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
madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍
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
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
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
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??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.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.
I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!
Its postage and packaging man. They have to pay for the boxes and packing, bubble wrap, man hours. Its not free mate.
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/BMW R65 LS
1967 1300 Deluxe
Swing-axles FTW
❗
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.
Have you ever thought that WW do not use USPS like most US businesses?
I think there may be some Aussie binkers on here.
I read it on samba, so it must be correct.
Sometimes Volkswagen dealers sell spare parts. Amazing isn't it!😂
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).
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.
Heidi - 1960 White Beetle
'65 Kiwi Ghia
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/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.
.
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.
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
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 🙂
madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍
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
Here is one example
http://www.shipito.com/
I dont do it but know some people who do
Futue te ipsum!!!
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.
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
volkaholics.net come check us out
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
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
Step up to get out !!!
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- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
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.
madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍
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...
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 😂
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.
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
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!
Heidi - 1960 White Beetle
'65 Kiwi Ghia
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?
madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍
Deja vu.
I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!
