|
I've been stung this by this at work a few times. The worst was a supplier who wanted about $300-400 to import 200mL of multi-element standard for our ICP-MS (that was for transport - the standard itself was only about $150). They tried to bull us about AQIS and dangerous goods (it is in dilute nitric acid) but we found we could get a courier to do it for <$100.
It seems that there are a few reason postage is so high:
- some companies don't like dealing with foreigners and so inflate prices to discourage you.
- other companies don't use couriers, only the US postal service and its overseas rates are very high
- some don't know the cost so they just guess - and make very sure they cover the cost.
Sometimes we have found it cheaper to get a courier to collect the item from the company rather than them arranging anything.
In you case however it is probably cheapest to get the manual printed (I assume it is a pdf file) and bound locally. The bookshop on campus will do that plastic binding quite cheap and I imagine places like Officeworks would also do the work.
|