Australia Post have lost the plot ...

pluck · #1 08-06-2006, 06:19 PM

Warning. Buying from overseas is a nightmare.

The last 3 O/S purchases of mine have been a total and absolute nightmare. Australia post, when they are not losing my packages, appear to be losing everything else (my paper work, my address, common sense etc.). Australian Customs have invented a whole new money generating scheme for which every import attracts a hefty processing fee (not inclussive with GST), and a whole new regime of ridiculous paper work (yes, even for private purchases) which in my case now requires two trips to the airport to fill out paper work and then an additional trip to Australia Post to collect the time because it takes 24hours to staple a page.

If you absolutely have to purchase from overseas (ie, no reputable dealer for item in Aus) then get the vendor to ship via FedEx. You will save money (believe it or not) and a good deal of frustration. FedEx provide brokeridge for the import process, where Australia Post throw their hands up in the air and tell you to contact Customs.

Oh, and try not to purchase anything over $1000 AUD (this is apparently the limit for additional beaurocracy - although I'm not convinced).

Things like this have gotten a great deal worse in this country over the past couple of years. I now liken it to my similar experiences with the Italian public services mentality for which I am a vetran.

Apologies to Australia Post and Australia Customs employees - I don't hold you personally responsible, just your bosses and this frigging government.

Through venting.

P.

janoskiss (Steve H) · #2 08-06-2006, 06:34 PM

Sorry, I don't understand what the problem is. Are you saying they have lost your parcel and then you had to go to the airport to fill out some paperwork?

I only started buying stuff from overseas last about a year ago, and never had a problem. I bought stuff from the US, UK, France and Japan in the past year, with goods delievered via various postal services (never fedex). Goods are always at my door in 10 days max. So maybe you just got unlucky.

Darkplague · #3 08-06-2006, 06:41 PM

Ive never had a problem either and had at least 20-30 items sent to me from the States. All of them arrived within 1 week without problems.

Were your goods valued at more than $1000 by chance?

pluck · #4 08-06-2006, 06:54 PM

Yes. The beaurocracy starts with goods valued at more than $1000. In the past, a simple telephone credit card transaction solved the GST issue. It is now apparent that customs have tightened up the paper work, and AusPost are unable to deal with it [yet]. The choice is to hire a broker (eg. FedEx) or do it youself, upon which Customs will charge you in the order of $45.

If you haven't had problems with global EMS yet, and you are purchasing (importing) goods valued more than $1000 AUD, then you will encounter this soon. Trust me.

P.

janoskiss (Steve H) · #5 08-06-2006, 07:43 PM

Except for one item, I always kept the total under $1000. The only time I didn't I went through DHL and they paid the GST and other taxes and sent me the bill.

pluck · #6 08-06-2006, 07:46 PM

I should reiterate - it's not that I've NEVER had success with Australia Post / Australian Customs, it's just that recently things have become particulary beaurocratic - and I have noticed this change as a frequent O/S buyer of astro gear. Items valued at over $1000 are now targetted with additional paperwork and costs (NOT just GST). Australia Post deals with the small stuff quite well, but in my opinion have dropped the ball with the big stuff. I've noticed, for example, that their EMS tracking information is often out of date with what other country EMS tracking services (namely USPS) have on the same item. Their ability to provide help via telephone is limited to what I can already see on the screen, and they routinely show indifference - preferring instead to forward you on to Customs. In short, their responsibility to manage the total package delivery process appears to be less that what it used to be in the new world of tighter customs controls.

Quote:

Originally Posted by janoskiss

Sorry, I don't understand what the problem is. Are you saying they have lost your parcel and then you had to go to the airport to fill out some paperwork?

I only started buying stuff from overseas last about a year ago, and never had a problem. I bought stuff from the US, UK, France and Japan in the past year, with goods delievered via various postal services (never fedex). Goods are always at my door in 10 days max. So maybe you just got unlucky.

h0ughy (David) · #7 08-06-2006, 08:52 PM

I have only been pinged once by customs but it was over the 1000 mark. If you look at the volume of parcels via Aust post and the couriers you will find Aust Post to be way in front, and impractical to track I would say, and you pay for that privilege with the others

rogerg (Roger) · #8 08-06-2006, 09:34 PM

I've had Australia Post lose registered post items within Australia, twice now. That has anoyed me.

I haven't purchased enough from OS to have a problem yet, and all my previous OS purchases were at least a year ago.

Roger.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #9 08-06-2006, 10:31 PM

It's rotten luck when something that should be straight forward starts getting messy.

h0ughy (David) · #10 08-06-2006, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

It's rotten luck when something that should be straight forward starts getting messy.

It is but the others don't always get it right either, you cant stop 5 finger discounts.

Striker (Tony) · #11 09-06-2006, 08:11 AM

Like I have mentioned previously on this forum....use UPS for items over $1000AUD and USPS for under $1000 when ordering from the states...USPS or Aust Post is cheaper then UPS for items valued under $1000.

I have had some minor issues with postage over the last 12 months but nothing that wasn't easily fixed by the supplier.

I have received approx 30 parcels at a approx amount of $12,000 on items from the states and never had to fill out any custom's paperwork in the last 12 months.....some have been well over $2000AUD and many below $1000....choose postage company correctly and it wont be a problem.

Also any lost parcel can take between 3-6 months to be investigated with Aust Post but with private companies like UPS it's only around a week.

wraithe · #12 13-06-2006, 02:00 AM

i have had some long delays with aust post, and they did lose a registered letter about 8 yrs ago, but they fixed it gracefully...
but now if i have any problems i just blame my daughter, well she works for them so it must be her fault..lol..

...after hearing about someone who has worked for 5 yrs and they still dont know how the machine works, it does make me wonder..thankfully she has worked the gear out quickly but is dumbfounded how the person teaching her is so lacking in knowledge...

but hey what does it take to make sure the parcel or letter is in the right bag...