Shipping from West Cost Shaving

[Eiland]

Aaaaaaaaaaarggh
Was planning to order a brush and some soaps from WCS and now with
their new site I don't get any shipping alternatives Before shipping to Sweden would be like $14-15 and now $31.05. For items costing $36.50. Thanks but
no thanks. Shipping from USA is getting ridicolous expensive and I think for
some vendors, the shipping cost that are layed upon them, must notice in their sale figures.

 

[Tha Baron]

Did you try selecting the USPS options? I know those options are hidden and you have to [click to show] them. Also, I was able to select which delivery class I wanted. Not sure if this is now different for Intl, but give it another shot. Keep in mind the site is new, so there may be some initial wrinkles.

 

[WastedResources]

Sorry to hear that. I used to order a lot of records from the U.K., but I got tired of the shipping rates too. I started buying in groups with other collectors to keep shipping down. Maybe you could do the same with some Swedish shaving aficionados.

 

[Eiland]

I have no options to select whatsoever. It says "Priority Mail International"
and thats it. The old site had two options and its the cheaper one I miss

 

[Eiland]

Buying in groups would be perfect but then we would have to mail it nationally
between eachother. Theres no DE shaver that I know of where I live. Havent
succeeded in convincing my friends to start DE shaving yet.

 

[RetroGrouch]

I have no options to select whatsoever. It says "Priority Mail International"
and thats it. The old site had two options and its the cheaper one I miss

Yes, Priority Mail is very reasonable within the U.S., but crazy expensive for international (even to Canada). The international "tracking" is useless. And as a final insult, it's really no faster!

I'll always pick First Class if given the choice. (Unless perhaps it's a very expensive item I'm ordering.)

 

[Huxley]

It is getting a bit silly, i have a priority mail from srd $36 shipping fee, bit rich if you ask me, 1 week later still no sign i have had express from japan in 2 days $20.

Personally i don't blame the vendor but usps have bumped their prices recently, least for international orders.

And as already said don't bother using the tracking, it usually arrives before i get the code anyway.

 

[Eiland]

UK is a nice contrast when it comes to shipping cost. Some vendors in Sweden charge more than most UK vendors i've been dealing with.
Typical shipping cost within Sweden is about 8-13 US$. From UK I can get
Airmail Small packet (couple of soaps, brush etc) for like 7 US$.
Really amazing shipping cost. Best in Europe.

I just made a "pretend" order with a UK vendor. A brush, 50 razor blades and Mitchell in a bowl. Shipping cost?
£2.80 or about $4

 

[Tha Baron]

Long story short though is that I doubt Vendors have any incentive to have high shipping costs as it deters buyers. I can't see that any would use it as a revenue stream either.

I do know that there could be limitations posed by credit card companies for international shipments and what 'tracking' is required... Just a thought.

I guess its a double whammy now that the Euro is tanking...

 

[moonshine44]

May I respectfully suggest that you contact John (letterk) at West Coast Shaving (he's a member here) and discuss it with him before raising a fuss here on the forum?

Just a suggestion, mind you...

 

[Eiland]

Long story short though is that I doubt Vendors have any incentive to have high shipping costs as it deters buyers. I can't see that any would use it as a revenue stream either.

I apologize if it sounds like I'm blaming the vendors. Havent for a sec thought thet they raized or had high shipping cost for profit. Can never be in a vendors interest to have high shipping costs.

 

[Eiland]

May I respectfully suggest that you contact John (letterk) at West Coast Shaving (he's a member here) and discuss it with him before raising a fuss here on the forum?

Just a suggestion, mind you...

This is a forum, a place to ventilate. And my post is under General and I'm not blaming anyone except ventilating the facts described in my post.
There is hundreds of vendors out there and instead of starting a debate
with everyone abot this and that, I just look elsewhere. OK or not?

 

[Jim]

Contacting John or any vendor is a good idea- There may be an error in the formula on the site or perhaps he can work something out with you-

 

[Eiland]

Ahh. I've been moved to Shopping and deals. The more appropriate place for
this post. Thanks . Jim?

 

[bladeruner]

Contacting John or any vendor is a good idea- There may be an error in the formula on the site or perhaps he can work something out with you-

I agree. Some thing similar happened the last time I ordered from WCS. The shipping seemed a bit high when the site totaled everything up. I couldn't find the option for something cheaper either. I still ordered it and when I received my confirmation email the shipping was less than what the site was showing me. It was what I was expecting to pay originally. I also used a discount code for B&B members that I found on a thread in the shopping and deals part of the site. I would definitely contact John if I were you. I met him recently, he's real nice guy and it doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[letterk]

I was just sent a note on this thread and thought I'd pop in and add some clarification. First of all, we don't use shipping for profit. Our rates are actual rates from the carriers. We don't charge for shipping materials, either, so shipping is always a loss for us.

Three things about the international shipping costs. Yes, USPS has been raising their rates. We're seeing it for every option and it seems to be happening more frequently. The second and most significant reason is we're currently testing the response to USPS Priority only for international customers. The service is only marginally better than USPS First Class, but it offers real tracking information. With increased credit card fraud, we're starting to take a significant hit. If you don't have proof of shipping, you automatically lose any dispute with the CC companies or PayPal. USPS International First Class does not provide this proof. We've lost a number of disputes lately where the CC company has basically said they know the card was used fraudulently, but since we didn't use a method with tracking, there's nothing they can do. Finally, the third reason is USPS International First Class has been pretty bad lately with their delivery rate. We've consistently had to resend packages due to them being lost in the mail. We've sent an order three times to one customer and none of them have shown up over 3 months. We're having a hard time trusting First Class, now.

You will see FedEx as an option show up very soon, but then you'll have to deal with duty and customs fees.

And yes, I'm sure this will affect international sales. I wish we didn't have to do this. However, international sales haven't been profitable lately with all the USPS First Class and CC problems. Maybe USPS will add real tracking to First Class and we can bring it back.

 

[Eiland]

Thanks letterk for replying. I see you clarify that you dont charge shipping for profit and I dont think i really mentioned any vendor would do that. But if I did that was not meant to. I posted this thread only as a cry for me being
so slow with my trigger finger. A couple of days ago shipping about 14-15 US$
now 31US$. Thats it. Actually I blamed myself for being so sloooooow. Like when I want to buy stocks. I wait and wait and when I finally come to it, they're skyrocketed and the are too expensive. Story of my life

 

[letterk]

If you want to take the chance with USPS First Class, just PM me. I'll help you out.

 

[VR6ofpain]

This is an interesting topic. Does anyone know if USPS is actually doing the deliveries, once the packages arrive on the other side of the pond? I have a hard time believing there are little USPS jeeps driving around delivering packages in Europe. I have been under the impression that they hand it off to a local carrier. I have a feeling the local carriers are often the cause of "lost packages". From some discussions I have had with my sister-in-law who grew up in Syria, the postal service was a total joke. Basically they would often open people's packages often taking the contents inside (or throwing it out). Obviously this is probably a worst case scenario, but it seems there is some regulation concerns across the pond. I have read about similar problems with Italy, with lots of eBay sellers refusing to ship to Italy.

It is quite frustrating to not be able to trust your shipping carrier. I can only imagine it being far worse when being a vendor. So far I have never had a package lost when shipped overseas (always USPS First Class International), but I always felt it was a risk without any form of tracking.

 

[pauls51]

Hi John,

Re. Priority International Mail; what would be the max weight that covers the $30 postage charge...?? I'm thinking of ordering, so may as well fill the box up right??

Thanks for your help