Friendly reminder not to EVER use USPS Parcel Post!

[Gberg]

when I buy from the states... well.. I am usually afraid of UPS because of duty.
USPS has given me mixed results.
I bought a pair of Denon C700s and they seemed to have 'disappeared' once it arrived at the border. Some guy working at customs is probably listening to them right now.

I had good experience with DHL Express (even though it's a bit costly). The sad thing is.. if I paid 5$ more for shipping I wouldn't have had this problem... grrrrrrrrr
shipping international is always a hit or miss.

 

[grawk]

When you ship parcel post int he states, you're telling the post office you want it to get there, but you don't care when. So they take it when it fits with their loads. If you want it any faster at all, you upgrade. What's funny is sometimes parcel post is more expensive than priority.

 

[milkpowder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by troymadison /img/forum/go_quote.gif After going through a couple of weeks of visiting and calling the post office, the package I sent on the 22nd of October finally arrived today (12th) to the buyer. What made the situation even more stressful was the fact that the buyer had me on paypal dispute for well over a week. It took exactly 21 days for the package to get delivered! I guess I didn't read the fine print that Priority and Parcel post does not guarantee a delivery time frame. That 2-7 days for parcel post is only an estimate. I even asked USPS on the phone and they said that 4 week transit time isn't unusual! To prove that I am not making this up, just look at my DC number. http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/350/parcelms9.jpg[IMG][/i] [/td] [/tr] [/table] I could walk that distance in four weeks[img]http://www.head-fi.org/forums/images/smilies/http://hfimage.head-fi.org/smilies/biggrin.gif

 

[digger945]

I stopped using USPS months ago, as I have recieved too many damaged goods.
UPS is my first choice for stuff I order online, and if I send something to a Head-fier and want no worries what-so-ever, then I use Fed-Ex(only slightly higher than UPS on most items anyways)

 

[chadbang]

I used to love priority mail until the last price rise. Now, its still a great service, but getting to cost as much as private shippers. parcel post is a pain the neck. I hate it. I've had stuff take three weeks to reach me. I don't need that kind of heartburn.

 

[grawk]

the real bargain is EMS...I use it more and more.

 

[myinitialsaredac]

Priority Mail + Insurance + Delivery Confirm/Tracking

Double Box + Bubbles + Foam + Air Bags

Thats how to ship con US safely. Had far too many problems with international selling disappearing or becoming damaged. Post systems are /fail

Dave

 

[troymadison]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grawk /img/forum/go_quote.gif I agree, the only time I use parcel post is for really heavy items

Which is why I used it. Silly me.

 

[PFKMan23]

While that's understandable, I would have just used Fed Ex or UPS ground as the costs are most likely fairly comparable with either courier company having superior tracking than USPS.

 

[grawk]

Ok troy, so as in other situations, you cheap out, and then are surprised when the quality matches the price.

 

[troymadison]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grawk /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ok troy, so as in other situations, you cheap out, and then are surprised when the quality matches the price.

I always cheap out as much as possible. I never settle for anything in which I think is too expensive. I would say that I have a pretty good success rate might I add. Even if I had a lot of extra money lying around, I wouldn't mind grocery shopping at Dollar Tree or Aldis. However, I did have a problem with one of my cheaper akg K1000s having a buzzing driver and I sold it for a $200 loss. However, I sold my nicer K1000 for a $300 profit (not on head-fi). And yet, I have my dirt cheap MB Quarts that I treasure so very much! Anyway Mr. Grawk, I love to go on spending sprees but in the end I usually break even on the stuff I don't want.

More on the "You get what you pay for" Philosophy...
I like Acer and HP notebooks over Apple, Sony and Toshiba notebooks. Generally speaking, Acer notebooks are significantly less expensive than Apple or Sony notebooks when comparing the same specifications. If price wasn't an issue, I'd still roll the dice for either an Acer or HP notebook. I guess it could be a combination of price and that sleek "Gemstone" chasis on the notebook I have. I think Apple tries too hard to make their laptops look "futuristic". I dislike them the most and good thing that they are the most expensive.

EDIT: Realistically speaking, I don't really care about looks that much but the price/specifications matters the most. Acer hasn't let me down.

Can you see why I'm confused about this whole "You get what you pay for" Philosophy??? What is the meaning of life???

 

[grawk]

When given an option that is time guaranteed and one that isn't, don't be surprised when the one that isn't isnt' as good as the one that is. That's all I'm saying. Don't buy the sirloin and complain when it doesn't turn into filet.

 

[troymadison]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grawk /img/forum/go_quote.gif When given an option that is time guaranteed and one that isn't, don't be surprised when the one that isn't isnt' as good as the one that is. That's all I'm saying. Don't buy the sirloin and complain when it doesn't turn into filet.

Sorry I don't eat this fancy "sirloin" and "filet" you speak of. I am actually not familiar with those culinary terms. Can you give me another real life example/metaphor? I guess it isn't fair to you that I don't respond using a real life example/metaphor. I can't really think of one so I'll shoot an Ancient Chinese Proverb at you. "Man who live in glass house should change clothes in basement." I used Google to find this so you know it is authentic. I hope after reading this post you become more enlightened.

 

[MD1032]

Actually, what's really good in my area is DHL. They come to your door to pick and and drop off, every time. Very professional, require signatures, etc. They ship in a reasonable time frame every time. I think they're often overlooked, but they definitely work to get your business.

 

[grawk]

DHL is really bad at finding residential addresses in most of the country, and just stopped doing overnight delivery in the US.