Postage times from the UK

[superquag]

A couple of months ago I ordered some wheel nuts (steel rims) for the Lady Sarah, seeing as the few I owned had gone mis ing.

Bought and paid for them on evilBay and then waited.
And waited...and waited.

About 6 weeks later I enquired as to how they were going... and waited...
Long story-short, they despatched a replacement set on the day I rang them.

Exactly a month later they arrived at my Parcel Locker. 30 days in transit, despite the AIR MAIL sticker

So did the first packet, to my home address. 70 days in hyperspace...

- I'd had them send the replacement to the parcel locker as a check on postage times and to eliminate the delivery contractor....


One relatively light-weight (400g) padded envelope with TWELVE pounds AIR-MAIL postage took 3 weeks...

Anyone else had such variable postage times? - From memory, it used to be better, now this and other items from the UK are taking 2 to 4 weeks.

Because of the service, I don't mind paying for the extra set. A bloke can never have too many spare bags of nuts...:angel:

'95 Classic Vogue SE with working air suspension... and now more than enough nuts for the (steel) spare...

[BMKal]

A couple of years ago when I was working in an office in Fremantle, I ordered a book from the Quarry Institute in London. Ordered it on line and paid for it on a Thursday afternoon - didn't expect to see it for a couple of weeks or so.

Flew home to Kal for the weekend on the Friday afternoon and returned Monday morning. When I got into the office at about 10 - the book was sitting on my desk.

Gotta be happy with that ............... :D

[Sidewinder76]

I had a very similar situation although I was not fortunate enough to receive a second one.
It would seem that it is not limited to fleabay as we have the same problems waiting for things to arrive, much to the frustration of grandparents who ask daily if we have received the post yet. I am at a loss to where the issue may be though, Royal Mail, Customs, AusPost or is it a combined effort?

[S3ute]

Hello from Brisbane.

I have had many parcels sent from the UK with a mix of air and surface postage. Air is a bit quicker - around 2-4 weeks and surface can take up to 8 weeks, although 4-6 is more common. I usually nominate surface to get the costs down and only go for air when the vendor gives no alternative option.

However, like BMKal's experience you can get the odd surprise. I ordered a part from Scotland once on a Tuesday and nominated surface post despite the vendor warning that it could take weeks. It arrived in my office in Brisbane on the Thursday of that same week. Apparently, and mainly for small packages I guess, the Post Office will add surface packages to the air post when spare capacity is there.

Cheers,

[Keithy P38]

Personally, it's never taken more than 7 full days for my packages to arrive from the UK.

70 days... Insane! If it were an important part you'd be stranded!

[Gumnut]

Well,

Best yet. Parts ordered last Monday night, at reception last Thursday morning.

Courtesy call Wednesday to say over $1000 and gst payable. Quick discussion concerning my ability to convert currency and count, and she said oh dear they included freight.... I will let customs know and it will be straight through. Well it was indeed.....

Gumnut

[superquag]

... and the Brits are thinking of selling off 'Royal Mail', and I know that Bundespost has been eying off Australia Post, for years ...

Going on past erratic performances, - but with no proof - I suspect the contractor-couriers are a big part of the problem. Possibly in this instance too.

I've had a Flight Yoke from the USA delivered to my door in 8 days, from day of ordering. (Bank a/cc debited next day) Very impressed with that.

Sydney to Perth can take up to 14 days, but usually 7 ~ 8

[clubagreenie]

My best was ordered 11pm local time Friday night, delivered 1030am Monday morning.

[richard4u2]

up until this year I would get a air mail small package from the UK within 2 weeks got one 3 days ago 4 weeks from the UK . aus post is on twitter and they say small packages from the UK to aus 10 days to 3 months

[loanrangie]

I have had parts in 3 days from UK but the phone cover my wife bought on ebay took 8 days from Dandenong :o.

[disco 3 door]

Most ti es it has taken under 7 days. Only once earlier this year ordered a part with enough time for delivery & fit as I was going away & I am still waiting. They were not happy when I put a claim in with paypal after all the rubbish excuses they gave me.

Sent from my GT-N8020 using AULRO mobile app

[POD]

Every time I've ordered something from the U.K. I've been amazed by how quickly they can get it here- several packages from Ashcrofts this year each arrived within 5 days, bought some cane for canoe seats a couple of years ago, again 5 days. Usually takes longer to get things from Sydney to Gippsland, or even Melbourne to Gippsland, than from the U.K...U.S. is not as good, but always within 2 weeks.
Must have come by tall ship to take 70 days.

[Sitec]

I think it all depends on how its sent... If its with a recognised global courier then it should be (and usually is) under a week... If its thru Royal Mail and then Australia Post well..... Ummm, ...... Yeah, about that... Good luck!:D

[superquag]

UPDATE:-

Now that I've got TWO bags of nuts... Anyway, throughout this Great Wait, Ben from RST Online had been eager to help and get started on a replacement. - which would have arrived sooner if I'd let him post it when we first spoke.

His prices are pretty good, and the service can't be faulted. Plus, he will answer the phone. - so here's a free plug for RST Online both on evilBay and in real life.

Defender, Discovery 1 items in RST Online Ltd store on eBay! (http://stores.ebay.co.uk/RST-Online-Ltd/)

Best of all, he refuses to accept payment for the second bag of nuts, seeing as Royal Mail/Australia Post stuffed up.

James.

'95 Classic Vogue SE with working EAS, and lots of ......:eek: