Topic: Internet purchases and delivery problems (rant)

[Windy]

I ordered 1L Ilford rapid fix today and when I returned from work I had an e-mail waiting in my inbox with this comment -

Note from merchant
Hi, I am terribly sorry but the post have refused to carry this item as it is a liquid chemical.

Never been a problem before with the PO (not even when I order a box load of chemicals) and I don't experience problems at work (we get bucket loads of various chemicals delivered every week).

If they can't get 'liquid chemicals' to Stornoway, then how come the PO manage to get deliveries of 'liquid chemicals' to other customers?

And how do we get any foreign manufactured liquid chemicals into the country?

I realise that it's probably just a 'jobsworth' at the local PO not considering all delivery options, but ultimately another company that I wont consider when I need my next supplies.

 

[Glen]

I am in Canada, and get all of my liquid chemicals online, from B&H in New York. Have never had any troubles with my shipments.

Glen

[tkmedia]

There are always problems with chemicals and shipping. Different regions require different warnings on the parcels and or different shipping methods depending on type of chemicals.

[Sandeha Lynch]

Sounds like an ignorant supplier - it is their responsibility to know which goods can be carried by which service.  Royal Mail do carry 'liquid chemicals' but not certain corrosives, (even solid ones) and such goods usually go by courier as they have different handling regs.  Rules might differ for the islands, but again, that's up to the supplier to know before accepting an order.

[LT]

Sorry to hear that Winders. A right pain in the erse.

I find that some suppliers will post and others won't. I try to buy 5l bottles of fix, and iirc, silverprint wont send this,  but first call photographic will (please correct me if that's wrong). Maybe it depends on the courier also.

Maybe its time to buy in some chemicals and mix it up yourself?

[DonkeyDave]

I get my 5L fix, and C41 chemical from First Photographic as well - heavy stuff, but delivery never a problem

[MJL]

I'm unsure about TDG (Transporation of Dangerous Goods) in UK, I can only speak from my semi-professional TDG experience in US/Canada.

To ship photographic chemical, the consigner has to have a certified TDG person to pack it & prepare a waybill.  There is an exempted quantity to waive, but still need extra paperwork to label as such.  Then, the courier or carrier (Post Office) must have a certified TDG person & vehicle to pick up the DG.  The DG have to be transport by a labeled vehicle with certified TDG driver to the destination depot.  The depot at the destination must also have a certified TDG person to receive & disptach it to the consignee.  Finally, the delivery driver also should be TDG certified.

I hope this "clear up" why so many suplliers don't want to deal with small purchase of phtographic chemiclas now.  TDG training is a billion dollar business world wide. 

[Windy]

But why advertise something on a mail order website if your chosen courier wont ship it?

The safety data sheet clearly states no air, sea or land transport restrictions so what is the problem with shipping to the Outer Hebrides?

My (work) experience is with carriage of chemicals for laboratory/pathology use and pathological samples rather than photographic chemicals - yes there are restrictions, but follow correct protocols and everything is relatively straight forward.