Shipping to Europe?

[megoscott]

I'm hearing from a Lost fan in Spain who is looking at $36 to ship figures to her. I'm not sure that's really so bad considering the way the world works, but I'm not sure there's any alternative? Should she urge her comic shop to carry them or what?

[rche]

shipping USPS first class is the lowest cost. However, there is no insurance or tracking and once the item is sent there is no way to tell where it is and if it gets lost, the seller is basically gonna eat the cost. So, unless buyers are willing to accept the risk, it is sort of worrisome for a seller.

I just shipped a carded figure in a bubble envelope at the buyers request. It was about $7.00.

In a box, the lowest cost is about $11.00. When you purchase/ship in bulk, the shipping goes down. I sent 6 figures in an EE universal monster box to Belgium for somewhere around $30?? Breaks down to $5 shipping per figure, so bulk is the way to do it. However, this was still First Class and fingers crossed.

Priority allows for tracking and insurance and moves the cost up quite a bit. Though you can fit a loose figure in a priority VHS box which is something like $13 or so.

hope that helps

[Meule]

No offense Scott, but if you think it's OK or even normal for the shipping price to be higher than the actual figure, then you need to get your head examined. I don't mean any disrespect, I really don't, but I'm really sick and tired of this crap.
Us Europeans constantly get screwed and it really bothers me when people behave as tho we should be grateful we are allowed to buy these figures.

[haran_banjo_]

Hi, I'ìm italian and I know very well the problem about the shipment to Europe (in Italy specially).
The better way is USPS Priority Mail, a little expensive but sure and it arrives soon. I use First Class only for little things with a low value. Normally First Class arrives 1 month after the shipment starting and in Italy, for example, the customs add a tax (random) over the value declared plus the shipment cost.
In Spain the problem with customs is equal our in Italy.
About the request of 30/35$ for to send a package in Priority think about the fact that in Italy, in Spain, in Germany and France a little shipment in Europe (and not in USA) costs 16€/18€, like 22/24$...30$ I think is an onest price for a trakeable shipment from USA.
For example, I bought all the WSGH by Mattel and in Priority I paid 42$ every shipment of 8 figures (2 waves).

[Gorn Captain]

Shipping internationally is always "expensive", though I've been fortunate enough to buy from some really cool people lately. Rche sent me a fairly big box with EMCEs (and these are quite heavy). Shipping was like $35, I think.
A single Mego will cost me about $8 (loose) for shipping and $11 carded.
But in the past, I had a member ask me $14 shipping for a pair of Penguin shoes. Just regular mail, nothing fancy. I declined...

I think it's frustrating for us non-US collectors to realize we usually have to pay double for a figure. But that's just the way it is, neither side can change that. Shipping across the world means $$$$$. At times it is "annoying" to hear people complain about being overcharged $2 in shipping, though...

As for the deals I made with members here, they've always charged fair shipping, and I appreciate that a lot. I've had members refund me $3 on shipping, that's how honest some are.

I can understand Thomas' frustration, we both love US products, and drool over so much, only to be deterred by high shipping. True, sometimes the shipping exceeds the price itself by a huge margin.
Did you know how much they charge for the Mattel ReMegos and TZ figures here? $40. Each. In local stores, that is, if you can get them at all.

[megoscott]

I get your frustration too, hell, that's why I'm asking for solutions. What am I supposed to do about it?

What I meant in my first post was I wasn't sure $36 was abnormally high or not. Most of my experience is sending 20 pound playsets overseas, and you know how expensive that was.

[Mikey]

Just thinking outloud ......

We should all get together and make a designated shipping station in England to handle all overseas transactions --- basically a hub.

Perhaps a Museum member there could volunteer and manage it.

Basically we send everything to him and he resends to the rest of Europe ... and vice versa

Since we 100% trust him we wouldn't need insurance or tracking from the US to him.

Like I said ... just thinking outloud

[Meule]

I get your frustration too, hell, that's why I'm asking for solutions. What am I supposed to do about it?

What I meant in my first post was I wasn't sure $36 was abnormally high or not. Most of my experience is sending 20 pound playsets overseas, and you know how expensive that was.

Sorry if I sounded a little harsh. I guess there really isn't a simple solution. If it's someone you trust you can send it for $11, like Rik said, but that's not trackable. If you want insurance and tracking... then yeah, $36 it is unfortunately

[megoscott]

Stupid big giant ocean.

[Meule]

Stupid big giant ocean.

I say we drain it

[The Toyroom]

I suppose it would be easier (and cheaper) to send one to Australia, then put it a plane (preferably Oceanic Airlines) supposedly headed back to Los Angeles that will instead get detoured to a mysterious island. From there, make sure you're holding the package/action figure as you turn the frozen donkey wheel at the bottom of the Orchid Station. There will be a blinding flash of light and you will find yourself in the Tunisian desert. After that it's a quick trip on a boat across the Mediterranean and you (and your package) are in Europe.

Problem solved

[megoscott]

I'm embarrassed I didn't think of that.

[Meule]

I suppose it would be easier (and cheaper) to send one to Australia, then put it a plane (preferably Oceanic Airlines) supposedly headed back to Los Angeles that will instead get detoured to a mysterious island. From there, make sure you're holding the package/action figure as you turn the frozen donkey wheel at the bottom of the Orchid Station. There will be a blinding flash of light and you will find yourself in the Tunisian desert. After that it's a quick trip on a boat across the Mediterranean and you (and your package) are in Europe.

Problem solved

Brilliant

[Bruce Banner]

Sure, postage to Europe can be high, but I'm prepared to pay it if it gets the goods to me quickly and safely. Recently paid $14.99 for a CAH figure, shipping was $14 USPS Priority Mail International. I had no problem with that.