Im not sure where i should ask this question but given its mostly regarding postage, this seemed the apt sub forum. Sorry if Im wrong on that.
I was wondering what reasonable postage via China Post should be on 2 torches direct from Brinyte, a Div05, and an ED30? I cant find them at places like BG or FT etc, so I contacted the company via their website directly and they quoted me, AU$24 (about US$22) for the ED30, and AU$26 for the Div05, plus the $11.67 postage to Australia. Should I be pushing for better prices? Im mostly asking about the price of postage, or if I should ask for a better carrier within reasonable costs, I dont mind waiting 5/6 weeks, although 56 might be a bit long. Im not actually sure which ‘free’ carriers FT and BG for example use (I know they cant be free, but at $5 for a light and free post, it cant be dear either). I guess what Im trying to work out is if Im paying a premium on the postage to the seller, or are they offerering better postage options via China Post.
While I have your attention, if anyone has thoughts against or for the ED30, Id be happy to hear that too. I just want something AA for the car. I looked at the Nitecore mt21A or whatever it was, its looks alright. I dont want an EA4. The Solarforce is a tad ugly with its silver head, but I was considering it first. I dont want to spend $40 either. The few reviews on that brand Ive read revolve around dive torches, but the quality seems up there for budget lights so Im willing to take a punt. The one review on the particular light I want, the ED30 seems good to me and it can be purchased for US$22. Im also including the dive light for a mate as a presie, (no night dives but he does use a plastic one now for underwater fossicking so it should be a nice addition, he also ‘crevices’ so a waterproof torch might be helpful there too). The ED30 is on AliExpress, for US$52 so Im ‘guessing’ the direct quote of $24AUD is looking good.
I get the impression that it is cheaper to send an item from China to the US than from one point to another, even if close, in the US. Partly, that must be the labor cost to sort, package and address it, but that does not appear to explain the difference in shipped prices.
It appears that the US Postal Service discriminates against US companies. One can sort of see how that could happen. Nearly every branch of the US government, except DOD, is expected to make a positive contribution to the budget, in preference to fulfilling its nominal function well. The volume of post from the East to the US is more price sensitive than that of internal postage, so, being asked to follow business principles, they must charge less for it to maximize revenue.
The only reason for free (or almost free) shipping from most Chinese big sellers is the support program they get from China government, which covers their shipping expenses for exporting goods to other countries. It’s that simple.
The support program is funded by the US and other nations who have and continue to pour billions to China to subsidize shipping of Chinese items to other countries.
So its fair to assume if a torch can cost $5 including the cost of shipping, and Im paying $11 just in shipping, it shouldnt take eleventy billion weeks to arrive? Tracked and maybe turn up in a limo.
Not sure if appropriate, hows life where you are (I asusme Ukraine is true, not old lo-cal or a joke). All safe I hope. Some of the pics Ive seen are horrendous. Theres some before an after shots floating around. Scary stuff.
I wish the Shipping here in the U.S. was that cheap. We really get raked over the coals here.
I shipped a couple of Surefire Hellfighters ($$$:money_mouth_face: from West Virginia, U.S. to the Ukraine last year and it cost the customer just over $180 each in shipping (including insurance). Then I had to list the lights value at under $125 each on the customs paperwork to get around the insane customs fees and regulations there in the Ukraine. He wanted them pretty bad so he paid to make it happen anyway.