Help! Shipping prices at HMS are killing me

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LihnChee

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The international shipping is now $67.15!
And I can't find a good Islander Mt-4 with a set up (Case+extra Aquilas, + Tuner) anywhere, Any help? D:
 
Shipping internationally is expensive in any country, in fact, it's more expensive in other countries. Perhaps a friend going to Hawaii can pick up a uke for you and bring it back?
 
Aw, How much is it in other countries?
I don't know anyone going or is in hawaii, Thanks for your reply though ):
Are there any other stores that have this in stock that provide a set up?
 
Shipping prices for most all companies are based on actual postage rates. USPS has been always the cheapest international and the rates do not reflect the box and packing material time as well as the free full setup....if there was a way to ship international cheaper most companies would use it....if you know of any better cheaper way I am sure all companies would love to know it.
 
It doesn't look as if Kanile'a sells the Islander in Australia. So either you could ask around here as to which brands (sold in Australia) are similar or you can get a friend to pick one up in the States or...pay the shipping. It is not an expensive ukulele, so there are probably others that might have a good tone, not the same tone, but with good strings would be pleasing.
 
It looks to me like HMS has raised their domestic shipping rates too with the new website (was $18.99, now $24.20 USPS). And it seems there were more ukes listed with free shipping on the old site (not just over $400). That's my perception anyway. Makes a place like Elderly or MIM with free shipping (i.e., included) look even more attractive.

Jim B
 
I agree with you Jim, The normal international shipping rates were $60, They are now $67,
I have also noticed a price increase on some ukuleles and the accessories, is it just me?
 
Kayak Jim said:
It looks to me like HMS has raised their domestic shipping rates too with the new website (was $18.99, now $24.20 USPS). And it seems there were more ukes listed with free shipping on the old site (not just over $400). That's my perception anyway. Makes a place like Elderly or MIM with free shipping (i.e., included) look even more attractive.

Jim B
Click to expand...

There was a USPS rate hike on last Monday (1/23/2012). 1st class letters are now 45 cents. Every USPS product probably was increased.

Depending on the box size and weight $67 for insured international shipping sounds about right. Anyone can go to USPS.com and figure out what prices are, using their shipping tools.
 
I actually think that is a fair price, I just checked on a price for a buyer to send 1 small ukulele hanger 1.5 pound package to Germany, USPS Priority mail (5-7 days transit time) it was $32.50. And USPS Rates did go up again this year.
 
Last month I shipped a concert size ukulele to a purchaser in Argentina. The shipping was $65 from USPS. Plus the buyer had to pay hundreds of dollars tax even though the rate he purchased from me was way below retail price.
 
Shipping prices is one of those things that most sellers have little control over.

fwiw, I got a quote from FedEx to ship my Eleuke from Vermont USA to Austrailia and it was over $300. :eek:
 
$65 is normal shipping and yes, hopefully, you don't get VAT and customs charges. The old country I used to live in took me to the cleaners on customs charges. The new country I live in charges me nothing extra. Yes!!!
 
I think in most parts of the world shipping prices have gone up. Personnaly, I prefere paying $65 in shipping and be sure that my ukulele will be in one piece! Plus, like you wrote, with that shipping fea, you have a hardcase, humifier and a great setup. I really do not find it expensive.
 
LihnChee said:
The international shipping is now $67.15!
And I can't find a good Islander Mt-4 with a set up (Case+extra Aquilas, + Tuner) anywhere, Any help? D:[/QUOTE
I would still buy from HMS...their free set up makes up more for that and they do a great job at it...maybe Mike can do your personally...he he
I would ask since he is the best...didn't he just post?? essentially you get what you pay for, and for a few dollars more you'll be happy on what you get...and it would cost alot more if you bought locally..Good Luck...let us know what you decide and how it works out for you...Happy Buyings on you new uke...woo hoo
Click to expand...
 
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mm stan said:
I would still buy from HMS...their free set up makes up more for that and they do a great job at it..
Click to expand...

Stan has it right. The setup that HMS does (as I've come to learn) is a full setup and unlike other dealers that claim full setups, where all they do is what they learned from others or the Internet, or so it seems. I may be wrong there too.
Having MGM on staff, many may not know he is a really good technician. He can't build instruments (well, he just hasn't yet), but he sure can repair them, which IMO is more difficult.

Just look at it as having a $50 setup, then paying only $17 for shipping. OR, buy it from someone else with free shipping, then take it to a shop to get setup @ $75 an hour, and see if they can do it as fast & accurately as Mike. Even if they can't do it as fast, you might save a few bucks, which you'll spend in gas & time having it setup properly, afterward.

And yes, shipping prices went up January 22 for USPS. This is one of those anomaly increases that included First Class & letter size postage increase- usually that goes up in the Summer, with only package services going up in January.

-Aaron
 
My understanding was that the lower (often free) shipping HMS offered were holiday specials. Those special prices simply expired before the OP was able to make a purchase decision. Happens to all of us. I can't count the number of times I "missed" a deal because I took even an extra day to decide.
 
Nothing of this world is really free.
 
Toucan Mango said:
I actually think that is a fair price, I just checked on a price for a buyer to send 1 small ukulele hanger 1.5 pound package to Germany, USPS Priority mail (5-7 days transit time) it was $32.50. And USPS Rates did go up again this year.
Click to expand...


Hehe, that was me :) thanks again for checking. Sorry but I think that makes it cost prohibitive. (i know, not your fault)

$67 insured to ship to Germany would be a good price! I am used to paying over $300 when I have a bass shipped over. Don't forget that the insurance usually jackes up the price. IIRC Most carriers have a 500$ limit for normal packages. If the Uke is more than that then that is probably the reason for the more expensive shipping.
 
Yeah it's not worth it for one hanger that's for sure. I was using the flat rate video boxes for International sales for a while, at the time they were about $13.00, but when ebay rolled out their shopping cart feature, and kinda forced sellers to add shipping into the item price I was having problems so I canceled my International listings.
MadMatt said:
Hehe, that was me :) thanks again for checking. Sorry but I think that makes it cost prohibitive. (i know, not your fault)

$67 insured to ship to Germany would be a good price! I am used to paying over $300 when I have a bass shipped over. Don't forget that the insurance usually jackes up the price. IIRC Most carriers have a 500$ limit for normal packages. If the Uke is more than that then that is probably the reason for the more expensive shipping.
Click to expand...
 
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