skyhawk174 Posted March 26, 2016 Share Posted March 26, 2016 So got this email in my inbox today. Sounds like something I should at least look at Cut and pasted from Sprue Brothers web site New Lower Cost International Shipping Option for Small Parcels A new shipping method called Economy International Shipping is now being offered. It offers a shipping cost that can be up to 50% lower than the US Postal Service for international addresses. This low cost international shipping method is for small packages weighing up to 4.4 pounds to certain countries. Transit times may vary and can range anywhere from 2 to 4+ weeks. Limited tracking is available. Packages shipping this method may not ship daily, but will ship at least every other day, depending on the number of packages awaiting shipment via this method. This method is currently offered to: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, and Switzerland. Recently with the increase in postage charges by the USPS it became pretty much impossible to order from Sprue Brothers even though I am just north in Canada. I guess we are still international since it is on the other side of the border. Yes this new service has a 2-4 week delivery but really not an issue for me. Well a currency exchange issue is still a problem but SB has no control over that either. I will have to go try a test order to see what comes out for the shipping portion. Unfortunately if this proves a good deal I might end up spending more when I am trying to cut back. I am sure Gordon has probably seen a drop in his international sales and like a very smart business man looks for ways to get those customers back. Kudos to him. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neo Posted March 26, 2016 Share Posted March 26, 2016 Well that's great news Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scooby Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 Interesting, I know the rate increases have killed my buying from US retailers. I ordered a lot from Sprue Brothers in the past, they were my number 1 source. But when the shipping is more than the product, I no longer ordered from all US retailers. The rest of the world was cheaper. I wonder if this is a US Postal service initiative or an existing method of shipment that wasn't being used, such as a non-trackable package? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rodney Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 I was interested in finding out more about this option. A Google search brings up FedEx. But weight is limited to 4.4lbs. This is probably one or two kits depending upon scale. Rodney Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DONG Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 If its FedEx like Rodney says we will be paying their Customs Brokerage fee of at least $30 Canadian. Which I had to just after Christmas for a package sent from the States. Don Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gkwan Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 It is not FedEx. See here on our website for more information: https://store.spruebrothers.com/help_answer.asp?ID=11#306 Also: https://www.ups.com/content/us/en/bussol/browse/international_mail_svcs.html http://www.upsmi.com/services/international_mail.html We are using one of the services offered by UPS-MI which currently only serves the countries we are offering this service to. Depending on how well this service works out, we may try to expand to other countries not currently served with one of their other services that do serve them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Berkut Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 (edited) Gordon, i understand this is likely on UPS side of things but, - any possibility to expand this to Norway? Denmark and Finland is covered, but it somehow avoids Norway and Sweden. :P They do say "over 200" countries after all. I assume this includes Norway/Sweden. Edited March 27, 2016 by Berkut Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Finn Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 I just did a quick check, some larger items like a 1/48 a/c kit the saving on shipping is only about $3 but aftermarket accessories the savings would over half, might be time to do some ordering again in the near future. Jari Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gkwan Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 (edited) Berkut - UPS-MI serves over 200 countries via their various services(shipping methods) offered, however the service we have been approved to use currently only services the countries we are offering at this time. We just started this Thursday so please give us a chance to see how well it works out in reality (what you are told, and reality, sometime are not the same). If it is an effective method, we will certainly try to expand what we can offer. Finn - how the cost is derived is completely different than how the US Postal Services does it. So the amount of savings is going to vary depending on the weight/dimensions of the package. Edited March 27, 2016 by gkwan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mingwin Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 I just did a quick check, some larger items like a 1/48 a/c kit the saving on shipping is only about $3 but aftermarket accessories the savings would over half, might be time to do some ordering again in the near future. Jari that's good for me, as rare aftermarket stuff was my primary interest in SB! so i guess i'll go take a look in the near future... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neo Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 Dam if its a ups service I'm sorry to say I'm out, I've been burnt by excessive brokage fee and actual taxes on non taxable items here in Canada. I rather pay more and use usps Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gkwan Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 FYI - this is not a service where the UPS brown truck delivers it. It will be delivered by your local postman. UPS just carries over to the country and puts it into the mailstream. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stevehnz Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 (edited) I'll be keen to check this out. I've used SB in the past but for obvious seasons not since the UPS charges went up so much. Can I use Paypal for this or must it be credit card (or debit card). Oops, should've said, I'm in New Zealand. Steve. Edited March 28, 2016 by stevehnz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scooby Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 (edited) Dam if its a ups service I'm sorry to say I'm out, I've been burnt by excessive brokage fee and actual taxes on non taxable items here in Canada. I rather pay more and use usps You and I both, the couriers ding the buyer with excessive and fictitious tariffs, fees, and taxes. This isn't a fix for me. Edited March 28, 2016 by Scooby Quote Link to post Share on other sites
a4s4eva Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 I might be able to buy something from Sprue Bros' again Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 Hey at least SprueBros is trying to make their business more affordable/accessible to folks living outside the U.S. Kudos to them I say! You never know, it just may be a potential fix for making some items people want/need more affordable. Don't knock it until we get some feedback from people who have tried it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yvesff Posted April 8, 2016 Share Posted April 8, 2016 So I ordered a decal set and 3 resin items and used their New Lower Cost International Shipping Option for Small Parcels to Canada, here is what happened: One day after I ordered I got a UPS Mail Innovations email with a link to track my package, I was able to track it using this link until it was handed off to Canadian Customs, it was not updated after that. Package showed up in my mail box with Canada Post Sticker on it (one week later), No UPS brokerage fees or Canada Post Customs fees. I'm a happy customer that will put Sprue Brothers back on my list ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
skyhawk174 Posted April 8, 2016 Author Share Posted April 8, 2016 So I ordered a decal set and 3 resin items and used their New Lower Cost International Shipping Option for Small Parcels to Canada, here is what happened: One day after I ordered I got a UPS Mail Innovations email with a link to track my package, I was able to track it using this link until it was handed off to Canadian Customs, it was not updated after that. Package showed up in my mail box with Canada Post Sticker on it (one week later), No UPS brokerage fees or Canada Post Customs fees. I'm a happy customer that will put Sprue Brothers back on my list ! Hi Yves, was the shipping reasonable considering what you bought? I have some Steel Beach items I would like to get and seeing that Sprue Brothers is pretty much the only source for that I would like to test it with a small order of that stuff. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yvesff Posted April 8, 2016 Share Posted April 8, 2016 Hi Yves, was the shipping reasonable considering what you bought? I have some Steel Beach items I would like to get and seeing that Sprue Brothers is pretty much the only source for that I would like to test it with a small order of that stuff. Shipping was $8.57 US or 345$ Cdn !! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don Posted April 8, 2016 Share Posted April 8, 2016 Hey that's GREAT news ! Glad to hear it worked and kudos to Gordon and Sprue Brothers! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scooby Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 FYI - this is not a service where the UPS brown truck delivers it. It will be delivered by your local postman. UPS just carries over to the country and puts it into the mailstream. I missed these details, after reading the feedback I am going to give it a try! Happy to hear the guy in the little brown truck with the credit card machine won't be at my door! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gb_madcat_sl Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 I sent in an order on 30 Mar. Items showed up today after about 14 days in transit. Quite average for packages coming this way from the States. Tracking was only available until the package was handed to USPS in Chicago. Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scooby Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 Gordon, I just ordered an AMK Mig-31 and I am pleased with the shipping charges. I am so happy to be ordering big-stuff from Spruebrothers again. Thanks much for researching and aquiring a much improved shipping rate. My apologies for my earlier replies in the thread, I didn't read the other replies well enough. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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