Dear Sideshow! A rant on your shipping.

[Chicky]

SS are pretty hit & miss on freight to Aus. I've had shipping costs in the past anywhere between 35 - 100 bucks for a single 1/6 fig.

The $100 was for HT Deunan & I was not at all ____ing impressed (seriously, that's a whole other fig in freight - the quote was 30) but that was a fair while ago now. I don't know why it varies so much from month to month.

I'm pleased that shipping costs from SS have been much more reasonable this year.

The Aussie dollar has fluctuated wildly to my understanding. However our international special ship rates have been in effect for almost a year now. I am sure new and returning collectors will be pleasantly surprised.

 

[A2G]

I got to be honest. Sideshow's shipping prices have improved drastically. I live in Canada and for me shipping from Sideshow is now about $25 via FedEx and the packages get to me within 2-3 days with...here we go....NO BROKERAGE FEES! That is much cheaper than before and blazing fast, especially considering they have to go through customs. This is the reason why I started buying from Sideshow again.

Their customer service has been very good as well. When I have made requests, Mike from Sideshow has made sure they were done or tried his best to see them through.

The only problem I've had so far is the terrible paint apps and chips on Ironman IV Maquette, which I could not get resolved

 

[Dinosoar Daz]

Oh yes, much better! I just paid $27 shipping for HT T-1000. A few years back I was paying close to $100 shipping on HT figures. Mind you, their packaging is more compact now days.

I Agree. My Guardian Predator only cost $28 to ship to NZ, half what I normally have to pay when I order from the states Downside is the packaging was really weak, no bubble-wrap or foam chips, just the HT brown shipper

 

[Chicky]

s best to see them through.

The only problem I've had so far is the terrible paint apps and chips on Ironman IV Maquette, which I could not get resolved

Why couldn't you get this resolved? Did you contact the Returns Department? We should be receiving additional replacements in for this item in the next 45 days, so please e-mail them.

 

[A2G]

Why couldn't you get this resolved? Did you contact the Returns Department? We should be receiving additional replacements in for this item in the next 45 days, so please e-mail them.

Yes I did. The problem is, that they said they have to refund my money onto my credit card until replacement arrives and I begged for them to keep the money and just send me the replacement. I was told that they cannot hold onto my funds.

I lose a lot of money when they refund and re-charge onto my credit card. The first time I was charged $525 USD on my credit card, but after 2.5% fees and the exchange rate that becomes $573 CAD. If they refund my money I will get $510 CAD back. When they charge me $525 USD again, I have to pay $545 CAD this time. So I lose approx. $83.

 

[mr.thrifty]

I'm so glad I'm in the states....

 

[DeadLeaves]

The Aussie dollar has fluctuated wildly to my understanding. However our international special ship rates have been in effect for almost a year now. I am sure new and returning collectors will be pleasantly surprised.

Thanks Chicky, the new rates are real good - no big complaints. But, there have been been massive discrepancies from item to item in the past. I understand shipping rates/exchange rate fluctuate, but the quote system on SS is usually fairly inaccurate. Just makes it difficult to budget for an upcoming item sometimes.

 

[Lejuan]

Thanks Chicky, the new rates are real good - no big complaints. But, there have been been massive discrepancies from item to item in the past. I understand shipping rates/exchange rate fluctuate, but the quote system on SS is usually fairly inaccurate. Just makes it difficult to budget for an upcoming item sometimes.

$30 to this side of the world is as good as I've seen anywhere, and if it's anything close to that I'll be very happy. $45, give or take, seems to be the going rate. The Oz dollar will reach parity with the US dollar around early 2011, maybe even pass it by a couple of cents - no doubt before sinking back to what it's really worth once the US economy picks up again. Hope I can get at least two or three figures in before then

 

[Chicky]

Ah- the concern for us is not to hold onto your money if it may take us 60 days to receive replacements in house, as this type of wait is unusual for us. If you are ok with us holding the funds then when you e-mail returns explain to them that as an international customer the differences in exchange rates and let them know you are ok with us holding the funds. It shouldnt be a problem if you put it in writing for them.

Yes I did. The problem is, that they said they have to refund my money onto my credit card until replacement arrives and I begged for them to keep the money and just send me the replacement. I was told that they cannot hold onto my funds.

I lose a lot of money when they refund and re-charge onto my credit card. The first time I was charged $525 USD on my credit card, but after 2.5% fees and the exchange rate that becomes $573 CAD. If they refund my money I will get $510 CAD back. When they charge me $525 USD again, I have to pay $545 CAD this time. So I lose approx. $83.

 

[Fritz]

I got to be honest. Sideshow's shipping prices have improved drastically. I live in Canada and for me shipping from Sideshow is now about $25 via FedEx and the packages get to me within 2-3 days with...here we go....NO BROKERAGE FEES! That is much cheaper than before and blazing fast, especially considering they have to go through customs. This is the reason why I started buying from Sideshow again...

No ____ing way. No Brokerage!?!? Really!?!? So you pay $25 for shipping and that's it. Nice! I may have to take another look at my shipping options. Although I'm sure you still have to pay HST. When did the brokerage thing change?

 

[quadcent]

Yes I did. The problem is, that they said they have to refund my money onto my credit card until replacement arrives and I begged for them to keep the money and just send me the replacement. I was told that they cannot hold onto my funds.

I lose a lot of money when they refund and re-charge onto my credit card. The first time I was charged $525 USD on my credit card, but after 2.5% fees and the exchange rate that becomes $573 CAD. If they refund my money I will get $510 CAD back. When they charge me $525 USD again, I have to pay $545 CAD this time. So I lose approx. $83.

for that reason alone i'm seriously looking at getting an american CC.