The Universal games case, the case that in many ways is the key to this sites growing success; and I am sure that Media Shelving and Shopper Inc. are appreciative of the business this site provides. Alas, they are in the USA, and through no fault of theirs, obtaining cases from the US is possible but laced with impediments due to the pitfalls of international courier/postage.
I have been doing so research and there are some interesting findings, including accusations of international airfreight cartels, price fixing, and why I think moving to NZ might be a good idea.
So. I have considered buying 2 cases (200) of these little buggers (aussie slang which does not have it's literal meaning for those in the deep south of the US who are about to have the banning of this site added to the bi-laws of your dry county). Joining two packages with tape to make the following size: 41lbs 10.5"x15.25"x11.25" (Girth is then 43.5 inches. Girth+length=58.75 inches)
US Postal Service to Australia
Global Express Guaranteed Documented Service 1-3 days $275.00
Global Express Mail 3-5 days $202.60+$13.25 for pickup
Airmail Parcel Post 4-10 days $198.15
Surface Mail 4-6 weeks $72.10
UPS Worldwide Expedited 7 days $362.17
FEDEX International Economy 7 days $387.58
DHL Worldwide Priority 2 days $415.61
All in all, freight to the land of OZ appears to be astronomical. Hmmm, could there be anti-competitive behaviour at play. I can't say, but there are allegations. The attached was in the paper this week: (The Age, Melbourne, 1 February 2007)
"$200 million class action against Qantas and six other major airlines accused of freight price-fixing......alleges the airlines formed a cartel to fix fuel, security and war-risk surcharges against Australian freight users, who were fleeced an estimated $200 million over seven years."
and it is alleged that this is not unique to Australia:
"German carrier Lufthansa has reached an $85 million out of court settlement in the US, guaranteeing the airline immunity from civil prosecution in that jurisdiction. The remaining claim against the more than 15 other airlines involved in the US lawsuit is estimated at $1 billion. Ms Parker said the Australian international freight market was one fifth the size of the US and losses were estimated at $200,000."
Hmm, one fifth the amount of air freight as the US and only one fifteenth the population. Economies of scale would suggest (all things being equal and I believe they are) that mailing by air freight from Australia to the USA should be cheaper than from the USA to Australia (as the scale is 3 times...that is every man woman and child sends or receives 3 times as much in Australia as against the US when distributed on a per capita basis so the Aussie end should at least be more efficient). A quick look and conversion from $US to $AU and it appears that the same service, if sent from australia is about 10% dearer. Now I have studied economics at a post graduate level. This one I can't fathom. Maybe americans get paid much less than Australians or have higher productivity.
HERES THE REAL KILLER, AIR FREIGHT FROM USA TO NEW ZEALAND IS 10% CHEAPER THAN FROM USA TO AUSTRALIA. WHAT GIVES! A LORD OF THE RINGS DISCOUNT! IS NZ FIGHTING ALONG SIDE U.S. TROOPS IN AT LEAST TWO OVERSEAS COUNTRIES?-NO! CAN U.S. NUCLEAR WARSHIPS VISIT NEW ZEALAND?-NO!. I am starting to want to move to NZ. Cheap second hand cars, no nucs, no drought, plenty of possums (love those little Aussie marsupials - Have two in the gum tree in my back yard) and now this.
Anyway, for a universal case at 0.19 each+shipping via USPS Global Express + Pickup, the total price for 200 is $253.85 or US$1.27 each (which is about AU$1.69 each). All I can say is that thank god the exchange rate isn't what it was six years ago when I actually had the bad timing of going to the states. Only US$1 for every AU$2 (now it is AU$1.33 for US$1). For Surface Mail, the cost is $72.10+$38=$110.00 total or US$0.55 per case (AU$0.73). This is far more resonable. I would even go as far as to say that Shoppers inc. should add $30 for packaging (tapping the two cases together) and effort (going to the post office and completing those customs forms). The total cost would then be US$140.00. Very Reasonable.
So how do we organise a mechanism to have these items easily shipped via surface post? TikTekTak has been leading the way, but even if he succeeds, I feel that this may not set a precedent that will stand (or be easily repeated) as these large companies weigh the risks of dealing with the public over untracked, lost shipments.
Surely there are people much smarter than me with a solution. Can anyone who has received a case find any indication of who, or what country, these things are made in? That might be a good start.
