So I was looking at buying some decent door rubbers from WW but was at first put off by the $140 shipping cost for something less than 2kg and a box no bigger than a laptop and 15-20cm high.
This I thought was disgusting so had a look at US postal service. Low and behold the same size box and upto 20lbs of weight was only $80 for similar delivery time.
Emailed them and no reply.
As luck would have it though my father-in-law is on business in Dallas this week so ordered the parts to ship to his hotel.
This is where I found their description of shipping services used to be woefully lacking and very vague.
Ground shipping $14
2 day $54
next day $73
No mention as to how long 'Ground' service takes. Again looked at USPS and Priority mail of 2-3days delivery time was just over $12 from WW zipcode to Texas zip.
So if it takes USPS 2-3days for $12 and WW 'courier' service $54 for 2 days then me thinks WW are ripping people off with their shipping costs. Alongside the poor description of which 'courier' they use me thinks they are fleecing people, and definately international customers, for a fair bit of money.
Just thought I'd put it out there as food for thought. I mean if no one says anything then they'll just continue with their apparantly dishonest behaviour.
Cheers
68AutoBug ·
Well, I was just about to look at how much freight it would cost for a few things I need...???
I'll add WW to C1P1 for postage ripoffs..
it seems common in the USA for shops to charge for how long it takes them to actually post it...
as in Days... or weeks..
I'm told that freight/parcel post in the USA takes a very long time.. from one end of the usa to the other etc..
and now I see why..
if You want them to actually post it ASAP
[which is usually normal in Australia]
You Really PAY FOR IT.... looks like they charge per day??
cheers
Lee
ragged ·
Those rates look ok to me. Remember that to send things to international destinations requires declaration forms to be filled out.
Part of that amount charged I would guess includes insurance, in case your item gets lost.
Cip1 have excellent rates. The first item costs a lot, but keep adding items and see how slowly the cost goes up.
Moral of the story.
Buy as much as you can at a time.
If you are not in a hurry, and have someone who can forward items for you, most suppliers in the US offer free ground shipping on most items over a set amount.
Just don't be in a hurry as it is not express service.
12,000 km divided by $140 = 1.1 cent per km pretty cheap really!
Cheers Dave
Governor ·
68AutoBug wrote:Well, I was just about to look at how much freight it would cost for a few things I need...???
I'll add WW to C1P1 for postage ripoffs..
it seems common in the USA for shops to charge for how long it takes them to actually post it...
as in Days... or weeks..
I'm told that freight/parcel post in the USA takes a very long time.. from one end of the usa to the other etc..
and now I see why..
if You want them to actually post it ASAP
[which is usually normal in Australia]
You Really PAY FOR IT.... looks like they charge per day??
cheers
Lee
I have to totally disagree with this
I have ordered loads of stuff from the USA and it usually arrives a lot quicker than the stuff I have ordered from interstate here, and they have it in stock??
DakDak67 ·
Black64 wrote:
68AutoBug wrote:Well, I was just about to look at how much freight it would cost for a few things I need...???
I'll add WW to C1P1 for postage ripoffs..
it seems common in the USA for shops to charge for how long it takes them to actually post it...
as in Days... or weeks..
I'm told that freight/parcel post in the USA takes a very long time.. from one end of the usa to the other etc..
and now I see why..
if You want them to actually post it ASAP
[which is usually normal in Australia]
You Really PAY FOR IT.... looks like they charge per day??
cheers
Lee
I have to totally disagree with this
I have ordered loads of stuff from the USA and it usually arrives a lot quicker than the stuff I have ordered from interstate here, and they have it in stock??
Me too , usually on my door in 10 working days.
HappyDaze ·
I recently bought a VDO Cyl.H.T. gauge from CB Performance [good call by the way, Craig 👍]. They give about 3 options for shipping....I went for the cheapest 😊 and still had it within a week.
Check first, and you may save a lot.
kaiisons ·
Its postage and packaging man. They have to pay for the boxes and packing, bubble wrap, man hours. Its not free mate.
sander288 ·
Should talk to Das Resto Parts; Al has quite a good stock of WW parts and rubbers and can get anything in for you http://dasrestoparts.com.au/
vwo60 ·
I buy from overseas all the time, It is realy very simple, cost the item here with postage in Australia, carry out the same in the US or UK and deceide if it is cost effective, usually about 1/3 cheaper, if i want it cheaper I place a post on thesamba and send the item to them and they post it on, pay with paypal.
AA003 ·
Have you ever thought that WW do not use USPS like most US businesses?
I think there may be some Aussie binkers on here.
Isola ·
I have to disagree about the CIP1 comment too. I get stuff from CIP1 BECAUSE their shipping rates are so good and because it's ALWAYS at my door within a week (usually 3-4 days).
Canni. ·
WW charge quite a high shipping rate but the more you add to your package the better it works out. I also have ordered and received parts in 4 days so they are very speedy! I can say they do pack very well too....but yes they do charge more than Cip1. I think last time I ordered they used Fedex.
Another option is to use a freight forwarder if you order a few things from the states but if you have family over there even better.
bussboy ·
Have a look at this, i havnt used this service as I found shipping to be costly
for a small amount of items but does not increase greatly with the more you add. http://www.myus.com/
Uber Kafer ·
I have to agree with Psimitar here, and yes, people should be able to have a bit of a rant without all and sundry wanting to hose them down.
WW are a standout for excessive costs for shipping. Something weird is going on with them in particular. For the last three orders I have gone to the time and trouble of compiling the order and keeping an eye on the shipping calculator, ( knowing its already more than others charge) committing to buy, doing the card payment, then the next day getting an email from them saying their calculator was wrong and they want an extra kings ransom to despatch.
And worse, you get an oversized box full of West Coast US air with your stuff rattling around inside it.
I agree, all excuses aside, their costs are way above others. Sick of it. And if for no other reason than not having to deal wth them again I am really glad to finish the project car.
.
68AutoBug ·
Yes Canni
that IS the ONLY way to buy parts from the USA without paying a kings ransom...
Years ago, many shops in the USA would send parts by USPS
[US POSTAL SERVICE] by surface mail ..
this was very inexpensive but the parts did take at least a month to arrive.. lol
Now CIP1 only send USPS to Canada... saying for security reasons...
Now I need to find a relative who is going to the USA.. lol
oddly, some shops etc ship into the USA mainland for free?
and OK on the freight costs for small things.. start about $45
for a $4-95 seal.. so it always pays to get 20 oil change sets and 10+ tappet cover gaskets.. lol
there was a company over there who charged $40 to ship a distributor anywhere in the world.. ]about 3 years ago]
it cost Me about $75 for a distributor from another company..
LEE
[/]
Canni. wrote:WW charge quite a high shipping rate but the more you add to your package the better it works out. I also have ordered and received parts in 4 days so they are very speedy! I can say they do pack very well too....but yes they do charge more than Cip1. I think last time I ordered they used Fedex.
Another option is to use a freight forwarder if you order a few things from the states but if you have family over there even better.
psimitar ·
postage time from USA isn't bad but postage cost is. By all means there are a good few UK and European companies that shaft you on postage as well like CSP and M7 to name just 2 but the Uk companies I deal with are very reasonable on postage and it gets here pretty quick and only held up by Oz post most the time.
Same size/weight parcel from Heritage wasn't even half the cost of what WW were asking but alas the WW rubbers are some of the best quality available.
I did have someone in the US that could forward things for me but he's too busy these days. Shame cos I was saving between 50-75% by him shipping it for me.
So you may think it sounds reasonable but it really isn't. Still if ya want what they have then unless a majority voice their concerns then you'll just have to stump up for it.
Food for thought is why I started this thread but if people are happy with the way things are then so be it 🙂
Bizarre ·
Have you thought about using one of the "virtual address" in USA
Most parts shops ship free in the states.
You get it sent there and then you can arrange your own cheaper shipping
I have only just bought from both WW and WCM in the last 2 months, neither was cheap for shipping, but still works out cheaper than buying it here. And i must say that the WW parts are fantastic compared to any other on the market i have found.
dragsters for life ·
Isola wrote:I have to disagree about the CIP1 comment too. I get stuff from CIP1 BECAUSE their shipping rates are so good and because it's ALWAYS at my door within a week (usually 3-4 days).
here here, my last order from them was here in 4 days
narumi ·
I usually order from CB performance and Aircooled.net both use USPS
and on the earliest occasion i receive my item with in a week and latest at 2 weeks.
ACN takes a bit of time to get to your order out tho
newghia ·
I've bought many things & had them shipped to Hawaii when I was going there with the dollar nearly half of what it is currently, yeah it cost plenty, but " I " wanted those parts.
I've also had things come in from the US to here, only to be charged GST by our customs / government ...WTF????
The only thing that originated here was the phone call & my money that I had already paid tax on ! Still had to pay it though.
If you want the part & can afford to buy it, do it, ....if you can't afford it, wait till you can , or till you can get it at a price you can afford.
Try buying parts from Germany......costs a damn sight more, & takes FOREVER to get here....done that too, because it was the only place I could get WHAT I WANTED at the time
68AutoBug ·
narumi wrote:I usually order from CB performance and Aircooled.net both use USPS
and on the earliest occasion i receive my item with in a week and latest at 2 weeks.
ACN takes a bit of time to get to your order out tho
Hi
I have bought from both these companies too..
mainly because they had the good gear...
Parts I need now are ONLY available from the USA..
fellow who used to collect My parts that I bought from the samba website adds and send them on died
so I'll have to find someone else....
the freight charged/over charged by these companies is quite HIGH...
Don't check the postage/courier paid on the box...
You will get a shock..!!!
Does nthis mean they don't really want to sell overseas???
I found over the years many shops who wouldn't sell out of the USA...
where a credit card is accepted just about anywhere in Australia...
they are still very suspicious of the credit card in the USA
so they add heaps just in case???? maybe that IS the reason
LEE
psimitar ·
See now, some people aren't getting the idea or message behind this thread.
It's not about affording the parts, these are well made and well priced, but this thread is commenting on the fact that these companies are ripping international buyers off with huge profit margins on the shipping.
So I can afford it if I so wished but why should anyone put free money into someone elses pocket? Didn't you work hard for your money to want to make the best use of it or are you so filthy rich that it doesn't bother you?
Bizarre - good constructive reply. I'll have to look into this before my next US purchase.
And I had a quick play with the forwarding company and found TNT cheapest at US$60 and FedEx US$84. I give FedEx as know WW use them so when quoted US$140 that's a 40% pure profit margin for doing nothing as the parcel is collect by FedEx. Food for thought.
dutchyvan ·
Agreed, it doesn't matter how much money you have, if you have lots it doesn't mean you like to throw it away. You prob work hard to ensure your are to what some people consider to be "rich"...
On the other hand, nothing is free, WW or CIP need to employ staff to pack the gear, supply packaging and then have it locally picked up.
If you do an estimate you can see at least $30 just in cost to pack, (staff cost then you have to order packaging, handle it, store it then use it..then as business goes there may be a mark up.
Penny pinchers could save up the $900 to fly over and bring a suitcase back, Disneyland would be a bonus...
bugmaniaar ·
Haaaa
Just had a funny thought
Guy sweating before he boards a plane (like in Midnight Express).
Then the guards point the machine guns at him and tell him to lift his shirt , only to find
VW parts strapped to his body 😂
vwo60 ·
As i said in my previous post, cost it here including the postage and same over there, postage by itself does not come into it, only the overall final cost, if it is worth while then get overseas, are you making a savings, yes or no.
ragged ·
I spend my money where I get the best value for money. That does not always mean the cheapest price!
What you need to remember is we are a long way from USA suppliers. We also only have a tenth of their population. Larger volumes means cheaper prices.
Another point...
If I were to open a shop, I need to buy the parts, ship them, store them, advertise them, talk to potential customer and, oh, pay for all of this up front.
I would need to charge enough for the parts to cover my overheads, earn an income, pay my bills and hopefully remain competitive or go bust.
If a company charges high fees, it's generally because they have too.
Now ask yourself why there is not a VW spare parts store in every suburb?
There needs to be a demand for the products.
It's all based on making a profit.
Finally, did you get on the phone and talk to the supplier?
You would be surprised how much of a difference that makes. They do want to sell you something, after all!
Just this week, I spoke with Aircooled.net and received 5% discount for 'making the effort' on all future purchases.
Cheers Dave
Canni. ·
I think the only real option is freight forwarding as I doubt they will change couriers to suit international customers.... they are lucky a lot of their parts are superior quality which means people will pay more to get them. I would suggest calling them on the phone rather than email if you want to negotiate another parts carrier, I have found their customer service department easy to deal with. Unlike CIP1 where I had a huge issue where they charged my card and then withheld my order until I faxed them a copy of my drivers licence and credit card. I refused to do so as it wasn't the first time I ordered from them and argued that it was fair enough for them to have that requirement but they cannot charge you first and then not send you your order!
psimitar ·
Hmm, I dunno. Some people just don't want to get the point.
Yes, overall you make a saving compared to buying in Oz.
Yes, companies need to make ends meet
And yes to all other comments relating to profit etc (altho, don't forget US people get paid a lot less to Oz people in general)
Anyhow, my main point is still valid and even factoring in company overheads do you honestly think 40% profit margin is accpetable?
Don't forget that if you got it sent locally to the 'forwarding' company it would cost a pittance in postage costs, yet they still have factored in packaging labour costs to parts prices, and then the forwarding company saves you 25-40% over the parts suppliers shipping costs.
Seems people here sem to like making excuses for poor company behaviour.
Hands up who thinks Donald Trump and his Apprentice TV show is an upstanding member of the human race, who wouldn't sell his own grandmother for cost of a steak and the show is a great advert for breeding morally outstanding people?
HappyDaze ·
Deja vu.
68AutoBug ·
Yes, I agree...
that parts sold in the USA [their biggest market] already have their prices adjusted so the company doesn't go broke..
BUT when selling to Aussies they add 40% or whatever to the actual cost of the freight they actually pay..
BUT live in the USA and they can afford to post the parts very cheaply or even for free..
and not go broke...
SO... They ARE just over charging US...... for freight..
LEE
psimitar wrote:Hmm, I dunno. Some people just don't want to get the point.
Yes, overall you make a saving compared to buying in Oz.
Yes, companies need to make ends meet
And yes to all other comments relating to profit etc (altho, don't forget US people get paid a lot less to Oz people in general)
Anyhow, my main point is still valid and even factoring in company overheads do you honestly think 40% profit margin is accpetable?
Don't forget that if you got it sent locally to the 'forwarding' company it would cost a pittance in postage costs, yet they still have factored in packaging labour costs to parts prices, and then the forwarding company saves you 25-40% over the parts suppliers shipping costs.
Seems people here sem to like making excuses for poor company behaviour.
Hands up who thinks Donald Trump and his Apprentice TV show is an upstanding member of the human race, who wouldn't sell his own grandmother for cost of a steak and the show is a great advert for breeding morally outstanding people?
donn ·
I'm not sure about all this "rip off" stuff, I undersatand your beef is that in your belief the postage is too high, but if they quote a postage cost up front (as I understand it they do) then that is hardly a rip off, they give a cost at which they are prepared to supply the service, if you don't like it you have the freedom to take your business else where or arrange other postage / transport options at your own expense. I was once involved in a business where people would often challenge the price of our product and service, my reply was always along the line of "we have our costs, that is what we are prepared to do the job for, if you wish to use another supplier that is your privillage but that is our offer to you", quite often the potential customer would turn into a signed up customer, thats the way it works. It's only a "rip off" if you are offered something, you accept and pay and are then given something else of a lesser quality.
My 2c worth.
matberry ·
Don, you have hit the nail on the head. Good post.
ragged ·
QUOTE "Anyhow, my main point is still valid and even factoring in company overheads do you honestly think 40% profit margin is acceptable"?
Yes, 40% profit margin is acceptable. i think you would die if you knew the mark up on retail goods.
Dave
PS good point Donn.
waltermitty ·
psimitar wrote:Anyhow, my main point is still valid and even factoring in company overheads do you honestly think 40% profit margin is accpetable?
It s not valid , postage that's cheap and by USPS courier service is much more expensive than postage . Many US companies wont use USPS as they dont pick up . UPS etc do thats part of thr reason they cost more.
Bottom line do your sums suck it up and order or don't you choice.
I recon its very difficult to say you get ripped off if you make a informed choice.
Mitchell
psimitar ·
Seriously you guys love sticking up for someone making money.
So a forwarding service that still makes enough profit to stay in business is using the exact same courier and the same service for 40% less that the VW parts supplier and that's OK with you guys?
If people are stupid enough to think paying an over inflated price for a secondary service that has nothing to do with the primary service/parts you are paying for then bully for them.
I know the mark up over here is massive and is why I find somewhere more reasonably priced to buy what I want. I have no interest in giving my hard earned money to some punk trying to fleece me of my money.
As for USPS, well at least they have business centres open later in the day to allow companies todrop mail etc off on their way home, unlike here.
I used to drop the mail and parcels in the mailboxes on my way home after using our franking machine to weigh and print the correct postage cost for each item of mail. i would leave 10-15mins b4 everyone else so that I was paid to drop the postage off. This is also why many companies have a cut-off time in the arvo for making next or 2-3 day deliveries. So they have enough time to post the item or organise a late courier pick up.
So if you think being overcharged for a service is OK then enjoy wasting your money 😀
68AutoBug ·
OK
to make many people on here feel at ease...
its NOT being ripped off... [by hidden charges]
JUST being overcharged by 40% to ship to Australia...
above the cost or price on the parcel..
even if they put it in BIG BLUE LETTERS
its still over charging... $$$$
DONN..
I am having to buy from 3 US companies to get what I want.. at the moment.. semi auto parts
and seeing $45 freight for one small seal before I add the other parts.. $$$$ isn't good...
$45 freight for a distributor or carburetor etc I can see is OK..
because of the weight..
Not ripping Us Off... OK... NOT SECRETIVE..
but all there in black and white
and taking money from Me for nothing.... $$$$
which I would rather use to buy something else...
cheers
LEE
Yes, that is correct Mitchell on why they use UPS instead of the USPS... but they are still OVER CHARGING US...
even when using UPS or FEDEX etc... Lee
psimitar ·
Cheers Lee 😀
Although in my dictionary being overcharged is being ripped off. 🙂
karmann141 ·
Have you seen Australia Post cost lately????
I hate to drag this argument out about UNREASONABLE cost of postage (or ripped off to some).
Postage or freight costs are totally irrelevant - forget what it costs to land it here. If you can get it landed at your doorstep for OS cheaper (usually very quickly) more cheaply than you can buy it here -THEN YOU SHOULD BE HAPPY TO BE SAVING MONEY.
LUFTMEISTER ·
Sheesh some people do not get his point.
If one US company can send a 1kg parcel to Australia for X amount of $ and Wolfburg West sends the same 1kg parcel for X + 40% (with the same shipping company ,dhl fedex etc) then yes, it is a shipping rip off. It has nothing to do with the quality of the items or time frame. It is just the supplier adding a unreasonable mark up (overseas only???) to the total cost of (priviledge) purchasing from him. My2c
HappyDaze ·
Wolfsburg West supply some good products. If the shipping cost is the only problem, all you need to do is go to their "Customer Service" section and send an email to the address provided. Point out [in a NICE way], that you would like to make a purchase, but the shipping rates seem high, and ask if there is a more economical rate. Worth a shot.
Never cut off your nose to spite your face.
AA003 ·
Buy it from Mick Motors, Vintage Vee Dub Supplies, Wolfsburg Automotive, Volksbahn etc.
Simple.
Uber Kafer ·
HappyDaze wrote:Wolfsburg West supply some good products. If the shipping cost is the only problem, all you need to do is go to their "Customer Service" section and send an email to the address provided. Point out [in a NICE way], that you would like to make a purchase, but the shipping rates seem high, and ask if there is a more economical rate. Worth a shot.
.
Did that once after receiving one of their emails which went something like - "sorry the gouge-Australian-buyers-mode on our shipping calculator wasnt working, please provide the extra gold bullion to confirm the purchase". The emailed response from WW, in summary "take it or leave it".
If they had the integrity to provide the real FEDEX shipping charge on the parcel I wouldnt mind, but I know it aint gonna happen.
psimitar ·
Thanks to those who get the point. Nice to see some people can understand a pretty simple concept 🙂
I did ask nicely about the shipping cost b4 me dad-in-law was meant to go to Dallas. I emailed a few times and got no response. So along with the sketchy way they describe and show no info on their shipping methods goes to show you the type of people who own the company. Such things should be all up front with any handling/packaging charge laid out alongside the shipping costs in your online invoice pre-purchase.
Oz Post isn't too bad on cost but try E-Go for your parcels in Oz. Oh but never say it's a car part as they charge extra for some reason.
As for most of the Oz VW suppliers I find they mainly stock Brazilian/Mexican parts and cost more than what I can buy n ship them from the UK. The quality parts they have in stock are even more expensive.
An old workmate was the neighbour to Pete who used to own Custom VW n helped pick up some parts once. When he paid he was amazed that the trade price was nearly 200% cheaper than if he'd bought the parts.
Maybe I'm too old skool and believe in a fair days work for a fair days pay. I don't agree with charging far more than the amount of work done is worth and since moving the Oz have found this to be abundant here.
Not that it bothers me cos I can do the work myself for free 😀
68AutoBug ·
HappyDaze wrote:Wolfsburg West supply some good products. If the shipping cost is the only problem, all you need to do is go to their "Customer Service" section and send an email to the address provided. Point out [in a NICE way], that you would like to make a purchase, but the shipping rates seem high, and ask if there is a more economical rate. Worth a shot.
Never cut off your nose to spite your face.
I did this many years ago with CIP1
and they did post My parts by surface mail USPS
was cheap but took about 3 months to arrive... lol
but I was in no hurry.. lol
LEE
68AutoBug ·
DakDak67 wrote:
Black64 wrote:
68AutoBug wrote:Well, I was just about to look at how much freight it would cost for a few things I need...???
I'll add WW to C1P1 for postage ripoffs..
it seems common in the USA for shops to charge for how long it takes them to actually post it...
as in Days... or weeks..
I'm told that freight/parcel post in the USA takes a very long time.. from one end of the usa to the other etc..
and now I see why..
if You want them to actually post it ASAP
[which is usually normal in Australia]
You Really PAY FOR IT.... looks like they charge per day??
cheers
Lee
I have to totally disagree with this
I have ordered loads of stuff from the USA and it usually arrives a lot quicker than the stuff I have ordered from interstate here, and they have it in stock??
Me too , usually on my door in 10 working days.
YES
that is correct because YOU Paid about 40% more than You should have...
that is what We are saying...
freight in USA is free from many shops
but they are really charging US much more than they should be...
We should still get it in a few days etc...
but NOT at the price they are charging