Postage from U.S rather expensive.

[hotspur (Chris)]

Hi folks.

Just wondering people's thoughts,and ideas of postage of items from US.

It seems prohibitively expensive,and all the same rate.

I got a metal detector sent over and it was around $50,which for the large size

carton was fair,however looking a little items that parcel weight would be no

more than 3 kg,its the same price,they must all think Australia is on the moon

or similar!

I have looked at a few small items that I cannot get here,and well.once the postage is added,Just not worth buying.

Is there anyway around getting small parcels that weigh no more than 3 or 4 kg at the very most posted here for less than $50?

Thanks Chris

[snowyskiesau]

It can depend on who is sending the items. I've dealt with some US businesses that just use the largest standard size box from USPS regardless of weight or size of the item being sent.
Looking at the USPS rates above, once you get over 4lbs, it's going to cost at least $43 for a medium flat rate box.

Have a look at Auspost rates for the same maximum weight! Add $9 for the stupid security charge.

[el_draco (Rom)]

I've used FEDex a few times and they are often cheaper. Another option is to get a few folks together to buy from the same mob and split the shipping. Obviously, more complicated.

[mswhin63 (Malcolm)]

Need to consider packing weight that is a hidden feature. There are 2 differing method, Australia Post use (H(m) x W(m) x D(m)) x 333, where as some couriers use 250 instead of 333.

So the metal detector sent as is would be more expensive than a disassembled unit. Finally the largest part may shoot up the overall packing weight.

Finally there are some high handling weights as well to consider.

[dannat (Daniel)]

i have found USPS first class cheapest, followed by priority..fedex & UPS have always been prohibitively expensive --apparently Fedex gives beter deals to business or something..my friend in the US send all binos by fedex cause its chepaer for him than using the postal service, honestly tough i can't figure it...when buying gear like ep's i have gotten quotes ranging from $10 to $60

[snowyskiesau]

One of the advantages of using USPS is that the fee you pay covers everything including any customs/quarantine checks in Oz.
In my few experiences with UPS, they hit you with various fees and charges over and above the shipping charge. Not sure is this applies to all couriers.

[Waxing_Gibbous (Peter)]

Originally Posted by snowyskiesau

One of the advantages of using USPS is that the fee you pay covers everything including any customs/quarantine checks in Oz.
In my few experiences with UPS, they hit you with various fees and charges over and above the shipping charge. Not sure is this applies to all couriers.

My experience as well. Both UPS and FedEx charge pretty high fees for "clearance" plus "out of area" delivery charges, plus "It being Friday" charges, plus "Its an odd-numbered date" charges... you get the idea.
Also, I'm pretty sure their idea of "attempted to deliver" involves the driver standing on the road and whispering "Are you home!", and then taking it back to their warehouse so they can charge demurrage.
At least the post service just drops it off at my local PO.
If I have a choice I go USPS, and while their rates have gone up by about 20% over the last 2 years they are still significantly cheaper than Couriers.
The only real downside is, they will only take a parcel up to a certain size and weight (check the USPS website for details).

[mswhin63 (Malcolm)]

UPS and Fedex has better resolution of lot items compared to Aus Post and USPS. It is a trade off higher or lower delivery costs.

Aus Post is fairly cheap compared to other private delivery services in Aus

[Kevnool (Kev)]

I ordered 2 marine speedometers from Colorado 24.99 each plus 22.60 postage. All up about 100 bucks.

I,m over the moon about this and the freight because i got a price here in Mildura for the same item and they want 230.00 plus 8.00 postage for one only.

So my freight costs dont come into the equation whoever they choose.

Bad day for the locals .......again.

Cheers Kev.

[Jules76 (Julian)]

I've noticed prices can vary quite a bit from store to store for the exact same item and postage option. For example, I've found Opticsplanet are always cheaper on freight than OPT, sometimes by quite a margin. As a result I've purchased items in the past from Opticsplanet because even after the member discount I get from OPT on the same purchase price, the cheaper freight makes opticsplanet a clear winner. It's frustrating though because Opticsplanet don't have as large an Astronomy range as OPT does.

However it is hard to complain at the moment with the Aussie dollar taking the sting out of it. I'm loving parity...

[Strawb (Dave)]

I have used IPS Parcel twice now - they were heaps cheaper the Fedex but they then contracted Fedex to do the business at the lower rate. All clearances included and quick delivery. As you say though - parity is bliss

[marki]

When you buy from OPT and get to the shipping quote, choose "contact us for other options" and you will find it gets a lot cheaper. I have often paid 50 odd bucks for shipping then had the parcel turn up with a $19.00 postage sticker on it so obviously there is money to be made from the unwary. But as Kev said even with high shipping costs it is often better buying OS then locally. For example I bought a set of astronomik 50mm LRGB type II CCD filters from OPT. They cost $499.00 US + $50.00US for SH. At the time the conversion was about $630.00 US. A local stockist was charging $975.00 AU at the time for exactly the same product and I see they have now significantly reduced their price. Now with the money I saved I had OPT chuck in a pentex XW 14 mm with the order ($700 + AU locally), go figure that one out.

Mark