delivery time from Amazon.com to Australia?

starlooker (Duc) · #1 27-11-2009, 11:07 AM

Two days ago, I bought a book from Amazon for the first time. When I paid at checkout, it said estimated delivery time: 23 Dec 2009. Great, I think to myself, I might get it in time for Xmas.

Today I log in, and it's now: 12 Jan 2010. This is a 3.7 pound book, so don't know if that means slower delivery, although I am paying double the standard book shipping charge(~US$10).

I am in no particular rush, but I am curious to know what times people have received their items from Amazon? I do intend to buy from Amazon in the future, as long as the Aussie dollar remains strong against US$. It actually costs me at least $20 less to buy from Amazon than retail in Oz.

Here's what I bought: http://www.amazon.com/reader/1568811...tu#reader-link

Octane (Humayun) · #2 27-11-2009, 12:15 PM

Duc,

I bought a bunch of lighting and posing books for portraiture and weddings recently. 4, in total.

The estimated arrival date was 21st December. I actually got my goods this week, and, I ordered about 1.5 weeks ago. Pretty good!

Regards,
Humayun

Waxing_Gibbous (Peter) · #3 27-11-2009, 12:42 PM

Same hear Duc. They quoted me 2-3 weeks, it arrived in 11 days. Weight should have nothing to do with it.
One thing to remember is that they don't necessarily ship from Australia. They source from wherever they can. My book came from Germany via S. America.
Cool book by the way. My wife's into both!
Which in fact might be the problem. You could've stumbled onto an accidental bestseller like "Boring Postcards" (just what it says) or "Ants"(massive, expensive reference book on Ants). Neither were expected to do particularly well, both turned out to be huge bestsellers.
This looks like that sort of thing. Seemingly a limited audience, but in reality, a huge demand.
The publisher may have to print more. BTW; "Brief History's" initial worldwide run was only 10,000 copies.
On the other hand: if you chose super-saver shipping, it will get bumped behind the express orders.

PJH

PCH (Paul) · #4 27-11-2009, 12:57 PM

Yep,

ditto what the others are saying. I ordered "Atlas of the Messier Objects" which is also quite heavy, and much much cheaper than anywhere here too I might say - even after postage. I just had the regular postage that is offered by default and the delivery guesstimate came up as being just before Xmas. That was ok for me, but wow, I had mine in just one week. Now that's what I call service

citivolus (Ric) · #5 27-11-2009, 01:58 PM

I've had speedy (1 week) and not so speedy (4-5 week) service from Amazon, both in cases where the item was "in stock". I think it really depends on which warehouse they have it in, if they ship directly, etc.

I've also had them split the order into multiple shipments (even when I selected otherwise), and charge me shipping on each part. It is really a crap shoot what you will get.

erick (Eric) · #6 27-11-2009, 02:24 PM

I bought two CDs from Amazon recently and they arrived very promptly - from NZ??!

citivolus (Ric) · #7 27-11-2009, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erick

I bought two CDs from Amazon recently and they arrived very promptly - from NZ??!

I think there must be a thriving warehousing/fulfilment centre business in NZ. My USNO UCAC3 DVD was mailed from there, despite having a US return address

Kal (Andrew) · #8 27-11-2009, 02:42 PM

I bought a DVD the other day. Delivery time for standard shipping was 16-28 days I think. Still waiting on the item so not sure how fast it will be.

12 Jan 2010 sounds like a wait beyond their standard shipping time. Perhaps the item is not in stock and backordered?

NeilW · #9 27-11-2009, 04:50 PM

As far as I understand Amazon does not operate from one central warehouse. There are several around the US, and it sometimes depends which one has your book in stock as to how soon you receive it. I've generally found Amazon UK to be much quicker than their US counterparts.

fringe_dweller · #10 03-12-2009, 01:58 PM

yep my amazon stuff is always from NZ too, yeah lately they have been very fast delivery, 10 days or less! much quicker than their stated ETA

i think there is a little army of hobbits doing it?

Satchmo · #11 03-12-2009, 02:56 PM

I bought 6 books recently and payed a few extra dollars for the express shipping ( not the very fastest but next down. ) Both boxes arrived together and arrived about 5 days quicker than the email estimate I received when first ordered.

I had a bad experience ordering in December a few weeks ago because of the Xmas rush . I think they were ordered second week of December and arrived end of January.

All that being said I buy about 98% of my specialised books from them. If it is print they are likely to have it or get it and much cheaper than I could get over here.

stephenb (Stephen) · #12 03-12-2009, 03:01 PM

I have purchased a lot from Amazon over the years. I recall anything orderend in Novembe and December was held up by XMas mail. That's to be expected.

Also remember that what you buy, especially books, often comes from thirld party bookstores, not from an Amazon warehouse.

I never worry about delivery times. When it arrives, it arrives

starlooker (Duc) · #13 04-12-2009, 11:24 AM

The item is sold directly by Amazon(not third party), was in stock, and was marked shipped on the 25th Nov 09(US time).

So there isn't a delay in fullfillment due to the Xmas rush, it's just the shipping method that they've used(standard international shipping).

Delivery time still estimated to be 12 Jan 2010. It had better not arrive in 2012, because the world will end, and I can't get a refund.

Kal (Andrew) · #14 11-12-2009, 11:52 AM

Well I got my DVD yesterday - roughly two weeks after I ordered it, and much faster than the estimated delivery time.

starlooker (Duc) · #15 11-12-2009, 12:15 PM

That's reassuring, thanks for the update.

I set a reminder in my diary for 12 Jan 2010, and promptly forgot about it.

JimmyH155 · #16 11-12-2009, 12:36 PM

I ordered two books the other day. I thought it was Amazon.com, but then I got confirmation email from "The nile.com"

are they the same people?? Also both books were free postage. Is that normal?? Posting from USA

starlooker (Duc) · #17 11-12-2009, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyH155

I ordered two books the other day. I thought it was Amazon.com, but then I got confirmation email from "The nile.com"

are they the same people?? Also both books were free postage. Is that normal?? Posting from USA

Sounds like a 3rd party bookseller on Amazon.

This is the only "nile" booksite I could find:

http://www.thenile.com.au/

Maybe this mob sell on Amazon too.

Free posting from the USA? Sounds a bit odd. Would probably depend on the weight of the book.

stephenb (Stephen) · #18 11-12-2009, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenluceskies

...Also remember that what you buy, especially books, often comes from third party bookstores, not from an Amazon warehouse...

Correct, Jimmy. Many books come from third party stores. They are stated at the time of purchase.

mac (Matt) · #19 12-12-2009, 09:28 PM

I usually get my stuff from Amazon within 5 working days. But then again, I'm in NZ and it seems we've got it pretty good when it comes to Amazon...

starlooker (Duc) · #20 15-12-2009, 03:08 PM

I recieved the book by DHL today! Woohoo!

Shipped: 25th Nov 2009

ETA: 12 Jan 2010

Delivered: 15th Dec 2009