posted on October 16, 2006 04:52:10 AM
Is anyone experiencing long delays to UK, France, Germany?
We airmail and include custom form even tho the items are less than 16 oz. This way, too, they are scanned at the PO and that gives the buyer some sense of well-being ("yeah, my package is on its way".
Since early September, my air mail packages are taking 3-4 weeks. I have one to France mailed 9/8 that still hasn't shown up.
posted on October 16, 2006 05:04:10 AM
We ship Air Letter Post (under 4 lbs) and Air Parcel Post (note: Not Economy Parcel Post) -- and our shipments are getting from PA to UK in about 4-5 days.
We usually only include the green form unless it's over 4 lbs - and haven't seen an increase in delivery times.
Anything unique about your packages?
Wayne
Never explain -- Your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway.
~ Elbert Hubbard
posted on October 16, 2006 05:59:44 AM
I am originally from England and all our relatives are there. Canada Post gives mid-Oct. for Christmas package mailing if you want to insure delivery to Europe. I know some of our relatives have mailed already, and all that extra mail that blocks the system. Also, with the recent terrorist threats in England, probably scanning of packages at customs has been stepped up, and that can cause a lot of delays.
posted on October 16, 2006 07:56:31 AM
These are flats, 8 x 10 or 11 x 14. One of these is a repeat customer so I trust him. I thought about changing my mailing preferences to just accept global priority, so I can have tracking but can't figure out how to save calculated shipping in the shippig options. It keeps telling me to save an international carrier and that is after I have selected Global priority.
posted on October 16, 2006 08:57:13 AM
Vintageads: HOw do you package your ads? I have a couple I need to sell but am not sure of the right packaging. Adele
posted on October 16, 2006 09:20:08 AM
I shipped a large package to France on Aug. 2nd. It finally arrived on Sept. 25th.!! I used the white customs form and was told by the USPS that it is NOT trackable.
posted on October 16, 2006 09:28:29 AM
OK...back to shipping school for me on tracking international packages.
Adele:
I use the APEC manilla string envelope that already has two cardboard inserts. The cardboard inserts have flutes that run in opposite directions to make the package sturdier. Place ad in poly bag (I use 2 mm). Tape bag to insert. Tape inserts together. Place in Envelope. Tape top and corners.
I buy three sizes and know the postage weight for each. So my flat rate shipping covers it all.
Alternatively, you can buy the cardboard inserts and use a lighter, poly bag.
Do not use used cardboard or priority mailing boxes as they can leave marks on the paper ad and are easily bent, even with large DO NOT BEND labels prominently placed on the package.
If your ad is prior to 1950 or if it is brittle, do not mail in a tube. The paper that was used for old ads is different and it will break down if rolled. I always have somebody tell me but they rolled fine art and maps. Right, but that paper had a very high rag content. Magazine paper from 1880-1950 is different and paper during the 2 world wars is really hard to maintain.
I use similar packing techniques to Beth's... but instead, use specialty "Stay-flat" mailers. They're just a heavy cardboard mailer. You can get them in various sizes from places like Uline and Quill. I second the suggestion for placing the ad in a bag (it helps protect against unexpected moisture (rain) problems... but, I use a 1 mil bag to save costs. The only extra step that I take, is I bought a red-ink stamp with the words "Please do not fold or bend". It seems to help with the over-eager postmen that are determined to fit every bit of mail into a small mailbox.
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posted on October 16, 2006 11:18:55 AM
hwahwa: It's off-topic, and it's my fault--sorry. I was interested in how people ship ads, which were mentioned in a previous posting.
posted on October 16, 2006 02:03:56 PM
vintageads4u wrote: Is anyone experiencing long delays to UK, France, Germany?
Airmail to the UK is currently taking around 5 to 10 working days, to France and Germany around 7 to 14 days depending on the customs backlog in their regional clearance depots. Shipments are all from New Zealand. Oh and delivery time to Hong Kong and Japan is still averaging 2 to 4 days as the Xmas mailing season has yet started...
posted on October 17, 2006 10:58:48 AM
I just had a Global Priority take 15 days to get to BC from FL but I also had one delivered in 4 days so who knows what the hold up is.
It has been 2 weeks since I shipped anything to the UK. My last shipment the first of Oct was delivered in 4 days.
We are shipping to Ireland today. Have never shipped there before so it might be an interesting experience.
posted on October 17, 2006 03:57:04 PM
Third international has just gone missing. This one shipped 9/22 to Columbia. I told the guy (who is a newbie) to wait until the end of the month. But I just called my Madam Postmaster and we are going to file 3 PS 1015. Most likely it will do no good, whatsoever, but it is what she wants and so I will fill them all out.
This is wierd. I send maybe 10 internationals a month and nothing, no problems. Now, bang!
First thing I did was disable Paypal from accepting any internationals. Then I removed international from any future listings. Better give this a break until I find out what is going on!
Beth
VintageAds4U http://stores.ebay.com/vintageads4uonline?refid=store
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