DISshop/shipping to UK... Can you guys help me??

[DISshopkeeper]

Hi UKers!

I am getting set to open the DISshop and I'm alarmed at the cost to ship to the UK. We are planning on offering free standard ground shipping on orders over a certain dollar amount, but that would only apply to the US, unfortunately. I was trying to play with different discounts for overseas shipping, but the CHEAPEST way to send something seems to be US mail, but it was still over $20.00! For 1 pound of merchandise!

We will not be adding on to the actual shipping charges, nor will there be a "handling' charge. In no way do we intend to make a "profit" on shipping! I just want to be fair.

So tell me, please, how much DO you expect to pay in shipping when you order something on the internet? What do you consider to be excessive in the way of shipping charges?

Thanks for your input!

 

[Goofyish]

I gave up ordering stuff from the States off the Internat ages ago - the shipping charges are just ridiculous - I once tried to order an All Star game baseball cap for $15 - the shipping would have been nearly $30!

We also get hit with import duty and VAT (tax) is the item is over a certain value!

It's a shame, I'm sure there a lot of UK DISers who would like to purchase T-Shirts etc.

 

[Sue & Co.]

I agree that for anything but the smallest items shipping is horrendous, as well as the VAT etc. I don't know how workable this would be but the only thing I can think of would be to try and group orders together and time them for when a Uk'er was going to the States and get them brought back that way although assuming they were also bringing back items for themselves they would have to declare the DIS stuff and there would still be tax to pay. I don't know, anyone else any suggestions.

Sue

 

[richard3330]

I purchase a lot of things from American eBay sellers and many of them seem to be quite generous with the shipping charge (although you can always get a few who go way over the top). Most of them nearly always tick 'Gift' on the customs lable as well, so no import taxes are charged.

As long as you were to charge the actual cost, I don't think it would be too bad

Richard.

 

[Penny12]

Hi!

Look into Global Priority Mail - they have pre-paid envelopes/bags which are excellent value (as long as what you want fits into them!) and if I recall have a 5 day delivery time.

An A5 envelope=$5 (I used to get people send me pins/lanyards in this - cheaper than Airmail usually)

A bigger envelope=$9 (I've only seen this once, it might have actually been a bag - about A2 size if I recall.)

Maximum weight in these is 4lbs

And you can buy a 'sack' - not seen how big these are but you can ship up to 11lbs for $27.50

Hope that helps. It would be great if we could get items sent to the UK

 

[KayleeUK]

Hi Dorothy

I know the postage is a big concern - I for one would love to order from our DIS SHOP I was hoping to be able to get a T-Shirt before our trip in October

If you only charge actual shipping that would be good. I have a few friends in the US who send me Birthday/Christmas gift's and the actual postage doesn't seem to bad at all. Again they alway's tick 'gift' on the customs label for me, so I don't get charged here.

When we got married in 2000 I took my dress over with me - but left it in Florida to get it cleaned and preserved. When they shipped it back to me I got charged £30 here and I didn't even buy it in the US!!

I hope something can be worked out....I love to shop!!

 

[DISshopkeeper]

Thank you SOOOO much for this info. I knew about the "gift" thing and I intended to do this. So that DOES save you guys taxes. Good. All of our items will be sort of gifty anyhow!

I am going to look into the envelopes, Penny. That will be on the list for tomorrow.

I may have to work out a little "trick" on the shopping site, where you actually purchase shipping separately. The site adds up shipping automatically and if those envelopes work out, that type of shipping is not taken into account.

But I'm thinking you guys will work with me, if I can keep those costs down. I may have to take these issues to e-mail on an order-by-order basis. But that would be OK, right??? Like I said, I just want to be fair!

I think the shirt in October will be a strong possibility, Kaylee!

OH! And don't forget, you could always have your items shipped to you while you are at WDW!!! Plans are to offer "Make your Own Gift Paks" to ship to the resorts, too!! Autograph books, treats for the kids, DIS shirts....whatever!

Thanks again, and keep the comments coming if you have any!!!

 

[richard3330]

Sounds super, Dorothy I Look forward to placing an order

 

[Hilary]

I'm sure we'll all do our best to make this work one way or another - thanks for being so positive about it, Dorothy!