Lead Adventure Forum

Other Stuff => General Wargames and Hobby Discussion => Topic started by: 6milPhil on September 14, 2019, 02:35:17 PM

Title: US shipping malarkey
Post by: 6milPhil on September 14, 2019, 02:35:17 PM

U.S. to leave global postal union next month barring last-minute action; exit could send global parcel rates soaring...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/us-to-leave-global-postal-union-next-month
Title: Re: US shipping malarkey
Post by: Storm Wolf on September 14, 2019, 02:36:17 PM
Post is too bloody high already, have given up ordering from the states for some time now >:(
Title: Re: US shipping malarkey
Post by: Antonio J Carrasco on September 14, 2019, 04:14:48 PM
Luckily, I have accumulated enough miniatures to last a lifetime, because between this and Brexit miniatures prices are going to become prohibitive for poor old Europeans!  lol

E-commerce will take a hit.
Title: Re: US shipping malarkey
Post by: zemjw on September 14, 2019, 04:20:59 PM
Likewise on both size of lead mountain and not buying from abroad for a while now. Apart from the post cost, the customs cost stops me as well :'(
Title: Re: US shipping malarkey
Post by: redzed on September 14, 2019, 05:22:05 PM
After reading it the USA does make a very valid point.
 :D
Title: Re: US shipping malarkey
Post by: FramFramson on September 14, 2019, 05:34:54 PM
Whoof. The postal service is the last refuge for reasonable shipping prices up here. Importing anything via courier is functionally prohibitive for all but the largest shipments.
Title: Re: US shipping malarkey
Post by: Elbows on September 14, 2019, 05:57:30 PM
Like many large international organizations, the US often carries the burden of supporting everyone else.  We have no government subsidized shipping like other countries.  Also, in the US we essentially accept the cost of delivering every other country's packages once they hit our shores.

If I order something from China, I can have a simple small product shipped here for $3.99 (including the cost of the product!).  The shipping on that item is essentially more than that, etc.

If I want to ship something to even the UK, it's something like $16 bare minimum, and $25-26 over 1 lb.  Honestly that's probably what it should cost, considering what we're doing.

If ripping off a band-aid is going to help address some issues, I'm fine with it - even if it increases the cost of cheap Chinese stuff, or importing stuff from other countries.  I feel like we've gotten awfully comfortable with the luxury of ordering stuff from anywhere in the world for cheap - even if the end result is bad for economies.
Title: Re: US shipping malarkey
Post by: grant on September 14, 2019, 06:22:34 PM
 Couldn’t tell you the last time I ordered from the US. Far too expensive already, just another way to hurt their exports I guess.

I order from Europe, hell even New Zealand, cheaper and easier.

I actually haven’t visited the US in a very long time either. It’s become a non-destination.
Title: Re: US shipping malarkey
Post by: carlos marighela on September 14, 2019, 09:54:26 PM
After reading it the USA does make a very valid point.
 :D

Indeed but making it will further harm their economy.
Title: Re: US shipping malarkey
Post by: syrinx0 on September 15, 2019, 01:42:18 AM
I doubt it will do additional harm.  Given that it has subsidized some foreign businesses in the US market, allowing them to undercut local retailers on shipping, it might improve some US businesses profit margins.  This has been an ongoing issue for at quite a long time. 

I usually only buy Canadian and UK figures and that rather sparingly.  I expect those rates won't change much if at all after new deals are worked out.
Title: Re: US shipping malarkey
Post by: Poiter50 on September 15, 2019, 01:59:07 AM
So Trump's ongoing war on China trade affects the rest of us yet again?
Title: Re: US shipping malarkey
Post by: redzed on September 15, 2019, 02:05:11 AM
I must of read a different article than everybody else.
Title: Re: US shipping malarkey
Post by: syrinx0 on September 15, 2019, 02:53:20 AM
This complaint surfaced before Trump was elected though perhaps is only getting addressed now for other reasons. I think I first read about it on TMP years ago regarding cheap terrain from China.  It really is silly that the US postal system subsidizes Chinese postage but not other UK or Canada.   
Title: Re: US shipping malarkey
Post by: Elbows on September 15, 2019, 03:55:07 AM
I must of read a different article than everybody else.

It's to be expected these days.

RE: Syrinx

Yeah, we basically do all the work for free once it gets to the US for numerous countries.  Our national shipping rates are decidedly okay, but shipping from various other countries are actually cheaper.
Title: Re: US shipping malarkey
Post by: Codsticker on September 15, 2019, 04:10:25 AM
Ultimately it may not change much for most countries as once the US withdraws it will negotiate new arrangements with individual foreign postal services. Postal rates will probably go up a few dollars for countries such as Canada and the UK, but much more for China.
Title: Re: US shipping malarkey
Post by: Shahbahraz on September 15, 2019, 09:30:40 AM
I suspect that all that will happen is the US becoming even more insular, which is fine if you have that product available in country.

I long ago gave up on purchasing from the US as the postal rates were eye-watering.

As for EU purchases from the UK, look forward to cheap product as the pound continues to slump in value. The UK central bank is estimating up to 30%.
Title: Re: US shipping malarkey
Post by: Coenus Scaldingus on September 16, 2019, 02:15:52 PM
I long ago gave up on purchasing from the US as the postal rates were eye-watering.
Postal rates are one thing (can get expensive with large or heavy items, and a few metal minis can get quite heavy quite quickly!), but it's the customs charges and taxes that are the real issue for me...
Quote
As for EU purchases from the UK, look forward to cheap product as the pound continues to slump in value. The UK central bank is estimating up to 30%.
...and depending on the eventual Brexit scenario/deal, I suppose we might see those on things arriving from the UK as well before too long. Possibly with higher tariffs depending on the items not covered by any trade deals? No idea how that works. Weak pound may be beneficial for purchasing UK goods from abroad, but that's about it in terms of positives.
Title: Re: US shipping malarkey
Post by: Condottiere on September 19, 2019, 12:52:17 PM
So Trump's ongoing war on China trade affects the rest of us yet again?
Indeed...
Title: Re: US shipping malarkey
Post by: Elbows on September 19, 2019, 04:20:22 PM
Guys, please do one of two things:

1) Take the political nonsense out of this thread.

2) Actually read the article before making snide comments about things you seemingly don't understand.
Title: Re: US shipping malarkey
Post by: Condottiere on September 19, 2019, 07:45:24 PM
Guys, please do one of two things:

1) Take the political nonsense out of this thread.

2) Actually read the article before making snide comments about things you seemingly don't understand.
1) Criticism is suddenly political nonsense when one's in agreement with the decision... ;)

No, I haven't ordered anything from China since purchasing two things: two Bloodlust Tyrants and a denim/leather strop. The former showed up in clear plastic wrapping - good thing it didn't say Lovelust, as I'd get weird looks from the postman :o - and the latter went missing, so 50% delivery rate in my experience.

I agree with the no politics rule, lest the Rovers show up.

2) I understood it clearly and it doesn't surprise me at all...
Title: Re: US shipping malarkey
Post by: grant on September 20, 2019, 03:44:54 AM
Guys, please do one of two things:

1) Take the political nonsense out of this thread.

2) Actually read the article before making snide comments about things you seemingly don't understand.

Or, just accept that the rest of the world can think for itself and form its own opinions about what’s happening.

Nonsense? Laughable.
Title: Re: US shipping malarkey
Post by: Elbows on September 20, 2019, 06:43:41 AM
It's not laughable.  It is nonsense.
Title: Re: US shipping malarkey
Post by: jetengine on September 20, 2019, 08:35:13 AM
It's not laughable.  It is nonsense.
With respect, when it comes to international postage in relation to china, the current tarrifs and spate of American isolationism will come up. Its inevitable, similarly the price of UK minis will cause talk of brexit. These things are inexorably tied together
Title: Re: US shipping malarkey
Post by: Antonio J Carrasco on September 20, 2019, 08:43:26 AM
With respect, when it comes to international postage in relation to china, the current tarrifs and spate of American isolationism will come up. Its inevitable, similarly the price of UK minis will cause talk of brexit. These things are inexorably tied together

Yep

We can try to keep politics out of our hobbies, but that doesn't mean that politics won't affect them. It's naïve to think otherwise.
Title: Re: US shipping malarkey
Post by: warrenpeace on September 27, 2019, 03:22:29 AM
Seems like the USA and the rest of the UPU reached a deal yesterday. Crisis averted! I don't have to rush to order all the minis I want from Britain this weekend!
Title: Re: US shipping malarkey
Post by: Nordic1980s on September 27, 2019, 03:54:42 PM
Here is the latest news link (https://www.freightwaves.com/news/usps-to-hike-international-postal-rates-after-postal-group-vote) on the issue.