Why are Freestyle's international postage rights so high?

Joooorsh · Nov 3, 2011

Just looked into ordering a couple of Air-Vac bottles. Because of the strength of the Australian Dollar and the ridiculous markup of Australian retailers the price per bottle worked out being about half the cost of buying locally.

So that's awesome. Decided to order two bottles.

How much is shipping?

~$160

That's about twice what B&H charged me to ship the massive box of film and a Plustek Scanner just last month.

So why such a high price for two 1L bottles?

tomalophicon · Nov 3, 2011

Conspiracy.

Email them and sort it out.

Poisson Du Jour · Nov 3, 2011

Charge is by cubic volume, not weight and set by the freight carriers e.g. UPS. Same with Freestyle as with B&H. Savings on film purchase is best accomplished by doing it as part of a group; this has been done before here on APUG. That way freight cost, which will be substantial, is spread move evenly over the numbers. There is agreement among APUG members that film is generally the least brutal financially to get in.

The conspiracy is here with Australian retailers, not the overseas ones. I do not buy film here now, preferring to join an APUG group planning such a purpose. Chemicals and fragile stuff (glass for example) cost a fortune for freight, so keep it to just film.

Michael W · Nov 3, 2011

I would like to buy more from Freestyle, however their shipping is too high. It's always cheaper from B&H. I think Freestyle add a hefty packing and handling charge for international.

hoffy · Nov 3, 2011

Not to mention the 'First order via Wire transfer payment' rule.

I have to admit, $160 for your items is a total jip. I placed a $700 order that weighed in at just over 8kg and the shipping was $160. The only reason we went with Freestyle was the better choice they had. I think if I have to order oddball stuff in the future(I.E., Adox consumables), I will be looking at AG in the UK.

Ross Chambers · Nov 3, 2011

If its any comfort Freestyle does use the top USPS service, the consignment will be with you in an Australian city area very, very quickly.

Unfortunately they don't use a lower speed and priced shipper.

ozphoto · Nov 3, 2011

It's not just Freestyle who gouge shipping prices - they could be more flexible and give you the choice of UPS or USPS. And yes, all the other retailers could be so inclined, but I think they find it too hard - UPS will collect from the premises, USPS will require someone to head to the Post Office. (Although I don't quite understand why shipping OS is any different to local - it all has to go to the same PO right?)

I wanted to pick up a used, clear, rear cap for my Tamron 180mm lens from another retailer - a very reasonable $9.00 which I was happy to pay. That was, until I got to the checkout - $68 for shipping??!! Are they crazy?

I fully appreciate that shipping does take time, but expecting someone to pay $68 for an item that would be lucky to weigh 100g is beyond a joke - it's an outright insult.

Insurance problems? Easy, you get it it insured or you don't - choice is yours and you state that fact upon checkout. (A rear cap, I wouldn't bother with, a lens I most certainly would.)

Courier vs Postal Service? - having a choice would be nice guys.

Joooorsh · Nov 3, 2011

Poisson Du Jour said:
Charge is by cubic volume, not weight and set by the freight carriers e.g. UPS. Same with Freestyle as with B&H.

The box I received from B&H was MASSIVE and only cost me $82. Freestyle postage rates must either include some sort of crazy markup or some sort of miscalculation.

chioque · Nov 3, 2011

Yes Freestyle overseas charges, to Malaysia at least, are 'way over the top'. And I'm being kind with my words here. I have since ordered from Macodirect and B&H, for stuff that can be found there, and shipping is more reasonable in both cases. For buying Moersch chemicals I currently order directly from Moersch's site and, for me, cheaper as well.

Mansur

dreamingartemis · Nov 3, 2011

chioque said:
Yes Freestyle overseas charges, to Malaysia at least, are 'way over the top'. And I'm being kind with my words here. I have since ordered from Macodirect and B&H, for stuff that can be found there, and shipping is more reasonable in both cases. For buying Moersch chemicals I currently order directly from Moersch's site and, for me, cheaper as well.

Mansur

Hey thanks! I'm also from Malaysia and found Freestyle's shipping a tad ridiculous as well, I thought they were the cheapest online. Guess I was wrong

guitstik · Nov 3, 2011

I wonder how much it would cost for an individual in the states to ship overseas. If someone like me were to play intermediary would the shipping be less?

hoffy · Nov 3, 2011

guitstik said:
I wonder how much it would cost for an individual in the states to ship overseas. If someone like me were to play intermediary would the shipping be less?

There are already broker companies that do offer these services, but I am not sure whether they would with film and such supplies.

gorbas · Nov 3, 2011

Freestyle has also crazy expensive handling charges to Canada (not sure it's same for US or other countries), before "actual" shipping charges.

Bob-D659 · Nov 3, 2011

Shippers want documents like commercial invoices, that list the country of origin of every item in the shipment, to appease the customs brokers and customs inspectors/officers. A royal pain for companies not used to shipping out of the US, or Canada and most other countries as well. These rules don't normally apply to shipments by individuals on shipments valued under $1000 or so depending on destination. BUT. Shipping documents by FedX ground to Canada from the US requires commercial invoices on private shipments only containing a passport renewal application.

removed account4 · Nov 3, 2011

i ship things all the time that weigh less than 1lb ... and the freight costs 1lb.
if it is bulky the price is up there because the package has to be large ...
i have shipped cameras made of foam core, big ones ( 11x14 ) ... and they cost a king's ransom to ship.

why don't you call them and ask them directly what their shipping policy is ?

pentaxuser · Nov 3, 2011

hoffy said:
Not to mention the 'First order via Wire transfer payment' rule.

I have to admit, $160 for your items is a total jip. I placed a $700 order that weighed in at just over 8kg and the shipping was $160. The only reason we went with Freestyle was the better choice they had. I think if I have to order oddball stuff in the future(I.E., Adox consumables), I will be looking at AG in the UK.

My impression with AG is that he chooses not to exploit any customers be they UK or overseas based. I'd certainly contact him to see what he quotes in shipping charges.

pentaxuser

hoffy · Nov 3, 2011

pentaxuser said:
My impression with AG is that he chooses not to exploit any customers be they UK or overseas based. I'd certainly contact him to see what he quotes in shipping charges.

pentaxuser

Yes, I agree. I have used Matt before. The main issue is the items are cheaper in the US. Cheap enough to offset the additional postage? Who knows.

PeterB · Nov 4, 2011

I use www.shipito.com, they are a freight forwarding company. In fact a few days ago I resent 10 HP5 120 rolls of film for
$14.36. That's less than half price per roll for a non group purchase when all costs are considered.

details :
Mailout fee: $8.50
Postage: $5.62
bank fee 4.3%: $0.24
TOTAL: $14.36

johnnywalker · Nov 4, 2011

gorbas said:
Freestyle has also crazy expensive handling charges to Canada (not sure it's same for US or other countries), before "actual" shipping charges.

Right. I wonder how much is "shipping" and how much is "handling".

FRANOL · Dec 5, 2011

1.Fotoimpex, Berlin (Germany) -Zagreb (Croatia), 619 miles, 0,15 kg (2xglass and 1x 39 mm ring for enlargin lens),just shipping and handling was 40 $.

2. Freestylee, LA California - Zagreb (Croatia),6234 miles, (2x LegacyPro 100 35x100', 0,8 kg) ,just shipping and handling are 37.13 $.

Isn't that nice in global economy? I just looking for good prices and shopping around the world ,I don't even bother to find good prices in my (almost) neighborhoods because high shipping and handling costs.So,price for shipping and handling in Freestyle are not high. If I have money to by more films (additional 2x 35x 100') price for shipping and handling are about 15% higher.
From my experience only G.Britain (from Europe) can be compare with USA and some country from far East for low shipping and handling costs to Croatia.

ozphoto · Dec 5, 2011

Bob-D659 said:
Shippers want documents like commercial invoices, that list the country of origin of every item in the shipment, to appease the customs brokers and customs inspectors/officers. A royal pain for companies not used to shipping out of the US, or Canada and most other countries as well. These rules don't normally apply to shipments by individuals on shipments valued under $1000 or so depending on destination. BUT. Shipping documents by FedX ground to Canada from the US requires commercial invoices on private shipments only containing a passport renewal application.

I use FedEx out of TH and they require a commercial invoice also, as does DHL and the items I usually send are worth no more than $25.00.

Personally, I don't understand why an item can't be sent Registered Mail (signed for) from the PO and require insurance as well. Those countries that don't accept RM - you then have to foot FedEx or DHL - no exceptions.

I understand the need to cover time and packaging expenses, but seriously, many of the US photographic stores truly gouge their shipping fees if you live outside the US.

Adorama:

Item:

GS1 instruction book $18.00

Postage (to AU):

UPS $59.00
FedEx International Economy $80.00
FedEx International Priority $90.00

Whatever happened to using the USPS for crying out loud? That same instruction book could be sent AU-USA via airmail for about $7.05 (based on 250g package), so include the envelope ($2.00) and time to pack and send ($5.95), $15.00 seems fair. (It's not too difficult, but I guess the fact the courier will collect from the store saves time and effort.) In which case, why not have 1 day where regular OS mail is sent out - after all, they use USPS for their domestic mail so they'll be heading to the PO anyway . . . . .

georg16nik · Dec 5, 2011

FRANOL said:
1.Fotoimpex, Berlin (Germany) -Zagreb (Croatia), 619 miles, 0,15 kg (2xglass and 1x 39 mm ring for enlargin lens),just shipping and handling was 40 $.

2. Freestylee, LA California - Zagreb (Croatia),6234 miles, (2x LegacyPro 100 35x100', 0,8 kg) ,just shipping and handling are 37.13 $.

Isn't that nice in global economy? I just looking for good prices and shopping around the world ,I don't even bother to find good prices in my (almost) neighborhoods because high shipping and handling costs.So,price for shipping and handling in Freestyle are not high. If I have money to by more films (additional 2x 35x 100') price for shipping and handling are about 15% higher.
From my experience only G.Britain (from Europe) can be compare with USA and some country from far East for low shipping and handling costs to Croatia.

I think Fotoimpex's ~ 40 $US is for parcels up until 25kg ~ 55 lb, so it leverages when the order is bigger than a few films.

Why are Freestyle's international postage rights so high?

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