The Energon Pub

[jaydisc]

I was really shocked at what I was charged to ship a single Runamuck to Australia. I wrote this letter:

Hi Funpub,

I was very shocked and disappointed at your shipping charges to Australia. Here were my two options to ship a single Runamuck:

Priority Mail International $37.95
First-Class Mail International $59.00

1. Reversed?
The first surprise is that you are charging MORE for First Class. I think there is a lack of understanding as International Priority is a more expensive service. First Class is the CHEAPEST international service.

2. First Class International
The limit for sending USPS International First mail is 4 pounds, and a 4 pound package costs $30.44. Now, you'd have to be sending about 4 Runamucks in one box to come anywhere NEAR 4 pounds, and that would still cost around HALF the price you are charging. A 1.5lb. First Class International box to Australia would cost $14.74, nearly 4 TIMES less than what you are charging.

3. Priority International
Priority International adds tracking and is generally a more reliable service. You can get a Small Flat Rate Box (8-5/8" x 5-3/8" x 1-5/8" up to 4 lb) for $16.95. Again, this is less than HALF of what you are charging.

Now, I understand there are packaging and handling costs (although you do charge extra for bubble wrap), but these charges are SO EXORBITANT, I'm suspecting and hoping that there is an error in your shipping calculations.

Sincerely...

What were charges to other countries? Were they as ludicrous? Surely it must be a mistake? If not, the idea of asking for an extra $1 for bubble wrap makes me nauseous.

[Erailea]

Well, that all comes down to size. How big are TFCC's usual toy boxes? Because Hasbro's are a foot long for the deluxe, which makes them far too big for the small international flat rate boxes and a medium flat rate box to Australia is $48 (just plugged it into the USPS). Or $43 if you use your own box and the dimensions are under 108" in total and under 60" long. So, based on TFCC's prices, I wager they're going with the "use your own box" option and giving you a discount, which inevitably means they are paying the remains of the shipping charge.

That's just Priority Mail.

[jaydisc]

We're talking about one deluxe figure in a plastic bag, not on a card. The box I received my free Runamuck in was about an inch wider than Runamuck in each dimension, i.e. TINY!