Ordering from Scotland, anyone??? - X Marks the Scot

denmcdough · #1 03-11-2010, 07:14 PM

OK, I had an XMTS member, Paul, pick up a jacket/vest for me at St. Kilda in Scotland. It was sent two weeks ago, and has not arrived. Usually, I receive goods from the UK in 7-8 days. Needless to say, I'm upset about not receiving my items. Has anyone else had the displeasure of waiting an abnormal amount of time? Put my fears to rest. An upset fellow!!!!

Hendry · #2 03-11-2010, 07:19 PM

Yeah I ordered something on Feb 25th and its usually here within a week, but nothing yet. so you are not the only one.

cheers
Dave

Scotland Forever · #3 03-11-2010, 07:26 PM

To clarify: did you have the XMTS member send it by Royal Post or was it sent by the company that he purchased it from?

More than likely held up by customs - which adds a few days, but not two weeks. I'm sure it'll arrive tomorrow now that you've made a post about it ;)

RockyR · #4 03-11-2010, 07:38 PM

If it was sent by St. Kilda (aka Gaelic Themes), then it did go via Parcel Force, which translates to USPS on this side of the pond. US Customs has been stopping a good number of our parcels lately, which adds anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks to the shipment.

This is NOT meant to scare you and I hope it DOESN'T happen, but be prepared for a letter from US Customs asking you to hire a customs broker to help prepare a 'Formal Declaration'. If you do need that, it will run about $125 to hire the customs broker on top of the duty that customs charges. It won't NECESSESARILY happen, but be prepared.

Do you have the tracking #?

Scotland Forever · #5 03-11-2010, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockyR

If it was sent by St. Kilda (aka Gaelic Themes), then it did go via Parcel Force, which translates to USPS on this side of the pond. [B]US Customs has been stopping a good number of our parcels lately, which adds anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks to the shipment.

This is NOT meant to scare you and I hope it DOESN'T happen, but be prepared for a letter from US Customs asking you to hire a customs broker to help prepare a 'Formal Declaration'. If you do need that, it will run about $125 to hire the customs broker on top of the duty that customs charges. It won't NECESSESARILY happen, but be prepared.

Do you have the tracking #?

Are you serious? If that's the case, I need to have my uncle bring my Kilt outfit with him on the plane!

denmcdough · #6 03-12-2010, 03:45 AM

Paul, the XMTS member in Scotland, whom I've befriended through this forum, picked up the item for me at St. Kilda, but sent it himself (saved me on the post). I have no idea how it was sent. I'm trying to get that info from Paul. Tracking number? No I do not have it. Again, gotta get it from Paul.

Paul · #7 03-12-2010, 04:00 AM

Den, there is no tracking no.
With Royal Mail when you pay for tracking it is tracked in the UK only and that costs an extra £5
It was sent International Airmail, and I've sent around 50 or 60 things this way. It may have taken a while in some cases, but the items always showed up eventually.

M. A. C. Newsome · #8 03-12-2010, 04:54 AM

I just had two small packages sent to me (personally -- not the museum) from Scotland through regular Royal Mail. Two different packages sent by two different people. I expected both of them in about 6 to 10 days, which I think is a pretty fair average based on past experience. Both of them took longer than three weeks to get here. So I don't know, maybe something is going on either with the Royal Mail or the USPS that is delaying these international deliveries.

Haven't noticed any unusual delay in the shipments we get in for the museum gift shop, yet, but usually there we are talking about larger packages, with different kinds of customs requirements.

peacekeeper83 · #9 03-12-2010, 04:56 AM

When things come from the UK it is possible for them to get hung up in Customs. I bought a caubeen for NI and it took nearly a month... not saying that will always be the case, but it does happen.

I would not be upset, it's just what happens. I can honestly say, Paul has gone above and beyond, sending many forum members items via the Royal Post.

SteveB · #10 03-12-2010, 05:01 AM

Gentlepeople,

A short while back there were some labour actions by the staff of the Royal Post. There are still labour issues with the Royal Post. This is adding a large amount of time to international shipments as the priority is much lower than for domestic mails. I have experienced four week to five week transit for letters and personal posts that were only one week in delivery before the labour actions. Please be patient, it will arrive.