shipping internationally

[Colin Donahue]

I need to ship my Marell level back to the UK for repairs. I was all set at the post office to send it USPS

Flat Rate Box International Priority Mail, and then I was told I could not get it insured or get a tracking number with that method.

 

The Post Office was closing, and it took them 45 minutes to figure out how to give me a refund, (I am not kidding)

so I just left and am now trying to find the safest and cheapest way to ship it.

I was excited about the Flat Rate Box International because it was $13.85 and UPS was $87.00.If anyone ships internationally on a regular basis and has any tips I would appreciate it.

 

Colin Donahue

[Janice Arthur]

Colin;

 

Here is my advise and I've shipped a bunch of things internationally.

 

Us the flat rate Post office, its great and its cheap as you know.

 

You do get a "tracking" number via the customs form that you have to fill out.

 

You do get $100 free insurance. No you can't probably get "additional" insurance but isn't the monitor insured with your regular gear?

 

If it is why are you buying "extra" insurance that is also very expensive per dollar value. Just make sure your policy covers it in transit and you're all set.

 

I love the post office flat rate boxes for lots of things. Pack it really well and you're on your way!

 

JA

[JimBartell]

I have shipped via every method known to man and FedEx or UPS are the only way to go. I have had several US mail shipments (including Priority and Express) simply vanish or show up back at my door 6 months later with no reason given. And the claims process for a lost package is basically designed to make you give up. You could adopt a child with less paperwork and faster results. The only mail method that is reliable is Global Express Guaranteed, which is as expensive as FedEx anyway so why bother? In 10 years of shipping no UPS or FedEx package has been permanently lost. A few have taken rather circuitous routes and gone MIA for a few days but they always got there. And on damaged shipments they paid right up.

 

DHL is OK, but again, they are just as expensive and harder to use. And don't even think about TNT. They will put you package in storage for a month and then charge you for the storage.

 

FYI, you can add extra insurance on Priority Mail but you have to use your own packaging, not their Flat Rate packages. It's why their flat rate packages are so cheap, because they can lose them with impunity.

 

Jim Bartell

[Janice Arthur]

Colin;

 

I've certainly shipped way less than Jim. Go with his advise.

 

I would tell you if you have other insurance for your item then just buy the deductible amount of your policy for the shipped item.

 

Then you collect the insurance from the carrier for the deductible and your regular policy if its lost and you're not out any dollars.

 

Good luck.

 

JA

[Colin Donahue]

Janice, Jim,

Thank you for your replies. I think I will go with the UPS. I once sold a microphone on Ebay and sent it to China USPS Priority. It disappeared at customs in China and I had to refund the guy $600.

 

Colin

[JimBartell]

If you read this thread I think you will agree my point has been made about the mail: Mystery MDR-2

 

Jim

[Klay Cook]

Yep, I might buy your stuff from the post office and not know what it is!!!

 

If you read this thread I think you will agree my point has been made about the mail: Mystery MDR-2

 

Jim