Buying Overseas. - Page 2

Astro_Guy · #21 20-01-2005, 01:38 AM

Gentlemen,

In the time it takes to write one of these posts, one could just as easily have visited www.ups.com and used their shipping cost estimator to verify my assertion that shipping costs quoted by our website are actual costs, and that we do not mark them up in any way.

Best Regards,

Bob Black
www.skiesunlimited.net

iceman (Mike) · #22 20-01-2005, 06:09 AM

Rumples knows the score..

Keep it civil people.. it's nice to have an independant forum where we can discuss vendors, prices etc, but remember that these businesses are usually someone's livelihood, and if you have 1 bad experience or bad quoted price, does not mean that everyone will experience the same thing.
A few bad words on a forum could potentially have a negative impact on that business. It's fine to relay your experiences but please stay as neutral and civil as you can.

Bob, please accept my apology on behalf of IceInSpace.

Also I think Starkler summed it up best..

Quote:

In a nutshell , check the shipping options before getting excited about the prices quoted

My wife and I were looking for a product called "SwingSafe", and we found the only place that would ship it to Australia is the vendor, and they only had 1 shipping option, costing US$133 postage for a US$28 item. Needless to say we passed on that one.

beren · #23 20-01-2005, 10:07 AM

I dont understand the need for a apology , sure some lines had a aggressive tone but to Bobs credit he responded and added some clarification to a complicated matter. While i realize the obvious responsibility of keeping a moderate and level headed approach when discussing particular companies/shops online but if its going to be at the expense of responsible criticism then maybe any future disscussion good/bad on vendors be held privately between parties.

iceman (Mike) · #24 20-01-2005, 10:14 AM

I agree Stuart, I certainly don't want to stifle any discussion about companies and prices, that's what these forums are for - to discuss what to buy, where to buy, good deals etc. That can also include criticism for a deal gone bad.

I think we just need to use common sense and don't get personal.

#25 20-01-2005, 12:59 PM

I have just received notification from OPT that they are crediting me the customs fees I incurred with my replacement Eyepiece. How is that for 1st class service, definitely get my vote for sure. They sure know how to keep a customer.

Striker (Tony) · #26 20-01-2005, 03:57 PM

Again I ask what shipping options.....I got a reply by email saying how quick I trashed their company on public forums...but as yet...still have no confirmation of reasonable shipping costs.

All I want to know is the bloody cost of shipping...if this is too hard to explain to perspective buyers....simple I will purchase from someone else....end of story...thankyou.

ving (David) · #27 20-01-2005, 04:03 PM

not an unreasonable request.
I would have gone elsewhere by now tho. I dont like being stuffed around.

#28 20-01-2005, 04:09 PM

Striker, when I first purchased from OPT, I communicated with a lady called Rayna Robertson, she gave me a whole heap of options for shipping costs. It depends on how big the article is, and how quick you want it sent. As an example my 2" Televue Powermate cost $31usd for insurance and shipping on top of the price of the unit, this was with USPS and took about 1 week with tracking details so you could see where it was at any time. Now I believe that is quite a good price, but all you have to do is email them and they will give you the options. (internetsales@optcorp.com)
If you want any more info, email me and I will give you the whole shooting match mate.

Striker (Tony) · #29 20-01-2005, 04:12 PM

Spot on Exfso......those postage charges are reasonable and I would definetly pay those shipping costs without a hick-up.....

Sounds like OPT is the way to go....thanks mate.

I am sorry if I have offended and companies in this post but if you treat your customer right in the first place you can get some very good publicity...just like OPT has done....

Just sent a email to Rayna mentioning the recommendation......plus some postage prices....thanks Exfso.....

Starkler (Geoff) · #30 20-01-2005, 05:26 PM

I for one refuse to give my personal details at a website checkout BEFORE i know the full cost including shipping.

So many sites demand your personal and credit card info before revealing the shipping options. I just click off into the internet never to be seen by them again.

Striker (Tony) · #31 20-01-2005, 05:50 PM

I agree...you need to Know the full price before enetering any confidential information.

Mike..."Swingsafe" isn't that found in the adult section under foreplay....if it is you should have payed the $133 USD....well worth it......lol

Notice Mike mentioned that "WE PASSED ON IT".....see joint itemmmm....next time Mike keep your personal adventures to yourself...not all of us have the energy to have swings in the bedroom........lol

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #32 20-01-2005, 09:37 PM

I was under the impression that this is the 'BEGINNERS START HERE' forum!!!

If I was a beginner or new to this site and read this argument and dribble I would go elsewhere.

This stuff (minus the arguments

) belongs in a different section!

Keep the peace

Thank you my forum friends

janoskiss (Steve H) · #33 20-01-2005, 11:02 PM

Good point ballaratdragons,

Maybe moving or nuking the thread would be a good idea??...

Is there any etiquette guidelines for these forums? I was about to clean up my earlier posts on this thread, but then I thought I'd better check with everyone else...

Astro_Guy · #34 21-01-2005, 02:57 AM

OK Mates, here's the bottom line on shipping rates from the US to Australia. The following rates are for US Postal Service "Global Express", which is insured for up to $500 US, has online tracking, and should arrive in about 4 business days:

2 Pound Package (1-3 typical 1.25" eyepieces): $24.00 US

3 Pound Package (most 2" eyepieces): $28.00 US

4 Pound Package (31 Nagler, 41 Panoptic): $32.00 US

These are the actual potage rates that you would see on the label when the package arrives. It would not be unreasonable for a vendor to add $1-2 on top of this to cover the costs of packing materials and the extra costs associated with filling out the customs declarations, etc.

One other little thing you may want to keep in mind is that it can sometimes take up to 72 hours just to get a credit card authorization on an overseas card.

Best Regards,

Bob Black
www.skiesunlimimted.net

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #35 21-01-2005, 03:09 AM

Hey Bob,

How much does a pound weigh?

We've been metric since Noahs days! (well, just after Noah)

Astro_Guy · #36 21-01-2005, 03:29 AM

A pint's a pound the world around! Just don't expect to get a pint for a pound, because there have been a few off price increases since Noah's days.

iceman (Mike) · #37 21-01-2005, 05:57 AM

1 kilo = 2.2 pounds.

Quote:

Is there any etiquette guidelines for these forums?

None that are documented or stricly enforced, yet.. there hasn't been the need.

Common sense and politeness are really the only 2 rules people need to remember.

I will move this to the Equip forum.

Striker (Tony) · #38 21-01-2005, 11:13 AM

Thanks Bob.......would be nice if these options were given at time of purchase......under shipping information?

Striker (Tony) · #39 21-01-2005, 11:18 AM

hahah...I just got a quote from another overseas online store....Not going to say who it was this time.....1 x celestron 19mm Axiom series 2".....only 1 postage rate available $85 AUS.......sorry have to laugh.....

Astro_Guy · #40 21-01-2005, 01:34 PM

Striker,

Here in the US we have a fairly large and homogenous market for astro gear. Putting things into perspective, there are more people living within 150 miles (or 250 Kilometers) of my store in Philadelphia than there are in Australia. That's not a good thing by any stretch of the imagination, it's just a statistic.

Keeping that statistic in mind for a moment, one could easlily understand why US based websites are tuned to quote domestic shipping rates as opposed to worldwide rates. There were at least 142 member countries in the United Nations the last time I checked, and that's a lot of different shipping rate data to keep track of. The broader world may rely on Parcel Post for deliveries, but here in the US we expect either Federal Express or UPS. This is one of those weird consumer preferences issues, as parcel post is generally cheaper yet equally reliable here in the US as well. As we say here in America, go figure...

Hopefully the global express rates I provided here earlier today will be of some use to you and your mates down under. In a perfect world, we would all spend more time looking up at the sky than we would chasing the best deal on an eyepiece.

Best Regards,

Bob