The MLP Arena

TCB => Trader & Shipping Support => Topic started by: Ginger on February 23, 2012, 06:53:26 AM

Title: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand? Update pg2
Post by: Ginger on February 23, 2012, 06:53:26 AM
Hi! I shipped a package to New Zealand for the first time on ebay from the north east US via First Class. It has been 13 days and the buyer is complaining that it has not arrived yet.
 
In your experience, roughly how long should this take? I have shipped to other places overseas before and two weeks doesn't seem unreasonable to me, especially if the package got caught up in customs?
 
This is so frustrating!! I sent a message to comfirm that the shipping address was indeed correct, but I don't know what to do other than just wait? It's not insured because it's a $3-$4 item. After fees I made $1.07 from this item and would rather have just donated it. The last thing I want to do is refund $15 shipping. :/
 
Thanks a bunch in advance lol, I appreciate any reponse!
 
At first I didn't understand it but now I agree with so many other members here: I'm sooooooooo fed up with ebay. It has been way more trouble than it's worth.


[moving to TS - kaoskat]
Title: Re: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand?
Post by: cobalte on February 23, 2012, 08:28:52 AM
From experience on shipping US to Aus: two weeks really isn't unreasonable, nor is three. I would be only starting to worry at 4 weeks for First Class to be honest. Bit of a pain the buyer is being a bit impatient, but maybe they don't realise this.
Title: Re: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand?
Post by: ShinePaw on February 23, 2012, 08:33:54 AM
I don't know how much it should take to New Zealand, but lately I seem to receive my packages form the US much slower than usual, I just received one after 15 days. I'm in Middle Europe and I usually receive my packages within 10 days.

So I'd suggest to wait a little more, hopefully your package will be fine :)
Title: Re: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand?
Post by: lovesbabysquirmy on February 23, 2012, 08:42:55 AM
Only 13 days?  It took over 6 months for a parcel to reach me from NZ!  :(
Title: Re: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand?
Post by: ponylady on February 23, 2012, 09:04:26 AM
It is not unusual for packages from US to NZ to take weeks.  And right now things seem to be moving unusually slow.  I know I have a package going to Australia that was mailed January 21st and is still not there  :huh:
 
Is she a new buyer?  I always like to check that first before I email them back.  If they are new to buying overseas I like to explain to them that shipping overseas is different than shipping within your country and can take weeks if not months sometimes. 
 
Also you can email her the customs number if she does not already have it.  I would then explain although it does not track it, it does show proof that the item was indeed accepted at your post office and is transit.  Just give her some reassurance that the item will arrive, it usually works to calm them down a bit! 
Title: Re: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand?
Post by: Ginger on February 23, 2012, 09:24:27 AM
Thanks so much everyone!! I didn't even THINK to send her the customs number. I'll go do that right now. >_< She is a new buyer, only 7 feedback and has been sending me many messages. She also got upset when I "didn't send her a message after I shipped like I said I would". Lol, I never told her that I would send her another one, and marked the item as shipped and thought that would be enough to let her know. All thank-yous had already been exchanged and I thought it was good.

Lol! Oh well.

I'll keep waiting- thanks! I hope it gets there soooon! I sure hope it doesn't take 6 months likes yours lovesbabysquirmy- WOW!!!!

Post Merge: February 23, 2012, 10:26:17 AM

And she just opened a case.
Title: Re: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand?
Post by: Marlin on February 23, 2012, 11:18:26 AM
I just bought some lovely ponies off a US member here, and they took a week and a half to arrive (she sent them Feb 11 and they arrived on the 21st here in NZ). It was the first time I had bought from the US, so I have no other postal experiences to give you an idea of time frames I'm afraid!


I hope this resolves positively for you!




Title: Re: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand?
Post by: kCherry on February 23, 2012, 12:55:35 PM
And she just opened a case.

  Another impatient overseas buyer.

*headdesk*

What a pita! So sorry to hear that you are having to deal with her. Two weeks is certainly NOT enough time to be getting your knickers in a twist shipped from the US to NZ. :mad:

  The best advice I have for you is to try and remain diplomatic about the affair and try to keep communications open. If you haven't sent her the customs number yet do it now, hopefully that will ease her peace of mind in the time being. She will probably get her package next week and hopefully she's an honest buyer and will closed the case against you then.

  Good luck! Let us know how it goes with her!
Title: Re: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand?
Post by: Stormy31685 on February 23, 2012, 01:16:29 PM
So sorry for you, Ginger!  I really hope the item arrives, because unfortunately, eBay won't be on your side.  It normally does take up to even 6 weeks for items to arrive from the USA going anywhere First Class.

This is so disappointing because it seems more and more new buyers are just so impatient. 

Title: Re: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand?
Post by: Ginger on February 23, 2012, 01:53:36 PM
Thanks guys!! I feel so much better knowing people who understand lol!!

Kcherry, I sent her the customs number, explained, and THEN she opened the case after that, so I guess she's still overly paranoid regardless. She claimed that all other packages she has gotten from the US have arrived way sooner than that. The last update on the customs form was on the 14th and it was in NY, so I think you're right and it'll arrive next week.

It's really silly that some buyers are so impatient. As if we the seller have any control over the postal system. XD

I'll be sure to keep you updated!!
Title: Re: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand?
Post by: ponylady on February 23, 2012, 02:02:19 PM
 :hug: Ginger!
That is ridiculous to open a case after 13 days.  She sounds like a huge headache.  I hate to say it but with an attitude like that she is going to be dissappointed alot with overseas transactions.
 
Please feel free to PM her ID as I do not like dealing with people who are unreasonable about shipping times.
Title: Re: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand?
Post by: Ringlets on February 23, 2012, 05:36:33 PM
Ugh! I'm so sorry to hear this Ginger :hug:  impatient new buyers on ebay can be such a pain to deal with! that was very unreasonable of her to expect the item to arrive so quickly (it can take 3-4 weeks often, and sometimes it can take longer like the others mentioned) :( it was even more unreasonable of her to open the case after you responded and gave her the customs number :yikes:   
 Cherry gave some good advice - keep good communications with her and stay calm, reassuring and diplomatic, even if this person gets mad at you -I know its not easy, but it can make all the difference to how this will end ;) .  Hopefully the parcel will arrive within the next week or so
If you dont mind, could you please let me know who this person is too?
Title: Re: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand?
Post by: Ginger on February 23, 2012, 07:06:15 PM
Actually- now I feel like a dork.
 :redface: :redface: :redface: :redface:
Now that I'm home and reviewed the case more closely, apparently there was an error in one of the digits on the shipping address I gave her from the customs form and she did not clearly explain this.
What confuses me though, is the address I have written here states which island she is on, but I went back to review the address on her paypal and it is no longer included there. Did something change!? The address is also unconfirmed? I'm super confused! I am hoping I wrote it correctly on the shipping lable and in my haste at the post office, copied it over incorrectly. I hope I didn't just dig myself in a hole with this.  :blush:
I'll pm you her ID if you still want it but this might be my mistake.
Title: Re: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand?
Post by: Marlin on February 23, 2012, 07:15:02 PM
Um, I don't know about the rest of your queries, but if it helps, it shouldn't matter whether or not you have 'North' or 'South' Island on the NZ address, so long as you had the city this person is in (like, Wellington, or Auckland or something).  I've never really known anyone to note which island they are on when stating postal addresses, and it shouldn't matter internationally either I would think.


Most NZ addesses will look like this:


J Bloggs
1 Blogg Street
Suburb
City or Town or Region (+postcode)
New Zealand (stated if posting from overseas)


 :) :)
Title: Re: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand?
Post by: Binkyfinder on February 23, 2012, 09:41:43 PM
My brother moved to Australia last summer and had me mail some of his belongings to him.  Around 8 of the boxes I mailed were Priority flat rate, around the same weight and mailed at the exact same time.  They all contained books.  The address was printed out on the computer - so they looked identical.  He didn't receive any of them on the same day.  The first ones showed up to his door in 2 weeks and the last one took 8 weeks to arrive.

I know that NZ and Australia aren't the same place - but I am noticing that nearly ALL international packages are taking their sweet old time lately.  (I even just lost my 100% feedback score because of it on eBay.) 

As for a small mistake in the address - it may cause a delay, but the package should still get there.  It doesn't sound like it was totally botched.   

It is SO rare for a package to go missing forever.  I've mailed out thousands and it's only happened a couple times.  * knocks on wood * 
Title: Re: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand?
Post by: kCherry on February 24, 2012, 12:14:52 PM
  Thanks so much for that information, Binky and Marlin!! That's very helpful!!


I'll pm you her ID if you still want it but this might be my mistake.

  Even if you did make a mistake in labeling her package, 13 days is still an absurdly short amount of time to be opening a claim on an International parcel. The paypal limit is 45 days and sometimes even that's not long enough. She jumped the gun with that claim and it just wasn't necessary to do so.

  You can email the name to those who have requested or you can feel free to post her name to this thread; fair few individuals here want to deal with anyone who opens a claim in such a small period of time. I most certainly wouldn't want to. ;)
Title: Re: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand?
Post by: Eternia on February 24, 2012, 07:21:54 PM
I had one take 2 months. Gave me a heart attack. It got stuck in customs.
Title: Re: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand?
Post by: Ginger on February 24, 2012, 08:16:07 PM

My goodness!! Thanks so much for the help Marlin!! I guess it's weird then that the address on her paypal had the island named to begin with. But now it's not there, so. XD


Thanks Binkyfinder, that makes me feel a lot better!! Sorry you just had your perfect feedback ruined over something like this- UGH! It makes me not want to ship internationally on ebay anymore. I have and still would do it on certain forum marketplaces, but ebay's system is just too unfair.


I sent her a nice message in response to the claim, noting the length international packages may take and how they may vary, and she "gave me one more week". :/ 3 weeks total is still not nearly enough after reading all your helpful posts (thanks again- I appreciate it and it gives me a place to "vent" of sorts lol).


Her ID is: nzsailormooncollector


I don't think she's a pony collector (which is actually why I originally posted this in the off topic board- I wasn't sure where it belongs :blush: :blush: ). But I do know some people here share the same hobby she does, so who knows.


EDIT: Oh- and all these times include weekends. We also had a US holiday but hopefully the package was out of the country by then. XD Sigh
Title: Re: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand?
Post by: Sea_Breeze on February 26, 2012, 11:51:53 PM
Most parcels from the US for me lately have been taking approximately 3 weeks. 13 days is barely enough time to get it out of the USA. I hope it shows up soon hun. The username isn't familar
Title: Re: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand?
Post by: Ginger on March 04, 2012, 09:39:51 AM
Thanks guys. I lost the case and ebay refunded her. After 15 non-holiday business days. Very upsetting.
Title: Re: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand? Update pg2
Post by: Marlin on March 04, 2012, 02:01:17 PM
Urgh. How disappointing :hmm:  Does that mean ebay took your money from paypal and refunded it to her? (sorry, not sure how those processes work). If so, what happens now if the parcel turns up? You'll be out of pocket and that's not very cool.
This all seems rather impatient of the buyer, particularly given you have gone to a lot of effort to try and smooth this out and explain things. If she does get the parcel, I hope she'll do the honourable thing and give you your money back.
Title: Re: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand? Update pg2
Post by: Ginger on March 04, 2012, 02:28:28 PM
Urgh. How disappointing :hmm:  Does that mean ebay took your money from paypal and refunded it to her? (sorry, not sure how those processes work). If so, what happens now if the parcel turns up? You'll be out of pocket and that's not very cool.
This all seems rather impatient of the buyer, particularly given you have gone to a lot of effort to try and smooth this out and explain things. If she does get the parcel, I hope she'll do the honourable thing and give you your money back.
Yup, about $15 lost out of pocket+the item is gone. >_< I hope it turns up too and that she does what's right and send the money back. I have a pretty strong feeling that it'll arrive. I'm refraining from leaving feedback just in case (plus it's silly, all I can leave anyway is a positive and this certainly has not been a positive experience).
Title: Re: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand? Update pg2
Post by: ponylady on March 04, 2012, 02:41:23 PM
Wow..I am just curious did you respond to the case with the customs number for proof of shipping? Or fax over your postal receipt?
 
I personally would phone ebay tomorrow.  It would not hurt to ask a few questions even if you think you may have messed up.  I hardly feel that 15 business days is a long enough period of time for them to open and close a case for international shipping.
Title: Re: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand? Update pg2
Post by: Ringlets on March 04, 2012, 06:10:55 PM
:(  thats not fair of Ebay after such a short time, and after you tried to work things out with your buyer too.   Royal mail will not consider an international item lost until after 25 working days. 
I think I'd go with Ponyladys suggestion - give Ebay  a call and explain the situation - it cant hurt :awake:
Title: Re: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand? Update pg2
Post by: Loa on March 05, 2012, 01:03:41 AM
Not to mention NZ has had a few holidays in the past few weeks too!

I think I have dealt with this person on Trademe, it rings a bell!
Title: Re: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand? Update pg2
Post by: lovesbabysquirmy on March 05, 2012, 06:32:04 AM
Thank you for the warning... maybe it will keep other pony people safe.  :(  *hugs*
Title: Re: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand? Update pg2
Post by: Ginger on March 05, 2012, 07:15:41 AM
Wow..I am just curious did you respond to the case with the customs number for proof of shipping? Or fax over your postal receipt?
 
I personally would phone ebay tomorrow.  It would not hurt to ask a few questions even if you think you may have messed up.  I hardly feel that 15 business days is a long enough period of time for them to open and close a case for international shipping.
I did! I also just got into contact with them, thanks for the advice! The customs number is not proof of shipping to her address, so nothing further will be done. I still find silly because she didn't pay for tracking (which would have increased the shipping costs up by a lot!).

Loa, I didn't know New Zealand had a few holidays too. Thanks! That makes it even more crazy lol!!

I'm thinking about moving all my things over to Bonanza (or try another place if I can find one) and forgetting ebay. ._. 1/3 of the winners never pay, I get bombarded with messages, fee'd to death and the buyer is always right. ><
Title: Re: Roughly How long does it take for a US package to get to New Zealand? Update pg2
Post by: Ringlets on March 05, 2012, 06:49:45 PM
*sigh* ebay sucks sometimes  :(   I just hope that this buyer is honest and pays your money back when the item arrives
SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal