UKers, do you know the cheapest shipping method to U.S.?

[CaZeek]

Hello,
I've been checking out some eBay auctions and other sites to see what the options for purchasing a VCR from the UK, and I've gotten some responses that say they will ship to the U.S., but that they'd like me to figure out the best shipping method. I'm wondering if any of you guys have shipped something like a VCR (about 6 pounds or so?) to the U.S., and how much / what method and carrier did you use?
Thanks in advance =)

[hech54]

I shipped my Philips DVD Recorder from the U.S. (East Coast...almost) to here in Germany. I recall $50 Air Mail - US Postal Service.

[CaZeek]

Thanks, I'm looking for the other way around, though, and actually Germany would be even better, as I think JVC produces a lot of VCRs there. Most of the higher end PAL ones were German auctions.. which I had to attempt to translate via Altavista'a Babelfish translator. I pretty much stayed away from them, because I figured some guy wouldn't sell to someone who couldn't even speak the same language, but if you have any reccomendations on buying a VCR from Germany, I'd appreciate it =) I was looking at the JVC S-VHS HR-S8965 and HR-S7965, but it seems from the eBay auctions that there are some other models in Germany (9700 is one I noticed)

[lordsmurf]

Parcel Force from UK to USA

[CaZeek]

Thanks LS, I try not to bother you personally with too many questions, but you always seem to find a way to still give me some good answers

[hech54]

Most Germans "our" age speak English pretty well actually....especially those that are into video and DVD-ing as we are.
Translation programs (online ones) are pretty shitty according to my wife...who IS German...
My German sucks too. I've got stacks of books and a pretty good computer translation program here to help me though...you don't unfortunately.
I'll check out the 9700 online for you and get back to you.

[CaZeek]

Ah, didn't know that.. thanks a lot Hech. I really appreciate it

[hech54]

First off....do like I do....CHEAT
http://www.jvc.co.uk/product-list.php?id=48
Always check the U.K. websites first for product info....

[Hardcoreruss]

Parcel Force from UK to USA

Parcel Force are not bad but my experience of them is that they like to throw your parcels around, ever seen the start of Ace Ventura

[hech54]

From what I can gather...the S9700 is only available in Germany and The Netherlands...and what appears to be a Russian language on some web pages. Here is what my translation programs have come up with so far.
Equipment features: high-resolution S VHS DigiPure technology, incl. digital Wide TB and 2 MB full screen storage
S VHS-ET photo Dynamic-around the system with time Jog and TimeScan video navigation system home movies sound experience with hi-fi VHS stereo clay(?) and High degrees audio components professional post-processing with Insert edge, rotating erase head, "EasyEdit" edge computer and "Sound shuttle" function, audio dub, gold coated AV front entrances "multi-fire" TV/SAT remote control with LCD reliable timer programming show view Deluxe Rec link express timer programming J socket for a computer-controlled post-processing Synchro Edit with a LANC Control 12 hour long time exposure in the EP mode B.E.S.T. photo and account system.

My wife isn't here to do a proper translation....SORRY.

The word clay in the translation should be ton or tönen - "to sound"...sound.

[VCDHunter]

Parcel Force from UK to USA

Parcel Force are not bad but my experience of them is that they like to throw your parcels around, ever seen the start of Ace Ventura

Isn't he supposed to be a UPS guy at the start of that ? Also you'll never see a parcelfarce guy running or smiling.

[Hardcoreruss]

Ok then Mr Picky, yes he is UPS

I would rather pay a premium and have Fed Ex, DHL or UPS get my package to me in one piece.

[VCDHunter]

Ok then Mr Picky, yes he is UPS

Hey, hey I was just pointing out that you used an example of bad business practices by UPS (fictitiously) to highlight bad service by Parcelfarce. I'm not saying it ain't true mind you.

I would rather pay a premium and have Fed Ex, DHL or UPS get my package to me in one piece.

Agreed. I've no idea how much UPS charge versus Parcelfarce but if it arrives broken (most likely sir, I'll bet it was something nice though) the amount saved would be moot.

[Hardcoreruss]

I just had a joystick shipped from California to me by UPS and it cost $130

Probably be that going the other way.

The joystick weighed 14lbs

[lordsmurf]

Thanks LS, I try not to bother you personally with too many questions, but you always seem to find a way to still give me some good answers

One-liner answers are the easy ones. 8)

Ok then Mr Picky, yes he is UPS

I would rather pay a premium and have Fed Ex, DHL or UPS get my package to me in one piece.

Have you ever shipped an S-VHS VCR across the seas? I bet not. The rates from those other people is ... well ....

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Too green for me.

[VCDHunter]

I just had a joystick shipped from California to me by UPS and it cost $130

Probably be that going the other way.

The joystick weighed 14lbs

With the current weakness of the dollar that'll be £65, a massive amount IMHO.

But not as it turns out a massive amount to Parcelfarce, I've just priced that up and the cheapest they'll do it, with compensation, is £71.10 for International Standard. International Datapost will cost you £83.95. Neither of these services give a timescale for delivery but Datapost does say -

Guaranteed express delivery for when you need to know exactly when your consignment will be delivered.

A quick flick through the UPS site gets me a price of £73.33 for a next day delivery, UK to USA, if I get the item to them by 5.00pm. That is very impressive.

[Hardcoreruss]

Yeah thats what I got next day

[CaZeek]

The rates people were telling me were $70+, and they were using UPS/FedEx I believe.

Thanks for the info hech.. that sounds pretty similar to the 8965/7965 model, I thought it would have that "4MB" frame memory, although I've read threads where people say it makes no practical difference. Do you remember what kind of prices they were talking about though?