So I've received a very expensive item

That's too bad ASSEMbler, I was going to suggest a proxy but I see what your point is.

Only option for super expensive and rare stuff like that is having it stay at a proxy or someone you know over there and wait until a friend or family travels there, only option I can think of.

 

It's not eBay. At least in the US, it's retail in general.

If you're selling online in the US it's expected that the asking price is the price you pay.

Shipping is "free" because, like anything else, it's figured into the asking price.

That's why you get buyers who thing the seller is trying to nickel and dime with extra postage costs.

 

It aint just your area then, I sent an item to Hillsboro, IL and the packaging showed up BEAT, it was all pierced and fucked up and everything. Was lucky the item didn't get bent but it was a short thin package and probably nobody tried to bend it.

 

Bummer. Reminds me of a console I once received. It was shipped in a Cereal box, packed with stuffing from a pillow.:nightmare:
two ways not to ship an item

 

Damn, are you serious?? I wish you could say what it is but I assume it's something really sweet anyway..

 

That's so sucky :dejection: I can't imagine the feeling you got when you opened the box and found your new treasure to be broken. I feel sorry for you man

 

Does this happen with everything you buy? Maybe you're sending out some kind of "please crush my box" vibes.

 

wow

 

That doesnt look overly insufficient. It looks like the postal service went crazy on it.

 

Thing is, I could put the shipping costs into my total price and offer "free" shipping too. But if you order more than 1 of something from me - you would be paying more. Having the shipping separate is better for anyone buying from me, but if people think they are getting a better deal with "free" - then it works for me! I get more money...

Dreamcast bios chip - £2.20
Shipping to the US - £3
Total £5.20

5x Dreamcast Bios chips - £11
Shipping to the US - £3
Total £14

With "free" shipping:
Dreamcast Bios chip - £5.20
"free" shipping

5x Dreamcast bios chips - £26
"free" shipping.

You would be paying nearly double.

People should understand maths more IMO. When I buy you just work out the total cost and that is the price you pay. Do not consider them separately and all is well - just look at the "total price" and base your purchasing on that.

"Free" shipping is a scam and people fool for it. You pay more

 

Oh my... Saw the package... The guy who sent it to you is seriously retarded and plainly lazy!!! Isn't there anything to salvage? That sort of item should have been send in a small flight case with foam, it's not like they're expensive in the UK: http://www.maplin.co.uk/small-flight-case-with-foam-interior-330mm-x-290mm-x-140mm-w-x-d-x-h-222024

 

I dont agree that the packaging was lazy (under normal conditions).

But for something apparently so rare and with what Assembler paid for the shipping, I agree it should have gone in a flight case.

 

I beg to differ on this one it's a very poor package it's not filled with foam chips to maintain integrity of the carton and the item is in a carton without enough space to protect it with a good layer of bubble wrap, for $125 of shipping for a piece of hardware (as I suspect it is) this is taking the piss. Ask the king of packing aka Yakumo for his opinion, he sent me a jap megacd from Japan to the UK once and it's working like a charm 4-5 years on, everybody knows how fragile these are. If people want things to arrive in a good shape they will do what's necessary for that to happen. This guy clearly didn't give a shit, shame on him.

 

I ship consoles daily, never had any arrive damaged.

So my packaging is fine, but will do!

 

Foam chips wont stop a box getting crushed. You also have no idea what the size of the item in the box is - as assembler hasnt told you what it is. Although like I said before - if its something so rare and with $125 shipping charge, I would have expected better.

This is why I said "under normal conditions" - which obviously this is not.

Please dont cherry pick part of my post to reply to, when you ignore the rest of the context.