The Ford Barn

Fe26 · 11-06-2014, 06:25 PM

Australia Post has opened a depot in Portland Oregon to facilitate the delivery of goods purchased in the US to Australia. The new service is called Shopmate.

This is great for those of us who can't buy parts because sellers won't ship to OZ. Within an hour of finding this new service I bought 3 items and they are on their way.

It was a simple process: Register online, get a Customer Number, use the Shopmate address in Portland, buy your item and have it sent there. Australia Post then delivers to your address in OZ.

Post rates vary according to size/weight, they are a little more expensive than USPS but not enough to concern me, given the convenience.

I hope this service proves worthwhile.

Talkwrench · 11-06-2014, 06:54 PM

I did hear about this too, but I wondered why Oregon.. It would then have to be shipped to Cali LAX to get on a plane surely??

cmbrucew · 11-06-2014, 08:03 PM

There is an ocean port at Coos Bay, Containers etc.
Bruce

Fe26 · 11-06-2014, 09:04 PM

They could be flying freight planes out of Seattle or San Francisco.

mercman from oz · 11-06-2014, 11:50 PM

This sound great news for Australian buyers. In the past, it seems that Pitney Bowes manages to somehow get hold of International Parcels & many never reach their destination. Also, it seems that Pitney Bowes rewrap well wrapped parcels to make them smaller, meaning that the postage cost is less, which means a bigger profit for them. Because of poor insufficient packaging, when the parcel arrives, the contents are broken. Some larger heavier parcels that Pitney Bowes get going through their Distribution Centre simply get Liquidated?
Whatever that means & the Buyer never sees his goods again. What is the story about Pitney Bowes of Kentucky & just where do they fit in. Someone must have awarded them the Contract to ship International Parcels? I hear of so many complaints about them.

48-710 · 11-07-2014, 05:13 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Thanks for the heads up on OZ post. I'm lucky to have a contact in FL who repacks my parts to get a cheaper rate with the US postal service. Someone has been pro active with this. I guess ebay sales may have something to do with it. Snail mail has dropped so they need new ways to keep the till ticking over. I sure hope that the system is used.

11-06-2014, 06:25 PM	#1
Fe26 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 949	One for the Aussies, a little O/T Australia Post has opened a depot in Portland Oregon to facilitate the delivery of goods purchased in the US to Australia. The new service is called Shopmate. This is great for those of us who can't buy parts because sellers won't ship to OZ. Within an hour of finding this new service I bought 3 items and they are on their way. It was a simple process: Register online, get a Customer Number, use the Shopmate address in Portland, buy your item and have it sent there. Australia Post then delivers to your address in OZ. Post rates vary according to size/weight, they are a little more expensive than USPS but not enough to concern me, given the convenience. I hope this service proves worthwhile.

11-06-2014, 06:54 PM	#2
Talkwrench Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 2,687	Re: One for the Aussies, a little O/T I did hear about this too, but I wondered why Oregon.. It would then have to be shipped to Cali LAX to get on a plane surely?? __________________ *"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"*

11-06-2014, 08:03 PM	#3
cmbrucew Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: North of sandy ago, CA. Posts: 2,064	Re: One for the Aussies, a little O/T There is an ocean port at Coos Bay, Containers etc. Bruce __________________ Works good Lasts long time

11-06-2014, 09:04 PM	#4
Fe26 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 949	Re: One for the Aussies, a little O/T They could be flying freight planes out of Seattle or San Francisco.

11-06-2014, 11:50 PM	#5
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 10,388	Re: One for the Aussies, a little O/T This sound great news for Australian buyers. In the past, it seems that Pitney Bowes manages to somehow get hold of International Parcels & many never reach their destination. Also, it seems that Pitney Bowes rewrap well wrapped parcels to make them smaller, meaning that the postage cost is less, which means a bigger profit for them. Because of poor insufficient packaging, when the parcel arrives, the contents are broken. Some larger heavier parcels that Pitney Bowes get going through their Distribution Centre simply get Liquidated? Whatever that means & the Buyer never sees his goods again. What is the story about Pitney Bowes of Kentucky & just where do they fit in. Someone must have awarded them the Contract to ship International Parcels? I hear of so many complaints about them.

11-07-2014, 05:13 AM	#6
48-710 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mildura ,Australia Posts: 163	Re: One for the Aussies, a little O/T Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks for the heads up on OZ post. I'm lucky to have a contact in FL who repacks my parts to get a cheaper rate with the US postal service. Someone has been pro active with this. I guess ebay sales may have something to do with it. Snail mail has dropped so they need new ways to keep the till ticking over. I sure hope that the system is used.