Author (Read 32397 times)

CBJ · « **Reply #175 on:** May 10, 2012, 11:03:32 PM »

Lol.. Best post ever!

Alex got in touch with me earlier today, all is well.

The package will be leaving soon..just making sure he can get a 100% trackable pakage for the whole trip.

xela · « **Reply #176 on:** May 10, 2012, 11:44:52 PM »

Sorry guys. When I post here, I basically randomly click 1+ topics per day and scan through them, as well as any support topics that pop up in OAC.

As some of you may know, when you ship from the US, you cannot get a tracking number internationally that tracks it outside of the US itself unless you purchase express mail. Well, that costs quite a bit extra but after talking through it with CBJ we decided that's a better option than insuring the package for $1,000-2,000 and wiring Carlo money if it gets lost. Not only does the insurance claim take months to go through, but I think it kind of defeats the purpose of what we are doing. There are countless better places we could have all invested $2,000 into, but not a single better place I can think of that deserves $2,000 worth of cards.

I am also repacking the package. While shipping out the first Vortex decks I learned a thing or two about making sure no damage comes to the contents while still maximizing space in the box. It's now lined with bubble wrap and then stuffed in every empty crevice that is left over.

It's a bit late but I don't think that will change how absolutely thrilled Carlo will be when he receives it.

@Lara: That rage comic is all too true. No D3 for me yet, though. I have to ship about 30 more package by its release and then a glorious week off to indulge in the game and spend some time with my family and girlfriend.

You guys can once again thank CBJ for alerting me through FB and keeping tabs on things.

bmpokerworld · « **Reply #177 on:** May 15, 2012, 06:13:32 PM »

Quote from: alex. on May 10, 2012, 11:44:52 PM

Sorry guys. When I post here, I basically randomly click 1+ topics per day and scan through them, as well as any support topics that pop up in OAC.

As some of you may know, when you ship from the US, you cannot get a tracking number internationally that tracks it outside of the US itself unless you purchase express mail. Well, that costs quite a bit extra but after talking through it with CBJ we decided that's a better option than insuring the package for $1,000-2,000 and wiring Carlo money if it gets lost. Not only does the insurance claim take months to go through, but I think it kind of defeats the purpose of what we are doing. There are countless better places we could have all invested $2,000 into, but not a single better place I can think of that deserves $2,000 worth of cards.

I am also repacking the package. While shipping out the first Vortex decks I learned a thing or two about making sure no damage comes to the contents while still maximizing space in the box. It's now lined with bubble wrap and then stuffed in every empty crevice that is left over.

It's a bit late but I don't think that will change how absolutely thrilled Carlo will be when he receives it.

@Lara: That rage comic is all too true. No D3 for me yet, though. I have to ship about 30 more package by its release and then a glorious week off to indulge in the game and spend some time with my family and girlfriend.

You guys can once again thank CBJ for alerting me through FB and keeping tabs on things.

Just for the record, anything above and including a medium flat rate box, has tracking all the way, not just express mail. That means, medium and large flat rates and anything which is not flat rate priority has door to door tracking.
Thanks!

bmpokerworld · « **Reply #178 on:** May 15, 2012, 06:20:44 PM »

Also, Just because the package has door to door tracking doesn't mean it can't get lost or damaged. You should probably still get insurance.
Thanks!

CBJ · « **Reply #179 on:** May 15, 2012, 06:36:21 PM »

Thanks BM

Everything is with Alex, so hopefully he stops in on this thread... and reads you comments.

CBJ

Don Boyer · « **Reply #180 on:** May 16, 2012, 03:37:20 PM »

I've been told countless times by postal workers that only Express Mail International packages can be tracked outside of the US.

bmpokerworld · « **Reply #181 on:** May 16, 2012, 04:36:14 PM »

Quote from: Don Boyer on May 16, 2012, 03:37:20 PM

I've been told countless times by postal workers that only Express Mail International packages can be tracked outside of the US.

That is simply not correct. I send medium and large flat rate boxes all the time and they have tracking all the way. Here is an actually tracking number from a medium box I sent last month: CJ464925415US

See for yourself.
Thanks!

CBJ · « **Reply #182 on:** May 22, 2012, 08:54:26 PM »

Hey guys,

Alex sent me a message about the package

"Hey Jay, package was sent, I'll put up the tracking when I have time. Should arrive to Carlo's within two weeks."

I can't wait!

CBJ

For those members who have no idea what the hell we're talking about.. you can catch up here...
http://aethercards.com/discourse/index.php?topic=1341.0

NathanCanadas · « **Reply #183 on:** May 22, 2012, 09:29:42 PM »

Great! I'm glad Alex found the time to send it despite all his other work.

xela · « **Reply #184 on:** May 22, 2012, 10:56:44 PM »

Quote from: bmpokerworld on May 16, 2012, 04:36:14 PM

Quote from: Don Boyer on May 16, 2012, 03:37:20 PM
I've been told countless times by postal workers that only Express Mail International packages can be tracked outside of the US.

That is simply not correct. I send medium and large flat rate boxes all the time and they have tracking all the way. Here is an actually tracking number from a medium box I sent last month: CJ464925415US

See for yourself.
Thanks!

This package isn't being shipped flat rate. That's first of all. Second of all, Don is correct, when shipped with anything aside from Express, signature confirmation is NOT available. The post office has confirmed this to me countless times. Tracking outside of the US depends solely on the country. It varies, and certain places do not update while others do.

It's silly to say otherwise considering I have countless package tracking numbers that do not have anything after it hits US customs.

bmpokerworld · « **Reply #185 on:** May 23, 2012, 06:03:51 AM »

Quote from: alex. on May 22, 2012, 10:56:44 PM

Quote from: bmpokerworld on May 16, 2012, 04:36:14 PM
Quote from: Don Boyer on May 16, 2012, 03:37:20 PM
I've been told countless times by postal workers that only Express Mail International packages can be tracked outside of the US.

That is simply not correct. I send medium and large flat rate boxes all the time and they have tracking all the way. Here is an actually tracking number from a medium box I sent last month: CJ464925415US

See for yourself.
Thanks!

This package isn't being shipped flat rate. That's first of all. Second of all, Don is correct, when shipped with anything aside from Express, signature confirmation is NOT available. The post office has confirmed this to me countless times. Tracking outside of the US depends solely on the country. It varies, and certain places do not update while others do.

It's silly to say otherwise considering I have countless package tracking numbers that do not have anything after it hits US customs.

Glad you got the package out. I never said that any item comes with signature confirmation for overseas delivery. I also could not find where Don said that either. What I said again is: Flat rate large and medium boxes and priority mail packages not flat rate, have tracking all the way, period. That is right from USPS's website.

I am sure what you are talking about is a small flat rate box or a flat rate envelope.

Here is what I posted at UC a few days ago, with the info right from USPS"s website:

Priority Mail International Flat Rate service lets you send the Large and Medium Flat Rate boxes up to 20 lbs, and the Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes, up to 4 lbs, to over 190 countries, all for a low Flat Rate.

Plus, you’ll save when you ship online.
Still Have Questions?

Browse our FAQs ›
Features

Delivery in 6 to 10 business days*
Reliable and affordable
Includes delivery status information with our Track & Confirm tool**
May qualify for Free Package Pickup™***

Here's the exclusion:

** Not available for Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes or Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes.

If door to door tracking wasn't available on the other products they wouldn't specifically be excluding flat rate envelopes and small flat rate boxes

You are also wrong about the insurance. You do not have to declare the same amount as the insurance. How do I know that? I actually made a mistake on a package total. It was suppose to be $299.99 but I accidentally declared the value at $29.99. The package got lost and we got paid the full amount.

I am just trying to help save everyone some money and get the package out as soon as possible. That is all I am doing. I don't think anyone's behavior is incredulous here, all they wanted was an update.
Thanks!

bmpokerworld · « **Reply #186 on:** May 23, 2012, 06:47:55 AM »

I do think he is going to be really happy once he gets the package. Did you send him an email and let him know it is on its way?
Thanks!

DeckOfCards · « **Reply #187 on:** May 23, 2012, 07:05:28 AM »

Quote from: alex. on May 22, 2012, 10:56:44 PM

Quote from: bmpokerworld on May 16, 2012, 04:36:14 PM
Quote from: Don Boyer on May 16, 2012, 03:37:20 PM
I've been told countless times by postal workers that only Express Mail International packages can be tracked outside of the US.

That is simply not correct. I send medium and large flat rate boxes all the time and they have tracking all the way. Here is an actually tracking number from a medium box I sent last month: CJ464925415US

See for yourself.
Thanks!

This package isn't being shipped flat rate. That's first of all. Second of all, Don is correct, when shipped with anything aside from Express, signature confirmation is NOT available. The post office has confirmed this to me countless times. Tracking outside of the US depends solely on the country. It varies, and certain places do not update while others do.

It's silly to say otherwise considering I have countless package tracking numbers that do not have anything after it hits US customs.

I was wondering why not? Didnt you say you were gonna ship flat rate?

bmpokerworld · « **Reply #188 on:** May 23, 2012, 09:39:58 AM »

I think what is really important here is to realize that the package has now been sent. While there may have been some concerns about the length of time it has taken to ship the package and some of the confusion about the best way to send it may have been from Alex's inexperience with sending a lot of packages overseas, Alex still did donate his time.

I would image keeping track of all those decks and then packaging everything securely and sending it out, does take some time. Could it have gone out quicker? Sure even Alex has said this. But lets remember that the package is on its way and Alex did donate all his time, so I would personally like to say:

Thank You to Alex and I can not wait for the unpacking video from Carlos to be uploaded.
Thanks!

CBJ · « **Reply #189 on:** May 23, 2012, 09:51:48 AM »

Hey guys

I sent Carlo a message letting him know that it's on it's way!!!

I also asked him to please make an unboxing video

Looking forward to watching it!

CBJ

xela · « **Reply #190 on:** May 23, 2012, 08:16:08 PM »

I never said it would be flat rate. The amount of decks we sent him don't fit in the biggest flat rate boxes and it would take two packages to ship them. That means more customs fees for Carlo and a very slightly higher shipping fee for me since I would still be shipping Express and not Priority (sorry guys, when I dropped off his package I confirmed again that Priority doesn't track outside US borders. This may be false, but I do have shipments that have no "arrival" scan at their destination, so as always, better safe than sorry).

Can't wait to see the unboxing video.

DelMagic · « **Reply #191 on:** May 23, 2012, 10:41:07 PM »

I think I have broken the code regarding this discrepancy between those who claim Priority Mail (at least some levels of it) have tracking even in international deliveries and others (including USPS clerks) who say only Express Mail has tracking.

Now this probably isn't really news to many, but it helps to have it spelled out for others. This actually came up when I had my wife take a media mail parcel to the Post Office to have it mailed without a prepaid label. I told her to get tracking for the package. She told me later that the clerks informed her that only Delivery Confirmation was available for the parcel, not tracking. I told her that I understand that, but it isn't really any different because I use Delivery Confirmation numbers to "track" packages within the U.S. regularly. I'm sure most of us do. When you go onto the USPS website, you put in your Delivery Confirmation number in the blank space labelled Track and Cofirm.

Technically, there is a difference between TRACKING and Delivery Confirmation service. With TRACKING, the parcel MUST be scanned at acceptance by USPS and again when delivered. There are generally more scans than that as the parcel moves along, but the only REQUIRED scans are at acceptance and delivery.

With Delivery Confirmation, the only REQUIRED scan is at delivery. USPS doesn't have to scan it at acceptance or at other spots along the delivery route. In general, they do multiple scans, but they are NOT REQUIRED to do them.

Thus, there is merely a slight difference in TRACKING vs. Delivery Confirmation. In your real-world experience, you won't usually see that difference. Nearly everything I send out is scanned in at my local post office except for media mail packages. They are usually scanned in at the regional processing center.

In any event, we generally really only care about Delivery Confirmation with overseas parcels since we usually aren't concerned that they will be lost in the U.S. Thus, Priority Mail is generally the more cost-effective method, but that may not always be the case. Individual cases may be different.

I hope that helps.

Here is a link with some info for those who want to research it.
http://faq.usps.com/eCustomer/iq/usps/request.do?create=kb:USPSFAQ&view()=c%5Bc_usps0301d%5D&varset(source)=sourceType:embedded

jmrock · « **Reply #192 on:** May 23, 2012, 11:03:44 PM »

Perhaps I can put this to rest once and for all... I was at the Post Office today and had a friendly chat with the Postmaster (the person who runs the entire show)... He explained it very simply...

As of today, May 23, 2012, when sending a package internationally, the ONLY way to get tracking information, including delivery confirmation, is to send a package express mail... PERIOD

When sending a package flat rate - small, medium, or large, the package is designated a tracking number, but it is only guaranteed to be used up until the package leaves the country... The package may say 'LaGuardia Airport..." etc... This lets you know that the package left the country successfully... Once it leaves this country it is entirely up to the receiving country as to whether or not they wish to scan or update the status of a package... Many countries do not, but some do... Many countries will only post when the package is delivered, and some do not at all... The bottom line is that there is absolutely no guarantee that the package is tracked from the sender to the recipient unless you are using express mail... -J.

DelMagic · « **Reply #193 on:** May 24, 2012, 12:34:15 AM »

That's interesting jmrock. Did the Postmaster say whether this was a new policy/condition or simply a more appropriate description for international delivery as it has been practiced for the past several years? If Priority Mail has been "downgraded" in it's service, without any delivery confirmation for international parcels, then it is likely many sellers will pull out of international sales due to the high cost to ship using Express Mail. I think it would be likely than a great many international customers would refuse to pay Express Mail rates thus shrinking the exports in general from the U.S., and particularly impacting our card-buying friends in other countries.

bmpokerworld · « **Reply #194 on:** May 24, 2012, 06:09:35 AM »

Quote from: jmrock on May 23, 2012, 11:03:44 PM

Perhaps I can put this to rest once and for all... I was at the Post Office today and had a friendly chat with the Postmaster (the person who runs the entire show)... He explained it very simply...

As of today, May 23, 2012, when sending a package internationally, the ONLY way to get tracking information, including delivery confirmation, is to send a package express mail... PERIOD

When sending a package flat rate - small, medium, or large, the package is designated a tracking number, but it is only guaranteed to be used up until the package leaves the country... The package may say 'LaGuardia Airport..." etc... This lets you know that the package left the country successfully... Once it leaves this country it is entirely up to the receiving country as to whether or not they wish to scan or update the status of a package... Many countries do not, but some do... Many countries will only post when the package is delivered, and some do not at all... The bottom line is that there is absolutely no guarantee that the package is tracked from the sender to the recipient unless you are using express mail... -J.

That is interesting since I have never had a package that was sent large or medium flat rate box internationally that does not have tracking. I will keep my eye on it and see if there is any changes to the systems. Thanks for the update.!
Thanks!

bmpokerworld · « **Reply #195 on:** May 24, 2012, 06:26:24 AM »

Quote from: jmrock on May 23, 2012, 11:03:44 PM

Perhaps I can put this to rest once and for all... I was at the Post Office today and had a friendly chat with the Postmaster (the person who runs the entire show)... He explained it very simply...

As of today, May 23, 2012, when sending a package internationally, the ONLY way to get tracking information, including delivery confirmation, is to send a package express mail... PERIOD

When sending a package flat rate - small, medium, or large, the package is designated a tracking number, but it is only guaranteed to be used up until the package leaves the country... The package may say 'LaGuardia Airport..." etc... This lets you know that the package left the country successfully... Once it leaves this country it is entirely up to the receiving country as to whether or not they wish to scan or update the status of a package... Many countries do not, but some do... Many countries will only post when the package is delivered, and some do not at all... The bottom line is that there is absolutely no guarantee that the package is tracked from the sender to the recipient unless you are using express mail... -J.

So I guess it is going to depend on who you talk to. I just called our local postmaster and he confirmed what is on the website. Medium, large flat rate and priority which is not flat rate, have tracking all the way on international orders except the small flat rate box and the flat rate envelope. This is exactly what it says on the USPS website.

Why doesn't it surprise me we are getting different answers from different people who work for the government? I think, as always, you should ship packages the way you are most comfortable with, so you do not have any problems. I will continue to ship large and medium flat rate boxes and I will continue to expect tracking all the way until it no longer happens.

Hopefully they will actually figure out what they are doing so they don't lose another 8 billion dollars this year.
Thanks!

jmrock · « **Reply #196 on:** May 26, 2012, 03:10:32 AM »

Go figure... Conflicting information at the USPS... I will tell you, this is the only reason I don't ship internationally on eBay... If you ship priority, and the accepting country does not track or confirm delivery of the package and the recipient claims he did not receive it, eBay and Paypal side with the recipient and the seller ends up with neither the goods, nor the $... Express is too expensive... I explained to my local postmaster what was written here and he stood by his initial statement - "It's up to the country accepting the package as to whether or not they wish to track through the point of delivery..." So both our postmasters seem to be at an impasse... I would like further clarification... Thus, I will be researching this further...

bmpokerworld · « **Reply #197 on:** May 26, 2012, 07:24:15 AM »

Quote from: jmrock on May 26, 2012, 03:10:32 AM

Go figure... Conflicting information at the USPS... I will tell you, this is the only reason I don't ship internationally on eBay... If you ship priority, and the accepting country does not track or confirm delivery of the package and the recipient claims he did not receive it, eBay and Paypal side with the recipient and the seller ends up with neither the goods, nor the $... Express is too expensive... I explained to my local postmaster what was written here and he stood by his initial statement - "It's up to the country accepting the package as to whether or not they wish to track through the point of delivery..." So both our postmasters seem to be at an impasse... I would like further clarification... Thus, I will be researching this further...

I am pretty sure either FEDEX and/or UPS delivers, medium and large flat rate boxes internationally. That is why they are tracked all the way. I can tell you we have shipped to most countries in Europe, Asia, and South America plus to Canada, Mexico, Australia and have not had any issues about getting tracking on those packages. It isn't just a few packages, over the last 5 years, we have probably sent 2,000- 3,000 medium or large flat rate boxes internationally. I can not remember any that did not have tracking all the way.

Usually if a package is big enough to go in a medium or large flat rate box, I will add insurance to cover the contents if it gets lost. Remember, a package could still get lost at some point and tracking would only be to the point it got lost.

I have to go with what my postmaster said, what is on USPS's website and my own personal experience here.
Thanks!

CBJ · « **Reply #198 on:** June 09, 2012, 09:19:05 AM »

If anyone want to see the status of Carlo's package.. here's the link

https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConfirmA ... 50835088us

Enjoy

CBJ

jmrock · « **Reply #199 on:** June 19, 2012, 09:45:41 PM »

Apparently Carlos' package has arrived, but sadly he does not have the $25 (twenty-five dollars) to pay customs to receive the thousands of dollars of decks of playing cards sent to him... Good luck getting the $25 together Carlos... It's quite a worthwhile expenditure, given the list of decks contained in the package...

Hats off to Alex and CBJ for putting this together and keeping track of the decks and getting them shipped... Hats off to everyone else who donated decks so that Carlos may have one of the most Kick @$$ Collections in the world...