posted on November 12, 2005 05:14:12 PM
It's only mid-November and it's already started. Received an order 3 days ago to be shipped to a service member in Iraq. This evening, I get a "where's my order" email. I really, really wanted to respond:
"We haven't perfected the technology to beam orders instantaneously, but when we do, we'll be sure to let you know. In the meantime, please refer to the USPS website for standard delivery times."
posted on November 12, 2005 05:18:57 PM
The stuff being shipped to APO boxes and deployed people seem to take a long time from my experience. You should probably brace yourself for some 'more' emails if its going so smoothly already!
posted on November 12, 2005 05:51:16 PM
Delivery Confirmation is not available for APO/FPO shipments. I sent one, priority mail, last month to Japan. It took two weeks to get there. The up side is it only cost $10.00 and that included $200.00 insurance.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on November 12, 2005 09:16:37 PM
Yeah, I got one from Australia the other day, wanted to know where their item was, it had been like 4 days since they paid (which was on a Friday) - I think some people expect mail to work like email. I actually told them that they had to give the post office a chance to do their job!
posted on November 12, 2005 10:01:40 PM
When i ship to the usa from aust.i always tell my customers about how long it takes. normally i ship by airmail , for the normal package it takes 7 to 14 days. sometimes a little longer. i have been lucky enough to actually have a parcel delivered in just 4 days. very rare though.
by our economy mail it takes 2 to 4 weeks. i would think that you guys would be about the same from the usa to aust.
this aust has no idea how far it is to the usa.
ebayvet. can i suggest you tell them how far it is.and how long it normally takes. if you have not already done so. 7,000. to 8,000.miles is a long way as i am sure you already know.
i get the occasional one asking the same things of me.
posted on November 12, 2005 10:46:58 PM
Agate, we never know how long shipping takes here. I've had a Priority Mail package arrive overnight (!) from Florida to California, but I've also had a Priority package take 6 days to get from Florida to Kentucky.
Distance to KY is 1/3 of distance to CA.
On the other hand, most of my Global Priority packages to Europe arrive sooner than the Priority Packages I mail to US postal addresses on the same day.
I've guit trying to estimate how long it will take a package to arrive anywhere.
If anyone asks where their package is, I just send them the DC# or the PO receipt to prove I've posted it.
Fleecies, just to give your customer the benefit of the doubt, they may really be asking if you have mailed it yet. Those questions can be eliminated by sending a ship notice.
posted on November 13, 2005 08:01:39 AM
I have come to only ship USPS Global Express internationally. Costs a lot, but nobody is forced to bid if they don't like it.
I was spending so much time explaining parcel post's vagaries, filing insurance claims, etc., that I decided the lost business as a result of high shipping wasn't missed.
I also send everyone, US and International, a tracking number / confirmation number as soon as I ship. It really cuts down on the emails.
posted on November 13, 2005 02:21:09 PM
We sell almost 100% to international customers so we detail all shipping charges and estimated delivery times in all our auctions and on our various websites. Still get the occasional questions, but no where near as many as before. Also we confirm shipping date and package ID#s in email so customers know when their item is winging its way to them...
Home of the best eBay auction fee & PayPal calculators: http://auctionfeecalculator.com
