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Frustrated with International Shipping! How do I deal with it?

  1. Modest_Proposal

    Modest_Proposal Trying too hard to be one of the cool kids Jan 11, 2014

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    I regularly and buy watches around the world.

    The thing is - when I want to insure a watch for more than $2,500 internationally, things get extremely complicated. UPS won't go higher than that, USPS won't without a "proof of filing citation" (and I'm not even sure what that it or if that will help) and Fedex won't do it. If I underinsure the watch for 2499.99, I'm afraid I won't get any money if it gets lost because I didn't cite the exact value.

    I want to call on you guys to see how you ship expensive watches overseas.

    A man recently purchased a watch from me in Japan - and I can't even send it to him! I don't know how...

    I live in the U.S.
     
  2. CanberraOmega

    CanberraOmega Rabbitohs and Whisky Supporter Jan 11, 2014

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    I think most of us just live with the risk, rather than insure it for correct value.
     
  3. Alpha Ω 2

    Alpha Kilt Owner, Beagle Parent, Omega Collector Jan 11, 2014

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    +1 and proof of receipt.
     
  4. X350 XJR Ω 1

    X350 XJR Vintage Omega Aficionado Jan 11, 2014

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  5. Tony C. Ω 2

    Tony C. Ωf Jury member Jan 11, 2014

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    +1000

    I have had a great relationship with PP for a number of years. The only catch is that you need to open a business account (unless they've changed their policy).
     
  6. Modest_Proposal

    Modest_Proposal Trying too hard to be one of the cool kids Jan 12, 2014

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    What service would you recommend (is the most secure), if not shipping with proper insurance?
     
  7. Modest_Proposal

    Modest_Proposal Trying too hard to be one of the cool kids Jan 12, 2014

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    UPS?, Fedex, USPS, etc.?
     
  8. cicindela Ω 2

    cicindela Steve @ ΩF Staff Member Jan 12, 2014

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    For $2000 and under USPS or Express Mail of your country. For over $4000, FedEx. Your discretion for anything in between.
     
  9. X350 XJR Ω 1

    X350 XJR Vintage Omega Aficionado Jan 12, 2014

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    FedEx and only FedEx, USPS explicitly disallows shipment of jewelry, including watches, in Express Mail, read the fine print.

    http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/immc1_013.htm
     
  10. cicindela Ω 2

    cicindela Steve @ ΩF Staff Member Jan 12, 2014

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    None the less, a huge number of watches are sent via Express mail.
     
  11. X350 XJR Ω 1

    X350 XJR Vintage Omega Aficionado Jan 12, 2014

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    That's great until you loose one.
     
  12. cicindela Ω 2

    cicindela Steve @ ΩF Staff Member Jan 12, 2014

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    Most certainly true.
     
  13. MSNWatch Ω 2

    MSNWatch Vintage Omega Aficionado Staff Member Jan 12, 2014

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    Don't trust FedEx anymore - lost 2 watches shipped to me from overseas while I never lost a watch or parts shipped via the postal service (to and from me) - well over 1000 packages already.
     
  14. MMMD

    MMMD unaffiliated curmudgeonly absurdist & polyologist Jan 12, 2014

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    Harry Winston famously endorsed U.S. registered mail.

    http://postalmuseum.si.edu/museum/1d_Hope_Diamond.html
     
  15. gatorcpa Ω 2

    gatorcpa ΩF InvestiGator Staff Member Jan 12, 2014

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    Registered Mail takes like 10 times the time that Priority Mail takes. It is not used as much is it was many years ago and I have found that local post offices don't always notify you that the package has arrived. If they forget, the package will eventually be returned to sender.

    Security is the best, but that doesn't help if you are never notified that it's here.

    I almost lost a rare watch that way a few years ago.
    gatorcpa
     
  16. Privateday7

    Privateday7 quotes Miss Universe Jan 13, 2014

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    :eek:........ Is Fedex really that awful? Where did they lost it? inbound US or during overseas? at least they could track the last movement of the parcel right?
     
  17. pascs Ω 1

    pascs Jan 13, 2014

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    I've used Fedex several times to send watches here (Middle East) and never had any problems at all :)

    Also use EMS which is a world wide parcel service and no issues so far either
     
  18. Tony C. Ω 2

    Tony C. Ωf Jury member Jan 13, 2014

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    That's very odd. I'm curious – how were the watches described on the airbill?
     
  19. MSNWatch Ω 2

    MSNWatch Vintage Omega Aficionado Staff Member Jan 14, 2014

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    Problem is these packages were both opened at the port of entry into the US and in both instances I received an empty FedEx box. The first time it happened, the watch was eventually located - it was carelessly misplaced somewhere in a FedEx warehouse and eventually showed up in a lost and found section there - the condition of the watch though upon receipt was a bit worse than when it left the seller - probably got beat up a bit as it was not handled with due care. In the second instance all I had was a FedEx box containing an empty watch box with FedEx claiming Customs confiscated the watch but I received no proof whatsoever that this was the case - likely it was stolen. Also in the second instance FedEx was of no help whatsoever - they wouldn't even bother to try and track who handled the package or check in their lost and found. And in both cases, the watches were described appropriately as vintage omega watches with correct value (the first was a gold plated ranchero the second was a NOS early 861 speedmaster), I faxed a watch worksheet form as I always do when receiving watches via FedEx and I have an account with them where they bill me for their fees and duties. I don't think the paperwork was the issue.
     
  20. cicindela Ω 2

    cicindela Steve @ ΩF Staff Member Jan 14, 2014

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    Who "pays" for these non deliveries, buyer or seller?