Relevant OT - Cautionary Tale of Using Intl Parcel Forwarding Service

I just wanted to send out a cautionary message to say please use some caution when using an international parcel forwarding service when buying goods from overseas. I just used HopShopGo for the first time this past week and it has emerged today that their shipping charges were 30% more than what I would have been charged to use international shipping from the original point of purchase (Disney.com).

I can say that a (very) grumpy discussion via Live Chat has resulted in HopShopGo refunding me the difference between the two postal charges. (It was a gift of authentic Mickey Mouse salt and pepper shakers from Disney.com in case you are curious. Can anyone please enlighten me as to how a salt and pepper shaker set can weigh over 7kg!!!! Isn't that more than twice the size of a newborn baby?!)

Anyway, just thought I'd mention it. I know amongst the Aussies that we have had some previous discussions about whether they are any good. I'll let you know when I a) receive the goods in person and b) whether HopShopGo actually does refund me the difference.

Bah humbug. (It's made me quite cross! Can you tell? ;-))

Vent over.

15 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Oh Katiepea, the perils of international shopping indeed. I hope this is resolved quickly for you.

Megan

Active Member

So the issue is when the store packs in the item in a BIG box because ALL shipping companies use cubed weight to calculate postage. You get charged on volumetric weight rather than actual weight which is calculated by Width x Height x Depth
(cm)/5,000

They do actually tell you this in the FAQ but I got burned too. I had a pair of shoes sent to Borderlinx, another forwarding company in a HUGE box and they wanted to charge me $160 to send them to Australia. Borderlinx WOULD NOT negotiate at all on the price so I think you got lucky with HopShopGo.

Did you try the repacking feature that HopShopGo have?

Katiepea

(website)

Hi Megan

Yes, believe it or not, the 30% more expensive was AFTER repacking. It would have been twice as much if I had left the package as it arrived! Maybe I had success because I pointed out that HopShopGo linked Disney.com to their website and that as such it was misleading. I pointed out that as far as I was concerned as a new customer to such a site, a link such as this implies that their rate would be better than what Disney.com could offer. And that I was extremely disgruntled, particularly as I was the first of my friends to use the service! I was then even more annoyed given how much they would charge to return to sender. Their prices were disgusting too and I told them so! Hmmmmm, maybe they just got sick of me!

I find it shocking that these companies charge this much, regardless of whatever method of calculating weight they use. I can't believe that you didn't have any luck with Borderlinx - how scummy that they would charge that much! One day someone will be reasonable! Has anyone had better success with such a company? It has really managed to turn me off buying anything from overseas!

Shipito.com has very good service but charges more than HopShopGo....their postage rates are about the same but they charge $8.50 per package and $2.50 consolidation fee.

I FINALLY convinced Borderlinx to post it to another address in the US (where my sister was visiting)- they charged $30 I think. She did say it was in an ENORMOUS box when it arrives.

I tend not to use the shipping services if individual companies will ship here.

yublocka

Oh KP that sucks!!! Good on you for being tenacious enough to get things sorted out. I bet many people (probably me included) would just pay up and fume inside!!!

April

Katiepea, if you need things shipped from the U.S., just PM me. You can send them here and I'll forward them to you. I don't know what the difference would be between actual postage and what the shipping companies charge (maybe Tam could comment?) but if it would save you money -- glad to do it.

Theresa

Thanks for this story KP. I'm researching these companies now!

Does anyone know how much it costs approximately to ship a single pair of flat shoes to Aus?

I've seen one price and by the time you add shipping plus the forwarding fees, Nordies $60ish fee isn't actually that bad at all!

Theresa -- I have sent two packages from the U.S. to Tam, one light and one heavier. The heavier one was probably about the same weight as a pair of substantial shoes, or two lighter pairs, and it was just under $20 to ship. (Of course, that's on top of whatever the store charged Tam to send it to my house -- but could be a good deal if you found a free shipping offer.)

Ladies of Australia -- never hesitate to ask if you need me to forward something. If it's not a convenient time for me I'll let you know, but really it's very little trouble -- and fun for me to see the photos on the forum when things arrive.

April, you are so sweet- I may take you up on that offer! Thanks so much.

April thank you so much for that information - that is remarkable the price difference!

And thank you so very much for making such an incredibly sweet offer!!! You are so incredibly kind - thank you!

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