Are we getting ripped off on overseas orders

[Marty90]

So I've just ordered a heap of stuff from the UK .They were mirrors,snow cowl,various nets and a cubby box insert.They wouldn't be heavy but quite bulky.Cost of shipping is 62BP through UPS.There was no option on shipping.I looked to buy these locally and not everything is available and what is,is double the cost, so importing is still cheaper.Now I've contacted a different supplier for a set of his front mudflap extenders and was told DHL want 46BP to ship.These only cost 42.50BP to buy and would fit in a big padded envelope.My question is why isn't there an option on carriers(I'm happy to wait) and how do you know the suppliers aren't just bumping up the price.

[mick88]

When I have ordered parts from the, UK the supplier packages the goods and then notifies me of three to four different freight options, that vary greatly in price and delivery dates, as well as an option for tracking. Cheers, Mick

[Disco-tastic]

I am looking to buy parts from the UK too. I was at one shop and stuck all my parts in the checkout - about $100AUD to ship.

Went to another UK shop and put in the same parts - $43 shipping.

I dont remember the shipping companies.
They may incorporate a handling fee into that shipping price, which they can vary as they choose.

Also, my understanding is that most use a single courier as it is simpler. Couriers also give discounts if you send a lot of stuff through them.

Cheers

Dan

[debruiser]

I Agree with what the others have said. You just have to shop around for the best pricing.

If you want to see rip-off on freight, go on ebay and check out items shipped from the USA! You'll get the same guy selling part A for $20 and $2 shipping or in another ad, he'll be selling the same part A for $2 and $20 shipping. OR you'll see a $20 part with $100 freight for something that would fit in an envelope. I think it's just another way to make a buck...

I've been trying to buy more and more from OZ, but like you said, sometimes it's not economical or they just dont have.... Landybitz are pretty good, they seem to be happy to source whatever you like.

[mickygee]

thats nothing, i tried to buy two front seats from the Uk and the shipping alone was 550 GBP!!!

[Tombie]

Put it this way - DHL is always cheaper. But it's also one of the worst.

And if the item needs inspection/clearance at Aussie Border you'll be hit with fees like you wouldn't believe.

[Fluids]

... and don't forget to shop OS before 01-07-17 because from then on there's no $1000 gst free threshold anymore ... Every consignment that enters the country will be assessed and have gst applied ... so they tell us :(

Sent by iPhone using two tin cans and Forum Runner

[barkingmad]

I thought that was only being implemented for overseas companies with a turnover of greater than $75k in Australia?

Someone like Seven Seas or Freedom Shipping for sea freight are a cheaper alternative to DHL.


... and don't forget to shop OS before 01-07-17 because from then on there's no $1000 gst free threshold anymore ... Every consignment that enters the country will be assessed and have gst applied ... so they tell us :(

Sent by iPhone using two tin cans and Forum Runner

[Richo130]

If the seats are Exmoor try BMI. I just got a quote on some custom hiback seats for the second row, and considering they are leather, $410 aud each landed. Just an idea. I can forward the quote if you like, just pm me.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using AULRO mobile app

[tonyf]

I am looking to buy parts from the UK too. I was at one shop and stuck all my parts in the checkout - about $100AUD to ship.

Went to another UK shop and put in the same parts - $43 shipping.

I dont remember the shipping companies.
They may incorporate a handling fee into that shipping price, which they can vary as they choose.

Also, my understanding is that most use a single courier as it is simpler. Couriers also give discounts if you send a lot of stuff through them.

Cheers

Dan
When I bought seat covers from South Africa, the seller gave me some freight options that I thought were very expensive. I found online a broker called interparcel.com.au who gave a much better price and payment was in Oz in AUD. The company who did the job was one of the big freight companies whose direct quote for the job was far greater. Delivery door to door, all went extremely well.

[mick88]

After commenting here this morning I went to the post office to find a parcel had arrived that I wasn't expecting for at least another week. I had selected the cheapest freight option and received notification on the 5th. that it had been dispatched.
Also, this is the first order that they have got wrong, omitting about three bucks worth of bits and adding in some parts worth about seventy bucks. The invoice only listed what I had originally ordered/paid for. Probably not worth following it up as the return freight cost would no doubt outweigh the cost of the goods. So I would not expect that they would want the goods back. The parts I didn't get I am not desperate for, and the bonus parts are useable. Obviously this is part of the downside of overseas orders.
Cheers, Mick.

[karlz]

I dont think we are being ripped off.
I have ordered so much stuff from Overseas, 90% of the time ordering from O/S adding courier fees is still heaps cheaper than paying Aus prices.
I was going to say dont get me startyed on the gst, but its too late. add 10% for GST and still cheaper. Mr HN complains that we dont pay GST. I'll pay gst, still the prices are heaps cheaper buying anything not made in Aus overseas.



I would prefer to buy local and sometimes do, thanks Rijidij, but its the distributors here that rip us off not the couriers.

[rijidij]

When I bought seat covers from South Africa, the seller gave me some freight options that I thought were very expensive. I found online a broker called interparcel.com.au who gave a much better price and payment was in Oz in AUD. The company who did the job was one of the big freight companies whose direct quote for the job was far greater. Delivery door to door, all went extremely well.

I use Interparcel for almost all of my freight within Aus and overseas. They give you several options and prices with various freight companies. I go with the TNT option as the local onforwarding courier goes past here daily.

As long as the company you're buying from doesn't mind you booking your own freight, then you can arrange it yourself at cost price. You just need dimensions and weight of the package, the pickup address and their phone number, and the seller needs to print out and attach the consignment note you email to them.
Not every seller is willing to do this, but if you regularly buy from a particular seller it might be worth asking.

Cheers, Murray

[Disco-tastic]

DHL just delivered my parcel from the UK. Ordered it last sunday.

Cost to ship to my door: $45AUD

:D

Cheers

Dan

Ps. I bought "OEM" over genuine for all my bolts (doing the rear bushes in the front LCA's) and they all came in little bags saying BritPart :confused: heres hoping they're just rebranded...

[Tombie]

Just rebranded.

[Disco-tastic]

Phew! Thanks Tombie

Cheers

Dan

[Tombie]

I've got all my bolts, bushes etc.
Just waiting on the Jig/Tool to do the job on vehicle.

[Marty90]

DHL just delivered my parcel from the UK. Ordered it last sunday.

Cost to ship to my door: $45AUD

:D

Cheers

Dan

Ps. I bought "OEM" over genuine for all my bolts (doing the rear bushes in the front LCA's) and they all came in little bags saying BritPart :confused: heres hoping they're just rebranded...

I received my parcel from the UK via UPS yesterday.Ordered last week.Can't complain about the service.4 kilo package cost $108.00AU delivery.No option given on carrier.Still cheaper than buying from Aussie supplier.

[Rick Fischer]

Word to the wise, learnt over the best part of a few years:

Where possible always use Royal Mail or US Postal Service, or any country's Postal Service. Apart from being in the main cheaper, we/they are bound by international "Mail" protocols. Customs here may not make a charge/fee for inspecting the goods ditto on the way out from wherever, nor may they charge any "service" fees. The postage is the only price!

However, if using carriers such as FedEX DHL et al then all the fees become applicable, eg, the fee for listing one item on "your" manifest with Oz customs is the same as if you listed a container full ie full cost recovery!

The other point is that the OS vendors normally will get a kickback, in one form or another from "freight" organisations. With Royal Mail or USPS they can't/don't.

Cheers

Rick F

[dromader driver]

I would back the Royal Mail system. Ordered by fax 0400 hours monday morning. In Orange post office friday morning. Can't beat it . Covered engine parts and gaskets less than $1000. :)

[Tombie]

I would back the Royal Mail system. Ordered by fax 0400 hours monday morning. In Orange post office friday morning. Can't beat it . Covered engine parts and gaskets less than $1000. :)



By Fax [emoji12] talk about doing it old school [emoji41]

[Dave_S]

We order a lot of cycling stuff from the UK. OK, so it's not exactly heavy, but a couple of MTB tyres, a set of cranks and/or a fork will be over a kilo (or two) and pretty bulky. So long as you order over about $100 worth of stuff, freight is usually free and fast.

On the other hand, we have ordered a pile for stuff for a classic Volvo restoration from Sweden. Freight costs are high, even if you are only ordering a few clips or trim parts.

Maybe the cycling places can get a better deal on freight because they have much higher volume, plus they can probably factor a freight cost element into their pricing instead of charging it separately.

Having said that, both the cycling stuff and the Volvo stuff usually works out a lot cheaper than buying locally. We've never had an issue with warranty either. We do try to buy locally first, but usually things aren't available or cost twice as much.

By way of interest, I just asked JB Hi Fi in Brisbane if they could price match a retailer with a physical store across the border (in Victoria, but with free delivery). I was asking for a 12% discount and they said they could only price match a store in direct competition with them. I can't help thinking they have a very narrow view of direct competition.