Tactical Vest - U.S. & Canadian Postage Costs!

[EIREGOBRACH]

U.S. & Canadian Postage Costs for Tactical Vest:

Guys can you help me out here, and try and clear up an issue that I have with postage/shipping costs? You see I was interested in purchasing this Digital Camouflage Vest on Ebay for $24.99 bid price or $29.99 buy now price! The thing is, I enquired about regarding postage/shipping cost to Ireland from the Ebay Seller (whom I will not mention) and wait for it, they quoted me '$98.56' for shipping!

Now, is it me or does anybody else feel that this is a complete joke or rip-off in trying to overcharge for shipping? Or I am being unrealistic and I am wrong? I do not think so!

I would like to get the views of those especially from the States and Canada on how much the actually think and reckon postage should realistically be for this type of item considering it's approx. size and weight? I mean I have bought larger and even heavier gear/kit from Canada and the States and the most I have every paid is about $54.00-$58.00 for 1-2 ACH MICH Helmets via USPS!

By the way this is the response I received from the Ebay Seller:

Quote: "International Parcel Service to the Republic of Ireland for this item is $98.56 US$ with today's fuel surcharge rate and exchange rate. Its a form of the CADPAT/MARPAT the Canadian Forces and U.S. Marines use" (in reference to the actual vest).

What do ye think? I personally think that this is clearly an opportunity for overcharging and trying to make a huge profit from shipping/postage! Nearly $100! Crazy! I mean I have no problem paying a few extra dollars for an item to be shipped international and a person making some profit margin, and I can completely undertstand that it can be slightly expensive to ship certain items, but for to actually ask for a person to pay three times the asking price of this vest in postage alone on top of the cost of the item? No, way I said! Far too expensive!

Please let me now what ye think or any smiliar stories or instances that ye might have experienced when trying to buy and source kit/gear or equipment. Or am I just moaning and ranting on? I know its not really a military topic. Ha..ha! Thank you.

[SpeedyHedgehog]

I've been on eBay (buying and selling, lately mostly selling) since 2001. A good 50% of my sales have been overseas. If this vest is coming from the U.S or Canada you're getting ripped off on postage. I can't say exactly-not knowing the exact weight-but it probably weighs no more than a pair of Swiss Tankers Coveralls I got from the UK a year or so ago. I think I paid $26.00 shipping for those, which was about what I'd expect to pay on shipping going in either direction. The quote "with today's fuel surcharge rate and exchange rate" is a clue. Since gas went sky high the USPS hasn't added any fuel surcharge and the exchange rate has nothing to do with it at all. They'd be paying shipping in $US's. The only "surcharge" involved is the lining of their pockets. eBay is supposedly cracking down on people who charge excessive shipping fees, but that's very recent, and I don't know how diligent they are.

[LineDoggie]

He's a Brigand....... just checked an ACU vest from the USA and the shipping rate to Eire is 25.00$US

[SpeedyHedgehog]

He's a Brigand....... just checked an ACU vest from the USA and the shipping rate to Eire is 25.00$US

http://i533.photobucket.com/albums/ee337/SpeedyHedgehog/JollyRoger.jpg
..........

[Riggermade]

My Mother-in- law is in Ireland and while shipping is expensive I think that is a little much

[military gear geek]

I say that's a bit expensive. There are some sellers on ebay who will charge a reasonable shipping price to make it easier on you. But there are others who will rip you off like there is no tomorrow. He could charging a handling fee too. That's my theory. I would look elsewhere.

[James]

Someone is trying to rip you off.

[Ironsight06]

Too much. Calculate the price on the UPS or Fedex site. Propose them that price if they don't take it, tell them to go **** themselves.

[EIREGOBRACH]

Military Gear Geek - It must be some handling fee he is charging!


I figured it should be around $25.00 or so to ship a tactical vest over here. Anyway I am not that stupid to part with such a crazy amount no matter how great the item might be. I told him to forget it and he was trying to fleece me!

Also, last January I tried to buy a can of Olive Drab Spray on Ebay for just to touch up my ACH helmet and would you believe it, I was quoted $138 for shipping one can to Éire that was worth about $4-$6. I kid you not! Extreme case of rip-off! The excuse I was given that it was to be sent via special airmail due to the pressurisation within the can...? I mean was it to travel first/business class or what on the plane? You know where I told him he could go with it....! I bought the can for E13 euro including postage from the U.K.

In fairness all the Kit/gear and equipment that I have bought from the States, the Ebay Sellers have been excellent! Most actually bend over backwards, even go out of their way to get you the cheapest postage/shipping costs and have even undercharged.

The issue I would really have is it can put some people of buying kit they really want, when they are just being fleeced of their money for shipping!

Cheers lads, thanks for the feedback.

[One Shot Tactical Supply]

It depends how you want it shipped.

From Canada, to ship a vest by Expidited or Express Post overseas can be between $60 and $120. That is tracked, insured and 6 - 10 day delivery.

Some locations though won't allow for Expidited service and force you to use the more expensive Express Post.

I use to ship by regular air mail which cost at most $30, however, this could not be tracked, insured and would take up to 2 months to arrive depending on location.

Most shipments I've sent by UPS, Fedex etc are usually around the $120 mark but arrive in 5 days or less.

[EIREGOBRACH]

It was regular Canadian Parcel Post, which I would guess takes approx. one and half to two weeks to get here. No, I completely undertand it would cost alot more alright if I wanted it shipped via FedEx or UPS, which it would then arrive within 6-10 days or maybe less! Cheers.

[Polygon]

Yeah, this sounds like a way of luring in a buyer who sees the cheap cost of the item but later realizes the overpriced postage.

[Vince S]

As OST said it might not be too far from reality... I once shipped a rucksack (granted it's bigger than a vest) to Ukraine and the cheapest shipping was 85$ from Canada Post uninsured, un-tracked and 4 to 6 weeks shipping

[EIREGOBRACH]

Yeah, this sounds like a way of luring in a buyer who sees the cheap cost of the item but later realizes the overpriced postage.

I think you have hit the nail on the head! I agree with you 100%! That is exactly what I think and feel is the truth. I would prefer if those type of Ebay Sellers, be it selling helmets, BDUs, vests etc would be up front with shipping costs and stop trying to friggin fleece everybody! If they do not agree to, they should be banned from the site.

I mean you could have young airsoft/paintball or militaria enthusiasts whom have little money to spend/waste or who rely on their parents for pocket money etc. to buy their gear/equipment and these Ebay sellers are trying to rip them off with shipping! Which this might in turn put them or even others off, because they feel they cannot afford to participate in airsoft, paintballing or militaria collecting etc. Cheers.

[EIREGOBRACH]

Vince S,

Are you serious? Wow expensive to ship that rucksack! Regarding the vest, I reckon I could ship it for no more than E20.00 euro here ($28.00) I shipped a medium sized box (kit - shirt, pants, bag & pads) to my brother in Perth Oz for E22.00 euro. Standard Parcel Post. And Ireland is usually quite expensive. It got to him in just over 2 weeks or so. Although I do accept that it does indeed depend alright on the size and weight of the package or box.

Indeed there is also the issue with regards to rising fuel and postage costs etc. I personally think either some countries' postal services are just simply ripping-off their own people (Ireland included) and or some sellers are in it only to gain huge or make as much profit as possible they can from shipping because they know their gear is not worth alot, maybe? A bit of both I reckon!

[deagle]

are the heavy plates included ?? all that extra weight might be the reason, but i'm not sure.

[EIREGOBRACH]

are the heavy plates included ?? all that extra weight might be the reason, but i'm not sure.

Nope no plates. Just the vest. I would understand that otherwise with the weight. That is why it is for less than $30. Cheers.