K3 Shipping to UK

[Stephen Prior]

I'd be grateful for any feedback from UK amateurs as to their experiences
with the various shipping options.

When I last looked, UPS seems more expensive, but since USPS post goes
through Parcel Farce (intended 'typo'!) I would, in fact consider paying
more for UPS.  Does UPS charge the same sort of handling fee that Parcel
Force does I wonder?  I know UPS tracking is superb having used it before.

I'd be grateful for information before the imminent (ordered 24th December)
Katiegram!

Thanks

Stephen G4SJP
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[WILLIS COOKE]

--- Stephen Prior <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I'd be grateful for any feedback from UK amateurs as
> to their experiences
> with the various shipping options.
>
> When I last looked, UPS seems more expensive, but
> since USPS post goes
> through Parcel Farce (intended 'typo'!) I would, in
> fact consider paying
> more for UPS.  Does UPS charge the same sort of
> handling fee that Parcel
> Force does I wonder?  I know UPS tracking is superb
> having used it before.
>
> I'd be grateful for information before the imminent
> (ordered 24th December)
> Katiegram!
>
> Thanks
>
> Stephen G4SJP
> _______________________________________________

Well, now I know of at least one order between the
December 21 order and mine on December 27.  How many
more ordered their own Christmas Present?



Willis 'Cookie' Cooke
K5EWJ
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[Julian, G4ILO]

Stephen Prior wrote

I'd be grateful for any feedback from UK amateurs as to their experiences
with the various shipping options.

When I last looked, UPS seems more expensive, but since USPS post goes
through Parcel Farce (intended 'typo'!) I would, in fact consider paying
more for UPS.  Does UPS charge the same sort of handling fee that Parcel
Force does I wonder?  I know UPS tracking is superb having used it before.

I'd be grateful for information before the imminent (ordered 24th December)
Katiegram!

If you are ordering a whole K3 then I don't think you have any option other than UPS, because the maximum insurance available with USPS is not enough to cover the value of the radio.

However, whatever you are ordering it is probably worth paying the extra for UPS anyway unless you are willing to be very patient. My eagerly awaited KPA was despatched from Aptos on 8th May and I am still waiting for it! It took 3 days to reach British customs, the bureaucrats took 4 days to decide how much money I have to give our useless government to squander, so it left customs yesterday evening. Now it all depends on whether Parcel Farce manages to lose it or not.

Incidentally the KK7UQ IMD meter I ordered at the same time as the KPA was shipped by US Interface in an official USPS cardboard mailer and took only 4 days to arrive. It was delivered by good old Royal Mail and must have bypassed customs because there was no VAT to pay whatever. Let's hope they don't read this reflector!

[gm3sek]

Stephen Wrote:

>I'd be grateful for any feedback from UK amateurs as to their experiences
>with the various shipping options.
>
>When I last looked, UPS seems more expensive, but since USPS post goes
>through Parcel Farce (intended 'typo'!) I would, in fact consider paying
>more for UPS.  Does UPS charge the same sort of handling fee that Parcel
>Force does I wonder?  I know UPS tracking is superb having used it before.
>
>I'd be grateful for information before the imminent (ordered 24th December)
>Katiegram!

If you originally specified USPS, Katie will be recommending that you
upgrade to UPS, because the postal services don't offer sufficient
insurance cover.

The day after the package had left Aptos, UPS were calling from East
Midlands Airport with the ransom demand for VAT. That can be paid by
plastic over the phone.

Delivery was the following day, with nothing more to pay.


--

73 from Ian GM3SEK
http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek
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[David Cutter]

I gave my firm's address, so it came all the way by UPS and what's more they
didn't want the VAT in advance, it just went on the monthly VAT import bill
to my firm, so I got more time to pay and no delay.  This is probably a tip
!

David
G3UNA

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[Julian, G4ILO]

David Cutter wrote

I gave my firm's address, so it came all the way by UPS and what's more they
didn't want the VAT in advance, it just went on the monthly VAT import bill
to my firm, so I got more time to pay and no delay.  This is probably a tip

Today I got a letter from Parcel Farce demanding the ransom fee. This includes a GBP 13.50 clearance fee - more than a quarter of the amount of the VAT. I can pay it online, over the phone or through the post. I paid it online, and have been given a delivery date of next Tuesday.

I could have gone to the depot to collect it, and had it today, but Parcel Farce don't use the local Post Office, and the depot is nearly an hour's drive away. With petrol at over GBP 5 a gallon now (that's 10 USD to the rest of you) you think twice about getting the car out these days.

I can't remember how much UPS charged for taking the VAT when the K3 came, but I'm sure it wasn't 13.50, and I was able to pay the driver as well so delivery wasn't further delayed. I think UPS is probably the best option for all but the smallest items.