Lead Adventure Forum
Other Stuff => General Wargames and Hobby Discussion => Topic started by: rivers3162 on August 02, 2019, 12:02:40 AM
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So I have found 2 classic oldhammer figures on eBay which I would love to complete a set but because they’re using ebay’s Global shipping program, to get them sent to the U.K. is ridiculously expensive.
So...can anyone tell me how much it would be to ship 2 standard human metal miniatures from the US to the U.K.?
If so, I may try and find a US forumite who might be willing to let me have them posted to them and then send them on to me in the UK...
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Still, very expensive.
Minimum was around $18-20 USD last time I checked. It's been a year or two though. eBay's worldwide shipping program thing is a crock because it's even more expensive and just slower/crappier.
The US does not have subsidized shipping, and we pay the full amount, whereas the US actually picks up the shipping cost of stuff coming in from other countries (to increase commerce). Whatever it costs the USPS and its affiliates to ship it...we pay it full.
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Depending on weight a small packet/envelope with the figures will be at least $14.50 first class mail. If you still need help contact me at richard@recreationalconflict.com
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That's a little bit better than I'd remembered, though I was probably shipping 1lb.+ items which automatically get categorized as priority shipping. Recreational Conflict are good dudes. Give them a shout.
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Some sellers will agree to "alternative" shipping arrangements...
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Some sellers will agree to "alternative" shipping arrangements...
Unfortunately I have asked them both and they have both said they are only willing to ship through eBay's program.
I'm just trying to work out if it is worth getting them both shipped to someone in the US and then getting them to post them on to me...
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Still Happy to help.
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US has ridiculous shipping - to anywhere. I can order from anywhere in the EU for cheaper than US, and I live in Canada.
Insanity.
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The USPS does offer subsidized shipping (https://www.forbes.com/sites/wadeshepard/2017/11/05/how-the-usps-epacket-gives-postal-subsidies-to-chinese-e-commerce-merchants-to-ship-to-the-usa-cheap/#3a6fb41340ca) and offers discounts for bulk shippers, like parcel services for Amazon (https://www.vox.com/2017/12/29/16830128/amazon-trump-twitter-postal-service-feud), to compete in the market with UPS and FedEx. Average sellers, such as on eBay and game stores, don't benefit from the market rates, so have to pay standard prices, but this is no different than European countries.
Based on discussions with eBay sellers, around 2015, USPS consolidated its postage tiers, so this is why 1-8 oz costs $13-$15 to ship to Europe, but despite the parochial griping, the postage is still cheaper than ordering from the mainland: y'all want to know what's ridiculous? Excluding eBay's Global Shipping Program, beloved by some here, two or three 28mm shipped from the UK is £3.50-£5.00, but almost double that from France, worse from Germany and forget about Switzerland. TBF, eBay does offer low rates for shipping from mainland Europe, compared offsite sellers and their flat rate options: for instance, three figures from Forge of Doom is ~15€, in contrast a blister pack of 6-8 miniatures from Foundry is £6 and postage is cheaper for French graphic novels from Amazon UK than Amazon France.