To Buy or Not Buy via Amazon (Vpost)
- Thread starter cqprime
- Start date
I used to use VPOSTUSA and recently tried Borderlinx when purchasing my flash from Amazon. I have to say that Borderlinx (even though slightly more expensive in terms of shipping coz VPOST having promo) service is much better and much faster. DHL end-to-end I believe and the service VPOST just cannot beat. For example, once Amazon deliver the item to Borderlinx, it was updated almost immediately (maybe a couple of hours lag) but for VPOST, I have experienced taking 3-5days just to update that they have received the items. Then when I request to ship, the items reach me in a matter of days, for VPOST, it could be weeks, but sometimes you can get in about a week+. If you are not around to receive, for Borderlinx, just call DHL and have them reschedule, they came in the morning and I check on the DHL website that undelivered due to no one at home, I called them and they immediate reschedule to ship the same night. For VPOST, no such luck, gonna go post office to collect (the next day) or call them to re-sent but office hours only and no fixed time.
So 2 thumbs up for Borderlinx.
So 2 thumbs up for Borderlinx.
takeshi.lum
Senior Member
yes keltong! that's the thing i like about borderlinx.
i can schedule for the parcel's delivery in advace but not for Sing Post. Sing Post told me i have to wait for the parcel to arrive in Singapore before they can do anything to it.
For DHL, just give them the airway bill number or parcel number and they can schedule it to a time which u like that is within their time slots, even before the item arrives in Singapore.
i can schedule for the parcel's delivery in advace but not for Sing Post. Sing Post told me i have to wait for the parcel to arrive in Singapore before they can do anything to it.
For DHL, just give them the airway bill number or parcel number and they can schedule it to a time which u like that is within their time slots, even before the item arrives in Singapore.
Hi,
The info on borderlinx is pretty useful. Tks!
I've been using Amazon + vpost to order books, toys & some photo/video gear (e.g. a wide angle lens for my camcorder). My take is that the service is reliable, but rather slow.
I usually try to save on the U.S. continental shipping by using Amazon's Super Saver FOC shipping, and just pay for the vpost leg back to Singapore.
Will try out borderlinx one of these days.
Rgds,
MW
The info on borderlinx is pretty useful. Tks!
I've been using Amazon + vpost to order books, toys & some photo/video gear (e.g. a wide angle lens for my camcorder). My take is that the service is reliable, but rather slow.
I usually try to save on the U.S. continental shipping by using Amazon's Super Saver FOC shipping, and just pay for the vpost leg back to Singapore.
Will try out borderlinx one of these days.
Rgds,
MW
Looking at cqprime's original question, why I buy from Amazon:
a) Some things are just not available in Singapore (e.g. Dr Seuss boardgames for my kids).
b) Yes, certain things can be cheaper from Amazon than buying from a local retailer, even after freight costs.
c) It's a reliable e-tailer (all my orders have been fulfilled on time and accurately).
Rgds,
MW
a) Some things are just not available in Singapore (e.g. Dr Seuss boardgames for my kids).
b) Yes, certain things can be cheaper from Amazon than buying from a local retailer, even after freight costs.
c) It's a reliable e-tailer (all my orders have been fulfilled on time and accurately).
Rgds,
MW
mmmmm time for me to consider to buy from USA...thanks for the tips
As an epilogue, vpost messed up my latest order from Amazon (basically a whole bunch of board games for the family) -- first, they cocked up the matching of the invoice & parcels in the U.S. (Amazon shipped in 2 boxes -- I had to send 3 emails to vpostusa before they got it right).
And for the final delivery of the 2nd parcel, their courier (probably some el cheapo sub-contractor) came after the office was closed and didn't leave any notice. And they didn't call me at all. I had to check the system (BTW, there's was no email prompter for me to call them) and call them to resend the parcel. This is really crappy service when they should have been proactive enough to ctc me when they couldn't make the first delivery.
I'll try borderlinx the next time. Mebbe have to pay a bit more, but less aggravating for me.
Will write a nice letter to the SingPost CEO to tell him that if SingPost can't get their act together to do consumer parcel shipping from overseas, they should just stick to delivering local letters, bills & junk mail.
Grrr ... . : (
And for the final delivery of the 2nd parcel, their courier (probably some el cheapo sub-contractor) came after the office was closed and didn't leave any notice. And they didn't call me at all. I had to check the system (BTW, there's was no email prompter for me to call them) and call them to resend the parcel. This is really crappy service when they should have been proactive enough to ctc me when they couldn't make the first delivery.
I'll try borderlinx the next time. Mebbe have to pay a bit more, but less aggravating for me.
Will write a nice letter to the SingPost CEO to tell him that if SingPost can't get their act together to do consumer parcel shipping from overseas, they should just stick to delivering local letters, bills & junk mail.
Grrr ... . : (
petetherock
Senior Member
Try this link for info:
http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=50034.0
Note certain items will not be shipped by vpost - eg speakers.
People using borderlinx seem to have a better experience.
http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=50034.0
Note certain items will not be shipped by vpost - eg speakers.
People using borderlinx seem to have a better experience.
ahbian
Senior Member
I have mixed experiences with VPost. The first time I used it, everything was quite smooth, from the paying of charges and matching of invoices and delivery.
But I realise things get messy when many items are ordered, I really hate the matching and sending of invoices, it is quite difficult to match the invoices as they are based on item serial numbers.
There was once my cart was emptied in the middle of shopping, which resulted me in being billed even though I did not confirm my purchases. Imaging trying to match 14 invoices and emailing 14 different merchants to cancel my order. ;(
In short, 1 or 2 items through VPost, maybe. Not more than that for me.
But I realise things get messy when many items are ordered, I really hate the matching and sending of invoices, it is quite difficult to match the invoices as they are based on item serial numbers.
There was once my cart was emptied in the middle of shopping, which resulted me in being billed even though I did not confirm my purchases. Imaging trying to match 14 invoices and emailing 14 different merchants to cancel my order. ;(
In short, 1 or 2 items through VPost, maybe. Not more than that for me.
i suggest try your best to avoid vpost..
i ordered some stuff from different merchants in the US and using vpost to ship it to sg.. the packages came to vpost and they input it in their webby..but one of the packages were not processed promptly by vpost, they took about one month to do that.. i ended up paying penalites for the rest of packages, around $100 in total..
i ordered some stuff from different merchants in the US and using vpost to ship it to sg.. the packages came to vpost and they input it in their webby..but one of the packages were not processed promptly by vpost, they took about one month to do that.. i ended up paying penalites for the rest of packages, around $100 in total..
V
vince123123
Guest
Same experience. When they can match, its okay. When can't match or they get confused, then you can vomit blood. Email and email they bochap you one. Call also damn hard to settle.
My experience with Vpost has also been mixed. Good for single packages but can be a nightmare when there are several invoices. When you order several items (even if they are all books), the order fulfillment may come from more than one Amazon depot. When this happens you will have as many invoices as there are shipments. This will be challenging for Vpost. Note Vpost charges by either weight or volume which ever is higher cost. So if the package is light but has plenty of foam protection, then it will be by weight and then good luck.
itakephotos
New Member
Don't mean to barge into this thread like this, but have you guys heard about Tarazz?
I've used vpost, comgateway and borderlinx but they all charge pretty exhorbitant prices on shipping and the hassle you have to go through to find out exactly how much it would cost.
Try Tarazz.com instead, it's a shopping portal that converts prices from other sites into a bundled price that includes guaranteed shipping to singapore and it's in sing dollars. The shipping cost and every is shown upfront, so you can decide if it's cheaper or more expensive right there.
I just popped over to Amazon.com via Tarazz and they delivered quickly and in good condition. I've ordered from them several times after dissapointing expereriences with vpost and borderlinx. They used to be limited to DBS card holders but now they accept all major credit cards.
So yeah, just sayin, there's a third choice out there.
I've used vpost, comgateway and borderlinx but they all charge pretty exhorbitant prices on shipping and the hassle you have to go through to find out exactly how much it would cost.
Try Tarazz.com instead, it's a shopping portal that converts prices from other sites into a bundled price that includes guaranteed shipping to singapore and it's in sing dollars. The shipping cost and every is shown upfront, so you can decide if it's cheaper or more expensive right there.
I just popped over to Amazon.com via Tarazz and they delivered quickly and in good condition. I've ordered from them several times after dissapointing expereriences with vpost and borderlinx. They used to be limited to DBS card holders but now they accept all major credit cards.
So yeah, just sayin, there's a third choice out there.
V
vince123123
Guest
Sounds suspicious coming from a first time posting member promoting someone's services.
spheredome
New Member
I have been using Vpost all these while all from Amazon, no issue. For charges, I am not sure with no comparison but delivery time is consistent within 5 days after payment.
Here is some tips which you can do to ensure smooth delivery and matching. Most mismatch occurs when you buy from other merchant within Amazon. So Vpost cannot match the package.
1) When sending your invoice, in your email Subject title begining with yr VP no.
Subject: VP123455: Amazon Purchase Invoice xxxxxxxx
2) DO NOT sent your invoice immediately after purchase BUT wait till you receive the Merchant email that your item is shipped with tracking no. Then send both shipping info and invoice to vpost. * Tell Vpost in simple text in the beginning who is the actual sending merchant. *Dont be lazy, combine both info nicely for their easy reading.
3) Check 3 days later in your VPOST account that your invoice has been entered into the system. If not email your invoice again telling then they might have overlooked. But I have only encountered once.
4) If you plan to buy multiple item from merchant, always plan ahead. Don't buy between a wide waiting period when you end up rushing.
5) Do not ignore the free discount voucher link, if appear, can give you x% discount.
6) If you need to change local delivery address to Post Office, do so BEFORE paying. But beware, SingPost will not tell u when package arrive, you need to check VPOST website. Printout your package detail (tracking/item no.) from Vpost and collect from SingPost.
7) *If you buy an item say battery grip that comes with lithium battery in original package listed in the invoice. If invoice does not the word battery, it is ok. Send an email to VPOST telling them that battery comes with packing of the product. *you cannot ship loose battery.
8) If you are buying small items, when paying the merchant, inform them not to mistakenly pack into super giant box as you are shipping oversea.
Here is some tips which you can do to ensure smooth delivery and matching. Most mismatch occurs when you buy from other merchant within Amazon. So Vpost cannot match the package.
1) When sending your invoice, in your email Subject title begining with yr VP no.
Subject: VP123455: Amazon Purchase Invoice xxxxxxxx
2) DO NOT sent your invoice immediately after purchase BUT wait till you receive the Merchant email that your item is shipped with tracking no. Then send both shipping info and invoice to vpost. * Tell Vpost in simple text in the beginning who is the actual sending merchant. *Dont be lazy, combine both info nicely for their easy reading.
3) Check 3 days later in your VPOST account that your invoice has been entered into the system. If not email your invoice again telling then they might have overlooked. But I have only encountered once.
4) If you plan to buy multiple item from merchant, always plan ahead. Don't buy between a wide waiting period when you end up rushing.
5) Do not ignore the free discount voucher link, if appear, can give you x% discount.
6) If you need to change local delivery address to Post Office, do so BEFORE paying. But beware, SingPost will not tell u when package arrive, you need to check VPOST website. Printout your package detail (tracking/item no.) from Vpost and collect from SingPost.
7) *If you buy an item say battery grip that comes with lithium battery in original package listed in the invoice. If invoice does not the word battery, it is ok. Send an email to VPOST telling them that battery comes with packing of the product. *you cannot ship loose battery.
8) If you are buying small items, when paying the merchant, inform them not to mistakenly pack into super giant box as you are shipping oversea.
Singapore Vpost is linked up with Amazon. Should be no problem. But u gotta do your research well with reputable sellers on Amazon since their business model is drop shipping, Amazon itself doesn't hold the goods.
For example a D60 kit ...USD$699, inclusive of 2 Nikkor lens+8GB card. Sounds like a good deal, In Singapore would have cost up to $1200 or more...Double checked with the seller's info and they are also on eBay.
Logged in to eBay and went thru all their products and all are DEMO UNITS with USA warranty in mint condition. Dat doesn't mean they are conning, just dat if you go thru Amazon, they don't describe their products well.
Do your research well. For me, i don mind demo units in mint condition.
For example a D60 kit ...USD$699, inclusive of 2 Nikkor lens+8GB card. Sounds like a good deal, In Singapore would have cost up to $1200 or more...Double checked with the seller's info and they are also on eBay.
Logged in to eBay and went thru all their products and all are DEMO UNITS with USA warranty in mint condition. Dat doesn't mean they are conning, just dat if you go thru Amazon, they don't describe their products well.
Do your research well. For me, i don mind demo units in mint condition.
let say i order 3 items from amazon, 1 of the item has the super saving shipping so it takes longer, i had already received 2 mails that the 2 other items is shipping to vpost.
qns is.. shld i send the invoice of the 2 other items 1st? or wait till the last item is shipped then i send to vpost?
qns is.. shld i send the invoice of the 2 other items 1st? or wait till the last item is shipped then i send to vpost?
yes and as a result my shipping fee cost me $80+ SGD for my kata bag! And my bag is only 2.2 kg but they packed until it become 8.4kg (according to volumetric weight).
i straight away shoot amazon an email... in the end they refund me $62 (should be in usd i guess haha)
anyway will try borderlinx next time.
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