international orders from 1 Stop Knife Shop...???

Robert.B

Robert.B

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hmmm well my bubble was just burst as i was going to order a folder from the store on here but i'm just wondering for those who have bought from them and are international customers did you feel the shipping costs were rather high. i mean the site says $150 but typically run at around $85 and the knife doesnt even cost that? worst of all i shipped a sword from Maryland that was rather large for only $75 via the same UPS method. so could someone clear up with me why the international shipping prices are so high. at the moment because of the high shipping price i'll be unable to order (lack of funds to account for the large shipping prices) and considering the cost of shipping out weights the value of the knife seems a little silly to buy it.

thanks to anyone that can clear this up for me.
Robert.B
 
It's not just that - we don't take credit cards from non US customers as well. So you have to figure in the cost of a money order or wire transfer on top of that.

After getting burned for several thousands of dollars in international shipments that went "missing" through the US Mail, we decided that we're using UPS only for all international shipments. Depending on the country, shipping rates are more or less - usually around that price for the several items. Even with UPS it's a huge headache with regards to customs and tracking & anti-fraud and all that.

So, for international orders we now have a certain set of requirements for everyone's protection.

My own personal recommendation is that if you have a friend in the US, you have the order shipped to them, and have them remail it to you by whatever means you want. It's much less of a headache for everyone.
 
Spark thanks for that, i have several friends in the states that are willing to do it that way. once i work it all out i'll be more than like making an order for the CRKT Bladelock 2.
 
International shipping via UPS, which as Spark mentioned is now the Mandatory way they ship for One Stop due to ease of insurance claims, is VERY expensive, even to Canada. Of course the regular post office route is more affordable and the easy solution to this is, as mentioned, to have a fellow forumite or friend help you out. I have done this before for someone and hope I saved them some cash with very little extra work on my end.
 
well i asked and my friend agreed to it being sent to his address then shipped to me (works out at US$9.00 to ship from him to me insured). so when i figure out the rest of my finaces i might get him to call up for me and order which he said he'd do (he has purchased from 1 stop knife shop a few times and said it's easier than trying to email).

thanks Robert.B
 
I hope TDE will explain that in more detail; he certainly has more experience with it than I do. Just from my limited experience, though, I think I understand what he's talking about. Shipping to other countries doesn't cost just for the shipping. Even the cost of replacing the knives that don't arrive isn't all of it -- you also have to spend time communicating with the buyer and trying to figure out what happened to the shipment and deciding when it's time to give up hope and send another one, and time is money.

I can well understand the frustration of members who live in other countries and want to buy knives from US dealers. The cost is outrageous -- but don't blame the dealers, because that's what it costs. Blame the postal and customs employees who steal and the higher-ups who don't put a stop to it; they're the ones who make it cost so much.

It's more of a problem with some countries than others, but there doesn't seem to be any combination of countries that isn't more costly than shipping within a country. I sent a knife from the US to a friend in Canada and it never arrived, and the only explanation I can think of is someone in customs stole it. I don't know if Canadian customs employees steal any more than US customs employees ... all I know is whenever you send a knife from one country to another there's a lesser probability it will arrive.
 
i agree with that and wasnt saying about the dealer but was just enquiring about the high shipping, and the main reason i go for international dealers is because there are literally no dealers for the knives i want and what they got is usually swiss army knives, schrade, and buck knives (plus millions of chinese crap blades) which they charge way over price (a US$50 knife would be priced at around US$300 here, rip off). i mean i really want this particular knife and since seeing it all i can think about is how cool it looks :p so i'll get it even if i have to wait longer. but from what i'm told 1 stop knife shop only send out checked good products and have a fairly good customer service going.

Robert.B
 
Now that I've moved from the USA to Canada this topic has been on my mind lately. I've rented a private mail box in a US town near the border. I don't know if that will even help since many places won't ship to a mail box. I have a history with some dealers and knifemakers. We will see how much that helps. In the worst case if no US dealers want to sell me knives I will just become Wally Hayes' best customer :D.

Finally, with FedEx tracking I can't understand how a package could "go missing" in transit. Canada is not some third-world country. I don't believe well-paid Canadian Customs officers would risk jail time to steal a knife (or anything else).
 
There are various options that promise more security than plain 'ol mail -- but they all cost more. Whatever you do, it's going to cost more than shipping within the US. :(
 
Robert B.

Understood your feeling. i live in the country just on top of yours :D on the map.

the price here in shops is like 100$ (MSRP) are priced at 450$, not to mention stolen item (i had a pair of used balisong handle mailed from US to me, never reached).. so i had a friend of mine (travelling to US last year) to order from Spark and pick it up there, and bringing it back down here, but unfortunately it didn't arrive in time for my friend to bring back. However, this year he is going again .. and am now expecting to receive my point guard ..
 
Never lost a single knife by Global Express (International Express) Mail service. The cost to ship a knife from US to Thailand runs around 20 bucks. You got the tracking number and can buy extra insurance for protection.

I wouldn't mind paying extra to SHIP the knife. But those HANDLING CHARGES (fill out the form..waitng in line...etc.) are killing me.
 
well as said and i now kinda understand it's to cover them as much as us, if you can get it shipped to someone there and then sent via another method thats up to me the buyer. and i got an email back from 888knivesrus and it was going to cost around the same but i've heard some bad reports from problems people have had dealing with them (still havnt heard from them as to whether they worked it out or not so can't say much more on that).

thanks Robert.B
 
its not the shipping cost that is the killer when buying knives from the U.S if you live in canada, if all it takes is 20 bucks, I'd pay it gladly, but I have gotten a Emerson Mini Commander from 1SKS, and UPS arrived on my door wanting 78$ canadian, totally ridiculous.

they do everything has expensive as possible, 1sks marks the package at full value for insurance purposes, charges 20$ for shipping, then
when it hits customs UPS waves there hand over it and that apparently is worth 30$, then there is some 5$ weird charge on top of that, then they want GST and other mysterious charges.

i wast too happy with the 78 bux, but considering someone bought the knife for me i figured it was best just to learn a lesson and pay up, atleast i didnt have to pay the 150 u.s for the knife.


Since then i've kept to ebay and small dealers that use USPS GLobal priority and global express, some even willing to mark the items as gifts and include birthday cards :)
 
Originally posted by tonybigthumbs
USPS GLobal priority and global express, some even willing to mark the items as gifts and include birthday cards :)
Click to expand...

hahaha thats exactely what i'm doing to get around the import tax on the value of the item :p.
 
We're not going to commit customs fraud for anyone. Other companies might, but we're don't. Sorry.

Not filling out the insurance for the right amount is a guarantee that when the package "goes missing" we get caught holding the bag. I'm not going to insure the package for less, then have it get ripped off and be out the knife and the money we paid for it.

Past that, if Customs is raping you for import duties, you have my sympathy, but there's nothing I can do.
 
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