florida-trader
235 posts
Jan 29, 2013
6:11 AM
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Something that may be of interest to many of you who buy or sell internationally. I kinda got caught off guard by this.
International shipping rates via the U.S. Postal Service have just increased significantly – effective January 27th.
For example, yesterday I shipped a package to the UK that in the past cost me about $5.50 to send via First Class Mail. Yesterday it was $9.88. A Priority Mail Small Flat Rate Box that cost $16.95 last week now costs $23.95.
I’m not sure how that affects packages being shipped TO the U.S. from abroad but I’m guessing those prices went up to.
I’ve always tried to keep my shipping costs as reasonable as possible but unfortunately I’m going to have to adjust my charges for International shipping.
Here’s a link to the announcement on USPS.com
http://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2012/pb22352/html/kit.htm
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
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Pistolcat
364 posts
Jan 29, 2013
2:02 PM
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How much do you sell in Europe? Try to pin down a distributor, send combs and stuff in a larger crate and pay pay your distributor in custom combs. It could pay... depending on your sales
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Pistolkatt - Pistolkatts youtube
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Aussiesucker
1249 posts
Jan 29, 2013
3:23 PM
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Yeah tell me about it? Everything is still dirt cheap from the US but when the postal charges are piled on it becomes about par to buy harps from a local merchant in Oz.
What gripes me is a case of Aussie Beer brewed not 15 mins away costs $46 but I am able to buy fully imported US Beer of similar quality from local outlets for $33 a case. The US beer is brewed on the US East Coast ie it is transported about as far around the globe as it is possible to go. Go figure? I cannot!
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HARPOLDIE’S YOUTUBE
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Greg Heumann
1967 posts
Jan 29, 2013
9:49 PM
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Yeah. They raised 'em a bunch. Sucks. Like you I have to pass the costs on to my customers. Unfortunately they're still WAY cheaper than FedEx or UPS for most international shipments.
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/Greg
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Kingley
2268 posts
Jan 29, 2013
9:57 PM
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Tom and Greg here's a thought. Maybe you guys should chat to Peter Blythe at Harmonicas Direct. He is the most trusted and reputable harp supplier in the UK. He supplies to all of Europe too. I'm sure he'd be happy to stock your wares. He already supplies Lone Wolf pedals. This way the horrendous customs and shipping charges are removed for the overseas customers. I'd suspect that things like combs, volume controls and Bulletizers would be ideal items for Peter to stock. Maybe even the Ultimate series of mics too.
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Steamrollin Stan
694 posts
Jan 30, 2013
2:21 AM
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Folks, its all to do with global warming, climate change, killing whales, guns, busted and bad run econimies, the war in stupid places run by ratbags, blah blah blah.....goodnight.
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florida-trader
236 posts
Jan 30, 2013
5:34 AM
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Kingley. Thanks for the suggestions. I appreciate the thoughtfulness.
I do business all over the world. Not just Europe, but Asia, Australia and South America too. I do not believe that introducing a third party into the equation would be a good fit for my business model. First, whether it be Peter or anyone else, he would deserve to be compensated for his services. That would either cut my margins or result in price increases or both (which in turn would probably offset any potential savings). Second, I make/offer over 250 different products. I have a hard enough time keeping sufficient inventory on hand in my own shop much less duplicating that inventory in a remote location. It would cost a fortune as well. Third, I like to think that I develop a personal relationship with a significant percentage of my customers. It is way more than just a transactional business. Frequently there is a fair amount of communication that takes place before a customer places an order. Opinions. Counseling. Advice. It’s all part of the equation. Greg and I stood next to each other for four days at SPAH as we had adjoining booths and I know that he makes an effort to get to know his customers to assess their individual tastes and requirements. This information enables him to customize his mics to meet the needs of his customers. There’s more to it than just pulling one off the shelf and shipping it out. And finally there is the subject of customer service. I stand behind everything with a 100% Money Back Guarantee. I do make mistakes and when I do I want to be the guy who personally handles it. People are very very reasonable and understanding. Whether it be a refund, replacing products, giving discounts or throwing my loyal customer a freebie once in a while it is one of the ways in which I say Thank You to them. I see these “problems” as opportunities to demonstrate to my customers how much I appreciate their business and how dedicated I am to doing everything in my power to insure they have a positive experience with me. If there is one thing I have learned in business it is that nobody cares as much about your business as you do.
While the increased postage rates will creates some challenges, they are not insurmountable. I think that Europeans are more accustomed to dealing with shipping costs and Customs Fees than we here in the U.S. Frequently I have two or more customers overseas pool their order to save on shipping. I think I’ll be seeing a little more of that. And I will probably offer some discounts to create incentives for purchasing multiple items which could offset some of the additional shipping expenses. We’ll adapt. We’ll find a way.
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
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Greg Heumann
1968 posts
Jan 30, 2013
8:14 AM
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Yeah. What Tom said.
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/Greg
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Kingley
2270 posts
Jan 30, 2013
9:10 AM
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Tom and Greg. Yes I see your point and understand your feelings. It was simply a suggestion that I thought I'd throw out there.
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SmokeJS
54 posts
Jan 30, 2013
9:22 AM
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Hopefully not straying too far off topic I wanted to add that many private US sellers, who only rarely, if ever, ship outside of the US tend to believe the process is difficult for them and are adamant about only shipping within the States. There are some who won't budge from that stance even though I'm paying the entire shipping cost. Can anyone clarify if there are issues that I'm not taking into account? I've purchased gear from several US sellers and I don't think they noticed any difference. Now at my end it's a different story having to wait on Canada Customs and sometimes paying duty.
Last Edited by on Jan 30, 2013 9:23 AM
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florida-trader
237 posts
Jan 30, 2013
12:55 PM
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Kingley - no harm/no foul. I know it was just a suggestion. Thanks again.
SmokeJS - I cannot speak for other US sellers. I would guess a lot of it depends upon the value of the items they are shipping and their size. I'm not sure I would be comfortable shipping a $2000 amp the size of an oven overseas. In my case, we're talking about small packages that have relatively low values - usually less than $200. I am perfectly comfortable shipping anywhere in the world and am very pleased with the reliability of the U.S. Postal Service and their counterparts in other foreign nations. Sometimes there are delays because of Customs (and additional expenses) and every once in a while a package disappears but it does not happen nearly enough to dissuade me from continuing the practice.
One thing that I did not anticipate when I got into the harp business was the number of people I would "meet" from all around the world and would ultimately develop friendships with. Last year I attended both Adam's event in Mississippi - Hill Country Harmonica - and SPAH. On both occasions I had the pleasure of meeting several of my customers in person - not just Americans. It was a real treat. That alone makes international shipping worth doing.
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
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