Author Topic: Strange shipping delays from China  (Read 871 times)

Francois

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Strange shipping delays from China
« on: February 14, 2017, 06:35:23 PM »
I'm wondering if any of you buy stuff from China through eBay lately?
If so, I'm wondering if you've recently experienced unreasonable shipping delays?

I bought a T-mount on October 27th 2016. I got a reply from the seller on November 7th 2016 saying they just mailed it.
And time went by, I complained, got reimbursed at some point so at least there's no money lost there.

I come home for dinner and notice that the mailman just put a package in my mailbox... it's the T-mount in its protective envelope!
I look at the envelope, the package was shipped by... Air Mail...
Now, from November to February, that's a friggin long time that plane took to to travel from Shenzhen to Montreal...

Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

Pete_R

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Re: Strange shipping delays from China
« Reply #1 on: February 14, 2017, 06:42:56 PM »
If my experience of Canadian Customs is anything to go by, that's where it's been for three months.
"I've been loading films into spirals for so many years I can almost do it with my eyes shut."

Bryan

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Re: Strange shipping delays from China
« Reply #2 on: February 14, 2017, 06:59:18 PM »
I've had a few items shipped from China in the last few months and was actually surprised at how quickly they arrived.  I'm not saying it's fast, just faster than I expect from China.  It usually takes a week or two.  Like Peter said, it's probably Canadian customs.  My experience buying from China has so far been pretty good, they seam quite eager to please their customers.  I'm sure they realize the value of good reviews on eBay.  I mostly purchase small cheap items like tripod adapters from China. 

Francois

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Re: Strange shipping delays from China
« Reply #3 on: February 14, 2017, 08:26:23 PM »
My experience was pretty good before that debacle...
The usual delay I get is between 3 weeks and 1 month and 1 week... that's what I live with and what I usually expect. But 4 months... geez.
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

rpmdrd

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Re: Strange shipping delays from China
« Reply #4 on: February 15, 2017, 05:05:34 AM »
possibly got held up more because of the holiday season.

Late Developer

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Re: Strange shipping delays from China
« Reply #5 on: February 15, 2017, 09:05:05 AM »
I bought a lens hood for my Rollei 35T from China and I think it was on the apocryphal "slow boat from China" getting to the UK.  Still, it got here eventually.
"An ounce of perception. A pound of obscure".

Kai-san

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Re: Strange shipping delays from China
« Reply #6 on: February 15, 2017, 10:25:32 AM »
If it says "Free International shipping" you are guaranteed the slowest transport options available on this planet............
Kai


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Francois

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Re: Strange shipping delays from China
« Reply #7 on: February 15, 2017, 02:26:10 PM »
I think I just figured it out!
On the envelope it says Air Mail... Carrier pigeon is a legitimate way to send stuff by air  ;D
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.