Shipping from US to Greece

[spherecons]

I've not had a problem before with shipments from Sailboatowners to our location in Greece. However, In April I ordered 2 replacement meters and a switch for our Hunter Legend 430.
After some delay (the meter suppliers were apparently unhelpful), the parts were shipped in July. The cost of the parts was about $165, shipping, via FedEx, was a monumental $105! (These are not big or heavy parts).
The next shock was that FedEx's agent in Athens send me a bill for €153 to clear customs. That's about $170 - more than the cost of the parts!
To avoid losing my money (SailBoatOwners would have charged me with the return shipping and outwards cost if I'd simply refused them - which would have wiped out the money I'd paid) I have had to pay (though the goods still haven't arrived). This means that I've paid about $275 just for the privilege of receiving goods in Greece.
I do understand that SailBoatOwners disclaim responsibility for duty on goods exported abroad. However, they did send this via FedEx (not by post as other items have been), and I cannot understand how such massive shipping charges can possibly be justified.
I suggest that anybody buying parts from them to be shipped to Europe should demand:
a) that they do NOT use FedEx
b) that they get an estimate of possible duty costs from the shipper they do use before shipping.

 

[Phil Herring]

Not sure what to say, as we have already discussed this at some length.

We don't make up the shipping costs; we use the least expensive option available. If our shipping people chose not to use USPS there was a reason which probably had to do with cost or a parameter you requested for shipping (i.e., speed).

We say very clearly at checkout that taxes, duties, and brokerage fees are the responsibility of the buyer. As an importer, it's important that you educate yourself on the potential costs involved in getting merchandise across your border, especially in Greece, as the government/economic landscape there is changing rapidly.

We do our very best to ship international orders cost-effectively, but we simply can't control everything. This is particularly true in a country that's experiencing a major financial crisis.

 

[Jackdaw]

I've got quite of bit of experience here, both personally and professionally.

When I import gear for my personal use, I assume that I'm responsible for the what ever happens when the box gets to the USA. Customs and import duty/taxes are MY business, not the business of the overseas company what sent it to me.

Like-wise when shipping, while we wanted the shipping to be reasonably priced, our primary concern was for the reliable delivery of the goods. Developing a track record of the product getting there was much more important that trying to chase who was cheapest this week.

When buying directly from overseas, this is part of the cost/benefit analysis you have to look at vs buying locally. Locally sometimes seems more expensive for imported goods, but often its just because these costs were already factored in.

 

[spherecons]

Not sure what to say, as we have already discussed this at some length.

We don't make up the shipping costs; we use the least expensive option available. If our shipping people chose not to use USPS there was a reason which probably had to do with cost or a parameter you requested for shipping (i.e., speed).

We say very clearly at checkout that taxes, duties, and brokerage fees are the responsibility of the buyer. As an importer, it's important that you educate yourself on the potential costs involved in getting merchandise across your border, especially in Greece, as the government/economic landscape there is changing rapidly.

We do our very best to ship international orders cost-effectively, but we simply can't control everything. This is particularly true in a country that's experiencing a major financial crisis.

The reason for my post was to warn other European owners to look out for these sorts of problems. I've had goods from you before and never had such massive shipping costs.
I cannot get any answers from anyone! I've asked FedEx to explain the ENORMOUS initial shipping charge of $105. For a 1lb parcel? How come? They refer me to the crooks in Greece. But the crooks didn't charge that - FedEx in US did.
I've asked the crooks in Greece about the ENORMOUS fees they charge ON TOP OF THE $105 - but they simply tell me that's what it costs.
So, back to you: why did you use FedEx and how was this HUGE charge of $105 arrived at?

AND I STILL HAVEN'T GOT THE WRETCHED PARCEL.

 

[Phil Herring]

I'm happy to discuss it with you further in our customer service system; the forum is wrong venue. Since you've made this a public discussion I do want to say that your prior orders have not shipped to Greece. You were aware of the shipping costs before you placed the order -- it was not a surprise. You also agreed to the terms of sale which state that you are responsible for taxes, duties, and brokerage fees. This is the same policy stated by Amazon and all other online retailers I'm aware of.

I'm truly sorry for the problem but it sounds like the issue is with the Greek government.

 

[Scott B]

Ah ha ha. When we first bought the boat ( before I was associated with SBO ) I was so excited I thought it would be cool to get wine glasses with our boat name engraved after all they're only $40..... So, after UPS tacked on their import / customs handling charge and Canada Customs tacked on their "Import Fee" we had a very nice set of wine glasses for well over $ 100 CDN......

Oh well live and learn and just shrugged it off to be carefull how and what you import, nothing to do with SBO.

Now I only buy when I can use USPS and have had several successful shipments from SBO since.