shipping overseas

[iwishiwasthere]

Does anyone ship things overseas often, and if so , which carrier is the most reliable?

I just sent a package to my daughter, and it did not arrive as promised. She moves often so I had a small window for it to be delivered. Not sure what will happen with the package.

So if you have ideas and suggestions, I could use them.

 

[ckhagen]

I've only shipped international with the post office. It takes for-ev-er.

 

[lindatat]

IWIWT - I work in international transportation, but on the import side. In cases like yours, you may want to work with a freight forwarder rather than with a carrier directly. That way you have access to an advocate at your point of destination when things go awry. And often it's cheaper even though you are using a "middleman." That's because forwarders can negotiate lower rates due to the volume of business the give the carriers.

 

[abacomah]

We've used UPS .... what would "brown" do for you:roll:

 

[iwishiwasthere]

IWIWT - I work in international transportation, but on the import side. In cases like yours, you may want to work with a freight forwarder rather than with a carrier directly. That way you have access to an advocate at your point of destination when things go awry. And often it's cheaper even though you are using a "middleman." That's because forwarders can negotiate lower rates due to the volume of business the give the carriers.

Elaborate...a freight forwarder???Any names? Thanks for the suggestion.

I was just so frustrated as it was shipped express mail with a 3-5 day guarantee. For what that is worth at this point. It is insured, but she really needed the things in the package.

 

[audie]

my dad ships stuff to his friend in hawaii all the time and he swears by the usps. i suspect because it is the cheapest....

 

[lindatat]

Elaborate...a freight forwarder???Any names? Thanks for the suggestion.

I was just so frustrated as it was shipped express mail with a 3-5 day guarantee. For what that is worth at this point. It is insured, but she really needed the things in the package.

Ok, you used express mail. Maybe you should try a courier next time - the aforementioned UPS, as well as Fedex, DHL, etc. All might be a little more reliable than the post office. Freight Forwarders deal more with private companies than individuals, but I may be able to recommend one to you that isn't so big so you can get a little personal attention. Where are you in Tennessee?

 

[iwishiwasthere]

Ok, you used express mail. Maybe you should try a courier next time - the aforementioned UPS, as well as Fedex, DHL, etc. All might be a little more reliable than the post office. Freight Forwarders deal more with private companies than individuals, but I may be able to recommend one to you that isn't so big so you can get a little personal attention. Where are you in Tennessee?

About an hour south of Nashville.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I've only shipped international with the post office. It takes for-ev-er.

Same here, but they still get it there for cheap. Not long ago, I sent one small package to Atlanta using Priority Mail (slight upcharge), and sent the same size and weight package to Europe, in which case the US Post Office will not allow it to be sent Priority Mail. The package going to Europe costs within 15 cents of the package going to Atlanta. I want to say it was actually cheaper than the Atlanta package. It did take about two weeks for the package to get to the recipient in Europe, and only three days for the Atlanta package to arrive, but d@mn! -- similar cost? I don't get it.

 

[ktschris]

Does anyone ship things overseas often, and if so , which carrier is the most reliable?

I just sent a package to my daughter, and it did not arrive as promised. She moves often so I had a small window for it to be delivered. Not sure what will happen with the package.

So if you have ideas and suggestions, I could use them.

Don't ask me, the package I sent you took 12 days to go like a state and 1/2!!!!!