Vpost? Borderlinx? Comgateway?

[liburan_natal]

If delivery is to residential address, possible to call DHL and ask for evening delivery? On a weekday I meant.

Yes you can. Their evening delivery hours is between 6pm-10pm.

 

[shadowlezz]

Hi

I'm new here. May i know if it is safe to use CGW's repack service, as i am afraid that they will cause damage to my items when repacking.

repacked many items before including phones/tablets no issues

 

[jcml10588]

just a question

anyone tried shopping at omigo.com!?

 

[BlackLab]

to be fair, this is not the call of Borderlinx, or v post, thats how shipment cost are calculated. thats why we try not to ship "air"

Yup, I'm aware of that. As mentioned a couple of pages earlier, I've shipped with vPost a lot of times without any issues.

Was just trying out Borderlinx to see how their rates compare, but right now it seems like vPost actually has better rates.

Don't like how Borderlinx rates aren't transparent either.
The cost calculator they provide apparently calculates at a fixed rate based on weight (regardless of type of item, value, and all the other nonsense info they ask you to enter), so I don't get why they can't just state their rates clearly in the FAQ.

 

[BlackLab]

Also, for those new to freight forwarding, some advice.

Unless you really want that item cause it's not available here, or it's a LOT more expensive here, probably shouldn't ship things like bags, shoes, plush toys, etc.
Basically stuff that is large yet light in weight, cause you will end up paying quite a bit for volumetric shipping.

Can't blame the freight forwarders for charging you volumetric shipping accordingly when it's already stated in their terms.
In fact, if you end up paying excess for "air", should blame the retailer for packing your items in a larger than necessary box. (Or if it's a private seller like on eBay, tell them to pack in a fitted box at least.)

On the other hand, if they repack and you end up having to pay more after adding their repacking fee, then it's an issue you should take up with them.

Personally I've only had vPost repack my items 2-3 times, and each time the difference between volumetric and actual weight was at least 2kg, so even after including the repacking fee, I still saved a bit.

But in general, shipping large items is usually a bad idea if you're expecting it to be cheap just cause it's light in weight.

Otherwise, do some research first. Like I recently helped a friend get a messenger bag online, and I told him beforehand that shipping would probably cost at least $50-60 (to be on the safe side) in addition to the cost of item and internal shipping.

Bearing in mind that vPost charges about $9+ per kg, that means I was accounting for around 6kg worth of volumetric shipping, which is a lot and probably large enough for a box for 3 of those bags.

He accounted for that in the total of the item, and he said it was still significantly less than what he would pay for the item in SG, so I went ahead and got it for him, and it turned out the volumetric weight was about 3.8kg or so, so my friend "saved" even more than he thought he would eventually.

 

[sugiboy]

just tried out vpost to ship ice cream maker and jungle gym XT. It turned out that the cost is just SGD6 cheaper (after 20% discount) as compared to deliver straight from amazon. I would have saved some time if I ship directly from amazon.

 

[amberlight]

is there any big savings promotion code for coming christmas?

 

[Benihime]

anyone knows if POSB GO card is can be used for COMGATEWAY DBS PROMO ?

 

[jownsftw]

anyone knows if POSB GO card is can be used for COMGATEWAY DBS PROMO ?

yessssssss

 

[trickle_on]

is comgateway or borderlinx better for a package where the volumetric weight could be quite large?

 

[KardBoard]

just tried out vpost to ship ice cream maker and jungle gym XT. It turned out that the cost is just SGD6 cheaper (after 20% discount) as compared to deliver straight from amazon. I would have saved some time if I ship directly from amazon.

regarding the item thru vpost how long the time taken for delivery versus if direct from amazon?anyone any ideas?

 

[8cubesofsugar]

I've only ever used CGW because that was the only forwarder I knew two years ago. Back then I only used them to buy band merch that could only be shipped within US.

However I've come to know of other forwarders now because people ask me which service I use. So I went to do some research... I'm never fond of ANY of Singpost's services, except for local delivery to which there isn't really any other choice in simple mailing services. I signed up for Borderlinx to see what they offered. It's interesting they have a UK address for me too but I don't think I'd be shopping much on UK sites yet.

I've used CGW for about 2 years (though more recently as of the past half year, doing sprees). They've improved tremendously since 2011 and I've never had any freak accidents with them at all. Their quotes are pretty okay (to me, since my merchant packs the items in a fitted box and all), deliveries are always about 2-3 days earlier than quoted (yay), the repacking service is pretty decent (my stuff doesn't get damaged, none so far). They even repacked my JC heels (from box to polymailer) and I read that Borderlinx does not repackage shoes. That's sad man, esp when you buy massive heels. :S

CGW will only offer the repack option if the volumetric VS actual weight difference is >2kg. Idk on what option would borderlinx repack my items for. It won't be good to buy lightweight items (such as sports equipment) and ship through forwarders - just ship straight from the merchant if possible, you probably will only save a couple of dollars but.. lightweight materials - you're as good as shipping air.

So far I'm very pleased with CGW's service C: There were two occasions where I had to return my items to the merchant -- the first one took like 2 weeks to resolve; I couldn't wait so I just went straight to their Livechat and suddenly the matter was resolved within 2 days. The second time it happened I just listed down what I wanted to do (it was resolved within 4 days+). Thankfully the merchant was understanding too and they accepted my returns.

Oh and taxes. Hmm there were a few times my items were around US$320-360. I only paid about US$25-35 extra for the taxes and I wasn't taxed on the SG side at all. Not that I'm intending to spend over the tax limit but... yeah, at least I wasn't taxed at the SG side cos my friend had to pay like $40+ tax just for exceeding S$2 on her shipment??? (direct from merchant tho.)

I really wouldn't use any of Singpost's services unless for local postage or sending a package out to another country. They're crappy as hell.

Any good stuff from other forwarders that anyone knows? C:

 

[wackocraz]

Sorry to hear that. Comgateway got live quote. My quote was 1.5 kg for 3 polos. I know the package sure bigger that that cos my watch also was 1.5 kg. Package came was 3.0 kg (2.85 rounded up). So with the live quote, pay for 1.5 kg only. So from $25.25, I pay only $16.70 + $3 before misc expenses.

With DBS card, got free upgrade to express and 10% discount so I pay only $17.05 + $3 final total.

Your live quote would probably be only 0.5 kg. Make use of the live quote guys! Of course it is only worth it if the weight is 1 kg more than expected since every 0.5 kg is $2.85 more and the quote itself costs $3.

where can i access this live quote option? Cannot seem to find it any where in the site. also, i dont suppose we can use live quote for packages that have already arrived at cgw?

 

[Zabiyaki]

Thought min for cgw is 1kg?

 

[sugiboy]

regarding the item thru vpost how long the time taken for delivery versus if direct from amazon?anyone any ideas?

I bought the items on 3 Dec, using Amazon's free delivery. I received my last package on 12 Dec at Vpost USA and it's registered in less than 24hours. My first package however took longer to be registered, more than a day I think. I shipped my package on 12 Dec and the invoice indicates 19 - 24 Dec for the package to arrive.

I rcvd shipping notification from vpost on 14 Dec. Sadly though, when I checked on my account, one of the package status was not updated - I hope they didn't miss it.

If you shipped direct fr Amazon, it would take 5 to 8 days (or 8 to 10 days I can't remember).

 

[8cubesofsugar]

where can i access this live quote option? Cannot seem to find it any where in the site. also, i dont suppose we can use live quote for packages that have already arrived at cgw?

It's on the homepage, under the "Start shopping" search bar! It's the last link on the first line.

Anyway, you can try asking them through the livechat, from Services + Support (top tabs) > How may we help you (scroll all the way down to the last tab option) > chat (last part of the page also). They work from 11am - 6pm on week days!

 

[gundambob]

have very unpleasant experience with Borderlinx. I bought Tiny Love Super Mat from Amazon. The item is 2 pounds which is 0.9 kg. Guess what is the volumetric weight? 24 KG! Borderlinx wanted to charge SGD 180 for that order alone. Because I tumpang my friends purchases together using Borderlinx and we end up paying a total of SGD280 for shipping, and get taxed as well. We do request Borderlinx to repack other two shipments together with this one, but they refused. We received all three packages last Friday, and Borderlinx could have package everything into one box that shipped the play mat. Probably would be the last time i would use Borderlinx. The Amazon shipment cost for the play mat is actually USD 21.00.

 

[radiologist]

Definitely NOT vpost. Slow and tracking poor

 

[lee_tired_sheep]

have very unpleasant experience with Borderlinx. I bought Tiny Love Super Mat from Amazon. The item is 2 pounds which is 0.9 kg. Guess what is the volumetric weight? 24 KG! Borderlinx wanted to charge SGD 180 for that order alone. Because I tumpang my friends purchases together using Borderlinx and we end up paying a total of SGD280 for shipping, and get taxed as well. We do request Borderlinx to repack other two shipments together with this one, but they refused. We received all three packages last Friday, and Borderlinx could have package everything into one box that shipped the play mat. Probably would be the last time i would use Borderlinx. The Amazon shipment cost for the play mat is actually USD 21.00.

This one cannot repack one la. It's the shape of the item. A common rule of thumb is that anything long or tall is going to have high volumetric weight

 

[allies28]

I realise that when using CGW, my package will always arrive with weight slightly above the 0.5kg range. For example, it will always be 1.67kg, 2.13kg, 3.15kg etc. Therefore it will be rounded up to 2kg, 2.5kg and 3.5kg respectively.

Only once in a while will my package arrive to be slightly below the 0.5kg range.
End up I will have to pay higher shipping charges.