johnnygoodman wrote:Greetings,
Our prices to some countries are high but not ridiculous. Each is carefully considered. The duty structure of some countries is nuts and forces us to only ship US Mail there as a result. Another nuts thing is that 25%+ of packages shipped to certain countries go missing. We'll still ship there, but we will not do so at a loss, and YOU must cover the financial result of this state of affairs.
Other CPAP companies may ship there today, and you should take advantage of their generosity if they do, but if they look at their profit and loss statements after packages go missing and delinquent duties and taxes end up being passed back through UPS and charged to them, they will find our rates are in line with reality.
Unfortunately for us, our rates have been arrived at only through a painful learning curve. They will stay right where they are.
I also want to stress that the majority of countries have reasonable rates due to their reasonable policies and flow fraud.
Johnny
I am not sure what point is being made by some of the other "Hmmmmmmm" type responses that allude to my recent membership of the forum... I assume they are inferring that I am a troll of some kind.
Let me assure you that I am not.
I have been ordering stuff (of all descriptions) from the US for years. Some of the items are also much heavier than CPAP machines or card readers.
Let me state for a fact, with regards to Australia:
1) we are a very low (comparatively) fraud country;
2) there is NO duty payable for private importations of unrestricted merchandise under $1,000;
3) Duty is paid by the receiver, not the sender - so there should be no allowance for same in any calculation of a postage charge;
4) I have NEVER had a USPS parcel that is sent either USPS Express or Priority go lost or missing - I choose to pay the extra for express, with tracking and insurance. When it is insured, the seller is protected from a claim by a purchaser, when the purchaser has recourse to insurance. That is why most sellers disclaim responsibility for any loss to those who choose not to take out insurance. Legally, it works.
With greatest respect, anyone that says it costs $200 bucks to post a card reader and some tube covers is quite simply, mis-stating the reality.
If (as just two examples) Amazon can send me a bunch of heavy books that are packed well and protected for less than $50, or even sensitive and delicate electronic equipment costing upwards of $2000 such as a projector for $100 or less, then there is somethging wrong with the assertion that the reason for a $200+ postage charge is not to lose money.
Don't get me wrong, I would dearly love to support CPAP.COM, as there is great expense involved in supporting resources such as these and to keep up knowledge and support. I would be willing to pay over the odds for that. However, I will not be "raped" in paying $200+ for something that would cost less than $50 in actual charges to post.
As for fraud, there are ways of overcoming this - try for example, clearing a payment for 7-14 days before shipping. I would be OK with this, as I have never scammed anyone in my life. The scammers will not be OK with such a mechanism and would be deterred from ordering.
It is unfair to place such countries as Australia in the same category as Nigeria and the like...
You guys in the US are spoilt - and good luck to you. I am envious and look forward to the day when we are not treated like we are on another planet. It can be done in such a way as to balance safety and security for the sender, which is of primary importance for a sustainable business.
Others are doing it, so it is not an unreasonable expectation for CPAP.COM to reconsider its position.
Those of you who disagree are entitled to your opinions as I am to mine. That's the beauty of freedom.
