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TCB => Trader & Shipping Support => Topic started by: Marlin on April 04, 2012, 11:42:13 PM

Title: At what point should I worry?
Post by: Marlin on April 04, 2012, 11:42:13 PM
Feel a bit silly posting this, but I'm hoping to maybe be put at ease...


I know topics on how long parcels can take to get overseas are often exhausted on this forum, but argh! Mine has gone past the three week mark!


I'm a bit worried as it isn't a tracked/insured parcel (my risk, I know) but all my parcels from overseas have never taken more than a week and a half to get to me - is this just luck? This parcel I am waiting on (with some much anticipated ponies) is coming from Canada. Anyone have any past experiences that might give me an idea of how long something should take to get to me here in NZ?


I did send the seller a PM to advise I hadn't yet received the parcel (they had posted it back on the 13th of March), but that was a few days ago now, and I haven't heard back from her  :huh:  She's not terribly active on the arena which could explain it, but I am a little surprised she hasn't responded  :(

Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: hathorcat on April 05, 2012, 02:25:05 AM
Yes, in "theory" most airmail international packages should probably get to their destination within 7 to 21 days....but theory is a wonderful thing....

The reason the paypal window for filing a claim is so long is because international post can take such a significant amount of time. Personally I know Canadian mail to me in the UK takes longer on average than from other locations - but that could be Canada Mail, Royal Mail or simply just randomness - although its not as bad as mail from anywhere in South America!

At 3 weeks...yes, I would have sent the seller a little "just to let you know its not arrived yet" pm and I would make a note to keep an eye on paypal deadline but I wouldnt actually be incredibly concerned it wasnt going to arrive...just yet.

The key is to make sure your seller comes back to you in the next few days just to double check the date they posted it is when you think - you could always email them on the email address they will have given you for paypal payment in case as you mention they are simply not on the Arena with enough regularity to know you are trying to get in touch

After which just keep a running eye on your filing deadline or ideally see if you can work something out with the seller instead if you do start getting to 4 or 5 weeks and it still hasnt arrived. I always think on the Arena its nicer to work something out directly with someone rather than filing and also when we dont pay for insurance or registered mail there is that kind of "part risk" by both parties on the postage side.

I hope it turns up for you soon!
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: Stormy31685 on April 05, 2012, 04:37:50 AM
I just had a buyer receive their items yesterday and they were posted the same day as yours (March 13th).  So I second the time frame.  I also just had some items returned to me by the post because the buyer did not forward her mail properly.  In all the years of pony dealings, I think I have had maybe one package go missing on me...

Hope that eases your mind a little   
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: ponylady on April 05, 2012, 05:43:37 AM
It's always scary waiting on a package when it hits the 3 week mark especially if your used to it only taking a week or so.
 
But I would give it some more time as the post has been extremely slow at the moment everywhere.
 
And I am going by your post that the purchase was here.  If so, has she read your last PM? 
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: kCherry on April 05, 2012, 07:18:49 AM
Keep your 45 day Paypal claim date in mind, just in case, but I can only echo what has already been said, three weeks isn't uncommon and it seems that Canada post has been a bit slower than normal of late. ;)
  Keep us posted!
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: babystarz on April 05, 2012, 08:01:18 AM
Canadian packages have been taking a really long time to arrive to me lately, and I live in a state that borders Canada! So I think maybe they're just being slow in general. And combined with customs clearance, which could take anywhere from days to weeks depending on the backlog for NZ, it could certainly take several weeks to get to you. But I agree with keeping the Paypal deadline in mind. If the package still hasn't arrived by the deadline, you have a right to open a claim. If the package arrives in the meantime, you can always cancel the claim.
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: Maniah on April 05, 2012, 08:05:22 AM
I had two packages take a while, shipped from the USA to Canada, and one to Finland I think. The canada one took a month, and the finland one just a little over that. I was terribly afraid that they had been lost. As a seller doing first time international shipping, I was stressed. I'd give it a bit longer.
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: lovesbabysquirmy on April 05, 2012, 01:07:13 PM
I'm worried about my item coming from Germany... I have been waiting since January...  :(  Any advice on how that postal service is moving along?
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: Marlin on April 05, 2012, 01:54:52 PM
Hey, thanks everyone - I do feel a little better! I'll wait a bit longer, but will try and contact the seller again.


Re paypal claims - does that take money back off the seller?  I'd feel a bit weird about that, as if she has sent as advised, then the item getting lost isn't really their fault either? argh! Moral conflict!  I'll try and get in touch to talk it through in the event the package never turns up, I guess. Urgh... I hate these situations!


Hope your package turns up soon, too, lovesbabysquirmy!!
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: babystarz on April 05, 2012, 02:33:39 PM
Hey, thanks everyone - I do feel a little better! I'll wait a bit longer, but will try and contact the seller again.


Re paypal claims - does that take money back off the seller?  I'd feel a bit weird about that, as if she has sent as advised, then the item getting lost isn't really their fault either? argh! Moral conflict!  I'll try and get in touch to talk it through in the event the package never turns up, I guess. Urgh... I hate these situations!


Hope your package turns up soon, too, lovesbabysquirmy!!

I'm not 100% sure on this, but I don't believe it takes the funds away from the seller until a decision has been made for the claim. It might prevent the seller from removing funds from the account for obvious reasons until that decisions is made though.
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: ShortyBoo on April 05, 2012, 02:47:09 PM
Lately I've been worried about two packages. I did a trade with a member here from Belgium and while both of us shipped in early March, neither of us have gotten our packages. I was able to enter the customs form number into the USPS tracking site, but it doesn't show anything after it left the US from Chicago on March 4th. At least seeing how others have had packages take longer to show up, I'm a bit less worried, but it is hard not to when most of the packages I've sent and received from other countries have for the most part, arrived in 2 weeks or less.
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: babystarz on April 05, 2012, 04:44:17 PM
I'm worried about my item coming from Germany... I have been waiting since January...  :(  Any advice on how that postal service is moving along?

I remember you mentioning this before when I was waiting for a pony from Germany too. This seems much too long to me, I've ordered several things from Germany lately and three weeks was the maximum wait time; most of the packages took a week or so. Do you know which shipping method was chosen? I think mine have all been the German equivalent of first class, so maybe if it was economy shipping it would take longer. But since January, that seems really long!
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: lovesbabysquirmy on April 05, 2012, 08:45:48 PM
I'm worried about my item coming from Germany... I have been waiting since January...  :(  Any advice on how that postal service is moving along?

I remember you mentioning this before when I was waiting for a pony from Germany too. This seems much too long to me, I've ordered several things from Germany lately and three weeks was the maximum wait time; most of the packages took a week or so. Do you know which shipping method was chosen? I think mine have all been the German equivalent of first class, so maybe if it was economy shipping it would take longer. But since January, that seems really long!

I don't know... I sent the girl I'm trading with a PM about the matter yesterday but no answer yet...
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: Maniah on April 06, 2012, 12:25:30 AM
Hey, thanks everyone - I do feel a little better! I'll wait a bit longer, but will try and contact the seller again.


Re paypal claims - does that take money back off the seller?  I'd feel a bit weird about that, as if she has sent as advised, then the item getting lost isn't really their fault either? argh! Moral conflict!  I'll try and get in touch to talk it through in the event the package never turns up, I guess. Urgh... I hate these situations!


Hope your package turns up soon, too, lovesbabysquirmy!!

You can always let the seller know that you will file by the deadline just to cover yourself, but if they show up, you will be happy to send the money back to them.
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: Ringlets on April 06, 2012, 06:41:16 PM
Marlin I would try not to worry just yet :hug: . International post can be unpredictible. somtimes it can arrive in a less than a week, other times its 4 or 5 weeks (and on  occasion longer).  I'd give it another week before contacting your seller ( using their paypal addy to email them on might be a good idea if they arent active on the arena much ). Other than that, keep an eye on the 45 day deadline. if it comes close to that deadline, contact the seller first and see if they would be willing to work something out before opening a case.
LBS in your case I would be concerned since its been  more than 3 months :yikes: . Lets hope your seller responds soon, because you have been more than patient. Unless they sent the item by surface mail/boat then it really should have arrived before now, even with the slow shipping times.
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: Marlin on April 07, 2012, 01:47:15 PM
Thanks everyone  :tackleglomp:




I heard from the seller yesterday after I'd sent an email a couple of days ago. She's assured me not to worry too much yet either; it seems things to and fro Canada do seem to take longer. I'll still be watching my mailbox anxiously though!! As Shortyboo said, it's hard not to worry when you're used to things arriving so much sooner!
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: lovesbabysquirmy on April 07, 2012, 04:58:26 PM
LBS in your case I would be concerned since its been  more than 3 months :yikes: . Lets hope your seller responds soon, because you have been more than patient. Unless they sent the item by surface mail/boat then it really should have arrived before now, even with the slow shipping times.

We're working it out!  There was some "radio silence" but we are communicating now.  :)
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: Ringlets on April 07, 2012, 06:05:44 PM
thats good to hear :bigups:  :cheer:  :happy:
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: nhal039 on April 16, 2012, 02:24:27 PM
I just got a parcel from canada have arrived within 2 weeks but  have sent a parcel to canada and it took 6 weeks to get there (ice crystal unsured... was pretty nervous about that one!). It will turn up soon ; )
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: Filthy on April 22, 2012, 03:44:18 PM
Adding this here as I don't want to start a new thread..


I'm in the middle of a transaction with someone but haven't received my ponies yet. Monday (23rd) is the last day I can make a paypal dispute which I really don't want to as I think the seller has been honest with me and there has been holidays and stuff delaying things, and the ponies are coming from another country to the seller and then to me. I've sent them a PM few days ago asking for an update and it hasn't been read. The seller's last activity on arena was a bit over a week ago. Last update I've received from them was 04/02, but then again I haven't been pestering them in the meanwhile either as I've been thinking they'll let me know when things are getting more clear.


What should I do with the paypal case? I do think I'll be getting my ponies eventually, but this is my last day to file a claim/dispute with paypal..
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: ponylady on April 22, 2012, 04:25:20 PM
Filthy, I know you hate to open a case but it might be your only option.   It can always be closed as soon as the ponies arrive.
 
 I would email whoever was doing this favor for you again and explain what you are going to do.  I would also put something in the subject thread along the lines of "Urgent Please Respond" to get her attention.  I would then state it is nothing against her but you need to protect your funds at this point.  And you will close it as soon as they arrive.
 
I am sure it is just held up but one can never be to cautious these days.
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: Ringlets on April 22, 2012, 06:41:37 PM
I agree with Ponylady  ^^ open the claim and let your seller know why , and that you will close the case/resend the monies as soon as your parcel arrives. Email them using the paypal addy you sent them the payment to , as well as PMing them again here with the "urgent response required" Pm   :awake:
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: Marlin on April 23, 2012, 12:07:58 AM
Best of luck with everything, Filthy - I'm still waiting on my ponies that kicked off this thread, so can relate to how anxious you must feel!  :hug:
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: nhal039 on April 23, 2012, 07:17:32 PM
argghh I am waiting to for a piece of hair... it been like 4 weeks! can feel yr pain lol
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: Marlin on April 23, 2012, 09:12:05 PM
LOL! Hope your pony hair turns up!! My ponies are coming by boat, I discovered. I'm hopeful they will turn up; two other members here bought ponies off the same person and have had the same wait, but one member had their parcel turn up yesterday - so there is hope that they'll be here soon!!!


Waiting for pony parcels sucks!!!  XD
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: Filthy on April 24, 2012, 01:47:08 AM
 :dumbpc: Paypal decided not to let me log in for nearly 12hours and I missed the 45 day time frame!! how annoying is that! Well, I should have done something earlier.. Now I'll just have to hope..
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: ponylady on April 24, 2012, 03:15:42 AM
Aww..Filthy :hug: , you have my kind of luck.
 
Hopefully all will be well!  The post has been nuts lately!  I have a package right now from abroad that has been stuck in customs here for nearly two weeks.  :argh:
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: Marlin on April 25, 2012, 01:26:55 AM
Oh, Filthy. I'm sorry to hear that! I hope your ponies turn up  :hug:
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: Ringlets on April 25, 2012, 03:44:12 AM
more :hug: s  for you Filthy . I really hope your parcel arrives
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: lovesbabysquirmy on April 25, 2012, 10:21:22 AM
As mentioned in other posts, my package came through so I'm crossing my hooves you'll get your soon too!
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: Filthy on April 25, 2012, 01:54:22 PM
The seller did reply to me, they still haven't received the ponies but I'm waiting for some stuff from the same country too and it has indeed taken nearly a month after the items supposedly were sent, so it is very possible they haven't received their stuff either. They have good feedback and I haven't seen anyone else complaining so at this point I think all is going as planned.
Title: Re: At what point should I worry?
Post by: Bellevi on April 30, 2012, 09:47:43 PM
I've been waiting on a package from Belgium since late February, but since LBS's package took a long time, there must be some terrible delays right now...
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