D H elL

[maxi77]

Maiklasail, agree entirely as some one who has shipped a few bits and bobs around the world. I must admit that my few problems have been at the hand of DHL but in the grand scheme of things I am too small a sample. Much of the trouble you see is because DHL and most of the others assume any one using their services is a professional, and knows all the little details and can afford lots of time waiting for things to happen.

There are now quite a few 'bookers' who operate using up spare capacity in the big companies and do some pretty decent deals, and provide a decent service too.

 

[MailASail]

There are now quite a few 'bookers' who operate using up spare capacity in the big companies and do some pretty decent deals, and provide a decent service too.

Just one little caveat on using these aggregators:

We used one for a while, largely very happy, great prices and we could chop and change carriers based on the destination.

The problem occurred when a parcel got lost. The aggregator wasn't too hot at chasing the courier to fix the problem. However, the problem was that we couldn't talk to the courier because technically we weren't the customer...

So I think these services are good for folks who perhaps ship only occasional items (which is probably everyone reading here). However, it's yet another reason to make sure your insurances are sorted and to be as flexible as you can on delivery schedules. *IF* there is a problem, you have a layer of indirection between you and the person with your package - this can slow down solving problems.

Anyway, it mostly goes right, just plan ahead and all will be well.

Good luck

 

[maxi77]

On the two occasions I had problems, DHL not picking up on the specified day and tracking showing a problem, the companies I was dealing with responded fast to the problem, so I was happy. Compared to the 'Parcel Farce' of old they are all a breath of fresh air.

 

[grumpy_o_g]

DHL have lost a few parcels for me, but so have other couriers.

I think we're agreeing. I'm far more familiar with the process and mechanisms behind the entire delivery chain than I ever wanted to be after a 20+ years of using them very regularly for everything from documents to massive multi-drop shipments from third parties in multiple countries (they're fun). DHL and many of the other big courier companies (except FedEx perhaps?) sub out everywhere, including places New York, Washington, Paris and London I've found , not just in the remoter locations and usually to a local courier firm rather than a one-man band but otherwise I've found exactly the same as you. It's interesting that you have exactly the same same perspective form the retailer end as I have from the purchaser end.

My real point though was that Liveaboards often "break the system" slightly. You're delivering to a Post Restante or an address different to the billing address or a C/0 MyBoat, Pontoon E, sunny Marina, or something like that.

In the ideal world for a delivery you order, manufacture and deliver all in one country. You deliver to the billing address which is 34, Acacia Ave, Surbiton, Surrey, SU2 3XX where the person who actually ordered and whose name is on the order and the shipping address is waiting 24 hours a day to receive the item.

As soon as you introduce anything out of ordinary you increase the chances of it going wrong. The nice note of explanation and the instructions you agreed with the retailer may have made it to the Courier and they may even have acted on them (the big couriers have quite sophisticated systems to tag and ensure that they do what they're supposed to) but those instructions are far less likely to make it down the line.

I'm pretty sure that's exactly the point you were making (but far more clearly).

 

[bryantee]

courier and postage

reading this post with interest. over the past 3 years have had some 30 or so parcels from ,books. plans, hardware and marine spares delivered to south india. only had one go adrift. a book from canada. uk by post about 6-8days. usa 8-12 days .canada up to 4-5 weeks. small weight articles in a jiffy bag from uk best 6 days. no duty by post. courier 5days but duty at 35% levied by customs either chennai or bangalor.usually ship to my company address in cochin, I have an import licence. best we did last month was some steering self aligning rod ends from uk to cochin. posted monday delivered next monday ,no duty by post.yacht skipper very happy.
I use fedex from usa and tnt from europe for heavier ibulkier items as they will clear and pay duty and collect on delivery.but it is still a lottery.
the usa company that refused my online order last week ,quoting that he refused to supply to india as 50% of orders went astray is doing the service a misjustice.

all my magazine subscriptions turn up on time, no losses as yet. fingers crossed

 

[Tranona]

As some have said, the problem with some countries is not the courier but the "authorities" in the destination. Canaries has always been difficult, a legacy from the days when it was a centre for smuggling into Europe, with few local duties. Customs acquired power that those in other more established countries never did. The fact that they are part of Spain but not EU does not help. Other countries such as Turkey with high import duties also tend to have owerful customs who are difficult to deal with.

So best to avoid having goods shipped to these countries if you can.

 

[Brittany]

Must depend on where you are, we ordered 3 solar panels from China through ebay and they left Hong Kong on a Monday morning and were delivered in rural Brittany on Wednesday lunchtime. Had to pay import duty to the driver but that's expected. No other charges.Can't moan about that.

 

[maxi77]

Must depend on where you are, we ordered 3 solar panels from China through ebay and they left Hong Kong on a Monday morning and were delivered in rural Brittany on Wednesday lunchtime. Had to pay import duty to the driver but that's expected. No other charges.Can't moan about that.

That seems very good, lucky you