Shipping to Singapore thread - options and tips, read this before you order

[petetherock]

Hi friends
Every now and then the same question on how to ship and issues faced are asked so here is a thread to compile these threads

some general notes:

- check the cost differences, vpost toolbar is not always better or cheaper
- if time is important, go direct
- for those shipping other items, check that they can be shipping, eg vpost does not ship speakers

- UOB card holders have an additional discount

Some threads:
Shipping big items like TVs:
http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=47828.0
http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=46563.0

Alternatives to vpost:
http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=50011.0

[blackburn]

as requested, the difference between shipping dvd/bd/hd-dvd through amazon and vpost

[petetherock]

Thanks bro
vpost is cheaper but faces more issues

[armoury]

ComGateway looks promising; has anyone here used it before?

[petetherock]

Ask jeffong, I think he has some experience..

ComGateway looks promising; has anyone here used it before?

[Darthfunk]

Btw when you use the vpost tool bar is there still a need to email the invoice to vpost? Going to order the next batch of blu ray dvds using the vpost toolbar just want to clarify before placing my orders. Thanks

[ming1881]

Me also interested in using vpost tool bar...to save on cost for my next big order.

Any advice, tips or steps in relation to using vpost tool bar is very appreciative.

Thx

[mcmaranello]

Btw when you use the vpost tool bar is there still a need to email the invoice to vpost? Going to order the next batch of blu ray dvds using the vpost toolbar just want to clarify before placing my orders. Thanks

you do not need to email the invoice to vpost using the toolbar, to me, that's the best part.
it can get messy if the retailer ships via multiple sources in a single order.

[Darthfunk]

you do not need to email the invoice to vpost using the toolbar, to me, that's the best part.
it can get messy if the retailer ships via multiple sources in a single order.

Thanks, sounds good as i got all my orders waiting to be checked out. 

[cn9601]

hmmm....recently did a A-B comparison oso. But notice for Boxed Set, Amazon indicates as 1 item, but vPost mayb 1.5 items, depending on nbr of discs in the box. so to me, it appears tat for Boxed Set, it's cheaper with Amazon Direct  

[armoury]

hmmm....recently did a A-B comparison oso. But notice for Boxed Set, Amazon indicates as 1 item, but vPost mayb 1.5 items, depending on nbr of discs in the box. so to me, it appears tat for Boxed Set, it's cheaper with Amazon Direct  

Even worse: VPost in effect treats every 2 discs in a boxset as one additional item.  So yes, when it comes to boxsets, Amazon's pricing is certainly the best value of any online retailer I've ever come across.

For instance, I want to get the Man From UNCLE set which is available only from Time Life, which only ships within the US.  But it has 41 discs, so VPost shipping would cost over $100! 

[petetherock]

A useful guide:
http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=45353.msg367551#msg367551

Some details on the process of ordering using VPOST toolbar (DOES NOT apply to the normal non-VPOST toolbar purchase):

1. Install VPOST toolbar on Internet Explorer.
2. Select "Amazon" in the toolbar's merchant list drop down and click go.
3. Log on using VPOST ID at the log on page.
4. You will see a VPOST-Amazon collaboration web site, predominantly in red.  Interface is different from the usual Amazon webpages. It'd be useful to use another browser to open the normal Amazon webpage as a reference since it's more user friendly.
5. Select your products and add to cart.  Shipping charges will be reflected in the toolbar itself.  Any changes to the cart items (remove/add) will result in the new shipping charges captured in the toolbar.
6. If there are any special webpage in Amazon, eg, the BOGO deals or additional 3 free discs for Tosh HD DVD player, you will not be able to see them at the VPOST-Amazon webpage.  But the discounts will still apply, since they're applied only at checkout.  Just manually search for the items and add to cart.
7.For the big items like the HD DVD player, VPOST toolbar will charge flat $25.  Although there is a cavaet that if the item weighs more than 3kg, they will recalculate, so far, i believe all of us did not encounter this.  Instead, they will just process and ship the player to us without any request for further payment for shipping.
8. When you're ready, click checkout.
9. You will see the normal amazon checkout page.
10. At credit card page, key in details of your UOB credit card.  It is important that you always select "new card" and key in the details manually all the time, and not choose an existing card in your account (even if it's an UOB card).  The VPOST toolbar will not be able to recognise it without you keying the numbers again.
11. Review your order and make sure the discounts / rebates are accurately recorded.
12. After you confirm the order, wait for a pop out page from VPOST to ask you to pay the shipping charges (and GST if applicable (>SGD400)). Follow through for the payment using your UOB card.  You shd get 15% shipping charges discount, AS WELL AS 3% rebate based on the total cost of the order you just placed at Amazon.
13. You will not receive any email confirmation from Amazon at all, since that will be sent to VPOST for their matching with your items when they arrive at VPOSTUSA.  You will receive shipping notifications from Amazon though.
13. When shipments arrive at VPOSTUSA, they will not prompt you to send them invoice, since they've already got it from Amazon, AND that you've already paid the shipping to VPOST when placing the order at Amazon.  They will process it and ship to you.

[petetherock]

A caveat about going cheap (which is a trait of many Singaporeans), IMO amazon isn't always the cheapest to buy, but their customer service is sterling so consider carefully when buying from a less known source.

[armoury]

A caveat about going cheap (which is a trait of many Singaporeans), IMO amazon isn't always the cheapest to buy, but their customer service is sterling so consider carefully when buying from a less known source.

Absolutely agree.  A few years ago I used a Canadian website which was cheaper than Amazon (at the time the C$ was a lot less than the US$), but after a while they went bust. Fortunately I still got my last order, which was quite a big one, but a friend of mine never received his even though his credit card was debited.  (don't know if he got his money back)

Amazon is also very good about replacing damaged items.

[dantom04]

Absolutely agree.  A few years ago I used a Canadian website which was cheaper than Amazon (at the time the C$ was a lot less than the US$), but after a while they went bust. Fortunately I still got my last order, which was quite a big one, but a friend of mine never received his even though his credit card was debited.  (don't know if he got his money back)

Amazon is also very good about replacing damaged items.

Yap..DVDSOON.COM.. me got burn too.. lost $200++ worth of dvds. Never get back any $$. By the time i try to do chargeback, the period to do it is over.....