Why so expensive for overseas shipping?

[MCE-Refugee]

I was going to order a HD300 at the attractive price of $149 but it's not until I reached the checkout that I discovered that the price for shipping to me here in France by Parcel Post (which is the only option) is $57!!! You mean I don't even get it sent by FedEx, DHL or some rapid & reliable service when you charge more than 1/3 the cost of the HD300? Sorry but that is crazy. I think that I will just look for a HD200 on eBay as the prices have doubtless just dropped a lot.

[teq]

Originally Posted by MCE-Refugee

I was going to order a HD300 at the attractive price of $149 but it's not until I reached the checkout that I discovered that the price for shipping by Parcel Post (which is the only option) is $57!!! You mean I don't even get it sent by FedEx, DHL or some rapid & reliable service when you charge more than 1/3 the cost of the HD300? Sorry but that is crazy. I think that I will just look for a HD200 on eBay as the prices have doubtless just dropped a lot.

I don't know where you live, but as I am living in Japan I quite often use the service of ExpatExpress.com to send me some new hardware from the U.S. (thanks to the strong Yen). Shipping costs of course depend on where you live (and how heavy/bulky your shipment is), but for me it's usually between $40-$50. It really only makes sense if your order multiple items, for example a few things from Amazon, the new HD300 from SageTV, etc.

In case you're interested, here's the link to their website:
http://www.expatexpress.com/Expat/

I have always been very satisfied with their service quality/speed of delivery.

Hope this helps,
teq

[MCE-Refugee]

Thanks. I updated my original post to add the information that it's shipping to France (& presumably the rest of Europe) that costs $57. It's impossible to discover the shipping cost except by progressing right through the checkout & entering all your details. I just checked on the USPS website & even a large USPS supplied box that can ship up to 20lbs weight doesn't cost $57 & that is for Priority Mail. I don't know what size the HD300 box is but a USPS Supplied Small Box: 8 5/8" x 5 3/8" x 1 5/8" with a Maximum weight 4 pounds costs just $13.45 to send to Europe.

How much does it cost to ship the HD300 to addresses in the US?

[jaminben]

Its not just the cost of shipping....its also the import duty once it arrives that makes it even worse. For my HD300 I ended up paying another $46 for duty so the total was $250 or there abouts which makes it quite expensive, but its worth it....... I guess

Cheers

Ben

[SDeGonge]

If you know someone in the states, have them buy it then they can ship it to you at a reasonable price.

[MCE-Refugee]

Originally Posted by jaminben

Its not just the cost of shipping....its also the import duty once it arrives that makes it even worse. For my HD300 I ended up paying another $46 for duty so the total was $250 or there abouts which makes it quite expensive, but its worth it....... I guess

Cheers

Ben

Paying VAT (Sales Tax) is OK but often the carrier charges a flat rate fee e.g. £20 for collecting the VAT from you whether it's £10 or £100.

[MCE-Refugee]

Originally Posted by SDeGonge

If you know someone in the states, have them buy it then they can ship it to you at a reasonable price.

I don't know anyone in the States perhaps someone could volunteer & so avoid SageTV gouging me for excessive shipping costs?

[stuckless]

Shipping and Duty combined is one of the reasons I didn't get the HD300... yet. It will cost me approx $230 by the time I add shipping, duties, and dollar conversion

[starfire]

Originally Posted by jaminben

Its not just the cost of shipping....its also the import duty once it arrives that makes it even worse. For my HD300 I ended up paying another $46 for duty so the total was $250 or there abouts which makes it quite expensive, but its worth it....... I guess

Cheers

Ben

The shipping cost is really putting me off to, 1/3 price of the unit! It seems so small, why the high charge?

How much did you end up paying if you don't mind me asking, the breakdown seems to be $150+$50 = £130, then VAT on this £22.75 and a parcel force charge £13.50 for collecting VAT = total £166 ($255) ?

Also, does the PSU brick supplied plug straight into our UK sockets?

[pvrpenguin]

Anyone in Canada purchased one yet that can report on the final cost to receive one (unit price, shipping, duties, etc)?

[jaminben]

Originally Posted by starfire

The shipping cost is really putting me off to, 1/3 price of the unit! It seems so small, why the high charge?

How much did you end up paying if you don't mind me asking, the breakdown seems to be $150+$50 = £130, then VAT on this £22.75 and a parcel force charge £13.50 for collecting VAT = total £166 ($255) ?

Also, does the PSU brick supplied plug straight into our UK sockets?

Unit cost @ £97 + Shipping @ £32 + VAT @ £17 + Handling @ £14 = £160 or $246

Why you have to pay ParcelForce a handling fee I don't know as they've already been payed by USPS (I assume) and they dont do anything as you have to go pick it up anyway. The overall price isn't too bad really..... well I'm not unhappy about it.

No the PSU doesn't plug into our sockets but I just swapped it over for the HD200 and reused the shaver socket I had.

Cheers

Ben

[starfire]

Ok thanks for that

[emotionnotion]

I just paid $72 for shipping to the UK for 2 HD300's and 2 IR Extenders which is daylight robbery; but what choice do we have in the UK?

Expecting VAT and Parcel force handling which will push it to at least $430 all in.

[starfire]

Originally Posted by emotionnotion

I just paid $72 for shipping to the UK for 2 HD300's and 2 IR Extenders which is daylight robbery; but what choice do we have in the UK?

I guess, we ask Sage why they are charging so much and if there is a cheaper way for such a small unit?

[jaminben]

Originally Posted by emotionnotion

I just paid $72 for shipping to the UK for 2 HD300's and 2 IR Extenders which is daylight robbery; but what choice do we have in the UK?

Expecting VAT and Parcel force handling which will push it to at least $430 all in.

Too me thats still cheaper than 2 x PC clients and you wont have 1/20 the hassles in setting them up.

Cheers

Ben

[MCE-Refugee]

Originally Posted by jaminben

Unit cost @ £97 + Shipping @ £32 + VAT @ £17 + Handling @ £14 = £160 or $246

Why you have to pay ParcelForce a handling fee I don't know as they've already been payed by USPS (I assume) and they dont do anything as you have to go pick it up anyway. The overall price isn't too bad really..... well I'm not unhappy about it.

No the PSU doesn't plug into our sockets but I just swapped it over for the HD200 and reused the shaver socket I had.

Cheers

Ben

Hang on. The HD300 was only announced yesterday. Did you get next day delivery? If so maybe the shipping charge isn't so exorbitant after all. The £14 handling charge is outrageous though. I know that it is possible for the company sending the goods to handle paying customs for you so that there are no nasty extra handling charges from Parcel Force or delays at customs. I don't know how it is done but B&H Photo offer it http://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/Hel...es.jsp#Customs

[PLUCKYHD]

Originally Posted by MCE-Refugee

Hang on. The HD300 was only announced yesterday. Did you get next day delivery? If so maybe the shipping charge isn't so exorbitant after all. The £14 handling charge is outrageous though. I know that it is possible for the company sending the goods to handle paying customs for you so that there are no nasty extra handling charges from Parcel Force or delays at customs. I don't know how it is done but B&H Photo offer it http://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/Hel...es.jsp#Customs

Ben was part of the Beta that is why he has his.

[MCE-Refugee]

Originally Posted by jaminben

No the PSU doesn't plug into our sockets but I just swapped it over for the HD200 and reused the shaver socket I had.

Rats! Didn't they learn from the HD200? How difficult would it be to use an off the shelf PSU that has a regular figure-of-eight power cord rather than it be moulded with a US plus?

[bcjenkins]

The PSU does 240V so all you really need is a socket converter. When I was in DE in July that was 5€

B

PS - the actual box is 24mm x 25mm x 8mm
PPS - I am willing to help anyone ship out of country PM me to talk

[Yalbik]

Originally Posted by MCE-Refugee

I was going to order a HD300 at the attractive price of $149 but it's not until I reached the checkout that I discovered that the price for shipping to me here in France by Parcel Post (which is the only option) is $57!!! You mean I don't even get it sent by FedEx, DHL or some rapid & reliable service when you charge more than 1/3 the cost of the HD300? Sorry but that is crazy. I think that I will just look for a HD200 on eBay as the prices have doubtless just dropped a lot.

No kidding...even shipping to Canada is $44 (plus any brokerage / taxes).

Anyone Canadians know:
1) If Sage will ship any other mechanism if you call? Shipping can take 6 weeks for all I care, as long as the cost is reasonable (say $20 or less)

2) What the final price is, including brokerage. If they ship USPS, it should be a flat $7 brokerage fee at most, but I hate having the nasty extra fee surprise that UPS often charges