Ordering from Scotland, anyone???

[ForresterModern]

Royal Mails can move at a glacial pace getting through customs and then on to the USPS for final delivery, and it is never predictable, unless you know there is a strike or other ongoing labor problems, in which case you can expect only a delay. ParcelForce is a bit better, but unfortunately relies on DHL as their US delivery service, and they have a less than stellar reputation (couldn't locat my address and sent back to Scotland, then lost totally, a custom weave tank this past summer, that I am still waiting to have replaced). Neither tends to get dinged with customs as long as it is not too large or expensive a package, generally under a couple hundred $ US. Plan on paying any amount of duty, no matter how small, if FEDEX is delivering your package, and also for them to tag on their own "handling" fees of about $25US per shipment, regardless of whether the actual duties owed are a couple dollars or a hundred dollars. I Have only been hit with duties twice, by two different Scotland based vendors (Heritage of Scotland and our own Scotweb) when the vendor ignored my specific request to NOT ship by Fedex at all costs, and instead, in the name of speed and security "for my interest", sent them Fedex. So two $300 kilts cost an additional $75US from HoS and one clearence kilt of about $200 value cost me an additional $69 sent from Scotweb a couple months ago. So much for saving money on buying the clearance kilt.

I have not had anything shipped from the UK by UPS for some reason, presumably because their presence there may not be as big as over here or thier prices over there may not be as competitive.

Hang in there. It will eventually show up. We all hope.

jeff

[denmcdough]

Yes, Paul is a great, young chap. He's definitely gone above and beyond the call of duty. My hat is off to you, sir!

I don't think, though, that anyone was giving him a hard time. I was just wondering why the post is so slow...has nothing to do with Paul.

Anyway, glad you're feeling better, Paul.

Den

[RockyR]

ParcelForce is a bit better, but unfortunately relies on DHL as their US delivery service, and they have a less than stellar reputation (couldn't locat my address and sent back to Scotland, then lost totally, a custom weave tank this past summer, that I am still waiting to have replaced).

It's curious that your Parcel Force package was delivered by DHL. Every package I get from Parcel Force gets delivered by US Postal Service on this side of the pond (I get 2 to 4 shipments weekly from the UK shipped via parcel force). I DO get things shipped via DHL, but they were shipped in the UK by DHL.