Freight ex USA for tonearm - crazy high!

[Allan]

 

a USA tonearm supplier has obtained a quote from FedEx to ship just a tonearm to Australia for US $350. 

I checked the FedEx site this end and came up with the same price, its based on 3kg freight weight.

This is ridiculous. I freighted a Pass Labs X1 preamp and X1 power supply for this cost 10 years ago.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions for a freighter ex USA that doesn't rip you off and is reliable?

I have used FedEx many times, they are great but dammed if I'm going to pay $350 USD for a tonearm to be freighted.

 

 

Edited April 17, 2024 by Allan

[metal beat]

USPS

[e83cc]

Yep I often use USPS to NZ - they provide tracking, signature required and insurance and are reliable to NZ.

Fedex are the most expensive. I only use them for ultra rare items I'm shipping.

[Allan]

I've used USPS but I'm not overly impressed with the way Auspost takes over once it lands in Oz.

Last several times I used USPS, Auspost had it sitting idle for over a week in Melbourne airport.

DHL if I can help it I will never use again, they are even worse.

FedEx only takes 1 day and its left the Melbourne airport.... brilliant but very expensive

 

Any other suggestions please?

 

 

 

 

[thejt]

I've struggled to get reasonable transport from the USA. Even shipping to a 3rd party so that I have more options didn't work out. Shipping from Japan has similar problems based on the experiences I have had. 

[Guest]

3 hours ago, Allan said:

 

a USA tonearm supplier has obtained a quote from FedEx to ship just a tonearm to Australia for US $350. 

I checked the FedEx site this end and came up with the same price, its based on 3kg freight weight.

This is ridiculous. I freighted a Pass Labs X1 preamp and X1 power supply for this cost 10 years ago.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions for a freighter ex USA that doesn't rip you off and is reliable?

I have used FedEx many times, they are great but dammed if I'm going to pay $350 USD for a tonearm to be freighted.

 

 

 

That's international priority with FedEx, which would take about 5 days (or less) for delivery. It's an absolutely premium and reliable service, but you pay for it as you have discovered. One of our businesses ships orders to US daily with this method which some customers gladly pay for. There are many other cheaper (and slower) options however, and as already mentioned USPS is just one.

[Allan]

2 hours ago, Marc said:

There are many other cheaper (and slower) options however, and as already mentioned USPS is just one.

 

can you name any of the many please?

[Guest]

USPS, UPS, DHL, but there are literally stacks of different options. It's not something easy for you to organise from the receiver end.

The most cost effective will absolutely be USPS.