The Ford Barn

Hoogah · 02-28-2018, 05:10 AM

It’s a long way to Downunder from Upover, I know, but I’m still staggered when it cost three times the original cost to mail my Judging Standards! Once upon a time you could opt to wait patiently and use surface mail. I would have been happy to wait 6 weeks or so, but it seems that USPS Priority Mail is the default choice when mailing out, and you must agree to pay whatever it works out to be if you wish to complete the order.
By the way, the USD98.53 total converts to AUD130.53. Ouch!

3.6rs · 02-28-2018, 05:31 AM

The same over here ; they don't use the option "surface mail" anymore for overseas deliveries. So, apperantly no more mail by boat !

updraught · 02-28-2018, 05:37 AM

Took me a full 2 days to find a shipper for hubs and drums to get the price down from $1200.

It would have been cheaper to get a return ticket and pick them up as luggage. Just have to get thru the body scanner, finger printing ...

Kevin in NJ · 02-28-2018, 06:45 AM

And if they got in the 2000's they would have electronic copies like other clubs.

The Mustang club has all back issues online and you have the option to read online/ download the magazine.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 02-28-2018, 07:52 AM

Cindy lives in San Francisco, 230 Miles away. She gets my mail in 2 DAYS, I get her mail in 4 DAYS?????---"Maybe" she has "SNAIL-TRUCKS"????
Bill Ponyexpress

katy · 02-28-2018, 10:15 AM

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Same to Canada, no more USPS parcel post, just priority or first class.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 02-28-2018, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katy

Same to Canada, no more USPS parcel post, just priority or first class.

Katy,
There's a spiffy house for sale, near me & our Mailman LOVES Dogs!
Bill W.

1crosscut · 02-28-2018, 04:55 PM

Hooga had I known I would have thrown a copy in the crate along with the wax I shipped down.

Hoogah · 02-28-2018, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1crosscut

Hooga had I known I would have thrown a copy in the crate along with the wax I shipped down.

Dave, if I was a better planner, that crate would have been MUCH more full!

ronn · 03-01-2018, 07:49 AM

no surface mail for some time now. very expensive................... to fly!

darrylkmc · 03-02-2018, 12:19 PM

Fortunately we still have Parcel Post to and from Alaska, possibly even Boat Mail.

I sent a package from Fairbanks to Florida, mailed February 14, finally made it to Seattle, Washington today, March 2, supposed to arrive at its destination March 5.

We are very grateful to still have USPS Parcel Post available to us in Alaska, otherwise shipping certain items would be cost prohibitive.

Darryl in Fairbanks

Update, USPS has renamed Parcel Post to "Retail Ground package"

KGBnut · 03-02-2018, 01:03 PM

I've never used it personally, but I use to have some clients in Australia and New Zealand that used freight consolidators. I would ship the packages to an address in California for domestic rates. The consolidator would hold on to it and combine it with other parcels going to the same general area. They would then negotiate for the cheap, unsold space in a partially filled cargo container going in the right direction.

It was not terribly fast, but it was fairly inexpensive. I got the impression that this was a fairly common solution down your way.

Ken

barnstuf · 03-02-2018, 02:14 PM

I asked about Parcel Post at the local postoffice. The clerk told me that it is now called Standard mail and it is available for parcels going a long distance, usually over 600 miles. It takes longer as the parcels usually travel by surface and not by air..

updraught · 03-02-2018, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KGBnut

I've never used it personally, but I use to have some clients in Australia and New Zealand that used freight consolidators. I would ship the packages to an address in California for domestic rates. The consolidator would hold on to it and combine it with other parcels going to the same general area. They would then negotiate for the cheap, unsold space in a partially filled cargo container going in the right direction.

It was not terribly fast, but it was fairly inexpensive. I got the impression that this was a fairly common solution down your way.

Ken

I spent a couple of days contacting businesses that ship cars and parts. None of them would ship parts any more, only whole cars, after the $A slipped below the $US.
I eventually found a general shipper that was very good. As far as I know they ship their own containers.

Their are plenty of businesses that will consolidate eBay stuff, but they use couriers mainly which goes by air. Too expensive for heavy items.

Mike V. Florida · 03-03-2018, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin in NJ

And if they got in the 2000's they would have electronic copies like other clubs.

The Mustang club has all back issues online and you have the option to read online/ download the magazine.

Are you talking about the magazine or the book?

noboD · 03-03-2018, 08:41 AM

A friend in Ohio sent a package to Australia, took over two months. It was in Austria twice.

katy · 03-03-2018, 10:47 AM

Methinks that USPS mail that used to go "out of country" by parcel post or surface mail was cancelled after 9-11 for security reasons.

Synchro909 · 03-03-2018, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KGBnut

I've never used it personally, but I use to have some clients in Australia and New Zealand that used freight consolidators. I would ship the packages to an address in California for domestic rates. The consolidator would hold on to it and combine it with other parcels going to the same general area. They would then negotiate for the cheap, unsold space in a partially filled cargo container going in the right direction.

It was not terribly fast, but it was fairly inexpensive. I got the impression that this was a fairly common solution down your way.

Ken

I use such an arrangement but it isn't quick - usually about 10 or 12 weeks so I have to plan ahead. There is also a company doing this but their depot is in Indiana - might be more convenient.

Quote:

Originally Posted by noboD

A friend in Ohio sent a package to Australia, took over two months. It was in Austria twice.

That is not uncommon. Methinks post office staff need a geography lesson.

updraught · 03-03-2018, 07:28 PM

There are no kangaroos in Austria.

Synchro909 · 03-03-2018, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by updraught

There are no kangaroos in Austria.

How about those $%^&* mozzies. If there are none in Austria, I'm off.

updraught · 03-03-2018, 08:13 PM

By necessity we created Aeroguard in 1963 to keep the bugs off, and tested it on the Queen during a visit, before using it ourselves. Crafty move that.

As Australia has held the water speed record for 40 years (40 years!!) I don't see why packages should take that long by sea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nloF0eF-zFs

Dan1928 · 03-03-2018, 09:04 PM

Yeah, that's one of the new ways to make money at the Post Office. In some cases it takes 3 days to do "Priority Mail" from MA to CT!!! They also will not offer you info on which size box you need to use if you're going the package route. Two of the boxes are similar in size but have different rates when certain distances. They hope you buy the wrong one to get another 3 bucks or so. Complete BS.

Mike V. Florida · 03-04-2018, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan1928

Yeah, that's one of the new ways to make money at the Post Office. In some cases it takes 3 days to do "Priority Mail" from MA to CT!!! They also will not offer you info on which size box you need to use if you're going the package route. Two of the boxes are similar in size but have different rates when certain distances. They hope you buy the wrong one to get another 3 bucks or so. Complete BS.

As a postal employee, I agree with you. The whole system is worse then you can imagine. The new motto seems to be; "We don't care" and not a night goes by that they don't prove it.

ronn · 03-04-2018, 10:21 AM

By necessity we created Aeroguard in 1963 to keep the bugs off, and tested it on the Queen during a visit, before using it ourselves. Crafty move that.

The mad hatter?

eagle · 03-04-2018, 10:44 AM

And yet, I can have a part shipped from China for 50 cents! Return shipping for the same item back to China costs $15. Takes about 2 or 3 weeks.

Tom Wesenberg · 03-04-2018, 10:54 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by eagle

And yet, I can have a part shipped from China for 50 cents! Return shipping for the same item back to China costs $15. Takes about 2 or 3 weeks.

That's what I never understood.
After all it goes through our postal system, and we pay plenty for having the postal system handle, loose, and damage our goods, so how can China ship to my door for little to nothing?

02-28-2018, 05:31 AM	#2
3.6rs Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Belgistan (formerly known as Belgium) Posts: 573	Re: Whatever happened to the surface mail option? The same over here ; they don't use the option "surface mail" anymore for overseas deliveries. So, apperantly no more mail by boat !

02-28-2018, 05:37 AM	#3
updraught Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Australia Posts: 1,970	Re: Whatever happened to the surface mail option? Took me a full 2 days to find a shipper for hubs and drums to get the price down from $1200. It would have been cheaper to get a return ticket and pick them up as luggage. Just have to get thru the body scanner, finger printing ...

02-28-2018, 06:45 AM	#4
Kevin in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East NJ Posts: 3,398	Re: Whatever happened to the surface mail option? And if they got in the 2000's they would have electronic copies like other clubs. The Mustang club has all back issues online and you have the option to read online/ download the magazine.

02-28-2018, 07:52 AM	#5
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Whatever happened to the surface mail option? Cindy lives in San Francisco, 230 Miles away. She gets my mail in 2 DAYS, I get her mail in 4 DAYS?????---"Maybe" she has "SNAIL-TRUCKS"???? Bill Ponyexpress __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

02-28-2018, 10:15 AM	#6
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,044	Re: Whatever happened to the surface mail option? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Same to Canada, no more USPS parcel post, just priority or first class. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

02-28-2018, 04:55 PM	#8
1crosscut Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 1,909	Re: Whatever happened to the surface mail option? Hooga had I known I would have thrown a copy in the crate along with the wax I shipped down. __________________ Dave / Lincoln Nebraska

03-01-2018, 07:49 AM	#10
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,787	Re: Whatever happened to the surface mail option? no surface mail for some time now. very expensive................... to fly!

03-02-2018, 12:19 PM	#11
darrylkmc Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 767	Whatever happened to the surface mail option? Fortunately we still have Parcel Post to and from Alaska, possibly even Boat Mail. I sent a package from Fairbanks to Florida, mailed February 14, finally made it to Seattle, Washington today, March 2, supposed to arrive at its destination March 5. We are very grateful to still have USPS Parcel Post available to us in Alaska, otherwise shipping certain items would be cost prohibitive. Darryl in Fairbanks Update, USPS has renamed Parcel Post to "Retail Ground package" Last edited by darrylkmc; 03-02-2018 at 12:32 PM.

03-02-2018, 01:03 PM	#12
KGBnut Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Southwestern Connecticut Posts: 931	Re: Whatever happened to the surface mail option? I've never used it personally, but I use to have some clients in Australia and New Zealand that used freight consolidators. I would ship the packages to an address in California for domestic rates. The consolidator would hold on to it and combine it with other parcels going to the same general area. They would then negotiate for the cheap, unsold space in a partially filled cargo container going in the right direction. It was not terribly fast, but it was fairly inexpensive. I got the impression that this was a fairly common solution down your way. Ken __________________ Style beats speed any day, and with a lot fewer tickets.

03-02-2018, 02:14 PM	#13
barnstuf Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cape Cod MA Posts: 2,840	Re: Whatever happened to the surface mail option? I asked about Parcel Post at the local postoffice. The clerk told me that it is now called Standard mail and it is available for parcels going a long distance, usually over 600 miles. It takes longer as the parcels usually travel by surface and not by air..

03-03-2018, 08:41 AM	#16
noboD Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 319	Re: Whatever happened to the surface mail option? A friend in Ohio sent a package to Australia, took over two months. It was in Austria twice.

03-03-2018, 10:47 AM	#17
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,044	Re: Whatever happened to the surface mail option? Methinks that USPS mail that used to go "out of country" by parcel post or surface mail was cancelled after 9-11 for security reasons. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

03-03-2018, 07:28 PM	#19
updraught Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Australia Posts: 1,970	Re: Whatever happened to the surface mail option? There are no kangaroos in Austria.

03-03-2018, 08:13 PM	#21
updraught Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Australia Posts: 1,970	Re: Whatever happened to the surface mail option? By necessity we created Aeroguard in 1963 to keep the bugs off, and tested it on the Queen during a visit, before using it ourselves. Crafty move that. As Australia has held the water speed record for 40 years (40 years!!) I don't see why packages should take that long by sea. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nloF0eF-zFs

03-03-2018, 09:04 PM	#22
Dan1928 Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 40	Re: Whatever happened to the surface mail option? Yeah, that's one of the new ways to make money at the Post Office. In some cases it takes 3 days to do "Priority Mail" from MA to CT!!! They also will not offer you info on which size box you need to use if you're going the package route. Two of the boxes are similar in size but have different rates when certain distances. They hope you buy the wrong one to get another 3 bucks or so. Complete BS.

03-04-2018, 10:21 AM	#24
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,787	Re: Whatever happened to the surface mail option? By necessity we created Aeroguard in 1963 to keep the bugs off, and tested it on the Queen during a visit, before using it ourselves. Crafty move that. The mad hatter?

03-04-2018, 10:44 AM	#25
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,025	Re: Whatever happened to the surface mail option? And yet, I can have a part shipped from China for 50 cents! Return shipping for the same item back to China costs $15. Takes about 2 or 3 weeks. __________________ "There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."