Sigh, some people are too stoopid to use teh internets

So, I sold a Fidanza flywheel on ebay. The buyer is in Australia. Can you imagine how much it costs to ship a flywheel to Australia? Well, let me tell you... it ranges from over $200... to $80 for the cheapest choice. Cheapest = takes the longest, right? I had it all calculated, sent him the link, and yep, he chose the cheapest option... which takes 6-8 weeks. It's to frigging Australia after all.

So... week before last, I boxed it up all nice and sent it off to him... and tonight I get a message wondering where it is. If I'd personally flown the berkeleying thing over myself and then driven it there... I doubt he'd have gotten it by now.

Remind him it's winter here but tell him the dog-sled driver promised the package would get to the train depot in good time.

Might as well have some fun with it, and he might even believe you.

I've had customers complain that they haven't received their orders... before I've shipped them.

You always have to tell people how long things will take. That's been my experience.

I've never shipped to Australia but I have shipped several items (carbs, intake, MC parts) to New Zealand, about 1500 miles SE of Australia. If I remember, shipping on a Holley 4 bbl. was 40-45 USD and arrived in about 14-20 days. That flywheel must have been pretty heavy to require minimum $80 shipping or the rates went up since I shipped a few years ago.

btw, the New Zealanders I dealt with were great bidders and grateful I opened the auction to them upon their request. Seems there is an NZ import duty on new auto and MC parts so the customs declaration read 'used auto parts'. They win, I win. It was great to hear their project build stories too.

Yeah, it was 8.5 pounds, that was Canada Post's cheapest rate. I used the online calculator, and quoted him $65, but once it was packaged, I paid $80. However, I honoured the lower quote I gave him. The guy really wanted it so I changed the bidding from just North America.

Have you signed up for a venture one card? You get a discount, then when you use online business tools, you get a further discount, and are able to move the numbers around a bit to get a more favourable shipping rate. It's also a lot nicer doing it at home, than at the counter.

I would almost think that the cost of shipping a flywheel would negate any savings for a buyer in Australia.

Plus, my fear with selling to him would be after 2 months he finally gets it and, "This wasn't as you specified, it's for the wrong car, it's damaged...etc."

I'd have that FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU face on all day.

No, never heard of a venture one card. I don't sell much to be honest.

Yeah, I hope this guy turns out to be a good buyer. I gave him the serial before he even bid, and told him to contact Fidanza to ensure it was the right part.
Hopefully the damn thing arrives in one piece.

If you give him the tracking number he can keep an eye on it himself.

I did

Racer1ab wrote: I would almost think that the cost of shipping a flywheel would negate any savings for a buyer in Australia.

Car parts can be pretty pricey down here, and our dollar is about the same as yours now.

For instance, I'm buying a bunch of steering parts (tie rods, control arms, idler arm etc) from a company in the USA, and still saving a packet even with close to $200 wrapped up in shipping.

While I'm on a roll, the same is true of certain bicycle parts. It's cheaper for me to get US-made stuff (Chris King etc.) directly from the 'States, than it is to buy at cost-price from our local supplier .

Stealthtercel wrote: Remind him it's winter here but tell him the dog-sled driver promised the package would get to the train depot in good time.

And the steamship is due in port shortly, but not to matter if the driver doesn't make it - there's another voyage departing mid-year