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eryanic Special user 683 Posts |
For those living outside the USA, what are your experiences with surface mail?
I read that they take about 4 - 6 weeks to arrive. Did your book arrive within the time range?? Was the book in good condition when it arrived?? Was it wet due to the stormy sea? Would like to hear your experiences because I'm considering surface mail since international postage for books is usually around 50% of the cost of the book and it kills PS : On another note, I read in the US postage website that Global Priority using large envelope is $9.50. So they go by the size of the envelope, and not weight? |
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leapinglizards Inner circle 1263 Posts |
Quote:
PS : On another note, I read in the US postage website that Global Priority using large envelope is $9.50. So they go by the size of the envelope, and not weight? We ship all out of the country via Global Priority, and indeed, they do have an option that goes by size rather than weight. Anything you can fit in the envelope for one price. It is usually the cheapest, fastest way. In some cases, if someone orders several books, it is cheaper for us to ship them in TWO flat rate envelopes, as opposed to one large package and go by weight. Shipping prices are the worst part of doing mail order! Just sent an envelope to Greece the other day that cost $11.00- and ENVELOPE!
Leaping Lizards!!! Who knew it was possible.
<BR> <BR>www.LeapingLizardsMagic.com |
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Phil C Special user Ontario, Canada 903 Posts |
Hi,
I am from Canada, so it might not be the same for USPS. But in my personal experience, surface mail is not something I recommend. I have send items and received items via surface mail. It always takes extremely long. And the package sometimes comes damaged. I have experience with items being lost too! I understand that mailing heavy books internationally will be quite expensive. But there is a huge rick with surface mail. There is no guarrantee of the item arriving at all. So I would suggest you be careful. Once again, these are only my personal experience. But I have been sending or receiving more than 1000 item through the Internet. I'd like to hear from others. Phil |
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Mago Gregorio Elite user Paris, France 473 Posts |
I've received books from USA to FRance in excellent conditions in just less than 2 weeks via surface mail with Penguin Magic. Great service !
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magicstudent Elite user 489 Posts |
Hi,
I live in Indonesia. Once I ordered "Encyclopedia Of Playing Card Flourishes" from US via surface mail to cut cost and it's arrived in 3 Months!! Fortunately in an acceptable condition (maybe because it has a strong binding). I think the shipping time is also depends on the destination country. Since then I never use surface mail any more... always air mail... Jeff
I'll Be Back!
-Schwarzenegger- |
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Phil C Special user Ontario, Canada 903 Posts |
Hi Jeff,
I agree, it depends on the country too. It seems that it takes longer to shape to the asia, australia area? Shipping to Europe is usually ok. Correct me if I'm wrong. |
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Kephri Regular user Stockholm Sweden 196 Posts |
I live in Sweden and when ordering from U.S.A. I prefer
to get my parcels sent by Global Priority or ordinary Air Mail. Bigger orders (mostly from Hocus-Pocus) is sent by FEDEX or UPS. I never use surface mail as I want my things to arrive safely and in perfect condition. Don't think it's worth trying surface as a way of cutting down the charges as there is really no guarantee your goods will arrive at all...and if they do and is damaged you risk having to return them to get a replacement. Also for bigger packages with books which you can't manage to buy again in case of being lost I recommend you to get them sent with a tracking service. Have once had one big book being totally lost (and never found) despite being sent by Air Mail, since then I always see to it I get big and expensive books sent with tracking...in the end it's really worth it! All the Best Magnus |
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calexa Inner circle Germany 1635 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-06-23 00:23, Mago Gregorio wrote: I have a feeling that you have received your order from the UK..... Surface mail to Germany can easily take up to 10 weeks! Magixx
Optimists have more fun.....
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Steve V Inner circle Northern California 1878 Posts |
There is a major problem shipping to Asia and Europe via surface mail. Every year thousands of people drown attempting to make the drive.
Steve V |
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eddieloughran Special user 942 Posts |
I've only had a small number of books sent to England, but I've been happy with the results. I've had the books in about four weeks, which isn't too bad, particularly with the extra cost of air mail.
But - when I sent for my first books the publisher refused air mail, it was surface or nothing !! |
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clusters New user 62 Posts |
Eddie, what was the condition of the book when they arrived?
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eryanic Special user 683 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-06-22 18:53, leapinglizards wrote: Isn't a large Global Priority envelope $9.50?? Or do you pay a few dollars extra if the book is more than 4 pounds (which is the limit Global Priority accepts)? |
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martini Special user delta, pennsylvania 548 Posts |
Greetings;
Eryanic you are correct, Global Priority envelope is $9.50 up to 4 lbs. as long as it fits in the envelope. Unfortunately there are some props that do not fit the envelope and then there are some items particularly books that weigh more than 4 lbs. We ship everywhere, and always will package the order so it arrives without any damage, and quote actual shipping for International orders. I personally do not like to use a grid chart based on total order as the items could fit in a small bubble envelope and ship much less than grid pricing. A good dealer will always quote the actual shipping costs to the customer and some of us even foot part of the shipping on International orders. My feeling on that is that if a customer is contacting me half way around the world, he is going out of his way to seek out my items, so I am going to go out of my way to make him a happy customer. Magic dealing will never make anyone rich by any means, but there is no reason to pad shipping costs, it only hurts the relationship with a customer. This is one of the problems I have with E-bay, Often the trick will be priced very cheap but the shipping is outrageous. There was a guy selling my card splitting dvd on e-bay for $15 but when you looked at his shipping it was $14.99. Since I am always shipping these I know as anyone would know if they ever mailed a dvd, that it is no where near that cost to ship. When I mentioned this to him, his response was at least they are saving $ .01, big deal, I'm sure that customer will not go back to that dealer again. Shipping into Canada, I have found that Airmail from the post office is only about 7% higher than surface and the difference in time is that Airmail takes about 4 to 6 days, where surface usually takes 5 weeks. (The longest in transit surface I ever had going to Canada was 11 weeks). Most of Europe is 6 days to 11 days by Air. Surface can be 4 to 9 weeks. I have only shipped about 60 packages to Asia, so I can only comment on my experience there - Air takes 10 days to 20 days, surface takes from 5 to 12 weeks. Hope this has been some help. All the Best Marty |
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Andrew Loh Inner circle Malaysia 1455 Posts |
No, by whatever means, I would not use surface mail because you will feel hurt when your stuffs arrive to you then, it's already damaged or dented badly.
I would recommend EMS. Andrew Check out my new card magic eBooks "The Magnificent Queens" & "Triple Charms" at: www.cardicianden.com My Cardician Den Blog: http://pasteboards.blogspot.com/ |
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Phil C Special user Ontario, Canada 903 Posts |
EMS is quite expensive isn't it.
Is it available in North America? |
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Steve V Inner circle Northern California 1878 Posts |
I've worked in international logistics for 25 years and have never heard of EMS.
Steve V |
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Phil C Special user Ontario, Canada 903 Posts |
I have received EMS packages.
In my knowledge, it used in the Asia area. I believe it is the equivalent to Fedex and UPS here. So I am sure it is very secure. But it is more expending than USPS or CanadaPost overhere. |
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Larry Barnowsky Inner circle Cooperstown, NY where bats are made from 4770 Posts |
Global Priority Mail allows weights up to 4 pounds and is cheaper than regular Air Mail. However the large envelope they provide is 9 1/2 by 12 1/2 which prevents me from safely shipping my book, 21st Century Coin Mechanics. The book barely fits in that envelope. I prefer sending it Air Mail (which costs more) where I can use my own larger heavily padded envelope. So far, I've had no damaged books.
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Andrew Loh Inner circle Malaysia 1455 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-06-28 04:45, Phil Chau Kin Man wrote: Exactly, EMS is extremely fast, just take about 3 days arrive to Malaysia. But, yes the price you pay is quite high but I am satisfy with it. Andrew Check out my new card magic eBooks "The Magnificent Queens" & "Triple Charms" at: www.cardicianden.com My Cardician Den Blog: http://pasteboards.blogspot.com/ |
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kadz Regular user 187 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-06-28 10:47, Larry Barnowsky wrote: So what are the alternatives if a book is too big to fit into a Global Priority large envelope? Is Airmail the only way to go?? And what about more than 1 book? If I order let's say Paul Harris AoA Vol. 1-3, what's the best method to send the book overseas? |
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