Jobo Posted February 12, 2015 Report Share Posted February 12, 2015 I was charged over $17 in shipping for a package that weighs 12 grams! Thanks so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrd456 Posted February 12, 2015 Report Share Posted February 12, 2015 Rip-off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason porter Posted February 12, 2015 Report Share Posted February 12, 2015 Zaxcom has shipping services? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jobo Posted February 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2015 Cheapest Ground Shipping they offer. What a deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afewmoreyears Posted February 12, 2015 Report Share Posted February 12, 2015 It could of been put in a First class envelope couldn't it?... I always ask with things like this... It's never been a problem.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason porter Posted February 12, 2015 Report Share Posted February 12, 2015 What company do they use? Are they "marking up" the shipping? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Perkins Posted February 12, 2015 Report Share Posted February 12, 2015 You didn't say how fast they got it to you. Overnight? 2 day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wandering Ear Posted February 12, 2015 Report Share Posted February 12, 2015 With repairs at least they invoice you before shipping out. Did you check your invoice before paying? I think that's about what I paid last time I had a repair for 3 day shipping. Maybe it's they're default price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jobo Posted February 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2015 I found out what the shipping charges were AFTER it had shipped via an email invoice at end of day. At that point I couldn't call to change anything. They shipped me an EMPTY BOX with 12grams of antennas inside via UPS ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason porter Posted February 12, 2015 Report Share Posted February 12, 2015 What was the actual UPS shipping charge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldmixer Posted February 12, 2015 Report Share Posted February 12, 2015 I've had antennas sent to me in Canada. I requested they be mailed in an envelope. And they were. It's the same ol typical shipping reality. Manufacturers or sellers or whatever, need confirmation of receipt. And often you only get that with a somewhat premium costing service. If they were sent in an envelope, who's to say some jerk would lie and say they didn't receive them. If there were, a cheaper alternative for shipping antennas, I certainly would have appreciated the attempt to find out exactly the least expensive way to ship. And, I would be pissed off if there were a flat rate traceable envelope at a lesser cost. The base question is, does the person responsible in the shipping dept even care.. Everything Zaxcom is expensive enough already.. IMO, My message to Zaxcom. If a customer orders only antennas, please consider shipping the antennas in an envelope for your registered customers. Or at least offer it as an option. If you give a break on this one thing. You wont regret it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfisk Posted February 12, 2015 Report Share Posted February 12, 2015 That's actually not bad for UPS ground shipping. It's not just the weight of the items shipped, but the dimensional weight of the box. I had a conversation with UPS about this some time ago. You can ship a box that is 10 feet by 10 feet that is empty and the only weight is the box itself. They are not only charging for that weight, but the volume that it takes up. When you get to air shipping it gets even more expensive. Shipping costs are something every manufacturer has to take into consideration, as well as carriers. I shy away from shipping anything USPS. I've had too many items lost for it to be reliable, even doing all the insurance and registration and all that. It gets even worse for international. I'd say at least 60% of the time I send something small internationally via USPS it ends up lost. You just can't track reliably with USPS like you can with UPS or FedEx. Just like everything in our industry, the good stuff may cost a little more, but it's worth it to know that when we ship something it'll get delivered. In my 4 years with K-Tek I think only one or two boxes out of the tens of thousands we have shipped got lost via UPS and FedEx. that's a pretty good track record compared to the alternative. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Trew Posted February 12, 2015 Report Share Posted February 12, 2015 Shipping expense like this is a valid concern, but it's not a rip-off, as "rip-off" implies overpricing for the unfair advantage of, in this case, the vendor. The problem is that the shipping services like US Post Office, DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc, have a minimum charge for secured and insured shipments that are trackable and signed for by recipient, and with a guaranteed delivery date. However, not all items being shipping require that level of security or timeliness. Keeping shipping prices no higher than necessary requires diligence, either by the customer, or the vendor, or (preferably) both. Vendors like manufacturers and dealers usually ship very expensive and mission-critical items that would only be shipped insured and trackable, and, since all such customers use the products professionally, realible delivery is much more important than a few dollars, even though it may cost more than the item being shipped. So the instinct is to ship all orders insured and trackable. For small, relatively inexpensive, non-mission critical needs, the customer and the vendor should discuss less expensive options such as common US Mail, noninsured, non trackable, with no guaranteed delivery date. In other words, put the items in an envelope, put a stamp on it, and hope of the best. Of courts, since the vendor then has no control over the outcome of the delivery, the customer must agree to take the very low risk of the item being lost in the mail. But, while it does happen, the risk is very low. Many online stores have the option of non-trackable uninsured shipping at reduced cost, though it is usually not the default option. If there doesn't seem to be that option, and it is a purchase you're willing to risk in the US Mail (like the US government does millions of times each day), then call the vendor directly to make that request. Most will be willing to accommodate the request. If not, look for another one who will. GT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Wexler Posted February 12, 2015 Report Share Posted February 12, 2015 +1 Glen Trew --- spoken from experience and clear thinking. I appreciate that, particularly the part about the incorrect usage of the term "rip-off". I do find that it bothers me when I order something and it arrives in a huge box with a ton of padding material (often of the not so earth friendly type) surrounding a very small item that really doesn't need any protection. This bothers me enough that I don't even get to the part about how much it might have cost to ship. There have been times when I have decided not to even order something because the stated shipping cost is so much more than the cost of the item. I will forego the convenience of buying online and try to find the item locally if possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Martin Posted February 12, 2015 Report Share Posted February 12, 2015 I ordered a replacement battery door (for a trx900aa) from Zaxcom a few months ago and they asked if I preferred it coming in a padded envelope through standard mail to save on the shipping cost. So they are conscious of shipping costs for small items, but perhaps in this case it slipped through the cracks and it was just sent UPS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Radlauer Posted February 13, 2015 Report Share Posted February 13, 2015 I ordered a pack of Rycote stickies from one of the usual suspects. $17 at the very most. Everyone knows stickies come in a ziplock bag...can easily fit in an envelope, and are obviously not fragile. $12 for standard shipping in a gigantic box....Seriously!? I called and asked if there were less expensive options and was flatly told "no". That was the absolute lowest price they could charge. SO for that reason alone I cannot use this "usual suspect" anymore even though I have a great deal of respect for them. I tend to make a lot of my on-line purchases in the evening after work when the shop is closed, so if there isn't a cheaper option for shipping then I have to chose whatever is available. When I can I ask for flat rate shipping. Everyone knows I build cables. I do my best to keep cost low and have been using USPS flat rate shipping for almost all of my orders...I have had zero issues shipping this way. I print the label at home and drop it off at the Post Office. This works for me and I don't have to charge a ton for shipping. Even the times I've shipped over night..The package arrived on time and when expected. I have even shipped internationally this way and have had no problems. I know the USPS has their issues but I have not experienced any to date. Flat Rate USPS shipping can both be tracked (free) and insured up to I believe $5000... And honestly if you are shipping something that is that much then you will definitely ask for insurance and tracking. Oh and all of their packing boxes are free.. I think the vendor should be courteous enough to make the option available when placing on-line orders. A lot of people just don't have time to make the call and ask.. How much common sense does it take to see that a ziplock bag full of stickers or an antenna doesn't need to ship in a 12x6x6 box?? I think it would make the vendor look better and more customer servicy (sp) if they tried to save the customer some money instead of shipping something so small huge box with un-needed packaging and passing that a long to the customer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldmixer Posted February 13, 2015 Report Share Posted February 13, 2015 I've had 100+ items shipped to me via USPS from US > Canada, nothing ever lost. And, Its often surprisingly fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek H Posted February 13, 2015 Report Share Posted February 13, 2015 In my opinion USPS has improved a lot in recent years. Seems like they're a lot cheaper and nearly as fast if not faster sometimes. Also, Saturday delivery is not an extra charge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afewmoreyears Posted February 13, 2015 Report Share Posted February 13, 2015 That's actually not bad for UPS ground shipping. It's not just the weight of the items shipped, but the dimensional weight of the box. I had a conversation with UPS about this some time ago. You can ship a box that is 10 feet by 10 feet that is empty and the only weight is the box itself. They are not only charging for that weight, but the volume that it takes up. When you get to air shipping it gets even more expensive. Shipping costs are something every manufacturer has to take into consideration, as well as carriers. I shy away from shipping anything USPS. I've had too many items lost for it to be reliable, even doing all the insurance and registration and all that. It gets even worse for international. I'd say at least 60% of the time I send something small internationally via USPS it ends up lost. You just can't track reliably with USPS like you can with UPS or FedEx. Just like everything in our industry, the good stuff may cost a little more, but it's worth it to know that when we ship something it'll get delivered. In my 4 years with K-Tek I think only one or two boxes out of the tens of thousands we have shipped got lost via UPS and FedEx. that's a pretty good track record compared to the alternative. I have shipped so many things USPS Priority shipping in the various sized boxes... (all you can fit) I can't even say how many.... I have never lost one thing... ever... I have confidence in that method for NON critical, not real expensive items.... I'm probably not going to send a 633 that way, but maybe... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Woodcock Posted February 13, 2015 Report Share Posted February 13, 2015 Interesting thing for me in N.Ireland is that I have had shipping quotes to main land England via plane or boat cheaper than to have stuff shipped an hour and half drive to the Republic of Ireland because its classed as a foreign country. Funny that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Radlauer Posted February 13, 2015 Report Share Posted February 13, 2015 I think there are obvious reasons why one would pay more for shipping, or use FedEx or UPS. But honestly I've had TONS of problems with UPS...TONS! Oh and by the way, UPS could give a crap about you..even if its their fault. I got in to a huge argument with a manager and he basically told me they don't care, and they won't do anything to fix an issue they created at the time. So never again! There was a time I probably never would have used USPS, but they have improved and you just can't beat flat rate shipping..Plus it shows up in 2/3 days max domestically. I would consider shipping mission critical stuff USPS...Insured of course and I'd probably pay for an overnight service.. I shipped something recently via USPS Overnight by 3pm. It was $44. Not too bad, and it was early.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason porter Posted February 13, 2015 Report Share Posted February 13, 2015 I try to use Canada Post and USPS exclusively, they aren't as profit driven (at least they appear not to be) as the big parcel carriers ($60 processing fee on top of the high shipping fee??) The only issues that I have had with the postal service had to do with mysteriously missing consumer items like cell phones. An angry phone call and a bundle of missing parcels shows up at my door...curious! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Maier Posted February 13, 2015 Report Share Posted February 13, 2015 When I lived in the US UPS and Fedex were fine, but since moving to Canada I have stopped using UPS for anything that crosses the border. Their "broker" fees are nuts. I have been very happy with Canada post and USPS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berniebeaudry Posted February 13, 2015 Report Share Posted February 13, 2015 Prices on UPS and Fed Ex have gone up and in my opinion the service is worse. Most things I receive via Fed Ex don't require a signature anymore. They ring the door bell and put the box down on the porch. If no one is home they just leave it there anyway. I don't know if you have to pay extra now for a signature but it seems that's the case. I had my Nomad shipped back to me from repair via regular UPS and it was just left outside the door. No signature. I just used USPS to send off something and Priority Mail(First Class)is fast and not too expensive. It includes tracking and for a small fee a signature requirement. I think it helps to be pro active with the seller and discuss the options if you can. You can go to the sites of all the shipping companies and estimate shipping costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirror Posted February 13, 2015 Report Share Posted February 13, 2015 Wait, didn't this thread have a different title yesterday? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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