[JiPi]

I was looking at watches on eBay and the one I want seems to be only available from a UK seller which will ship the watch (so basically a tiny weightless box) to Canada for almost £19.00, which is about $45.00CAD. And I find that ridiculous.

I was wondering if, since the shipping charges within UK is "only" £5.00, it would be smarter to have it shipped to someone in the UK and then ask him/her to ship it to me...

So basically, does anyone know if shipping of a watch from UK to Canada would actually be £19.00 or much lower?

 

[Duggeh]

Transatlantic shipping is always hugely more expensive than domestic shipping, irrespective of the parcel size. You're also paying for the packing materials if the seller has to buy them.

 

[milkpowder]

Packaging = £3 (box, bubble-wrap/stuffing, tape) <- overestimate
Postage = £6.93 (300g, International Signed-for)
Insurance = £1.50 (up to £500)

Total = £11.43

Even if the package weighed 1kg (doubt it would), the total cost would only be £3 + £13.58 + £1.50 = £18.08

Conclusion: He is overcharging you.


Duggeh is spot on though. Even if he were to send a 300g package by a next day guaranteed service w/ £500 insurance, it would only cost £4.50 + packaging to send it within the UK.

 

[mrarroyo]

How about the seller's time? Also the wear and tear on the vehicle to get to a post office.

 

[milkpowder]

True. We always forget to factor in the time and effort required to go and send a package. Petrol/gasoline costs a lot in the UK.

 

[JiPi]

So I'm getting the feeling I'll be paying that shipping cost after all... Oh well, I guess it's the price to pay to get a nice watch.

 

[ken36]

Dear, dear me. What is this world coming to? Rhetorical.