Japan Shipping, what do you use?

[ripley802]

Ok, I know we have discussed how the shipping bill is always a dreadful time when it arrives. In my case it was no different this morning. 18,250¥!!!!!! Yikes.... I will admit there were 7 auctions won, but most were individual trains, not like massive lots of junk or track, etc... I am baffled at how it can cost almost 1/3 of that cost for the actual item, but then shipping be triple. I used the FromJapan site as I have been and chose to let them pick the shipping method. Typically EMS is chosen, and it was in this case too. I love the speed that EMS shipping gets the items here, and that thy are insured, but it certainly does come at a cost.

So my question... What do you use? EMS, SAL, AirMail, etc... Are there other ways to save on shipping that I am missing? Do you typically combined shipping or ship auctions individually?

The bad thing is, I just found 1 more thing that was a must buy and then am bidding on another already... Grrrr...

I just try looking for things with free shipping.

[ripley802]

I just try looking for things with free shipping.

Yes, I typically do too when using say eBay or Amazon. The Japan auctions are a little different. Sometimes there can be a domestic/local free shipping, but there is always fees and international shipping fees.

[Super]

I believe postal fees in Japan have gone up and combined that with the Yen passing the dollar in value the shipping shock is a lot more than say just a couple months ago. That being said if those 7 auction wins contained bulk trains then you would be surprised at how much weight that comes to and in turn the shipping is greater, believe me I know. Did you have any bulk purchases? Myself, I would rather have the choice of shipping method, I am sure that any business would choose the EMS if they are not paying for it because as you say they would be insured and there is less chance for the packages to be lost since they are shipped so fast. I wish there were an easier way to compare the shipping cost for a package with the different delivery methods before choosing. I have often wondered how much difference there would be in the EMS compared to the method just below it. If the savings is a lot better and the shipping time is say double I may be tempted to try it. But the way it is now, not knowing the size and weight of the package and having to choose beforehand which method of shipping I want I am stuck choosing the more expensive EMS. Another plus for choosing the next step below EMS would be I wouldn't have to stick around the house for half a day because the package has to be signed for or it goes back to the Post Office.

[ripley802]

Here is a basic breakdown.

- lot 1: 2 rolling stock
- lot 2: Engine and middle car
- lot 3: trailing car
- lot 4: 2x boxed 3 car sets
- lot 5: 2x boxed 3 car sets
- Lots 6 + 7 were two boxes sets but they appear thin and not bulky.

I agree I wish there was a better way to know what shipping would be. But again without the weight and size is is tough/impossible. Another thing is in this case if it may have been better/cheaper to have say lots 1-5 shipped and then 6+7 shipped seperately. Who knows. Until next time I guess.

Yes, I typically do too when using say eBay or Amazon. The Japan auctions are a little different. Sometimes there can be a domestic/local free shipping, but there is always fees and international shipping fees.

Cheapest shipping then.

[Super]

There sure seems like something wrong with what they charged you for what you listed, by a lot. Those boxed sets may have did you in if they are large. May I ask which ones they were? Ask ActionChugger about being surprised when buying several boxed sets before. I know that size matters in International shipping and I have issues sometimes with Japamart where they grab a box thats way to big for what is shipped and they fill it with tons of paper filler. I once had a huge box with a huge order that had four empty used boxes on the inside to fill the vacant voids. I would weigh that package before opening it and do a calculation at the USPS web site to see what they would charge to ship an exact package from your house to their warehouse.

I like Mr Ripley are more than aware of the shipping costs when using any of the Japanese proxy sites. One question I would ask though is was that just the shipping cost or the total 'charge 2' cost?

One thing 'From Japan' do that is different to Jauce for example is that they only charge you the auction price + system usage fees at the time you win the auction. It is when it comes to shipping you get the shipping cost, local shipping costs, bank transfer fees and system fee for the whole caboodle. Often the local shipping costs, bank fees, etc... can be almost as much as the shipping fee.

The other thing with From Japan is you do at least get to choose the shipping option AFTER it has all been packed, sized and weighed. Basically you setup a shipment, they then pack it, and then send you a notification it is ready to go telling you how big/heavy it is and offering options including EMS, SAL, FedEx etc... On one occasion I picked FedEx purely because it was way cheaper for some reason, normally EMS and FedEx are pretty much on a par.

One other underlooked item with From Japan is that you get the chance to change the price of the items in the shipment for customs declaration purposes, bit naughty, but if you do this (sensibly of course - in other words don't put 100 yen for something worth 10,000 yen) it can save you quite a bit in customs duty which offsets some of the shipping cost.

The resaon for this issue may just be that Mr Ripley has crossed a postal threshold, I think things are priced at say up to 1kg - nn, 1-2kg nnn, etc... so if you just a few grams over the threshold you fall into a much more expensive band. But I speculate it could just be one of those things, have you mailed them Mr Ripley asking why it was the price it was?

[ripley802]

Thanks guys. The total I mentioned was indeed the "charge 2" cost. The shipping was around 13,000¥, local shipping around 4,000¥ and then random fees, etc...

@super
There are a few regular Plarail 3x car sets, so just the regular size there. As for the other they are two Pokemon sets. The only reason I purchased those is because the were around 1100¥ total for the two sets.

@nigel
It seems like when I add the shipping instructions I never have an option to see what the cost will be. I only recall being told to pick and option then it says once the shipment is ready there is a few to change it.

It seems like Jauce has a new estimated shipping cost calculation feature that I do not remember seeing since my last buy, but it's based on weight, and there seems to not be weight specs as part of a listings general description, so it's still just a guess? I will say that unless it is a "junk" lot, to always pay the flat re-packaging/boxing fee before shipping over seas!!