Jason @ Paragon Products

There are two basic USPS international services, Priority Mail International and Express Mail International. Certainly the least expensive is PMI but tracking ability on this service is woefully inadequate. Pretty much tracking tells you when the package was picked up and when it's delivered. EMI (more $, but still less than UPS or FedEx) gives tracking much like folks are used to with UPS or FedEx. After several problems with PMI, we no longer offer that service on our site. We've had shipments take 6+ weeks in some cases. The customer is understandably upset when we have their money, they don't have a product, and all we can tell them is that it's on the way. Because we no longer show PMI as an option we get emails inquiring as to why shipping is more expensive than it used to be and at that point we explain why. Will we still ship by PMI if the customer specifically requests that service....sure, but we try to be clear about the issues we've had in the past. I don't believe we've ever had a PMI shipment disappear completely but the shipping time has been an issue. After nearly 20 years of shipping product all over the world we like to eliminate "gotcha's" as much as possible. An unhappy customer isn't good for them or us.

GTgears

When, about 2 years ago, the USPS stopped allowing insurance over $500 on international shipments, I dropped them as a carrier. Period. Next to nothing we make costs less than $500. In the past I did have huge delays with USPS to certain countries. With their change in policy, I was put in a position where it became very easy to say to my customers that I could not and would not send their $3000 LSD US Postal Service. UPS and Fed Ex may cost more, but they have been 100% reliable for me overseas, and in the super rare instance there might be a problem, both the buyer and myself have full insurance to cover both of our interests. Just something to think about for everyone reading this thread.

Regards,

Matt Monson
Guard Transmission LLC

TraqGear

Never mind. I got a little bent.

Clifton

+1

mooty

the question is WHY does ANYONE ship via USPS if UPS or FedEX are available. USPS is run by US government. when was the last time this gov did anything right?

skxf430

USPS is cheaper to ship. If it fits it will ship.

BBMGT3

USPS is not as bad as ppl are making it out to be.

For something the size of brake pads its quite alright. The last 2 sets of pads I bought came in by USPS with no issue.

FFaust

No wonder many vendors won't even ship to Canada.

NVRANUF

Fixed it for you!

FFaust

Haha. You got to wonder however, cause as we all know, it IS the centre of the universe

NVRANUF

You said it.... not me!!
Seriously though, you've had importation issues? Can't honestly say I have.

FFaust

Have had no shipping issues as described here.

However, specifically, when I tried to purchase ATE Cayenne 350 mm disks for the GT3 from Amazon, they would not ship to Canada.

Other vendors just won't use USPS to Canada, which is a shame, because UPS tacks on a roughly $60 brokerage fee on orders to us from US. Doesn't make a lot of sense when you are buying a $150 set of Track Studs for instance.

I try to buy locally (i.e. Canada) when I can, but often, the stuff just is not available.

I can just imagine what it's going to cost me when I ship my motor to Sharkwerks for a 3.9 upgrade in a few years

Sorry to the OP for the OT.

The Baron

Mooty,

You've become toooooo cynical !

The US government runs Social Security well ....... ok .... bad example !

Wait, I know ....... Medicaid & Medicare ..... ah, probably not a good example either.

How 'bout Fannie & Freddie ........... crap, I forgot that they're broke too !

I got it ...... General Motors is now showing a profit ....... oops, I forgot that Obama arbitarily screwed hundreds of GM dealers by taking away their franchises, ripped off the Bond-holders and Share-holders by wiping the books clean and erasing ALL dept except the "Union" pensions !

I take it back Mooty ........... you're not cynical ...... just a realist !

mooty

i dont trust USPS. they scare me.
ppl go "postal".
they don go "UPS" or "FedEx" if you know what i mean.

Turn3 Autosport

hence why we buy in quantity to ship around Canada. For us shipping to the US or around the world is a non-issue, we eat the extra few bucks to get something to a customer in the US, and rates via a proper courior to the rest of the globe are competetive.

We shipped 4 sets of Pagid pads to rennlist members in the US on Thursday and one set the UAE today... all with tracking numbers and insured.

That said, inbound to Canada, we have had no issue with shipping when a vendor chooses USPS. Ya, it takes a few extra days, and we have to go pick it up at the post office, but the brokerage fees are nice and low.

Cheers