Need input for Rockler order - are there gems?

[Dr. P. Venkman]

Over here, if you create an online account and agree to receive their email specials, you get free shipping. It’s likely that the free shipping is only valid for the continental US, but just in case you want to try...

 

[FestitaMakool]

Good tip, thank you!
I did sign up for emails, I’ll have another look for specials..

 

[Cheese]

Festita...just to make your day a little bit better, here goes, misery loves company.  [smile]

[member=18040]Oliver[/member] asked me to send him some Spax fasteners. Natuarally I agreed.  [big grin]

So I took this mother-lode of screws  [tongue]  to UPS and requested they be sent to Germany. The tally...$128. I then inquired upon the rates from Fed Ex, USPS and DHL. There was really not a significant difference in any of the options. So a plastic box, 2"x3"x1/2" that weighs 1-2 oz delivered to Germany costs $128...something's really wrong here.

I haven't given up...I'll try one last idea.  [smile]

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[AlexThePalex]

So I took this mother-lode of screws  [tongue]  to UPS and requested they be sent to Germany. The tally...$128. I then inquired upon the rates from Fed Ex, USPS and DHL. There was really not a significant difference in any of the options. So a plastic box, 2"x3"x1/2" that weighs 1-2 oz delivered to Germany costs $128...something's really wrong here.

Yep.

A long time ago there was an Aussie member here who collected systainers, and heard me speak here how easy it was to find them here on the used market. He asked me to find some for him and send them from The Netherlands to Australia, which is about the biggest  distance you can get for a package, 14,784 Km.

So I send a few, and the postage for a packet up to 5 kg was €35.

 

[Svar]

So a plastic box, 2"x3"x1/2" that weighs 1-2 oz delivered to Germany costs $128...something's really wrong here.

This is strange. I shipped packages to/from Europe, Australia, etc. recently and in the past and the cost was not nearly what you were quoted.

 

[Cheese]

This is strange. I shipped packages to/from Europe, Australia, etc. recently and in the past and the cost was not nearly what you were quoted.

This has happened a number of times to me. I ordered a Festool router bit from the UK and the store sent me the wrong item. The postage to return the router bit would have cost me more than the bit itself...I still have the router bit.  [sad]

I've had items shipped FROM Germany & the UK and the postal rates are very reasonable. Going the opposite direction however is cost prohibitive.

 

[ChuckS]

Postal services should be cheaper for international parcels, if delivery time is not critical. But not every vendor offers that option.

When I buy things that are shipped from the States, I mostly shop at Amazon because a) the shipping cost is usually reasonable, b) I often get free shipping if the combined orders are over $35 Cdn. No unforeseen costs or surprises.

Buying direct from a US merchant carries a risk: Custom fees can be levied on me without warning until the courier fellow shows up!

So I buy my woodworking machines, tools and supplies from my local merchants whenever I can.