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Shipping from Oz to US

Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 10:21 am
by MFP 2020
I bought a GIVE WAY sign from a seller on eBay.com.au in late June and the seller says he shipped it "sea mail." I still haven't received it. Has anyone else seen something take that long to get to the US? (I'm in a shipping-related field and am used to seeing sea voyages from China take a week or so.) He used the same picture in "another" sign auction so I'm thinking I got ripped off.

He's in Frankston or St. Kilda (?). How much would it cost me to get this guy's ass kicked? :)

item: 190406794546

Re: Shipping from Oz to US

Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 12:01 pm
by Bozz
Dunno for sure, but much longer and I'd get worried.

On a related topic, anybody got room in a container from OZ to the US?

I have a "certain" motorcycle fairing languishing in a mates shed in Adelaide (for FAR too long) that I really need to get here.

I've had several possibilities, but nothing has panned out yet.

If anybody knows of something, PM me please.

Sorry to hear about your sign delay, 2020!

Cheers,
-Bozz

Re: Shipping from Oz to US

Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 3:39 pm
by roadwarriormfp
Sea Mail????

What an idiot.

It take 3 to 4 months via sea mail (the post office people tell you this) where as sending via airmail will typically take 8 to 10days to the USA.

A give way sign doesnt weight much and woudlve cost around $35 via airmail.

Its probably still on its way!

Re: Shipping from Oz to US

Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 4:25 pm
by MFP 2020
roadwarriormfp wrote:Sea Mail????

What an idiot.

It take 3 to 4 months via sea mail (the post office people tell you this) where as sending via airmail will typically take 8 to 10days to the USA.

A give way sign doesnt weight much and woudlve cost around $35 via airmail.

Its probably still on its way!
Gee, I think $35 is what I paid him for shipping. I was hoping to have it for Wasteland Weekend but as long as I get it eventually, I'll be reasonably happy.

Why in the world would anything take 3 to 4 months to ship? Is it going by canoe?

Re: Shipping from Oz to US

Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 4:36 pm
by roadwarriormfp
I think customs and quarantine clearance is the big issue....

The actual voyage of the ship is around 4 to 6 weeks?

The container then sits at the docks for weeks on end!

But yea if he charged you $35 im guessing it was for airmail.
Probably cheaper to have gotten a local sign company to make it??

We have 2 companies here localy and we are a small town.
They will also make custom road and advertising signs, stickers etc...
Id say the US equivilent of the GIVE WAY sign the "Yeild"? appears at least the same size as the aussie one.
Just show them a picture and they will make it.

Re: Shipping from Oz to US

Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 5:07 pm
by MFP 2020
YIELD is the equivalent sign, and I imagine they're roughly the same size, but I didn't want to go through all the hassle of having one made. Plus I wanted the real deal. :)

Re: Shipping from Oz to US

Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 8:27 pm
by Peter Barton
I concur with Sammy - allow 6 to 10 weeks for sea mail on average. I would allow 3 to 4 months before getting too worried, it could realistically take that long.

If he is relisting, he is probably just stealing (er, borrowing) more signs. Quite a good scam really, wish I'd thought of it :)

Don't worry about getting his arse kicked. If he's living in Frankston, that's punishment enough. But 5 bucks should just about do it, down that area of Melbourne...!

Re: Shipping from Oz to US

Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 3:12 am
by Gasoline
If ever you need Australian road signs. Let me know.
I lease some office space at a vicroads branch and the road maintenance throw out signs each week.
I can grab signs before they get recycled. Just cover the postage.

And the best part is, you wouldn't be purchasing stolen property.

Don't ask for license plates though.

Re: Shipping from Oz to US

Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 7:13 am
by OzHemi
I can grab signs before they get recycled
I've bought a few signs from a metal recycling place near Bayswater...they did mainly aluminum stuff and used to have bins full of street name signs, and all sorts of various road signs. Just paid scrap value for them. Your offer is great though too!

Re: Shipping from Oz to US

Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 12:05 pm
by MFP 2020
Sweet! Thanks for the offer.