8mm Forum: Suggestions folks ...?

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Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on April 13, 2011, 10:40 AM:

It was exactly two months as of yesterday in my wait for my packages from South Africa.

Granted, John sent them by slow boat mail, and that is the lowest priority and i understand that, but it seems that it might be getting a tad worrysome now.

I recieved the toll free number for customs and, when punching the option concerning overdue packages it stated that they cannot help me, as thousands of packages go through everyday ... so your screwed hahahahaha! (well, that last part wasn't part of the message, but it is funny! [Smile]

)

John is heading to his SAPO to check if he can do some kind f trace on his end. (... and why would he trace a number on his end? Yeah, I know, more bad humor!)

The problem with overseas tracing is that, whether fast or slow delivery, as a general rule, the shipping number works as far as the package leaving the country of origin, but US post rarely continues the overseas tracking number, so you have no idea as to where it is. It could just be sitting in a massive pile waiting for someone who has time.

Actually, one was mailed off Feb. 12th and the other Feb. 26th, so I know from the tracking that they were in fact shipped.

It's just where could it be now.

Any suggestions folks?

Posted by Wayne Tuell (Member # 1689) on April 13, 2011, 10:54 AM:

Osi, as soon as you put it out of your mind, it will show up. [Wink]

I have shipped a lot of film out of the U.S. the last few months and a month to month and a half transit time has happened a few times to me on first class postage. They all showed up.

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on April 13, 2011, 01:01 PM:

Osi,

I agree with Wayne. It's recently taken over two months for packages from England and Germany to make their way to me.

Doug

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on April 13, 2011, 01:03 PM:

Ahhh, I feel calm returning!

Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on April 13, 2011, 06:13 PM:

Do you think someone might have stolen them?

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on April 14, 2011, 07:15 AM:

Is this a seller you know personally?
Do you have proof that he actually shipped the items?

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on April 14, 2011, 10:33 AM:

Dan ... no , I don't think they were stolen. However, being lost in transit is always a possibility.

However, as Doug said, he has been waiting for over two months for a few recently, so this may be an incredibly bad situation with "slow mail" these days.

Micheal ... Yes, I was able to track both packages to the international hub, but beyond there, nothing. The funny thing is, it only took three or four days to get to that hub. Now, it doesn't say when they actually left the hub, (I'll have to look at that again, it might say but I think I may havwe forgotten).

and I already have recieved one film from John "Vera Cruz" and that one he sent by the fast mail, but even that took three and half weeks, (where express mail from the UK would take one week tops, as in Derann for instance).

So, yes, I know John is reliable.

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on April 14, 2011, 12:39 PM:

Seems like you have no other choice than to wait it out.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on April 14, 2011, 01:00 PM:

Yup Micheal ...

One package means more to me than the other, as I traded for those films with a few of my archival prints.

Sadly, the US does not have "slow boat" shipping anymore, so the lowest shipping I could find was 45.00 dollars to South Africa and sure enough it took a mere week and a half.

However, to use the same kind of shipping from South Africa to here, it would cost John the equivilance of 80.00 U.S. dollars and that just seems way too high for the same service from there to here.

Boy, and I thought we U.S. folks were gouged on our shipping overseas. I'm beginning to think that we have it pretty darned good.

By the way, does anyone know which country has the most affordable overseas shipping? Just curious.

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on April 14, 2011, 02:21 PM:

quote:
By the way, does anyone know which country has the most affordable overseas shipping? Just curious.

A: USA by the USPS.

You can't beat the USPS price especially international flat rate box. No matter you are sending to South Africa, Indonesia, Zambia, Canada, Mexico, Zimbabwe and....Rajatea (I don't know where is it...but in the middle of Ocean), it will cost the same $13.95 (to max 4 pounds).

I have tried the envelope can fit 3 * 400' or 6 * 200' and still the weigh is less than 4 pounds.

If I send 2 pounds parcel from Toronto to Iqaluit, Nunavut ( a province in northern Canada) via Canada Post it will cost $25.35 by the slow mail.

People in the US can send the same item to the same address above for $13,95 with USPS flat rate !! Funny ha !!

The strangest one, I can send the very item to US (by the slow mail) and then my friend in the USA forward it back to Nunuvut, Canada.

And.......the total cost still below what Canada Post will charge.....Hahahha... [Big Grin]

I have once made a calculation here that if you send from non-US land to obscure countries in Africa, it is better to re-route through USPS because it will be still cheaper overall..!!!

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on April 15, 2011, 12:57 PM:

ThanX Winbert ... and all others. [Smile]

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