13 replies to this topic

[8mini]

HI Guys,

 

I am from Australia and wonder have anyone been requested for additional postage from Minispares? This was the second time it happened to me since I joined the TMF+ membership to receive the 7.5%. On my last order, I was requested to pay extra £30.34 and this time £41.56.

 

Have this happened to anyone?
 

 

[PoolGuy]

Because the website doesn’t work out the correct p&p for ‘foreign’ orders? Would be a bit poor if that was the case to be honest. But maybe a little more info would be useful.

[8mini]

The website quoted postage was accurate on my previous orders before I joined the TMF+ and getting the discount.  

[PoolGuy]

And no indication from MS as to why they increased the p&p? What is was in the order?

[whistler]

I've ordered some odd combinations of parts from Minispares where they've had to quote for shipping but always found the quote very reasonable.

[8mini]

The reason on the first additional postage was "Unfortunately DHL have added a temporary Covid Surcharge on all orders to Australia and New Zealand"

This time "due to the size/shape and/or weight we are unable to send your order to you at the original online quoted price." But shouldn't they know the size and weight on the product they selling. The original quoted postage was £108, it is now £150. That is a big jump.

[PoolGuy]

The second reason is a bit poor imo, but I guess their algorithm isn’t good enough to work out all the eventualities. Someone less charitable would say that you have the option to cancel, but that doesn’t really help you.

[Spider]

I'm sure the freight charges are out of Mini Spares hands.

I have had to pay above the quoted figure a few times, but not often. I'll also add that in general, I've found freight charges, particularly international stuff rather volatile these days due to the hang over from Covid and also the situation in Ukraine.

 

I'll add here too that quite often I've found parts coming in through DHL rarely attract GST.

[timmy850]

I believe it’s in the postage policy which we all just accept without reading

Basically it quotes on weight and then once it’s packed it is either charged on the weight or cubic volume, whichever is greater.

http://www.minispare...res~policy.aspx

“ The estimated delivery cost given to you in the checkout process is from an estimated parcel weight and does not take into account the volumetric limitations of the despatch methods available. Also some combination of parts ( i.e. heavy with fragile) may require shipping in two separate packages to avoid parts being damaged in transit. Because of this Minispares reserve the right to contact you with a more accurate quote for delivery once the items have been packed.”

[Shooter63]

I think in general the cost of shipping has gone through the roof, early in the year I imported a gunstock from the USA and got charged £90.00 for the privilege which when you think is just a piece of shaped wood weighing a few KG, but what can you do, either pay up or not get the goods. To put this in prospective I paid £450.00 to ship a whole car not that long ago ( from Portugal) ah they were the days.

Shooter

[Simon@minispares.com]

The reason on the first additional postage was "Unfortunately DHL have added a temporary Covid Surcharge on all orders to Australia and New Zealand"

This time "due to the size/shape and/or weight we are unable to send your order to you at the original online quoted price." But shouldn't they know the size and weight on the product they selling. The original quoted postage was £108, it is now £150. That is a big jump.

Its not quite that simple unfortunately. Its down to volumetric weight and how precisely we can pack various items together (all shapes and sizes). Its not a case of we don't know the weight and the size of the goods.

Take a Mini front wing for example. They weigh around 2.5 Kgs each. Most people order 2, which brings it out at 5kgs for the pair. (not as much of an issue for UK based orders)

Volumetric weight of one wing is 25Kgs. If we used simple logic, anyone ordering 2 wings would be charged at 50Kgs. But in reality they can be packed in the same box, so the dimensional weight would still be 25Kgs. If we were to quote the pricing at 50Kgs the price would be horrendous, and no one would order them.

I've tried to use the simplest explanation I can, if you need any more information please let me know.

[8mini]

Hi Simon,

I have sent you an email yesterday regarding my order - Sales order #1450342.

Please check and reply.

Thanks

The reason on the first additional postage was "Unfortunately DHL have added a temporary Covid Surcharge on all orders to Australia and New Zealand"

This time "due to the size/shape and/or weight we are unable to send your order to you at the original online quoted price." But shouldn't they know the size and weight on the product they selling. The original quoted postage was £108, it is now £150. That is a big jump.

Its not quite that simple unfortunately. Its down to volumetric weight and how precisely we can pack various items together (all shapes and sizes). Its not a case of we don't know the weight and the size of the goods.

Take a Mini front wing for example. They weigh around 2.5 Kgs each. Most people order 2, which brings it out at 5kgs for the pair. (not as much of an issue for UK based orders)

Volumetric weight of one wing is 25Kgs. If we used simple logic, anyone ordering 2 wings would be charged at 50Kgs. But in reality they can be packed in the same box, so the dimensional weight would still be 25Kgs. If we were to quote the pricing at 50Kgs the price would be horrendous, and no one would order them.

I've tried to use the simplest explanation I can, if you need any more information please let me know.

[Steam]

This is a very good reason to buy local to Australia. There is hardly anything that cannot be bought in Aus and the prices are comparable and most times cheaper due to large shipping fees from UK Canada, US etc.
I refuse to buy from OS simply because of ridiculess shipping costs.

[Magneto]

I shipped a 2Kg package to Mexico from Kansas a few days ago, postage was $55!!!!

 

It's further to places within the US than it is to Mexico City from where I am.....I could have sent the same package to the furthest point in the continental US for $17.