My first and last order

[MacSimoin]

I received my order from Kiltstore.net yesterday.

Overall, I had no problems ordering from the site; I'm pleased with the items I ordered (Balmoral kilt, tartan skirt for my wife, belt, some other items). FedEx International Priority, on the other hand, is a nightmare. I'm still waiting to get hit with import duties on my order, which will probably be ridiculously high.

[Kiltedmusiclover]

Unfortunately that is part of what Fed Ex does to make $.
I think the fee alone just for handling the customs charges was $75.00
If I had it to do over I would have asked them to send my sporran by
regular mail. It is more of a gamble but at least you have more
of a chance of avoiding the customs charges.

[Galician]

I ordered an Argyle jacket, and it was held up by Fex Ex for over a week before they informed me that it was due to the customs duties. When I finally got a statement, I noticed that they even charged me a tiny handling charge on items on which no duty was due!

[MacSimoin]

Unfortunately that is part of what Fed Ex does to make $.
I think the fee alone just for handling the customs charges was $75.00
If I had it to do over I would have asked them to send my sporran by
regular mail. It is more of a gamble but at least you have more
of a chance of avoiding the customs charges.

I won't go into the myriad reasons for why I dislike FedEx, but until now I'd never used them for shipping anything "priority" mail. And considering the value of the items I ordered ($2021.93 US), the US CBP's tariffs on importing woven wool (as it applies to my order) will be through the roof; this is the reason behind my titling this thread "My first and last order".

I placed another order today (for 2 kilts) with a different UK vendor (who will remain nameless here) but I did so because I've never encountered exorbitant shipping or duty issues when ordering from them. They use a competitor of FedEx (who will also remain nameless) and so far, so good.

I get the feeling Nick's an all 'round great guy, his web site is easy to use and as I said, I'm very pleased with the items I ordered. But if I were to have a change of heart and order from Kiltstore.net again I certainly will request that he send my order "regular mail" rather than FedEx...I know now the goods are worth the wait.

[irishrob]

DHL is in the same league as Fed Ex. I purchased a bunch of stuff from another source and they assured me that Parcel2Go (DHL) did not do the customs/handling fee kind of stuff. Silly me, I believed them to the tune of about $150. Now anything coming from the UK goes through the Royal mail which is high enough.

Rob

[pipesndrumsnun]

Yikes! It sounds like shipping could cost more than you have to pay for an actual product? Scary!

[mbhandy]

When ordering from the UK I have always asked for Royal Mail and had no problems with the shipping. The reason I have done this is because of situations like this that have been posted time and time again on Xmark.

MrBill

[Kiltman]

When ordering from the UK I have always asked for Royal Mail and had no problems with the shipping. The reason I have done this is because of situations like this that have been posted time and time again on Xmark.

MrBill

I've had the same good experience with the Royal Mail. The Royal Mail is every bit as efficient as the US mail, maybe better. Kilts, fabric, etc has all come in a timely manner and in good condition.

[MacSimoin]

I've had the same good experience with the Royal Mail. The Royal Mail is every bit as efficient as the US mail, maybe better. Kilts, fabric, etc has all come in a timely manner and in good condition.

I'll second that. I do a lot of overseas "shopping" and have only good things to say about Royal Mail---shipping costs are reasonable and any goods I purchase arrive in a timely fashion.

Anyway, I know he's responded to threads like this one in the past but it would be nice to have Nick's input. Are you there, Nick?

[Mike1]

MacSimoin and Riverkilt, let's check the personal observations of one another's opinions at the door, or move it to the back channel. Thanks!