FSU Postage v. GAS

[kiev4a]

The recent postage increases in FSU countries, especially the Ukraine, is helping me control GAS. It's to the point now where shipping often double the price of the camera. Even shipping to Oleg is getting hard to swallow. Sent two bodies to him and the cost of shipping both ways ($50) darn near as much as he charged for the work.. I think the glory days for acquiring FSU gear may be waning,

 

[reagan]

Agreed, the cost of shipping is on a steady (some times steep!) climb and is one of the first things I check when "window shopping." It's also one thing that is more and more a definate deal-breaker. I recieved an order last week, a camera body and two lenses from Kiev for $15 shipping. I understand the postal prices have gone up, but I still can't really swallow some of the huge hikes, i.e. $30-$40 a pop ~ one I saw was $45!

At this rate, for me at least, GAS attacks will have to be fewer and farther between and my purchases will definately gravitate toward guys who at least try not to "pad" the cost of shipping so much. Oh well, less GAS = more money for film so I can actually USE what I've already acquired!

 

[brians]

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to experience the "glory days" as Wayne put it. My first FSU camera was a Zenit B, and I think I got it for 30 bucks shipped, whereas now it would be about 48 shipped for a decent one.

I believe it's time to stop heeding to the GAS for now and to start saving up for film like CVBLZ4, and equipment to start a darkroom (does that constitute as GAS?)

Either way, I'm not too satisfied with the camera I received today.... a Kiev 35A (not an RF, but a close copy of the Minox 35EL). It would be an awesome camera if there wasn't an oil smudge on the inside element of the first glass, and if the meter worked a bit more properly.

 

[varjag]

The U.S. dollar has devaluated considerably in last few years.

 

[RML]

The U.S. dollar has devaluated considerably in last few years.

Still, $30-$45 is a big amount for shipping a camera. I can imagine shipping costs are becoming more and mor a clincher. I, too, pay good attention to shipping cost "padders". No way I'll be paying more than $15-$20 to have a camera shipped to Holland from Russia or Ukraina. And even then I feel a bit robbed, knowing that I can send a 2kg package all the way to Mongolia for 25 euros (registered mail).

 

[xayraa33]

a lot of dealers are overcharging on shipping from the FSU countries.

 

[varjag]

a lot of dealers are overcharging on shipping from the FSU countries.

So were they more honest in the past years? 🙂

I've observed the shipping costs from here to the rest of the world going up, courtesy of postal service.

And shipping charges apparently not defined solely by travel distance. Shipping a parcel e.g. from Belarus to Norway was far more expensive than to the USA.

 

[reagan]

So were they more honest in the past years?

I'm sure the honest are still honest. There are just MORE sellers/dealers. Even in the short time I've been scrounging a few FSUs the number of people who are selling them has increased drastically. And maybe those who got in the game a little later are trying to make up for lost time ~ and see how MUCH folks will actually pay for shipping.

example: A couple days ago I noticed a particular Zorki 4 I was monitoring at the Bay had to be relisted for lack of bidders. His starting price was only $9.99 and no bids. Why no bids? His shipping is $29.99!!

 

[breakaway]

There's also the worldwide fuel price hike. Probably adds to the postal charge, at least that holds true in Singapore.

 

[varjag]

I'm sure the honest are still honest. There are just MORE sellers/dealers. Even in the short time I've been scrounging a few FSUs the number of people who are selling them has increased drastically

True, but that not explains why shipping costs to Oleg for instance has gone up. He has too good reputation here to ruin it with cheap tricks like that.

It may well be a combo of USD inflating, high oil prices, increases in cost of life in FSU or other factors, but postage fees are really going up. I don't ship abroad often, and was quite surprised when checked the tariffs this year.

 

[xayraa33]

One dealer charging $ 45.00, c mon man, yes, cost have gone up , somewhat, but not 90 to 100 per cent more than before . Yes most dealers are honest, but some are overcharging in shipping cost also.

 

[hoot]

I shipped a 1kg (2 lbs) package *to* the Ukraine today. The post office charged me just under 20 Euros, or $25. Both ways would make $50 _within Europe_. And that's not even calculating the cost of wrapping material. I think padding this sum with a few bucks to cover this cost, and the hassle of waiting in line at the post office, is fully excusable. Comparisons to the cost/worth of the camera are unfair, since it costs just as much to ship a FED-2 as it does to ship an M6TTL.

When shipping costs are too high to pay off, I ask the seller if he offers a flat shipping rate, and browse his other items to see if there's anything else I need.

 

[reagan]

quote:

True, but that not explains why shipping costs to Oleg for instance has gone up. He has too good reputation here to ruin it with cheap tricks like that.

Sure, and I by no means was referring to varjag's shipping to Oleg or any shipping TO FSU for that matter. I can understand charges everywhere being eased upward with rising postal costs. I was more or less just venting about the occasional Bay seller that seems to be pushing the perverbial shipping charge envelope. (Should be a pun there somewhere, but...) Generally, it seems that most Bay sellers are keeping their shipping/handling/standing-in-line charges in the $20-$30 range. (And 30 is getting a lot more common.)

My mumbling-grumbling is about the few, and again I say, "FEW" I run across like this guy who charges $40 to ship from St. Pete, while this guy from Moscow and this guy from Kiev only need $15 to ship.

 

[breakaway]

Hey people, remember Nick Frolov (I hope i got the name right)? If you do remember the spate of incidents that occured, you'll know that it's sometimes not just the shipping fees alone that gets the camera shipped.

 

[kiev4a]

There are U.S. sellers who gouge more on shipping than most FSU dealers. ($20-$25 to ship one camera halfway across the country.

My main point was that, for me at least, Paying $30 for a camera and $12 for shipping seemed like a deal. At that price, I made a lot of spur of the moment buys. But paying $$20 to $40 for shipping on a $30 camera is another story. It's going to have to be something I REALLY want for me to punch the bid button. I'm not blaming the FSU sellers--I'm just saying it isn't nearly as good a deal now and I'm likely to be a lot more selective. To add to the problem for U.S. buyers, more and more sellers are setting the prices in pounds, which darn near doubles the cost.

I can't fault them for trying to get the most possible out of their goods. but when you add all these extra charges on to say a nice KIEV II, you're not far off the Ebay price of a Canon IV SB from a U.S. seller.

quote:
Sure, and I by no means was referring to varjag's shipping to Oleg or any shipping TO FSU for that matter. I can understand charges everywhere being eased upward with rising postal costs. I was more or less just venting about the occasional Bay seller that seems to be pushing the perverbial shipping charge envelope. (Should be a pun there somewhere, but...) Generally, it seems that most Bay sellers are keeping their shipping/handling/standing-in-line charges in the $20-$30 range. (And 30 is getting a lot more common.)

My mumbling-grumbling is about the few, and again I say, "FEW" I run across like this guy who charges $40 to ship from St. Pete, while this guy from Moscow and this guy from Kiev only need $15 to ship.

 

[varjag]

Hey folks, it's not like I didn't see your points: just tried to figure out plausible explanations.

And to me personally, the less you buy, the cheaper this stuff will get here 🙂

 

[Bob L]

If things get really bad were a camera cost 35.00 to 45.00 dollars and the shipping is going to run 30.00 to 40 dollars or more then I will start buying from Frdka here in the states, I purchased from him some items last friday and had them in my hands on monday. As a example he has
a fed 4m on his site for 105.00 which is not much more then it would cost using the above example plus the fact that you would get a item that has has been check out and no more 2 to 3 weeks delivery from FSU sellers, plus he has a return policy and it would only cost local postage if you live in the states.
Just my thought on this matter.