously now redacted/changed prior entry) after now over a month, Global Express.

FlashDrive
03-06-2020, 03:42 PM
Email from Agena .... will issue a refund tomorrow to my PayPal Account.

I stressed it wasn't any fault by them.....I also mentioned I will continue to support them if future Astro needs are necessary ( items not available in AU )
They have always provided good service in the past.

I ended up going to Bunnings and sourced a length of heavy duty spring and cut it to size for the mirror cell.

Col...

AndyG
03-06-2020, 03:56 PM
Woot. ASI385MC sent from Bintel today (ordered mid April). I probably ordered in in the worst possible time one could. Now it's in the hands of AusPost. I hope there's some warranty left by the time I get it.

FlashDrive
03-06-2020, 04:03 PM
:lol:

AndyG
03-06-2020, 07:28 PM
I should just clarify my mockery is limited at AusPost, not Bintel. We all know both organisations are famous for their solid positions at each end of the performance spectrum.

Max Vondel
03-06-2020, 09:27 PM
I'm still waiting from orders from the UK after 8 weeks
:(

The_bluester
04-06-2020, 09:26 AM
I have just contacted Agena again to see if they will refund my bit at this point, it has been "awaiting international departure" at Los Angeles for over 8 weeks now. As the crow flies if it arrived today it will have averaged under 1KMH between there and here!

casstony
04-06-2020, 12:03 PM
My BCF-2 DSLR conversion filter took 2 months to arrive from the UK by post and that included a return trip to Langley. I only bought from overseas because it was out of stock here but I'm wary of any international orders from now on.

We sent a digeridoo to the US by courier and it got there within a week.

The_bluester
04-06-2020, 02:29 PM
No sooner did I write that than the tracking updated on my adapter. It seems to have finished it's long service leave at last and be on the move again. USPS must have strapped it to a glacier to get it out of the building.

LewisM
04-06-2020, 06:30 PM
Paul, I think my item is strapped to the glacier behind yours.


No update since the 27th for me. USPS was very prompt sending me updates via email, UNTIL it sat at LAX for a month. Now they don't bother sending emails.

In other news, my 2 month Swiss item arrived today at long last, and my latest round of Chinese orders ordered just last Friday/Saturday have all arrived (that takes into account the weekend and Canberra's public holiday on Monday). I ordered some more Chinese items today since local dealers are either out or price gouging (like twice the price), so I expect them early next week considering all of them have been marked as posted (2 hours after I placed the order).

AndyG
05-06-2020, 05:54 PM
Has anyone seen the weather around Townsville today? Yep, my camera arrived from Sydney in 2 days. Guess I better eat my hat, between bouts of sulking.

LewisM
05-06-2020, 06:01 PM
Which is funny Andy because a book I ordered from Angus and Robertson took 4 days to get here from Sydney, then sat at the local sorting centre - a 10 min drive away - for 3 days.

Quicker from China :lol:

TMTYL
07-06-2020, 08:03 PM
I Placed an order with Aliexpress on the 12th April 2020, tracking indicates that its left China and is in transit, Aliexpress are generally prompt with dispatches so I can only assume that covid has caused delivery delays.

Lets just hope that things are NOT lost in space!

The_bluester
07-06-2020, 08:55 PM
Interesting bit of revisionism going on with USPS tracking. Now the tracking says it was processed through the joint in LA two days before it did last time I looked, and the previous history telling the story of it sitting there for eight weeks has disappeared.


Stupid things is that by the time I get it I probably wont need it any more.

astroron
07-06-2020, 10:28 PM
No info from USPS for five weeks,now a post from them every 24 hours,telling me the same thing that the have for the last week.
"It has arrived at their international terminal and is in transit to me"

BTW, How is the GST paid on overseas goods now?
Cheers:thumbsup:

AnakChan
07-06-2020, 10:49 PM
I ordered a ZWO accessory on 28th April, and got it 4th May. Also ordered some 3D printed components from US on 14th May, and got that on 3rd May - this is delivery to Perth.

BTW both items reached eastern states shores around 22nd May.

Outcast
07-06-2020, 10:49 PM
My understanding is that if you weren't charged up front & it arrives here & someone thinks you should be paying GST then, you will receive notification that it will only be released for onforwarding after payment of GST & one presumes they give you the amount & who to pay it to...

Having said that, I've ordered a few things that have been of several hundred dollar value post the changes to GST rules & not been required to pay it on any of them...

The whole thing is a bit complex... Amazon, Ebay & Aliexpress just add it in to the transaction these days. To be liable to collecting/charging GST on goods under $1000 the business overseas needs to have an annual turnover in Australia of over $75,000 (I think that's the figure)... not sure how many overseas astro businesses would meet that criteria...

More expensive items, I think you get an invoice from Customs...

Fingers crossed, it just arrives on your doorstep... :)

astroron
07-06-2020, 11:32 PM
Thanks,I await with trepidation as to when it arrives
At the rate things are going it will be in Solar cycle 26 when I receive it:lol:
Cheers:thumbsup:

Nikolas
07-06-2020, 11:52 PM
I received my zwo mini 120mm from zwo directly took 8 days didn't pay gst on it

LewisM
10-06-2020, 06:18 PM
Hooray !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Latest update - my US item has arrived in Melbourne today:


Your item was processed through a facility in AUSTRALIA on June 10, 2020 at 1:36 pm. The item is currently in transit to the destination.
Status

In-Transit

June 10, 2020 at 1:36 pm
Processed Through Facility
AUSTRALIA


Now, it arrived in Melbourne, NOT Sydney, so give AusPost another month to get it here...


Most recent update

International arrival - awaiting clearance
MELBOURNE VIC

Date & time Wed 10 Jun • 1:36pm

LewisM
10-06-2020, 06:24 PM
And other updates:
7nm SVBony H-a filter, bought on Monday ex-Shenzen, China, sent SpeedPak - Chullora today (might get it by end of week) - that's amazing!!!



Guidescope rings bought Thursday last week Shenzen China, shows as Sydney today.

The_bluester
12-06-2020, 03:02 PM
Sigh, it appears that the glacier has mine again, six days since it "Arrived" at an airport in LA and nothing since, and that last update was two months after it arrived somewhere else in LA.

Having just ordered a new camera which will remove the 2" filter I am using now, which is the only reason I need a step up adapter from 48 to 54mm to begin with, it will be touch and go if I even have somewhere in the image train that this thing will fit by the time it arrives. I don't expect the camera until early to mid July but I am not sure that I expect the adapter until 2021 the way this is going.

LewisM
12-06-2020, 04:27 PM
Never fear, Melbourne branch of Customs and Border Protection took a liking to my ex-USA package, and it was held in Melbourne by Customs, only being released to AusPost today after lunch. I might see it next week.


The wife did say I didn't need those pills :lol: :P

Rainmaker
12-06-2020, 05:40 PM
My daughter ordered an item from USA in late March, last week it got to Sydney Customs ..................on its way to Canberra..... NO

Today it arrived in Dublin, Ireland ..... FFS

LewisM
12-06-2020, 06:34 PM
I feel her pain - 3 items I ordered from China arrived at Chullora sorting centre 2 days ago, have now all been sent BACK to China.... to obviously bounce back here again.

Yeah... incompetence knows no bounds with AusPost.

croweater
12-06-2020, 08:48 PM
FFS :lol: I told my wife to get that tattooed on her arm so she can just show me instead of having to tell me all the time.:)
Cheers, Richard

The_bluester
16-06-2020, 03:26 PM
Latest on mine, ten days from arriving in the airport in LA to leaving it, one day after that to land in the wrong capital city airport in Australia. Now to wait for customs to release it to Auspost's tender care and see how long the Australian leg of it's adventure takes.

rrussell1962
16-06-2020, 03:58 PM
Mine departed International Facility in LA 9 May and is now in, well who knows.

LewisM
16-06-2020, 04:36 PM
Mine is STILL in Melbourne after arriving last week.

2 months to get it here ex-USA, and likely another 2 weeks from Aus(maybe)Post

The_bluester
18-06-2020, 08:45 AM
"Departed Sydney" two days ago, bound for who knows where. Probably Forbes NSW rather than Forbes Vic knowing my luck.

Outcast
18-06-2020, 01:15 PM
T-shirt I bought from the US finally arrived...

Purchased on 16 April, despatched on 25th of April...

Sat in International despatch centre in NY for 30 days before finally heading downunder... arrived in Sydney on 9th June & then took a further 8 days to get to Cairns. The vendor was awesome to deal with & initiated a query with USPS... who glibly replied that the package had passed through all the centres with 'no delays'... apparently 30 days in their despatch centre was considered normal.... ??

Book purchased from the UK 30th April took 48 days but, had no tracking so, can't comment on where or what delays took place...

I expect there to be some delays in international deliveries but, 53 & 48 days respectively seems a little on the long side.. & the declaration from USPS that everything proceeded normally without delay just beggars belief...

Still, they did arrive so, that's a bonus...

LewisM
18-06-2020, 02:43 PM
Mine is still in Melbourne. Yawn

astroron
18-06-2020, 10:40 PM
It will be two months next Monday when my order was dispatched.
Still no sign of it and USPS has stopped sending tracking messages,probably as it hasn't moved a yard/meter since the last message two weeks ago. :(
Cheers:thumbsup:

AndyG
18-06-2020, 11:36 PM
Much to my surprise, I received some computer parts overnight from Melbourne to Townsville today. This was with StarTrack. I feel I've used up this year's supply of good luck already...

The_bluester
19-06-2020, 06:56 AM
It was noticeable that the tracking restarted on mine after it had sat in Los Angeles for two months. When it updated two months later all the prior tracking information disappeared, and the link to ebay stopped working, though the tracking number stayed the same. The last update on ebay is still two months ago.


Mine is in Melbourne now, which even on previous running says I might get it middle of next week (I live an hour and a bit out of the CBD, it might as well be another planet)

Pepper
19-06-2020, 09:25 AM
Domestic post has been good to me.
Had an item from Perth and one from Brisbane posted on Monday. Both arrived country nsw on thurs morn. Just in time for a clear sky!

doug mc
19-06-2020, 09:46 AM
Purchased some thumb screws from China to replace the ones in my Saxon dob mirror cell. Took just eight days to get here. Not bad for free postage.

LewisM
19-06-2020, 09:50 AM
My US delivery is scheduled for delivery today, finally. Wonders never cease.

The UV/UR cut filter I ordered from China last Friday turned up in the mail today (our postie delivers at 8am).

pmrid
19-06-2020, 10:33 AM
I have 5 or 6 items ordered online through WISH over the past few months. None have turned up. I managed to cancel one yesterday that was 3 months late and was issued a refund. My expectations now are that nothing purchased from the WISH site can be counted on to arrive. I hope I have the sense not to buy any more from them.

The_bluester
19-06-2020, 01:00 PM
Ohmyeffinggod, it has arrived, 11 weeks to the day, I looked it up.


Between the part, shipping and exchange rate it would probably not have cost any more to get one made locally and I would have had it ten weeks ago. Next lot of "Bits" if they are not on our soil I won't be buying, at least not if they use USPS.

LewisM
19-06-2020, 01:08 PM
Yup wife just messaged me mine arrived too. Happy days

LewisM
19-06-2020, 01:11 PM
About to make a ZWO order...and paying the $20 express fee. Even with that, it’s $99 cheaper than through local dealer or $10 cheaper than a 2nd hand one in the trader...

The_bluester
19-06-2020, 02:24 PM
I recently paid for an ASI2600, but I went with our local seller (Sidereal Trading) I don't begrudge them a bit of profit in order to have easier local warranty support and access to all sorts of bits and pieces that would not be practical for me to have just sitting here. I am not too concerned with not being likely to get it until at least July some time. Stops me from being tempted to change cameras in the middle of a mosaic!

Nikolas
19-06-2020, 05:24 PM
I did the same a few weeks ago it came within a week.

LewisM
19-06-2020, 05:40 PM
All Aussie dealers were out of stock of what I was after. ZWO email (answered literally 5 minutes after I sent it) said in stock and ready to go. So, I placed the order, and even after Paypal's crap exchange rate and fee, it was still cheaper than the second hand one in the trader, posted SpeedPak.

gaseous
19-06-2020, 07:27 PM
Ordered a book from the UK on 26th May and it arrived yesterday- 3 weeks ain't too bad in this current climate.

gregbradley
19-06-2020, 08:58 PM
I tried to order something from Japan and was told Japan Post was not delivering to Australia. I checked Japan Post's site and Australia was not on the list of countries not being delivered to.

Anyone getting deliveries from Japan through Japan Post?

Greg.

AnakChan
19-06-2020, 09:30 PM
Correct, since 10th April as far as I know :-

https://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/information/2020/0604_01_01_en.pdf

Japan Post is resuming to some countries, but Australia's not one of them at the moment.

https://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/information/index_en.html

Mind you experiencing how slow mail is here in Australia (don't even talk about overseas but interstate, and intrastate), makes miss Japan services when I was living there.

Meanwhile, for @LewisM, I paid express for my ZWO M68 tilt adapter (where the express was more expensive than the adapter itself), and it still took ~5-6 weeks. In retrospect, I shouldn't have paid for express.

Wilso
19-06-2020, 09:53 PM
Yeah I wouldn’t be bothering paying for express for anything as they can’t guarantee delivery time for it anyway.
Good luck with your purchases :thumbsup:

LewisM
20-06-2020, 06:48 AM
Sean, but with you being in WA, that added at least 3 weeks ex-Melbourne or Sydney to you.


I've been getting China Post items in 4 days, max 7 (mostly direct from SVBony) so lets see how long the ZWO direct one takes.

gregbradley
20-06-2020, 07:15 AM
Thanks Sean. I must have had an earlier list and Australia was not on it.

Greg.

The_bluester
20-06-2020, 10:26 AM
In my case what I am buying is on backorder even with ZWO so it likely wouldn't make much time difference buying it direct from them.

astroron
20-06-2020, 02:16 PM
I wanted to buy a solar scope,none of the Aussie dealers had any.
All out of stock..
I haven't checked to see if they have any now,but I doubt it.?
Cheers:thumbsup:

Nikolas
20-06-2020, 02:35 PM
Took 7 days for me to Melbourne

Nikolas
20-06-2020, 02:36 PM
It will still take longer if you wait for it from here as they are prioritised in a queue. ZWO will still be quicker even if on backorder.

The_bluester
20-06-2020, 04:08 PM
Where I have bought from is already in the backorder queue, so the difference is likely to be minimal in this case.

LewisM
24-06-2020, 07:50 AM
OK an update on my order DIRECT from ZWO. I ordered it on Friday, 19 June. They finished processing it on Tuesday, 23 June, and sent it FedEx. FedEx has since sent me SMS's and informed delivery will be Monday 29 June at the very latest. So, 6 days from when FedEx collected to when it will be delivered.


Not bad I reckon.

UPDATE: item is at Singapore as of 4am today (Fri 26 June) so definitely on schedule for Monday

LewisM
24-06-2020, 09:42 AM
And in other news, Alex Massey came through again perfectly, even with Auspost not scanning it until it arrived...

Thanks Alex

astroron
29-06-2020, 05:36 PM
My parcel has just gone to customs on the 27th this month in Chicago after being posted on the 16th April.
Now to see how long it takes to get to Australia,and eventually Queensland.:question:
Cheers:thumbsup:

glend
29-06-2020, 09:27 PM
I have a very small parcel coming from Opt Corp, and I know it left LAX on the 5th of June, when USPS tracking stopped. Nothing since then. Maybe it is drifting across the Pacific attached to a balloon. No seriously, one day to cross the Pacific (assuming mail still moved on air freight services, which i know are flying), but nothing to indicate it ever arrived. I am ready to write it off.

astroron
29-06-2020, 10:05 PM
[QUOTE=glend;1480147]I have a very small parcel coming from Opt Corp, and I know it left LAX on the 5th of June, when USPS tracking stopped. Nothing since then. Maybe it is drifting across the Pacific attached to a balloon. No seriously, one day to cross the Pacific (assuming mail still moved on air freight services, which i know are flying), but nothing to indicate it ever arrived. I am ready to write it off.[/QUOT.

I was just about to write mine off after no communication from USPS.
It's tracking system went into unresponsive mode.
I have even written to the company I purchased the product from three times with no reply.
Just decided to have one more look at USPS tracking,to find it working again,and my parcel has been moved to customs clearance on the 27th US time,so yesterday our time in Chicago IL.
The distance the parcel had to travel was 430 miles/ 700kms.It arrived in Chicago 3 weeks ago after being posted on the 16th April
This is absolutely abominable service from USPS seeing as it was "Priority paid express" which they assured was not effected by Corvid-19.
If I ever order anything from the US again I will stipulate it not be sent by USPS and that's for sure.:mad2:
Cheers:thumbsup:

LewisM
30-06-2020, 06:41 PM
My ZWO order is arriving tomorrow - 2 days overdue due to Fedex not moving it frm Matraville, NSW to Fyshwick, ACT for that time. I will collect it personally in the morning rather than waiting for them to deliver (Fedex becomes TNT here for delivery, which is about as useful as boobs on a bull)

LewisM
01-07-2020, 08:02 PM
Collected my item from Fedex at 0700 this morning - wasn't going to wait for them to deliver it :P


Fedex's tracking is screwy to put it mildly - said Matraville, then Fyshwick, then Fyshwick exported, then Matraville...and the whle time it was in Fyshwick. Makes ZERO sense, and the ONE employee they have here said it's an absolute nightmare, especially since buying out TNT Australia. He said Fedex head office in the US cut HUNDREDS of jobs, whereas they needed to hire considering how much online shopping is taking place. Come Christmas if they don't hire they won't cope.


Order your Chrissy gifts now :)

garymck
03-07-2020, 08:38 AM
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

gregbradley
03-07-2020, 09:58 AM
I have a USPS posted package onroute to me since April and it still hasn't arrived.

The moral of the story seems to be not to use USPS at the moment.
They are usually very good.
Greg.

astroron
03-07-2020, 10:18 AM
Same here Greg.:(
No sign of it moving out of Chicago IL anytime soon.
It has been there for over a month.:screwy:
Cheers:thumbsup:

The_bluester
03-07-2020, 10:41 AM
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.

FlashDrive
03-07-2020, 10:59 AM
That radio part I ordered from China on the 1st of April ( 4 months ago - 16 weeks )... suddenly materialized in my letterbox today .

4 Months to get here from China ...:shrug:

I'm not purchasing anything from O/Seas until I'm convinced that things have improved considerably ...!!

Col...

xelasnave
03-07-2020, 11:04 AM
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

DarwinAstro
06-07-2020, 01:22 PM
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.

astroron
06-07-2020, 01:37 PM
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.
Chee:thumbsup:rs

h0ughy
06-07-2020, 02:00 PM
Ordered a couple of things and have had it delivered within 6 days, excellent result. Got it today ordered last Tuesday

h0ughy
06-07-2020, 02:01 PM
However austpost has lost a express post parcel sent on 19 June to someone here on iis. Not good

The_bluester
06-07-2020, 02:55 PM
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.

Nikolas
06-07-2020, 05:32 PM
Had some stuff delivered from zwo by fedex, 9 days to get here from when I ordered them.

Astronut07
06-07-2020, 08:20 PM
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

Tropo-Bob
07-07-2020, 01:17 PM
This 4" ED F11 arrived at lunchtime today; 6.5 working days after ordered. I paid the higher fee to go via UPS.

Edit: It came from Germany (APM).

Stefan Buda
07-07-2020, 02:04 PM
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.

foc
07-07-2020, 03:37 PM
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.

Nikolas
07-07-2020, 04:18 PM
I ordered a weight bench, based in Melbourne was supposedly posted 26th June it arrived TODAY and I live in Melbourne.

assbutt94
08-07-2020, 01:35 PM
Ive been waiting for a zwo camera and accessories ordered locally mid may. it was on backorder.

casstony
08-07-2020, 05:31 PM
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.

wavelandscott
09-07-2020, 11:54 AM
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.

Crazy time for all!

Nikolas
09-07-2020, 12:14 PM
Yet if you ordered direct from zwo you would have received it in less than 2 weeks

DarwinAstro
15-07-2020, 04:54 PM
Sorry if I was not clear. At the time of my order from Hong Kong, Australia post was not accepting shipments from Hong Kong. Auspost was never in a lockdown. Just certain restrictions from some countries at the time. Sorry for the confusion.

The_bluester
15-07-2020, 05:21 PM
Well that depends, I am waiting on a ZWO cam myself via a local retailer, which has been showing as on backorder, available "Around July" on the ZWO website since before I ordered it. Though if mine is not delivered from the current batch I will probably cancel the order and look at other options even if they cost more.

LewisM
15-07-2020, 05:45 PM
My AliExpress order from a 2 months back - sent from Singapore oddly - has vaporised.

astroron
15-07-2020, 06:33 PM
Seems like mine has from the USA.
3 months tomorrow since sent.:sadeyes:

gregbradley
15-07-2020, 07:19 PM
I received a reducer from Teleskop Services in less than a week. Impressive.

Greg.

rustigsmed
16-07-2020, 12:49 PM
Also received a package from Teleskop Service (adaptors, and right angled finder scope) - ordered a Sunday night received Monday week :thumbsup: better than aus post!

drylander
16-07-2020, 12:59 PM
It seems Aust post works in another dimension and their tracking leaves a lot to be desired.I see some of my order is still in Sydney yet equipment ordered shown as arrived in Sydney 4 weeks earlier is still to move to SA. Do the numbnuts running the show want to completely destroy whats left of Aust Post? Its getting beyond a joke even allowing for the virus. Reducing deliveries is not how you get rid of a backlog of mail.:mad2::mad2:
Pete
(rant mode off)

LewisM
16-07-2020, 08:00 PM
Received a package from SVBony today, 4 days after I ordered it. And yes, it did come from China, not their local warehouse. And yet my item from Singapore is still lost in space...

Terry B
17-07-2020, 10:15 AM
I have had a parcel delivered from Thorlabs in the US to rural NSW in 6 days arriving yesterday. Sent with DHL.
Very fast but also quite expensive.

LewisM
17-07-2020, 04:33 PM
My replacement iPhone is stuck in the HazMat Capital known as Melbourne :P :)

Sent "Express Post" 4 days ago...still in Melbourne awaiting nuclear treatment and bio-security checks...

drylander
18-07-2020, 01:40 PM
Even according to Aust Post 'express post'is no longer 'express' only the cost.:mad2:
Pete

AnakChan
18-07-2020, 02:39 PM
I don’t know about the eastern states, however I’ve been told that Australia Post isn’t sending anything airmail - they’re shipping via sea mail. My wife posted some letters from our kids to Japan and it took 3 months.

Australia Post can ship quicker via EMS/Express Post which still took 3 weeks for a package to be sent from Perth to Vancouver. 3 weeks is not too bad these days I guess.

The_bluester
18-07-2020, 04:50 PM
"No longer" would mean it would have had to have been express to begin with.

Buck
19-07-2020, 10:42 PM
I've been watching this topic with interest. Here's the journey so far, of three little star knob bolts ordered for my iOptron mount - not very expensive - all up about $78 including postage.
They were paid for/ordered on 3rd April 2020 from iOptron in the USA. On 11th May, 32 days later, they departed JFK airport in the US. Then 27 days later, they departed Chicago on 7th June. As part of their world tour, they next departed Tokyo, Japan on 18th June. Only 1 day later, on 19th June, they departed Sydney, Aust for Melbourne, and arrived the same day. They didn't like Melbourne and decided to go back to Sydney on 20th June. Too many on-board drinks I guess, because they changed their mind again, and went back to Melbourne for another look on 21st June.

Must have enjoyed Melbourne after all, and stayed until 1st July, where they were "processed" at a "facility" in Australia. I'm guessing that by this time, these 3 little bolts had come to the attention of Border Security, who would have been naturally suspicious of all the coming and goings, changed flights, various destinations etc.

I can only assume that they are still being interrogated - and you know how stubborn bolts can be - as there has been no further information since 1st July to now.

So far these bolts have been touring the US, Japan and Australia for 107 days. Must be getting short of spending money by now, and may eventually decide to come here to South Australia. But maybe they are too embarrassed, and will never show themselves .... perhaps too ashamed at their total disregard to comply with promised deliverance and salvation.

Buck

jahnpahwa
20-07-2020, 10:21 AM
FLO gear arrived within a week, on a Sunday. DHL.

MortonH
21-07-2020, 05:16 PM
Bought an eyepiece from an IIS member in QLD and according to AusPost tracking it's been at a Sydney facility for 8 days now.

Have been trying to find a good UHC filter on IIS with no luck and was considering buying new but Bintel is out of stock and with all the stories in this thread I don't think I'll risk buying from overseas.

Little Johnny
21-07-2020, 08:45 PM
Not overseas. Ordered two books from Bintel on 12-7-20 pm and got them at the front door Gold Coast 17-7-20 am. Go Bintel and Aust Post. :))

LewisM
22-07-2020, 08:48 PM
My latest - a Vixen SXP mount - took 5 days Pack & Send from Townsville to ACT. Not too bad.

nsavage
22-07-2020, 09:37 PM
I ordered something from ScopeStuff in the US. Paid for the shipping and later realised they were going to use USPS. Had not had a shipment notification or anything so emailed them to ask if I could upgrade the shipping. Hours after my email I get a tracking notification to say a label had been created to which I responded saying that I had emailed and wanted to upgrade the shipping. I was effectively told "too bad". I guess I wont be seeing that delivery for a few months at best now :(

robbo4
23-07-2020, 07:54 AM
Had a delivery from Germany sent via UPS on16/ 7 and arrived in Melbourne on 21/7. Seems I need to pay Duty but no idea who to contact to do so .Any ideas anyone. ?

FlashDrive
23-07-2020, 11:07 PM
:eyepop:...Blimey :face:

Aron
24-07-2020, 12:13 AM
I had a pair of USB cables from taiwan (bought off ebay) and the border security opened it as well.




On other hand-anyone ordering from TS optics? So I want to try buying some things but recently I noticed they only charge USPS which is exorbitant-I don't need to pay 20kg box for 2kg worth of items. Is this normal?

Aron
24-07-2020, 12:14 AM
They do free shipping on sunday with DHL?

PeterM
24-07-2020, 07:40 AM
Moonlite USA sent me a flange for my Lunt focuser by DHL. Cost was US$40 postage (ouch ..it weighs very little and is 70mm diameter x 10mm thick) but it arrived within 7days and was delivered to me on a Sunday. Every single touch was tracked very well and I was able to ring DHL on Sunday, get through straight away and discuss options to meet driver. Now having Lunt send me a B1200 blocking filter (about the size of a 2inch star diagonal) and using DHL @US$140 postage. Its a lot but the replacement cost is over $1000 and it will be here within 7days and tracked every step of the way.

carneb
24-07-2020, 11:29 AM
Pity your'e not getting the frequent flyer miles.

rustigsmed
24-07-2020, 12:52 PM
At about Day 10 - USPS delivery from precise parts - it is still in the USA at this stage ...

LewisM
26-07-2020, 04:33 PM
My item ordered from AliExpress (Express? :P) finally departed Singapore on the 23rd July - almost 2 months sitting in Singapore.



Might get here tomorrow if it hit Sydney on say Friday or Saturday.

This confirms one thing for me - if you shop China/Asia, make sure they send SpeedPak (which most of the free post stuff is). Unfortuinately I did not check AliExpress options on shipping, so it went their economy way.

jahnpahwa
26-07-2020, 07:28 PM
I paid for shipping, no extra for Sunday, though :thumbsup:

The_bluester
28-07-2020, 08:56 AM
An update on my stuff, a couple of oddball bits from China are moving slowly, but moving, the tracking updates every couple of days versus the last USPS item which just sat dead in the water with no updates for months.

My new ASI2600 arrived via local retailer too all the while with the ZWO page still showing them as "backorder-Available July" and it is now sitting happily shooting a dark library while I await my new mount (Otherwise I have to steal my other one back off my son, which won't be popular)

glend
28-07-2020, 03:12 PM
Incredibly, the little Gerd Neumen Ronchi eyepiece that i ordered from Optcorp in California in mid-May, finally turned up at my place this afternoon. The last trace of it was at LAX on the 1st of June. Then nothing..... I emailed Opt Corp a week ago, they started an investigation with USPS, we're about to send me a refund, when by miracle it turns up at the end of July. The Startrack guy that delivered it said it just arrived at their depot in Sydney last night. Maybe they put it on a ship, who knows. :shrug:

PeterM
29-07-2020, 08:48 AM
My refurbished Lunt blocking filter was posted just this morning from Tucson using DHL. Already I have received 3 sms tracking from DHL and the parcel will arrive next Tuesday the 4th August. I was quoted US$90 UPS for shipping but chose DHL @ US$140 based on the cost of the item being over $1000 to replace and based on my last DHL experience.

astroron
29-07-2020, 09:52 AM
My Solar filter kit according to USPS is still going through customs at Chicago for exactly 1 month today.
It was sent from the Manufacturer 3 months ago,who by the way are 400 miles from Chicago,taking 2 months to get there, "Priority Paid".
Solar maximum will be over before I get it.:sadeyes:
Cheers:thumbsup:

PeterM
29-07-2020, 07:00 PM
That is painful Ron. I have now had 8 updates (today) and my item is now at Los Angeles airport. Going on the last item I had shipped by DHL it only took a further 3 days from this point to arrive. Will be interesting to see.

Aron
29-07-2020, 11:08 PM
That's great, last time I had it they just skip to monday. I thought sunday was supposed to be extra cost.

codemonkey
01-08-2020, 07:54 AM
Got a set of narrowband filters on the way from the states... ordered last night, woke up to find they'd shipped already. Shipping via UPS the ETA is Aug 11.

astroron
01-08-2020, 11:50 AM
I got the same information from the company I ordered my product from
3 months ago,but they shipped by "USPS".
Last report is that my goods are "Still" in customs in Chicago Illinois and have been for the last month.
Best of luck with your delivery.
Cheers:thumbsup:

codemonkey
01-08-2020, 04:54 PM
Ouch! That's ridiculous. Hope you get your package soon. I'd heard about issues with USPS which is why I went with UPS... fingers crossed they do a better job than UPS.

PeterM
03-08-2020, 07:11 AM
Update, parcel arrived in Sydney this morning and still on track for Gold Coast delivery tomorrow.

astroron
03-08-2020, 08:55 AM
Stop making me jealous,Peter. ;)
Cheers:thumbsup:

PeterM
04-08-2020, 01:02 PM
Sorry Ron, DHL delivered my Lunt blocking filter this morning. Bit less than 7 days and no less than 26 tracking advices were received in that time! As noted because it was an expensive item I paid an extra USD$54 (about AUD$75) to use DHL.
Best for your delivery asap!

Peter

astroron
04-08-2020, 01:30 PM
Just got word that my parcel has come by UPS "Not" USPS and has been cleared through customs in Sydney by UPS at no extra charge.:D:party::party::party:
It will be posted to me once they receive my funds.
Cheers:thumbsup:

sizlo
04-08-2020, 01:56 PM
Have a look at astroshop.eu. I bought a TSAPO72F6 from them for the sole reason that they offer DHL which is half of what TS is charging. If you want to keep the cost below AUD1K, shipping charges need to be considered.

Ordered: July 24th
Shipped: July 31st
Received: Aug 4th
3 business days, that's insane!! :eyepop:

rustigsmed
07-08-2020, 10:56 AM
still awaiting USPS - the question is will it make it in under a month! ... never ever again USPS or a company that uses them... I also ordered something else from TS in germany which arrived in under a week. while expensive, you can't argue with the service.


August 4, 2020, 10:57 pm
Departed
PERTH, AUSTRALIA
Your item departed a transfer airport in PERTH, AUSTRALIA on August 4, 2020 at 10:57 pm. The item is currently in transit to the destination.
August 2, 2020, 2:24 pm
Departed
HONG KONG
July 31, 2020, 3:44 pm
Arrived
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
July 23, 2020, 1:36 pm
Processed Through Regional Facility
JAMAICA NY INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER
July 18, 2020, 12:47 pm
Processed Through Regional Facility
MIAMI FL INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER
July 17, 2020
In Transit to Next Facility
July 15, 2020, 2:59 pm
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
MIAMI FL INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER
July 15, 2020, 2:59 pm
Arrived at Regional Facility
MIAMI FL INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER
July 15, 2020, 1:44 pm
Accepted at USPS Origin Facility
MIAMI, FL 33157
July 14, 2020, 2:08 pm
Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item
MIAMI, FL 33157

nsavage
07-08-2020, 12:34 PM
Looking better than mine :( Even with the current postage situation I am genuinely concerned that this has gone missing already. Hopefully something updates shortly. Definitely going to stay away from USPS for a long time after this, although all plain domestic mailing services seem to be extremely slow at the moment.

July 26, 2020
In Transit to Next Facility
Your package is moving within the USPS network and is on track to be delivered to its final destination. It is currently in transit to the next facility.
July 22, 2020, 11:06 am
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
AUSTIN TX DISTRIBUTION CENTER
July 22, 2020, 9:51 am
Accepted at USPS Origin Facility
CEDAR PARK, TX 78630
July 21, 2020, 1:38 pm
Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item
CEDAR PARK, TX 78630

astroron
07-08-2020, 01:45 PM
A replacement for my missing order made on the 16th April and sent three days later via USPS, arrived yesterday Via UPS.
Posted 29th July and sent via UPS, processed through Australian customs by UPS Australia at no charge
Total time from poster to my door 8 days.
Customs and GST paid though.
There is one caveat,the USPS has been put under a No overtime ban, by the Trump
Administration,with that and Covid-19,it must be going through hell to get stuff out.:(
"Not being political here",just a fact.
Cheers:thumbsup:

LewisM
07-08-2020, 02:25 PM
My 2 months plus order from Singapore enters Aus 5 days ago and AusPost still has not delivered.

Apparently entering a country yet not delivered is good enough for AliExpress as they’ve marked it completed. No it is bloody not!

garymck
07-08-2020, 03:02 PM
Raise a dispute, I had an item not delivered and I got a refund without hassle.

Gary

Spidy
07-08-2020, 03:08 PM
Direct purchase from ZWO. ordered on the 30/7, arrived today.


One camera was on backorder!

codemonkey
08-08-2020, 08:27 AM
My NB filters, purchased from Agena Astro and shipped via UPS arrived early. Scheduled delivery was on the 11th, they arrived on the 7th.

nsavage
11-08-2020, 08:01 AM
With the understanding that there are going to be some delays at the moment at which point do you consider filing a PayPal claim?

I have a number of items still in transit. Most things I have bought in the last few months have still been delivered in a reasonable time frame. One or two items have not moved for weeks (above item coming USPS is an example as it still has no further updates).

LewisM
11-08-2020, 12:01 PM
My item ex-Singapore arrived yesterday. How Auspost got it here astounds me as the thermal printed label was unreadable. Damned thing sat 2 months in Singapore before it left.

jahnpahwa
18-08-2020, 10:10 AM
6 days order to in my hands from FLO this week via DHL. Unstoppable.

Spidy
18-08-2020, 12:58 PM
Agena Astro order placed on the 13th, arrived today. An order placed on the same day from a retailer in Sydney, package is still in NSW!!!!!!!

DarwinAstro
20-08-2020, 07:19 AM
rustigsmed, I ordered some risers from ADM sent via UPS and the route taken was basically the same as yours. 2 months and 17 days later it finally arrived. Don't hold your breath mate, you will go red >> blue>>> and finally take your last gasp of air.:rofl:

Craig_
21-08-2020, 10:05 AM
Ordered a few things from FLO on Tuesday, shipped via DHL on Wednesday. Getting delivered today :)

Spidy
21-08-2020, 10:17 AM
Just to add to this conversation, I ordered something in about 30km away since we can't travel more than 5km from home on Friday. It's still sitting at the shop!!!!!!


Edit: The package in NSW from my previous post is due to arrive today! We'll see.

nsavage
21-08-2020, 10:38 AM
Finally turned up this week. Not as bad as I had expected to be honest. The part where the tracking does not update is the component that causes the most concern. Not sure why the postage companies choose to do that as I am sure it increases enquiries.

In other news an item ordered from FLO on the weekend is onboard for delivery today wiht DHL. That is super fast.

Craig_
21-08-2020, 01:21 PM
And my FLO order arrived that shipped two days ago! Incredible speed.

Outcast
22-08-2020, 02:53 PM
Mount from Stellarvue in California, 3 weeks by USPS to my door... not bad, given what's going on in the world & within USPS itself.

Nikolas
22-08-2020, 04:13 PM
Anyone getting anything fro Aliexpress?

Pepper
22-08-2020, 04:59 PM
Sent a package to a member on Monday. Paid express and it’s still sitting in Sydney somewhere!

PCH
23-08-2020, 05:35 PM
I just received a couple of parcels taking about 8 days each. With each parcel, the last 3 or 4 of those days were after it was received in Aus in a suburb 20k from me. God only knows how Aus Post works, - they’re sooo inefficient!

LewisM
24-08-2020, 11:28 AM
Extremely slow. Unless you pay for their courier.

FlashDrive
25-08-2020, 10:17 AM
We are not alone on this .... at least read the 1st one who is a former AP Employee.

Scroll down if you want to read a few more.

https://au.trustpilot.com/review/community.auspost.com.au

Col.

nsavage
25-08-2020, 10:51 AM
Delivery from Teleskop Service ordered weekend before last arrived this morning.

Another delivery from ZWO coming today. Was on back order for a couple of weeks and shipped Friday of last week and is being delivered today.

PCH
25-08-2020, 11:34 AM
To be fair Col, if you scroll down 450 pages on that site, someone (probs an AP employee) leaves a glowing 5* review! :lol:

FlashDrive
25-08-2020, 01:49 PM
WOW ...1 in 450 , that's amazing :eyepop:

jahnpahwa
25-08-2020, 02:41 PM
Quote from that first review:

"Contractors are mostly new immigrants and walk so slow..."

= That reviewer is just another racist old prune. I don't know you Col, but I assume you're better than this and don't give any credibility to this sort of tripe :thumbsup: Don't give em more of a platform than they already have!

FlashDrive
25-08-2020, 04:06 PM
You are only reading the thoughts of someone else .....not mine ..!!

Col.

Nikolas
26-08-2020, 12:32 AM
Their couriers gouge badly

Spidy
26-08-2020, 10:46 AM
Are you referring to AliExpress Premium Shipping?

TrevorW
26-08-2020, 10:54 AM
UPS and FEdEx out of US forget it you pay as much in freight as you do for the item its like the US doesn't really want to trade with anyone else and I don't know about the rest of you but I've found buying from China not much cheaper these days on certain items unless you want bulk :)

FlashDrive
26-08-2020, 11:40 AM
Ain't that the truth ...!!

Nikolas
26-08-2020, 01:40 PM
dhl which I know works
Not sure about their premium shipping

LewisM
27-08-2020, 09:11 PM
Well, my first ex-China eBay "speedpak" free post hiccup - I ordered 2 red dot stalks with Picatinny rails and shoe bases on the same day - one from SVBony, one from some random store. Both were incredibly cheap to purchase.

Both ended up being sent the same day - July 30, same service. The SVBony one was here in 6 days, but the other is still in transit. Latest check on OrangeConnex shows it cleared Sydney customs 5 days ago, was in transit, then finally at my local hub today.



Finger's crossed after almost a month I'll get it tomorrow.

DarkArts
27-08-2020, 09:51 PM
My cheap, non-astro purchase from China that I ordered in February finally turned up this week ... via Germany, according to the postal markings ... so that might be some kind of record.

Strangely, the tracking showed it in Sydney at one point back in April, and I wondered if that was an error. It disappeared from tracking shortly after that.

FlashDrive
28-08-2020, 09:54 AM
Let's see how long this will take ... ??

From MoonLite .

TrevorW
28-08-2020, 10:12 AM
We now know where you live Col, be aware unscrupulous people do join forums to find out where people who have expensive stuff live so I'd delete your address from the post if I was you just a thought :)

FlashDrive
28-08-2020, 10:26 AM
Good point Trevor .... image amended ...!!

Outcast
28-08-2020, 10:55 AM
If it's anything like the Berlebach tripod I've ordered from FLO, once they actually got in the one I wanted from Berlebach (FLO were cheaper than direct from Berlebach) shipping from DHL has been very speedy...

Dispatched by FLO on 25 Aug, left the UK on the next day at 0 dark early, arrived Brisbane on 27 Aug, cleared customs today...

Says it's due for delivery by next Friday (to Cairns) but, I suspect it might be quicker than that...

Must say, I am rather impressed...

Spidy
28-08-2020, 11:26 AM
Nik, the reason I asked is because I recently used their premium shipping option and in the tracking details, it shows as DHL once in AU. Delivery is meant to take 7-15 days using this option.


We're in day 10 and counting........

pmrid
31-08-2020, 06:18 AM
2 very different experiences:

1. Sent my ST-i guide CCD back to SBIG for some shutter repairs - a month ago - and they still haven't received it;

2. Bought a new focuser from Moonlite last week (Monday) and it will arrive today (according to Autralia Post's email). It was shipped via DHL.

So outgoing to the States is taking forever via tyraditional AustPost whereas incoming via DHL is terrific. The moral of the story is .... wait for it now ...


Peter

LewisM
31-08-2020, 07:52 AM
And my cheap Chinese thing is STILL sitting somewhere in Sydney - they've had it over a week now.


Meh...if they lose it I might cry.

Saturn488
31-08-2020, 08:16 AM
Yes but they are taking forever.

They are skipping checkpoints too so you don't really know where your item is.

FlashDrive
31-08-2020, 09:49 AM
My DHL shipment from MoonLite was dispatched on the 28th from USA...today is the 31st ... Tracking shows it's in Sydney ...

Now let's see how long it takes to be delivered to my Address....glad it's not in the hands of Aust' Post.

Go DHL ...:D

Saturn488
31-08-2020, 09:56 AM
Can't fault DHL. But once in Aussie Posts hands for all we know your parcel could end up on my door step instead!:lol:

LewisM
31-08-2020, 07:03 PM
My latest disappearance into the morass reads thus (latest to oldest):


Tracking details

SpeedPAK tracking #(omitted so you can't see it :lol:)



24 Aug 2020
12:00am




Arrived at Destination Hub






23 Aug 2020
12:00am




Package in Transit






21 Aug 2020
9:00am




Import Customs Clearance Completed






19 Aug 2020
12:00am




Package in Transit






15 Aug 2020
12:00am




Package in Transit






11 Aug 2020
12:00am




Package in Transit






7 Aug 2020
12:00am




Departed from Origin Country






5 Aug 2020
1:17pm




Export Customs Declaration Completed






4 Aug 2020
2:54am




Departed from Regional Distribution Center






31 Jul 2020
10:04pm




Departed from Local Facility
HUIZHOU, GUANGDONGSHENG





31 Jul 2020
9:54pm




Arrived at Local Facility
HUIZHOU, GUANGDONGSHENG





31 Jul 2020
7:56pm




Package Received (Customer Service Email: CS@orangeconnex.com)
HUIZHOU, GUANGDONGSHENG





31 Jul 2020
4:44pm




Shipment Data Received
HUIZHOU, GUANGDONGSHENG





31 Jul 2020
2:00pm




Tracking number provided

PeterM
31-08-2020, 07:08 PM
Small parcel from Lunt in Tucson USA sent 4th August via USPS arrived today via Auspost. Postage cost was $20usd so was expecting would be at least a month or 2. Arrived Sydney 27th then Brisbane 28th so can't complain really.

TrevorW
31-08-2020, 08:17 PM
USPS delivery, ordered 15/7 arrived Perth 9/8 still yet to be delivered to me, tracking says waiting clearance, not happy Jan

Hemi
31-08-2020, 09:58 PM
Everything I’ve ordered from overseas has arrived. I’m quite selective in the carrier if a choice is available. Or between vendors depending on who they choose to ship with.

FLO have been outstanding forever. (DHL).

On every recent purchase I’ve made, the delivery time is Usually about 30% to Australia and 70% within Australia!

Hemi

FlashDrive
01-09-2020, 09:54 AM
3 Cheers for DHL ...left USA on 28th Aug' from MoonLite .... being delivered today at my home address...today being the 1st Sep'

5days for delivery ..... :D Amazing.

LewisM
01-09-2020, 10:27 AM
The question is though Col, how much was courier post on that....

I looked at -reluctantly- getting something from the USA. Unit cost was $95, postage was $102.47...eff that, I can get it elsewhere

FlashDrive
01-09-2020, 10:50 AM
Ron sent it via DHL Express....the best method available at the time ( that was on the Invoice from Ron ) ...he has an account with DHL ( just checked the invoice ) it was pricey for sure $US 105.00 to send.

What would I rather have ... a cheap shipment from the USA and wait for eons for it to turn up with unstable ' tracking ' information .. maybe a ' tour ' of the world before it magically turns up one day.

or ..... pay a decent price for expedient service which is far less worrying and good ' tracking ' available.

LewisM
01-09-2020, 11:04 AM
That’s a fine price!

I about fell off my perch when Agena quoted more for post than the unit price itself. I bought for Teleskop Express, saving a further $25 in unit price anyway

FlashDrive
01-09-2020, 11:08 AM
As I type this DHL has pulled up the driveway .... I'll post a pic.

Col.

LewisM
01-09-2020, 11:09 AM
Confused - thought you said $40... I was surprised at that.

$105 though is what Im seeing continually .

Patience is a virtue for some, but I ain’t paying $$$to a courier making hay while the sun is gloomy :)

FlashDrive
01-09-2020, 11:25 AM
No sorry .... was looking at the wrong invoice ( opened up the wrong PDF Invoice ) yeah, well if you want good service and prepared to pay for , you just do it.

rustigsmed
02-09-2020, 03:00 PM
just received my package delivered by the USPS "priority mail". Was dispatched on 14th July.
a bit of a relief it still exists.
I guess now i've got to just make sure the part works as intended..

raymo
02-09-2020, 03:05 PM
I don't know about overseas, I'm generally waiting about 12-14 working days for interstate stuff, and not much better for intrastate stuff, unless it is sent express.
raymo

LewisM
02-09-2020, 04:21 PM
Interstate except from Vic has been just fine for me - got an item coming from QLD posted regular mail yesterday due to arrive tomorrow.

My Chinese cheap thing is finally coming - Aus Post sent new an email. Backlogged it seems

LewisM
07-09-2020, 08:27 PM
On Col's recommendation :P, I paid the UPS option for a purchase from Agena.

Posted on Thursday last week, it's now gone Honolulu to Sydney twice. UNBELIEVABLE! Cleared customs Hawaii, then in Sydney, then back to Hawaii, then back to Sydney.... I mean, how does that even happen...I wouldn't believe it, but then again I expect nothing sensible from anything US owned and operated these days. Perhaps their time stamping is way off, but it doesn't seem so.

At least it did escape California unscathed. That's a small mercy...

Mark
07-09-2020, 09:06 PM
Interesting. I've made two purchases from Agena in the past month. I paid the premium for UPS. The first one arrived in 7 days. The second arrived in 5. The second arrived on Thursday, and UPS sent me an email telling me it would arrive today.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

LostInSp_ce
08-09-2020, 02:39 AM
I've avoided anything from overseas but I've purchased a lot from interstate. My experience is an average of 10 days via express and about 14 days for standard. I'm no longer bothering about using express as it's beginning to add up for no real gain. Another frustrating experience was when I ordered a small item from a local Bunnings via click and collect. What's usually only a 5 minute drive became a four day wait. Then I get an email that they will be refunding me because they're out of stock. No more just ducking out to pick up items in an instant. Almost everything including the smallest of purchases have to be delivered. Crazy times we're living in at the moment.

Ittaku
09-09-2020, 01:31 PM
Bought two shipments from Optcorp and chose the UPS express option (wasn't much more than the base UPS cost). Insanely fast delivery considering the lockdown both times. Here in Melbourne in 4 days. However I made the mistake of buying over $1K AUD worth of items the first time and got slugged with import duty at customs. Learnt my lesson for the second shipment.

LewisM
09-09-2020, 01:54 PM
My UPS shipment from Agena arrived at lunch. Dropped on the doorstep, literally. Thankfully no glass.

Not too bad considering it went on a hysteresis loop for 2 days

h0ughy
10-09-2020, 01:03 PM
I have just received a package I ordered late April 2020. I gave up on it months ago. Air mail from China

sharpiel
10-09-2020, 04:27 PM
You're a lucky boy. You'll love that. I know for the AP guys there are other better options but the Moonlite you've received, you'll love. I love looking at and fiddling with mine even when I'm not using them...

xa-coupe
11-09-2020, 02:29 PM
I ordered some stuff from NSW yesterday and China today. It'll be interesting to see what gets here first.

TrevorW
11-09-2020, 03:55 PM
Overseas items allow 2 months unless DHL or FedEx