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« on: August 28, 2014, 07:14:21 PM »
Whenever I get packages from America, it's usually extremely costly, but it's always quick and I get proper tracking the entire way. UPS, FedEx, DHL and even USPS in the past all delivered my packages to Australian customs in under 4 days, which for mail is a loving feat and a half.
So, recently, I bought a set of LEGO Rock Raiders. Pretty big deal for me since I'm a part of a community of people who like the old classic games/sets, and these were in perfect condition. Originally the seller wasn't going to allow international shipments, but we managed to agree and after paying $67 shipping (Not that much off a ticket to America, mind you), I won the auction.
It's been 9 days and the packaged has apparently only just made it to the USPS ISC (International Service Centre), and based on what I've heard it could sit there for upto 14 days before it gets on a plane. Now, for patient people, that's probably not an issue at all, but I'm loving annoyed by this. When you pay nearly triple of what I had to pay other couriers to get service that takes triple the time as well, it's absolutely absurd. I dunno what richardheads run USPS, but it's pretty clear I could have just bought a plane ticket, picked up my LEGO, flown back all under 48 hours, and none of this wishy-washing processing through any facilities (which apparently it's been to three of so far).
tl;dr: Don't live in Australia if you want your mail quickly