Bike 24 Germany
11-03-20, 08:02 PM
#26
Senior Member
If you complain about shipping rates, be happy you get it at all. Right now Deutsche Post in Germany and USPS here in the US have significant restrictions for international mail delivery due to Covid 19.
Lots of international flights have been cancelled which would normally haul mail. And local Covid 19 measurements prevent the acceptance and delivery of mail.
Here are the current restrictions from Deutsche Post to the US. Any packages over 500 grams and 2cm thickness are no going the old fashioned way via "steamer".... That means weeks and weeks of delivery time.
https://www.deutschepost.de/en/c/coronavirus.html#usa
Also private companies like UPS and Fedex have restrictions and they have always been way more expensive than the postal service.
I have bought lots of stuff from bikes stores in Germany and had it sent to my mom in Germany. I then picked up all the stuff then during my annual visit. But I am not sure when I can travel again safely.
I am buying mostly stuff which I cannot get in the US such as internal hub parts, dynamo powered light systems or Dutch bike specific parts.
I also hate any kind of trade restrictions. Same with the stupid region codes on DVDs. Not sure they still exist.
Lots of international flights have been cancelled which would normally haul mail. And local Covid 19 measurements prevent the acceptance and delivery of mail.
Here are the current restrictions from Deutsche Post to the US. Any packages over 500 grams and 2cm thickness are no going the old fashioned way via "steamer".... That means weeks and weeks of delivery time.
https://www.deutschepost.de/en/c/coronavirus.html#usa
Also private companies like UPS and Fedex have restrictions and they have always been way more expensive than the postal service.
I have bought lots of stuff from bikes stores in Germany and had it sent to my mom in Germany. I then picked up all the stuff then during my annual visit. But I am not sure when I can travel again safely.
I am buying mostly stuff which I cannot get in the US such as internal hub parts, dynamo powered light systems or Dutch bike specific parts.
I also hate any kind of trade restrictions. Same with the stupid region codes on DVDs. Not sure they still exist.
I had considered having things shipped to someone in Germany and picking it up, but then you pay the 19% VAT. Obviously I had that idea before COVID and it only would work for small items.
I had something ordered from CRC and it was sent on 11/2 and expected to be here 11/11. So not an extreme travel time. IME, costume takes the longest.
11-03-20, 08:48 PM
#27
Banned.
11-04-20, 07:44 AM
#28
Senior Member
Did you actually experience any shipping delays? I get packages from my mom in Germany and they don't actually take longer. Only difference, it is air-freight only now, which cost more but is faster. the shipment from vendors actually are faster. Private packages are 2-3 weeks, commercial packages are about a week give or take.
I had considered having things shipped to someone in Germany and picking it up, but then you pay the 19% VAT. Obviously I had that idea before COVID and it only would work for small items.
I had something ordered from CRC and it was sent on 11/2 and expected to be here 11/11. So not an extreme travel time. IME, costume takes the longest.
I had considered having things shipped to someone in Germany and picking it up, but then you pay the 19% VAT. Obviously I had that idea before COVID and it only would work for small items.
I had something ordered from CRC and it was sent on 11/2 and expected to be here 11/11. So not an extreme travel time. IME, costume takes the longest.
11-04-20, 08:57 AM
#30
Senior Member
Thread Starter
One pair of shoes here in Canada was $485.......Landed from Germany. $308
11-05-20, 09:33 AM
#31
Senior Member
I've lived in Europe for 25 yrs, originally from Canada. I visit family in Canada every year and years ago I would enter Canada with 2 empty suitcases and return to Europe with both full. The last 10 years, I bring one suitcase and have a hard time filling it.
Don't get me wrong, when Canada has sales, they have some great bargains, but with regular prices, Europe is cheaper than Canada
Don't get me wrong, when Canada has sales, they have some great bargains, but with regular prices, Europe is cheaper than Canada
11-08-20, 03:15 PM
#32
Senior Member
Thread Starter
We get bent over here in Canada, consistently everything is at least 15% more expensive here. I can generally find what I want, pay shipping and exchange and still be 20% cheapr
