"Is this a realistic shipping price?...USPS I think" Topic

I have just looked at ordering 2 bags of WotR 15mm figures (Rank and File models) from OldGlory15s. $20 USD per pack for 50 figures but on the 2 pack order shipping cost of $25. USD

Is that really what it costs to ship 100 15mm figures from USA to Europe?

Quite possibly. I am in UK and it would cost about £20.00 GBP to ship the other way.

It really wouldn't…. As for the US cost, probably yes and no – there's a tendency for US firms to invariably use priority mail international, which is disproportionately expensive on small packages. First class mail international is much more reasonably priced for small packages, but a little slower and perceived as less reliable, so most firms simply won't use it.

Update – just checked the price calculator – an 8 ounce box is $24.75 USD priority mail. Using first class pretty much halves that though.

RobH,

How are you doing?

Unfortunately sounds correct

Under 4lb Priority Mail small box $24.75 USD to England and to Spain is the same cost.

Gone is the day of $14.95 USD flat rate, so basically jumped $10.00 USD from just a couple of years ago.

John

US Priority Mail comes with a tracking number which can be tracked on-line. How much additional for that service when using the Royal Post? Also, they offer a "Flat Rate" price. Their slogan is "If it fits it ships!" Also, their mailing boxes are provided free!

And once it caught on they shrank the flat rate boxes. I had a few of the old ones and got some more that were supposedly the same size after the last rate hike. Those new ones were significantly smaller.

If you are from Europe, you might want to consider option of ordering from Old Glory UK instead of directly from US:

oldgloryuk.com

They have to use Priority Mail now, since you can no longer purchase insurance on 1st Class Mail shipments internationally, from the USA.

A one pound package (which includes the packaging weight), costs $25 USD, so yes, it is the real price.

I will no longer take the chance of shipping internationally via 1st Class Mail, since with Paypal, if the item doesn't arrive, is damaged, etc., you lose both the money and whatever you shipped, and get to pay $25 USD+ in shipping fees for your trouble, on top of that.

I do wish they'd lower their rates, now that the oil prices have dropped by 50%, but we all know that'll never happen.

A lot of international sales are being killed off by the exorbitant US shipping rates.

On the plus side, PM service does include a basic level of insurance for the customer/shipper, to many countries. In some cases it is possible to add additional insurance too, but in some it is not (usually not to higher risk destinations).

That amount sounds about right for a package that approximate size. Price is based mostly on weight, but volume is a factor, especially when dimensions exceed 12 inches (30 cm). As a dealer, I can explain the attraction of using International Priority versus First Class: tracking. There is none for First Class, and many countries don't participate in any accountability of what might have happened to a missing first class package. Even the USPS will burn you. I have a lost package out there in the ether even now that perpetually lists as "in transit," even after 5 months. Because it's still "in transit," the post office won't reimburse me. Insurance is a polite lie; the USPS takes forever to pay it, or arbitrarily declines to pay. That leaves International Priority as a measurable, accountable alternative, even if more expensive.

Griefbringer – Old Glory UK don't carry OG15s – Timecast are the UK dealer for Old Glory 15s, although they don't have all ranges as regular stock.

Have you looked into UPS or FedEx? I don't know what their rates are off hand, but I have shipped a few packages to Australia, Hong Kong, and others where the price was a bit more palatable.

Frankly, the USPS is really hard to deal with using international shipping. UPS, FedEx, or DHL are probably other options, but even then seems really difficult to get something "fair".

I am considering not shipping internationally at all – the unreliability of it all is too much stress.

In my experience, USPS Priority Mail has a tracking number that follows it out of the US, then it disappears. Tracking the customs form to most countries gets a "ya, it got to the customs", but doesn't say if it was accepted, rejected, or got to the address…

International shipping is starting to get prohibitively expensive. My customers from Europe often just come over to the states and have me ship to their hotel.

Up to a few years ago, I placed regular orders with Old Glory 15s (USA) when postage was $17.00 USD. Every year postage costs have increased, but I stopped ordering from the US not because of the postage, but for Import Duty.

Any package shipped from outside the European Community was automatically taxed by this country and so I changed to TimeCast UK.

Both Mark and Barrie are helpful, so you may want to ask them about Front Rank miniatures. They may be able to help.

Cheers,

Darkest Star – tracking beyond the port of entry depends on whether the recipient country's system is fully compatible. I don't know about other countries, but if you post to the UK the USPS tracking number will work on the Royal Mail's site once it clears customs in the UK.

Thanks all, I kinda guessed that was going to be the case. It has been a while since I ordered anything retail from the States so didn't realise prices had got so crazy. I do miss the flat rate priority box.

@VonB…Hey John, I am good thanks. Still buying more than I paint so going to live a while longer yet! You?

RobH

Same here still working but inching ever closer to retirement. and I still have enough unpainted figs to last me for quite along time. Good to hear you're doing well and painting. With postage costs now, I'm glad I sold all the Mini Figs a few years ago!!

John

See the earlier thread about UPS; The Post Office (USPS) is still the best value for money for small enterprises like, well, everyone here.

UPS is only responsive to the needs of organizations that can fill a semi-trailer with outgoing packages every day.

As for Priority Mail/FCM International, I still swear by the First Class Mail; Have not had any problems with outgoing (from the US), eventually someone will lose one, but cross your fingers and knock wood.