An update here on shipping from Parallax to Canada.
Parallax shipped my 5 larger memory "replacement" Quikstart boards on July 6th at a postage cost of $4.56 US, and they just arrived, July 26, So that is 20 days in transit...... pretty dismal postal performance, but certainly inexpensive, and acceptable if one is not in a hurry. The mail process did not attract any taxes, duty or clearing fees. So I'm pretty happy to know that now I can get very low cost shipping if I'm not in a rush.
Good going, Parallax, and, oh, thanks for the replacement of the Quikstarts with the increased memory. As requested, I have already started "recycling" the old ones by giving them to folks not yet using the Propeller.
Is this service taken away? I tried to order a few things for about 100 USD and had two choices on USPS, one for about 50 dollars, the other one some 47 dollars. Was not able to choose the cheap one no more. With local taxes and other stuff the items become too expensive so I put the order on hold.
Hi Moskog-
Yes, we still do offer that service. There is a a USPS weight limit however. Try placing a small-weight item or two into your "cart" and then see if the option for that comes up.
If so, you might want to break up your order into several smaller ones. If you're trying to get a boe-bot or something like that, you're probably out of luck though.
OK, it could be the weight limit bit that is set to 1. I was trying to order a five-pack of propeller boards and some other stuff. Could possibly be to heavy. I probably go on with the order because I need those boards. No problem!
The chart on the "Pricing" tab only goes to 16 oz., but the "Rules & Restrictions" tab states that the weight limit for First Class International is 64 oz.
Well, my first experience was good; 5 QuickStart boards for a shipping cost of about $4.50
So today I ordered two BOE boards (with gratis speakers I presume) and was told that the shipping costs are about $40.00 OUCH!!!!! Wonder why the huge increase?
Sadly the US Postal Service increased international parcel rates by about 50% earlier this year. I ordered some R/C airplane items out of the US and was equally disappointed with shipping cost. In fact, $40USD seems a little low.
Since the US government quit any means other than air for shipping abroad, the prices have gotten sky high. Also, the 'flat rate scheme' means that you have to pay the same rate to Canada as to Taiwan.
Shopping internationally for US based companies may require big orders to justify the shipping. Buying together with others as a group would be helpful.
There is a 'flat rate - small box - priority mail' rate for $16.95 USD, but it seems that Parallax and others are NOT using that. The larger 20lb medium box is $47.95. Software seems unable to keep up with the rate changes.
That doesn't seem right. I can't imagine those two boards weighing over 2 lbs. (might be less than a pound), and even 2 lbs would only be $9 (US) for a First Class International package to Canada and $17 to Taiwan.
I refused a delivery last month. UPS wanted 422 euro (import vat) for a package ordered at digikey
422 euro vat for a 244 euro order.
Package consists only electronic parts, mostly propeller based stuf.
All are gone
UPS ===>United Parcel Service
USPS ==>USA Postal Service
Everyone seems to be doing something different about collecting duties and VAT.
And aside from the Postal Services, each has some rather unique handling problems in the destination country. I can get some packages via some services delivered to a 7-11 near my home; while other services don't even seem to be based in the same city as me and so the package floats around in a sub-contractor's truck while I sort out when I will be home.
Comments
An update here on shipping from Parallax to Canada.
Parallax shipped my 5 larger memory "replacement" Quikstart boards on July 6th at a postage cost of $4.56 US, and they just arrived, July 26, So that is 20 days in transit...... pretty dismal postal performance, but certainly inexpensive, and acceptable if one is not in a hurry. The mail process did not attract any taxes, duty or clearing fees. So I'm pretty happy to know that now I can get very low cost shipping if I'm not in a rush.
Good going, Parallax, and, oh, thanks for the replacement of the Quikstarts with the increased memory. As requested, I have already started "recycling" the old ones by giving them to folks not yet using the Propeller.
Cheers,
Peter (pjv)
Yes, we still do offer that service. There is a a USPS weight limit however. Try placing a small-weight item or two into your "cart" and then see if the option for that comes up.
If so, you might want to break up your order into several smaller ones. If you're trying to get a boe-bot or something like that, you're probably out of luck though.
-Matt
https://www.usps.com/ship/first-class-international.htm
Well, my first experience was good; 5 QuickStart boards for a shipping cost of about $4.50
So today I ordered two BOE boards (with gratis speakers I presume) and was told that the shipping costs are about $40.00 OUCH!!!!! Wonder why the huge increase?
Cheers,
Peter (pjv)
Sadly the US Postal Service increased international parcel rates by about 50% earlier this year. I ordered some R/C airplane items out of the US and was equally disappointed with shipping cost. In fact, $40USD seems a little low.
http://ircalc.usps.gov/
Since the US government quit any means other than air for shipping abroad, the prices have gotten sky high. Also, the 'flat rate scheme' means that you have to pay the same rate to Canada as to Taiwan.
Shopping internationally for US based companies may require big orders to justify the shipping. Buying together with others as a group would be helpful.
There is a 'flat rate - small box - priority mail' rate for $16.95 USD, but it seems that Parallax and others are NOT using that. The larger 20lb medium box is $47.95. Software seems unable to keep up with the rate changes.
422 euro vat for a 244 euro order.
Package consists only electronic parts, mostly propeller based stuf.
All are gone
No UPS for me
UPS ===>United Parcel Service
USPS ==>USA Postal Service
Everyone seems to be doing something different about collecting duties and VAT.
And aside from the Postal Services, each has some rather unique handling problems in the destination country. I can get some packages via some services delivered to a 7-11 near my home; while other services don't even seem to be based in the same city as me and so the package floats around in a sub-contractor's truck while I sort out when I will be home.