Any 'cheap' way to get some parts out of the States.

Jaahn · Guru

Any 'cheap' way to get some parts out of the States.

KJB · Guru

Jaahn wrote:
Hi
I have been looking on flea bay for some parts for my old bike. They have a few things I could be interested in for a reasonable price. BUT the freight estimates are mostly more than or even double the item cost.
What have you found as the answer. Some freight carriers or couriers must be more reasonable.
Jaahn

I would like to know as well.....for the last 2/3 years Shipping has been prohibitive. (eg. $60 Shipping for a $3 75mm rubber "O" ring...!!) Up till then it was worthwhile . Parts for old motorbikes were one of my main purchases as well...... KB

Mike Harding · Guru

I think, unfortunately, the simple answer is... no.

USPS is usually the cheapest but usually the slowest too.

Whenarewethere · Guru

Over the last couple of months I have had 2 orders returned to sender from USA. The 2 senders both said I should pay the premium air freight, which I did.

Didn't help. I still want the items. So waiting till whenever. Next year hopefully, certainly not this year.

Over the last few months & one parcel received today, have received 3 parcels from the Netherlands. Another parcel from Japan. All within about 2 weeks, & one parcel from Hong Kong in a week.

USA seems to have a problem even if you pay the top air freight.

Lindsayc · Member

Try Shipito read there web site. As has been reported some companys in the US will not send freight to Australia.

Shipito will give you a USA address then notify you of its arrival at there warehouse and offer you various shipping options I have found delivery within 7 days. On occasions you can take the opportunity of free shipping internally in the USA to Shipito

I have been using this service for 7 years and never a problem. When ordering in the states and they ask for a phone number I always use the Merchants actual phone number. Highly recommend.Reasonably priced.

-- Edited by Lindsayc on Tuesday 9th of November 2021 03:18:32 PM

Rob Driver · Guru

Something to remember is that the Aus Govt now places GST on imported goods which pumps the price.

We used to bring some truck parts and other items into Aus from the USA and many suppliers would not sell outside the 48 states.
We used to use US companies that would buy the part for you and ship it to Aus.
I cant remember who we did use but it worked reasonably well.
Remember that there are many rules and regulations as to what is permitted into Aus.

Anyway, google can be your friend. Here is a google page which may have some US buying and shipping agents.

*buying parts in the USA and shipping to Australia*

as an entry will give you a list to start with.

-- Edited by Rob Driver on Tuesday 9th of November 2021 08:20:38 AM

dabbler · Guru

Google "USA dropshippers". They offer a range of services including acting as a US address to get around businesses that won't ship internationally. Never got to the stage where I used one but know a few hobbyist woodworkers that use them for bulk and group buys.

Corndoggy · Senior Member

Have you tried contacting them and asking a bout their shipping costs. Have spoken to a few people that have said they got a reasonable shipping cost by doing so. As said above there are companies that you have the goods shipped to them and they then forward them on to you at a reasonable cost, never used one myself though. Better pick a good one or you might not get your goods after they get them.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Depends on who you buy from ? I import parts from Summitracing.com then often cross reference to Jegs.com some add extra shipping costs to make profits! No different to eBay here !!

Jaahn · Guru

Hi smile

Thanks for the replies. Seems like there is no magic bullet. I am interested in some parts from a private seller and have contacted him to discuss a sale and he is looking into the cheapest way to send. But he is aware that the cost has jumped up and it is not going to be as cheap like it was before. Indeed the postal and courier system in the States seems to be buckling under overload. Like ours here also. hmm

While some people suggested some other fowarders and other firms, generally the recent reviews are not good even if they were good before. I have avoided buying stuff from the States before because of these problems but this guy has just the things I want so I might just have to bit the bullet and PAY if i want them.

Ebay has freight estimates that can be just ridiculously high, as KB said $60 for an oring. Gees if you buy 6, for instance, it might be $360 and generously they give a 10% discount. Possibly the algorithium needs a real person to occasionally to look at it instead of a computer. furious

Jaahn

TimTim · Guru

Jaahn wrote:
Hi
I have been looking on flea bay for some parts for my old bike. They have a few things I could be interested in for a reasonable price. BUT the freight estimates are mostly more than or even double the item cost.
What have you found as the answer. Some freight carriers or couriers must be more reasonable.
Jaahn

I have used Comgateway for years and found them to be fantastic. Even in instances where I have not been able to use an Australian credit card they have a Buy for Me service.

Hope this helps.

Tim

Jaahn · Guru

Hmm

I did order some parts from a private seller who was happy to box them together and send through the Global Shipping Program. The freight cost was not so bad which included a local cost to send to the GSP freight hub and then the overseas freight. Looked good and a shipping date was given and a tracking number.

Today disaster ! Some silly emails about 2 individual items that x6 were sent ?? then the crunch, a full refund was done on the whole sale of 6 items. and this statement

" We're sorry to let you know that your recent purchase through the Global Shipping Program from ***** can't be completed.

The item in question has been deemed restricted. This could be due to import/postage restrictions or eligibility requirements within the Global Shipping Program. The item won't be sent to you, nor returned to your seller.

Don't worry! Your full refund will be processed back to the original payment method within 72 hours. You may notice two separate refunds; a refund for the item and a refund for the postage and import costs. No further action is needed. "

I guess that is the end of those parts. Off to the scrap as too hard for them just now. Just an exhaust, some locks and brackets, fuel tap, brake cylinder, owners book, rear foot pegs. Gees deemed restricted !! National security is at stake possibly.

Such is life I guess dealing with the computer controlled ebay system. It will flick you off it it suits them currently. I wonder what the seller gets for his trouble. ??

Jaahn

Rob Driver · Guru

Hi Jaahn,

If I were you I would try to deal with the seller direct but still use a global buyer and freight forwarder.

This is what I used to do at times for truck parts. It usually meant staying awake at night to talk to the supplier on the phone but once that was done I really had very little problem after that.
When I was doing it, email etc was shabby and I found the phone a lot better.

EBay is there for EBay, they wouldnt care.

Rob Driver · Guru

Hi again Jaahn,

Here are some tips as to what to watch out for when using these agents.

www.choice.com.au/shopping/online-shopping/buying-online/articles/shopmate-and-us-freight-forwarding-services

Some good points in the info.

It certainly was a bit easier when I used to do it.

Rob Driver · Guru

Hahaha this post was flagged by an administrator as spam.

My apologies Jaahn I was trying to provide some current information

Rob Driver · Guru

Rob Driver · Guru

Hi Cindy,

Thank you for the correction.

Jaahn · Guru

Rob Driver wrote:
Hahaha this post was flagged by an administrator as spam.

My apologies Jaahn I was trying to provide some current information

Thanks Rob no apology needed. Cindy is only doing her job too trying to defend the forum from bl**dy spammers. Thanks I will look at the sites if I get to buy again. I think by the email received from ebay those parts are lost forever. What a waste !!

Jaahn