Quote:
Originally Posted by mrdelurk
I sent them a package with a check attached that prepaid air mail forwarding. Nothing happened for a month. When I inquired they said they don't see it and asked what's my box number. "Box number?" Who cares? I don't ask the post office either what bins they use for my mail.
OK, so there's some weird fixation with box numbers here. Fine, let's humor these guys since they got my package. I took out a Shipito box number for $9. "My box number is XXX. So can you please find my package?"
They found it. Oh? So all this was just for $9? Why not just add $9 to the shipping quote and not aggravate people.
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You get your virtual address first then use it to mail your packages. Why would anyone ship the package first and then think about the address? There is no any fee for adding your package to your mailbox if you use a correct address.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrdelurk
Shipito still wouldn't touch the check I taped to the shipment in an envelope with their name on it. Fine guys, I pay another $8 for you to tear all that up, here comes the same $160 with PayPal. Mail my package already, would ya.
Nope, they still won't. I must submit 5 utility bills with my name, notarized copy of a personal document, and they'd prefer that I transfered the amount via bank (which costs $40). Looks like mailing requirements from some Communist regime, not a First World business. Are these guys really in shipping or do they just collect people's personal data for the KGB? Or is this a ruse to make shippers just walk away so the package can be sold on eBay?
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I've been using Shipito for 2,5 years without providing a notarized copy. They won't accept any letters sent to my address, but I'm only interested in packages and magazines, so this is fine for me.
There are too many frauds in this business, so credit cards and paypal payments are not final. I understand why Shipito requires the documents, although I don't really like to send any documents to companies. But it needs to be done once, so not such a big deal.
My bank charges 1% ($15 min) for a wire transfer. $40 is really too much.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrdelurk
We'll see if that air mail package really shows up.
And it did. In 25 days, but it arrived. Now - in 25 days one could pretty much get it there by truck & boat, but who cares, I used Shipito because USPS just wouldn't take the box for being 5 inches longer than their arbitrary choice. ("Which 5 inches of this instrument do I saw off?") All in all, Shipito delivered. But I can see how someone else less patient might totally freak out and run away screaming. I was close to it too  |
Airmail is very slow. State posts are usually slower during Christmas and New year too. My last package send by USPS Express Mail left San Francisco 8 days ago, but still hasn't arrived in Russia (although most packages were delivered to me from Shipito for 8-14 days).
Anyway Shipito is not ideal. There are cheaper alternatives for Russia (although I haven't found anything better for most other countries of the world). And their packing is far away from what Russian competitors offer (again not a big problem for most other countries of the world, because their postal service handle packages way much better).