43oh Store International Shipping May Have to Stop

[bluehash 1,581]

Hello Everyone,

I'm going to vent here a little, so please bear with me. I need input from members too.

 

First -  International mails.

- Items are shipped via USPS first class.

- Flat rate shipping of $7.50 irrespective of weight, unless you order a very large amount. It then becomes a custom order.

- Tracking till US port of Exit - This is very important, which buyers cannot seem to grasp.

- The shipping rate is a little on the high side as it subsidizes international orders in the long run. If you buy frequently from the Store, you may benefit form this.

- Shipping rate also includes

• Paypal fees
• Supplies
• Printing
• Third-party Endicia for printing labels. 
• Delivery to the post office time.
• My time

In all, International users get a reasonable rate considering the size of the store(not a huge one like Sparkfun or Adafruit) and the time it takes to create an international package.

 

Now in the past couple months, a few packages have not reached the destination "yet". Some buyers are extremely patient and work it out with me to meet the cost mid-way or I send them the package again or a coupon. Sometimes, during this back and forth, the original packages reach them. Such people are really great and appreciate it.

 

It is very clear in the terms(this requires a check mark on the checkout page) that tracking is only offered till US port of exit. It is the shipping email, when the order ships from me. 

 

[P.S: 
1. USPS takes a day to update tracking numbers. Please wait at-least 24 hours after receiving this email for the tracking numbers to show latest status information.
2. USPS offers tracking support only till port of exit in US for international orders. ]

 

 

In spite of this, some international buyers go to the extent of raising a Paypal Claim for their order, without contacting me. Now that is ridiculous. Paypal always sides the buyer for some reason.(I know - Paypal, but everyone is comfortable with them).

First, you are getting boards at reasonable prices and secondly, your purchase supports the community and actually pays the designer of the board. You are totally destroying it for the eco-system, especially for international packages. Do you want a $20 postage on your package with Fedex tracking?

 

/vent

 

Just a small pie of the international orders is doing this. So far there is no harm done, but if this continues then I'll have to:

- Stop shipping to those countries which claim this or stop it altogether. It is random at the moment.

- Increase the shipping fee to cover up lost packages.

 

 

Any input from the community is appreciated. I don't want anyone to loose here, especially the International community. There is a good amount of talent there and I like sending you guys stuff.

[GeekDoc 226]

Maybe offer FedEx shipping/tracking at the higher cost?  That might highlight the fact that USPS (like other countries' postal services) only tracks to US borders.

 

Otherwise, I think you'll have to increase the shipping rate for international orders, or stop shipping outside USA (which would suck).

[spirilis 1,265]

I think GeekDoc is right.  If you keep getting burned by this then the worst you should do is offer ONLY the high-dollar FedEx option so you have documentation backing you up if someone tries a PayPal claim.

 

Although this is somewhat contingent on how PayPal takes evidence from such services.  If you still end up getting burned then that's a no-go, but I suspect high-dollar shipping charges come with expedited service in addition to tracking.

 

Besides that, folks can always order (bare PCB) boards from Seeed.

[bluehash 1,581]

Yes.. Fedex is a good option. I think my shipping label provider has a fedex plugin. Thanks guys.

[kennylin0309 9]

First, Sorry for my poor english.

I am from Taiwan. Taiwan to Boston United States is 7718 miles.

I appreciate that bluehash make awesome 43oh.com.

I read 43oh forum every day and I learn a lot every day.

I bought some awesome boards from 43oh store totally $278.53 USD

There are my order history:

1.) 15 March 2013 have not received this package "yet".

2.) 25 March 2013 have received package in less then three weeks.

3.) 09 April 2013 have received package in less then two weeks.

4.) 27 April 2013 just shipped, a few days ago.

About the first package that I have not received yet. I just waiting.

I didn't send e-mail to bluehash.

i don't want to ask about claim.

The only thing I did is that I order again some boards when these awesome boards restock.

why?

bluehash is not digi-key / mouser.

bluehash use his own time in order to support the 43oh.

I learned a lot from the 43oh forum, I truly appreciate that.

I don't want to disturb bluehash.

The USPS package tracking system shows that package had shipped.

Taiwan is far away from the U.S. Anything could happen.

This is trade-off between flat rate shipping fee and increasing shipping fee include "insurance fee" to cover up lost packages.

In my opinion..if this continues

Stop international shipping is OK for me , I can use package forward service instead.

or Add a option which is increasing international shipping fee include "insurance fee".

Expensive Fedex is a good option too.

In short, I truly appreciate that bluehash is doing good job and nothing can stop me from buying awesome boards from 43oh store.

[xxx1 35]

USPS is perfect for me because FedEx, UPS and such companies have problems with customs here in Spain

[RobG 1,892]

I have shipped packages to Spain, Netherlands, Finland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Poland, and luckily never had any problems. 

Is there any particular country that has more problems than other?

[cde 334]

Two notes, Fedex/UPS? Someone will get reamed on Brokerage Fees, at customs. Guaranteed. Fedex is better than UPS though.

 

And some countries do have tracking info sharing with the US. Canada uses the customs number. I think the same for the UK (It's been a few years since I've done either)

 

Finally, some countries are just insane. Italy's list of prohibited items for one. Their customs as well.

[bluehash 1,581]

@@kennylin0309 Thanks for the kind words Kenny.

 

I'll try to look for Fedex. Should be possible.

 

 

I have shipped packages to Spain, Netherlands, Finland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Poland, and luckily never had any problems. 

Is there any particular country that has more problems than other?

Mexico & India. Germany/Italy is sometimes delayed by almost a month. NZ, surprisingly is no problem.

 

 

 

Two notes, Fedex/UPS? Someone will get reamed on Brokerage Fees, at customs. Guaranteed. Fedex is better than UPS though.

 

And some countries do have tracking info sharing with the US. Canada uses the customs number. I think the same for the UK (It's been a few years since I've done either)

 

Finally, some countries are just insane. Italy's list of prohibited items for one. Their customs as well.

I think the receiving country should support USPS tracking numbers. Some of them don't have tracking at all, which is understandable.

[xpg 127]

First off, I'll like to thank Bluehash for the 43oh store and the fact that he does international shipping (I'm located in Europe).

It's sad that Paypal always parts with the buyer when there is no end-to-end tracking. When I buy something over the Internet I'll usually consider if tracking is worth it or not, which really depends on the value of the purchase.

Offering more expensive shipping options such as Fedex would be a good way to let people decide for themselves if they want tracking or not. However, if people still order USPS and raise Paypal claims, I do understand that international shipping prices go up. I hope that it will still be possible to have international shpping in the future.

 

International tracking just happens to be expensive. From Denmark to USA, a 100g letter is 5.8USD, while a registered 100g letter is 19USD. I don't understand how it's possible to get tracking on $5 packages from China, but maybe people are so used to it that they expect that from everyone and everywhere.

[RobG 1,892]

 ...I don't understand how it's possible to get tracking on $5 packages from China, but maybe people are so used to it that they expect that from everyone and everywhere.

I was thinking the same. Almost all things I buy on eBay are shipped with tracking, even $3 free shipping items.

[Philipp 56]

You're doing a great job keeping these forums live and the store going, bluehash. Thank you for that!
It is sad that USPS (i believe you use them) apparently does lose some packages on the way to their international recipients. The MsPRobot kit i won in November 2012 did not make it to me (yet), too. http://forum.43oh.com/topic/2896-post-a-pic-of-your-home-work-bench-get-a/

 

I was quite disappointed, but I know that it was not your fault, and I did not pay for it. It bothers me nevertheless.
Keep up the good work, I really appreciate the time and energy you put into shipping and organizing groupbuys. To me they are of much higher value than the actual store ;-)

[PTB 27]

Bluehash, RobG and other sellers. Your cheap boards and very reasonable postage rates are GREATLY appreciated.

 

I'm in Australia and most of the time things show up eventually. I think sometimes there can be customs delay. On occasion i have had stuff show up 2 months after purchase and sometimes within a few days. There seems to be no logic to it.

 

I have VERY rarely had stuff go missing. If it gets to 6 weeks I normally let the seller know and they usually send another item. If the first item arrives within that time and i end up with 2 of the same thing, i send the seller the money. This is for commercial operations.

 

I wouldnt do this for hobbyists selling their wares as they are usually running off none to minimal profit. If it went missing, i would probably be disapointed and take it on the chin. If it happened more than once, maybe then ask for a resend and pay for tracking.

 

I think maybe One answer is once the order hits a certain value, its mandatory fedex. There is no easy answer to this problem for small operators.

 

Its unfortunate there is always someone, either buyer or seller who comes up short when something goes missing.

 

Its fantastic you guys already contribute so much.

 

Man, i wish i knew a surefire answer for you without being uneconomical. Your show, your call.

 

Cheers

 

PTB

[pine 140]

I agree with GeekDoc, but if doing so put too much burden (administratively or technically) then there should be no more international order.

 

Although there might then be cases shipping might cost even more than the product itself with expensive courier service, but i think we have to view it holistically, yes the product is what u wanted at a very reasonable price, but it is thousands of miles away, u want it? Then pay for the shipping, and "the" shipping that wont hurt the community, us, as a whole, which is what i believe bluehash is dedicated to. Thank you bluehash for the site. I feel like almost understand your frustration, and support whatever your decision will be.

[bluehash 1,581]

I truly appreciate all the support from everyone. @@xpg, USPS and China postal have agreed on transferring their postal numbers. Tracking from China->US will work, but not the other way... and probably Denmark has the same or work with USPS' API and continue tracking the parcel.

 

@@Philipp, 

 

 

You're doing a great job keeping these forums live and the store going, bluehash. Thank you for that!
It is sad that USPS (i believe you use them) apparently does lose some packages on the way to their international recipients. The MsPRobot kit i won in November 2012 did not make it to me (yet), too. http://forum.43oh.com/topic/2896-post-a-pic-of-your-home-work-bench-get-a/

 

I was quite disappointed, but I know that it was not your fault, and I did not pay for it. It bothers me nevertheless.
Keep up the good work, I really appreciate the time and energy you put into shipping and organizing groupbuys. To me they are of much higher value than the actual store ;-)

Did I send you a tracking number. If I did not, I haven't sent it. I'm not at home for the weekend. Once I get back, I'll catch up with you.

 

As per suggestions, I'll be adding a FedEx option soon. I'm not sure I'll be able to customize it as domestic or international... but I think it will be a worthwhile addition.