question about buying from overseas

[shoptilludroptara]

hi

i need some info i for the first time brought some stuff from china and hong kong

paid by paypal.i know it will be about a month or more to arrive

i got a tracking number from 1 seller but not sure where to check it online

also they said that i might not get notice about the parcel and might need to call post office

to see if its their

what does this mean i assumed it would be delivered to my address just like any other purchase

can someone explain to me how it all works for overseas purchases

thanks tara

[*crikey*mate*]

hi Tara, how were you given the tracking number?

What happens when you click on it,is it a link to somewhere?

Yes, it should be delivered to your address (depending on size), I think the seller is saying he's had experiences where Aus Post haven't left a card for some of his customers to let them know their item was waiting collection at the PO.

I had one last week. I did get the urgent reminder one though 10 days later,

[digital*ghost]

Generally, the parcel will be delivered by Australia Post to whichever address given, but if it has a tracking number they often require a signature, in which case AP will leave a collection card if they attempt delivery and you're not home (I buy a lot from HK / China, and delivery is anywhere from 1-6 weeks, with the average time 3 weeks). Depending on the postage service used, you may be able to check the company's online tracking service to see the delivery progress while the parcel is still in China, but not once it's in Australia. 

If it's a 13 digit number starting with two letters (eg RB) and ending in CN, you might be able to track it here:

http://www.track-trace.com/post

but to be honest, even when I get results there, I don't know what they mean exactly. (A purchase I made early September is currently showing as Collected on the 20th, and Null on the 24th o_O).

This is supposed to cover a range of delivery services, but I find the numbers I'm given don't tend to generate any valid results: http://track-chinapost.com/

[putney32]

tara the main thing to be aware of is the 45day limit to make a paypal claim, DO NOT be put off by the seller saying ''wait a few more days...... mail is slow.............. its been holiday time here in China.... etc" they ar all excuses used to get you outside the claim limit.

if you do not have your items in 40 days, from date of payment, open a dispute in PayPal,  then you can wait a further 20 days (best to calculate at 18 days to be on the safe side,)  if the parcel still is not there, escalate that dispute to a claim in paypal and you'll get your $$ back.   do not let the seller string you along....

[shoptilludroptara]

hi they sent an email to my private email address

so there wasnt a link to click

we always have someone home 24/7

and we signed a form with the delivery guy and aust post

to leave all parcels with all our names at my front door if i dont answer there knock

we have a very private front door area up a long private walkway

and delivery guy knows us really well

just was confused as i assumed it would arrive just like parcel from aust

but take longer

tara

[shoptilludroptara]

hi

thankyou all

i had already decided to wait 40 days and if not arrived do paypal dispute

i figure it should arrive within that time frame

wont be out to much money

did 3 small ones from different sellers to see how it went

so i can decide if i want to buy from overseas on a regular basis

thanks will just wait and see what happens

tara

[*crikey*mate*]

Ok, but your seller probably doesn't know that, eh?

Just remember, do not let the time lapse past 45 days. I personally do it no later than 40 days, just to make sure,

If you haven't received your item by the 40 day mark, go to PayPal and open up an dispute for Item not received. Don't let the seller string you along. Come backk here for help if you need it.

So far, I think the seller is just trying to keep you informed and is trying their best with language barriers to communicate with you. I know others have, but I haven't had a dodgy Hing Kong purchase yet,

best of luck with it all, ok?

Plus, remember that if you want to leave feedback (you don't have to, it is voluntary) you only have until day 60 to do that. After that, you won't be abloe to.

[*crikey*mate*]

*sigh*

Crikey I need to type faster!

[lyndal1838]

---

@shoptilludroptara wrote:

did 3 small ones from different sellers to see how it went

so i can decide if i want to buy from overseas on a regular basis

thanks will just wait and see what happens

tara

---

Oh dear, it was probably not the best idea to buy from China if you want to test the waters for buying overseas on a regular basis.

Their postage times are the most erratic and when you try to communicate with the sellers you invariably have a language barrier.

If this does go pear shaped don't let it influence your decision too much.  Try buying from the UK as they have reasonable postage rates and good postage times....and no language barrier. The USA is also OK although you do need to be aware of sellers using the Global Shipping Program as the postage is very high.  Canada is also OK although you need to watch that the seller will send by airmail...they often try to get you to use surface mail and it is too slow.

[shoptilludroptara]

hi

just wanted to update you on 1 of my purchases from overseas

i brought and paid 19/9 and it just arrived 30/9

thats actually quicker than the items i buy from australia

so i was like wow

very happy and love my bracelet

tara