4 ms·

Hard to say specifically, but for example I'm planning out my first build for this winter, and wheel pulleys are a big one that varies widely, even for somethin

Hard to say specifically, but for example I'm planning out my first build for this winter, and wheel pulleys are a big one that varies widely, even for something as relatively standard as a 5M one that fits on an ABEC11 hub. For example: $16ea + $5 shipping to Canada from China: https://www.ebay.com/itm/302678192585 https://www.ebay.com/itm/302678192585 Compare this to Metroboard, an established e-commerce storefront, who currently has their similar pulley marked down to $15 from a regular $30, but when I emailed to asked about shipping to Canada I was told it would be a $55 flat rate box: https://metro-board.com/e-skate-shop/pulley-insert-for-abec-11-flywheels/ https://metro-board.com/e-skate-shop/pulley-insert-for-abec-...

pravda 7y ago
>I was told it would be a $55 flat rate box You can send that for $10.50 from USA to Canada as an International Small Package [1]. They just don't care enough about you as a customer to bother. Thank god for China! You are not at the mercy of the douchebags. [1] https://www.nerdylorrin.net/jerry/postages/ https://www.nerdylorrin.net/jerry/postages/
- Scoundreller 7y ago
  Or too afraid to consider sending something without insurance. Even though it will have tracking.
  - sokoloff 7y ago
    Who would (have their customer) pay $40 for insurance on under $100 (retail) of product?
    - mikepurvis 7y ago
      Potentially a seller who a) doesn't really care about customers outside the US or b) is used to shipping $1000+ complete products and doesn't do enough volume of small spare parts to make it worth investing in a separate process for those orders.
      - Scoundreller 7y ago
        Probably the former. As a Canadian, I would ship anywhere and generally made enough off the extra demand to pay for any losses. And I was happy to make some Super Nintendo collector in Sweden happy.
    - Scoundreller 7y ago
      They think everywhere outside the US is a 4th world country. International shipping does require a bit of a knack for risk assessment. There are countries that most think are fine, but with terrible postal systems. Or annoying customs. Or people that flip out when a package takes more than 3 days to arrive. Shipping to Sweden is fine. Shipping to Italy isn’t. German Customs will inspect a lot and send a bill, Canadian customs often doesn’t bother with American packages.

pravda 7y ago

>I was told it would be a $55 flat rate box You can send that for $10.50 from USA to Canada as an International Small Package [1]. They just don't care enough about you as a customer to bother. Thank god for China! You are not at the mercy of the douchebags. [1] https://www.nerdylorrin.net/jerry/postages/ https://www.nerdylorrin.net/jerry/postages/

Scoundreller 7y ago
Or too afraid to consider sending something without insurance. Even though it will have tracking.
- sokoloff 7y ago
  Who would (have their customer) pay $40 for insurance on under $100 (retail) of product?
  - mikepurvis 7y ago
    Potentially a seller who a) doesn't really care about customers outside the US or b) is used to shipping $1000+ complete products and doesn't do enough volume of small spare parts to make it worth investing in a separate process for those orders.
    - Scoundreller 7y ago
      Probably the former. As a Canadian, I would ship anywhere and generally made enough off the extra demand to pay for any losses. And I was happy to make some Super Nintendo collector in Sweden happy.
  - Scoundreller 7y ago
    They think everywhere outside the US is a 4th world country. International shipping does require a bit of a knack for risk assessment. There are countries that most think are fine, but with terrible postal systems. Or annoying customs. Or people that flip out when a package takes more than 3 days to arrive. Shipping to Sweden is fine. Shipping to Italy isn’t. German Customs will inspect a lot and send a bill, Canadian customs often doesn’t bother with American packages.