Unrealistic delivery estimate

[musicyouneed]

I have a buyer that just purchased an item from me.  I'm just getting it ready to ship to  a small town in Australia in the dead centre of Australia right next to the Simpson Desert and I noticed that they have a delivery date by Dec 11/16?  Are you kidding me?  I remember last year I sent something to Australia, small coastal resort town and I got dinged for a late shipment. 

I sent an email to the buyer stating: 

As it is coming from Vancouver Canada it will take a couple of weeks. Ebay estimated the delivery by Dec 11 but that is highly optimistic considering since you don't live in a major city in Australia. I think it will probably arrive sometime the following week, week of Dec 12 to 16th.

I also enclosed a note that someone on ebay composed regarding late shipments:

Dear Buyer, I take my ratings VERY seriously, as does eBay.

Among other questions which rate sellers, eBay sometimes presents a date and asks buyers to note if the item was received prior to a specific date.  Buyers can respond with a Yes, No, or leave the question blank.

I’m drawing to your attention to this question because I can get penalized when items arrive after that date even though I shipped within 24 hours.  That question actually rates our postal systems, processing at the border, weather conditions and other factors out of my control.

I short, if you respond that an item arrived later than the cut-off date, then our entire transaction will receive a Negative Rating even though that may not have been your intent.

After some careful thought, I’ve decided to draw you attention to this issue because until eBay fixes the problem, those ratings threaten my standing as your eBay seller.

Sincerely,

musicyouneed

I'm just hoping that it works, otherwise, I may just have to forget about shipping to Australia. 

[recped]

3 weeks seems like a reasonable estimate to me. I've sent a lot of packages to Australia over the years and with the exception of one that never arrived I don't think any of them took more than 3 weeks and most were 2 or less.

Once it clears customs it going to be delivered within 2 or 3 days no matter how remote a location it's going to.

[reallynicestamps]

Are you shipping Air Mail?

For what it's worth, I counted about 18 flights from Vancouver to Sydney on the 21st. Oddly only one was Air Canada, most were China Eastern or China Southern, with a couple by Air New Zealand and United. None from Quantas.

This might have been a function of the cheap flights website I chose.

But there are lots of planes going from Vancouver to Australia daily.

Still we are very very close to those "too late for Christmas" dates, although Canada Post seems very optimistic this year.

https://www.canadapost.ca/cpo/mc/personal/campaigns/holiday/default.jsf?LOCALE=en&ecid=murl|pdn|smc|...

which give December 21 for ExpressPost shipping to Australia.

(I tried to insert a jpeg of a flying pig here, but failed due to technodoltishness.)

[tobyshitzu]

Mil doesnt go on passenger airlines (fedex flies CPs mail), but 3 weeks should be enough time

[musicyouneed]

Airmail light packet.  I guess because I got burned last year, if it is not a big city in Australia, I am very weary of the time it takes to get delivered.  

Australia, is having all sorts of mail problems.  

http://www.productreview.com.au/p/australia-post.html

http://www.news.com.au/finance/business/australia-post-flooded-with-complaints-from-fed-up-customers...

[ypdc_dennis]

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@recped wrote:

3 weeks seems like a reasonable estimate to me. I've sent a lot of packages to Australia over the years and with the exception of one that never arrived I don't think any of them took more than 3 weeks and most were 2 or less.

---

What mail service are you using?

When I send as Small Packet Air to Australia (I have been asking my customers when they arrive) the delivery times are all in the 15 to 18 business days range this year (2016). Almost a week longer than eBay's estimate.

Sending using oversize lettermail is faster.

-..-

[musicyouneed]

Airmail light packet or Airmail small packet.  The mail system in Australia is a mess right now.  Delays and more delays. 

[Anonymous]

It has been like that for many and many years.  When I send my items to Australia by XpressPost, I always have to file a claim for late delivery each time!

[musicyouneed]

I just emailed the 2 buyers to see if they received their CD's that were sent Nov 21/16, of course they haven't as of yet.  Ebay estimated one to have been received by Dec 10 and the other by Dec 11/16.  

One of them said that their postal system is in crisis at the moment and that they had increased their postal rates and reduced delivery frequency.  He also said that they have out-sourced the parcel delivery service to privateers.  They both said that they were not concerned about the delays and that they would post positive feedback when they got their parcels.  They were quite upbeat about it all and not in the least worried.  I'm worried, not only about the late ding but that they even arrive. 

[zee-chan-jpn-books]

I wouldn't worry about it for now if the buyers aren't. It's a stressful time of the year.

[musicyouneed]

Well I have another parcel mailed to Australia on Nov 14/16 not arrive.  That is 3 parcels to Australia sent in mid November and 1 to Spain so far not arrive.  

My buyers have been fantastic in terms of waiting.  But I have lost a bit of money here, so definitely considering blocking Australia until they can get their mail system straightened out.