Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/07/29
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Frank, while I, too, have lots of problems with USPS on foreign shipments -- particularly the high cost when I want to insure a package...I bought an inexpensive, somewhat inacurate, scale at a yard sale and, that way, save a trip to the Post Office... When I see I will be shipping to say, Australia, I weigh the package and exaggerate a little to find the weight...Then I look up the cost on my USPS web site and, if it looks too high, I either pay part of the cost or, if possible, re-wrap, to see if I can cut the cost...It's time consuming but, as I see it, part of the job of being on Ebay... My one big mistake on an expensive item was to ship abroad by registered mail instead of insured mail...Registered mail is insured for just a bit less than $50usd...Insured mail covers the entire amount if lost but requires special customs documents and greater expense...I sweated for several weeks to see if I would have a non-delivery problem but, thank goodness, several months have gone by and I have never heard a word...But I will never use registered mail again... I have guess wrong several times, some times in my favor and some times in the buyer;s favor, so I feel it all works out... Besides, I manage to get lots of empty boxes from the post office...UPS, as has been said, is very good but much too expensive, except in unusual cases, which have not come up for me... What helps a lot for me is that the Post Office is close by and there's plenty free parking...I never have had to wait more than five or six minutes to get served... regards, bob cole