Why not ask them? Don't assume it was intentional or that they're aware. You know what happens when you assume.
And I have read most of this thread and will stand by what I have already said. I doubt there is any store that ships a major amount of boxes each day. The hobby just isn't that big. I will check with Jimbo, who handles shipping at my LTS.
LOL Well... I didn't add camera later, it wasn't an after thought. I don't want to be mistaken for making a threat. However, I think you got my drift. George wrote: "" What I dont get is people who cant understand that that 'east coast etailer' wants $15.00 shipping for the same item ? WHY? "" Ans., (And don't think for a minute I didn't want to say something else)....They are hungry back east. To many storms to deal with and prices have gone up due to...well...let's not start that here. Gosh, that could go on for months. I said gritting my teeth. I do agree with contacting the e-tailer. Who knows he or she may already be waiting with change in hand. If not it's time to load the film and lock in the bayonet connect... telephoto lens and go shooting. Mike Fifer's LHS is one of my favorite places to shop. Trouble is I live in California. Oh well, it's been years ago but I did get to drive through Albuquerque. Lovely place. Mike you ought to see the Pullman's mixed into three sets of heavy weight trains. Oh, do they look good and run smooth. Shout out of thanks to you and your good wife and Micro-Trains, as well. Another happy and satisfied customer.
Please move all your model train stores and manufacturers down here to Australia, we would love to have your problems.
Well put my friend. There is a place here in California whose shipping cost is high and it could be left un-said but (there's that word again) I don't order from them. Other considerations here as well. Lucky for me that 500 lb. gorilla hasn't showed up at my post office. LOL
Hey Boxcab - This thread is turning into a not so civil argument, by a few, who just will not tone down the comments directed toward other posters. I am sure you have seen other forums fail because this type of behavior was allowed. I sure have. It may be time to close this discussion. Not trying to po anybody but it is time to act and discuss as adults ! Carl
Out of curiosity I went to the UPS website and checked out how much UPS would charge to ship a box from Cockeysville, MD to Phoenix, AZ. I used a two pound package that was 12" x 12" x 2". Shipping to a residential address. I also selected that I would take the package to a UPS site not have it picked up. UPS ground (4 days)- 14.95 3 day Select (3 days) - 27.48 2nd day air (2 days) - 34.55 next day air ( 1 day) - 68.49 By the way if the store you're complaining about is the one I'm thinking of, they've been in business for 100 years. You have to be doing something right to last that long.
I just want to hear what the original vendors have to say about it. Otherwise this is just a couple pages of grumpy complaining model railroaders. I don't mind complaint threads, but complaints without putting in the effort to get the story gets old fast. Especially when, you've found a source with pricing more to your liking.
My particular rant is that apparently USPS policy has changed so that overseas orders have to go at the more expensive priority rate instead of first class. For example the cheapest postage from the large etailer I use a lot is now just over $40, it used to be worth my while getting two or three freight cars but not anymore. I've never lost anything coming first class and a lot of times it was actually faster than priority.
USPS First Class Mail to Australia is $16.75 for one pound. Priority Mail is $39.95. It's not the postal service. Time to find another E Tailer.
Most shippers will not send out of the country without priority because there is NO type of tracking on first class and most of us have been burned by people saying the package was lost. Just and FYI. Mike
For the sake of the discussion...lets not factor in using UPS at the moment....ok ? This is the part that is confusing me...and obviously others. And I dont wanna see any of us get in trouble for losing our cool while discussing this. Using your 12" x 12" x 2" box size...which BTW is the size box the item I researched ( ME N Scale Poor Boy Mine Part # ME60-002 ) would most likely be shipped in...shipping charges are even higher using USPS Priority Mail ($16.75) at 'that etailer'. At another etailer the same item which would have to use the same 12" x 12" x 2" box size it is only ($7.15) USPS Priority Mail. Why the discrepancy in shipping charges between the two for using USPS Priority Mail ? NOW..if there is a "zone" factor involved in Priority Mail ( the farther away it goes from its origin the more it costs) it would most likely explain the discrepancy in the shipping charges between the 2 etailers. But like I said ...my understanding is that priority mail ships anywhere in the U. S. for the same price. IF...someone knows for fact that there is a 'zone' factor and not a universal charge for Priority Mail...this discussion could have been over on page #1. ;-) I just figured that there are enough people here who use the USPS on a daily basis that they would know how the system works and none of us would have to go to or call the Postal Service. It's all I've really been trying to find out....why the discrepency in charges. Perhaps I didnt or do not articulate my questions well enough to get the answers I seek...thnxs
For the sake of my sanity, I am going to bed before my head explodes. Be back tomorrow to see where this (at least to me) interesting discussion will go.
Priority tracking doesn't always work in my experience either, most shipments I've had come priority dissappear from the radar once they've left the U.S. or even after they've left the original post office where they were posted. But as I say I've never lost a package sent by any class of mail, from the US, UK or Japan, maybe I don't order enough stuff.
George, You drive a good discussion. With a question that affects all of us at some point or time. We will be dealing with shipping costs as long as there are e-tailers willing to deliver by USPS. UPS, Fed Ex and by other movers....said packages. We've had a chance to rant and sympathize with your plight. As I said earlier, I have no problems with the three mail order houses I order from and am a very satisfied customer. I'd be happy to share them with you via e-mail. Now before my boilers safety valve goes off and I have to take a siding to cool down. This has been a good discussion with many pro's and con's being discussed. Now if some of you are offended at what I've said here...well...not sure I will be apologizing but... sorry you feel that way. No offense meant toward anyone and none taken. To those who think this a waste of time and don't see the fun in the discussion. Just let the Administrators and Moderators decide what is allowed and isn't. They are always on Rick alert when I get involved. Sigh! Good visiting with you George and lot's of luck resolving your present problem.
OK... Well, I've only run a full-time internet business for over 15 years. What do I know. I guess I must be one of the evil, dishonest business people, that's ripping everybody off. Shipping miscalculations happen all the time. You honestly think that a business that sells thousands of items, is is going to have a cart that works flawlessly on every single item? I already gave a personal example I had just the other day, where a system charged twice what I knew it should be on something... I emailed them about it, and they agreed that it had overcharged... They cut it down to half. Who is the retailer and what was the item? Since you obviously won't do it, I'll call them and ask myself. For all I know, maybe the charge is too high, but I don't understand why you can't just ask them.
I have used regular posting services to Oz from various US emailers, Japan and Hong Kong and every package arrived. If I use regular shipping and package goes astray, my problem! I have posted articles from eBay sales and every item has been delivered. The shipping decision under discussion is going to bite US etailers. This is really a dumb decision. I have stopped buying until there is a decision to reverse the higher charges.
While this is true , one can eventually see when the package gets to the other end and in most cases gets stuck for sometimes months in the incoming countries customs. We have had them sit in AU. customs for 6 months on one occasion. It is not intended for the customers piece of mind but rather our ability to give you an answer when you call and ask the age old question, "where is my package?". Thanks , Mike
