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At the end of November, a lovely Browncoat in Australia order some things from the Firefly Cargo bay secret stash. Not wanting to have to charge her a fortune in shipping, I sent it surface. (I even remember making a joke to her about how they were going to ship it surface over the ocean.) At the time, I asked the postal employee for an estimate on when the box may arrive to Australia. I was given a gruff brush off about it would all be up to customs.
Well, here we are in January and the box has not made it's appearance in AU yet. So, yesterday, thinking the box was lost somewhere at the bottom of the ocean, I sent out a replacement box of items. I went to a different postal branch and asked the different postal employee how long it takes to get things to Australia. She hemmed and hawed, but then reluctantly told me by surface it could take anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks! Three months? What do they do, strap it to a sea turtle's back or something?
I then asked for an option with a tracking number, so I wouldn't have to wonder where the package was. By surface, it would still take as long, but cost about $50.00. What? So I asked about air delivery. That would take longer than 4 weeks, but if I wanted a tracking number that would cost $80.00. *Sigh*
I then asked for an option with a tracking number, so I wouldn't have to wonder where the package was. By surface, it would still take as long, but cost about $50.00. What? So I asked about air delivery. That would take longer than 4 weeks, but if I wanted a tracking number that would cost $80.00. *Sigh*
So I sent the new box air- with no tracking number. I then said to the postal person, so, theoretically, the original box and the replacement box could get to her at the same time.... She thought about it and said, "Yeah, I guess so." *Bigger sigh*
I knew there would be a learning curve to opening my own "shop", but I didn't realize I'd be hitting such frustration so soon. I went with the postal system thinking it would be the more cost effective method for both me and my customers. Now I think I may have to look into UPS or something.
After all, how can a Browncoat go wrong with a company that asks, "What can Brown do for you?" Stay tuned to find out!
Until next time:
"This must be what going mad feels like."
2 comments:
In Canada, if you want your package to arrive on time, DO NOT use UPS!! We have nothing but trouble with them at work if people are sending to us from the States - or even within town! We only use FedEx and I've never had a problem (knock on wood!)
Welcome to the world of blogging.
i once made the mistake of sending a Jayne hat to Australia via Canada Post surface and it took over three months!! it did arrive eventually though, and thankfully the girl i was sending it to was a very understanding Browncoat. i learned a very valuable lesson: never send international packages via "surface". it's worth the extra couple dollars to send it airmail. i think that's the only major problem i've ever had shipping with Canada Post. they've never lost any of my packages (knock on wood). and in my experience their shipping times for airmail to the UK are astoundingly good! i've had Jayne hats get to the UK faster than they'd ship within Canada! so don't lose faith in the system just yet! :)
Ma Cobb
www.geocitites.com/fadingendlessly
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