What are your thoughts on the feasibility of regularly buying stuff outside of Taiwan (from the States or wherever via the internet) and shipping it in? Clothes, books, DVDs, blow-up dolls, whatever.
I’m wondering if the only real limitation is money, or if there is something else. Ways to make it easier to do? Good methods of shipment?
If the place you’re buying from is willing to ship internationally, you shouldn’t have too much of a problem. I know books and DVDs arrive here just fine. Of course, shipping can be pricey.
I ordered several books from Amazon.com; the shipping charge was steep but not overly so. I completed the ordering in early Feb, waited 2 months, nothing arrived, checked the credit card record (money had been taken out), contacted Amazon, got told to wait another month, did so - no books, called again, told to wait while they sorted it out, waited another month, called again, wait again, then in late June got an email and a full refund. The excuse - undeliverable. That’s it, no other explanation. Won’t be doing that again.
By the way I didn’t send it to my apartment, I knew it’d never get there what with all the lanes and alleys, so sent it to the office address, located on a main road. Never had a problem with friends and family stuff before, so I don’t know what could have happened.
Ask the supplier or retailer to ship by Global Priority Mail (USPS) if you’re ordering from the US and you shouldn’t have any trouble. I’ve received packages in as little as four days.
Seeker4, are you talking about regularly buying stuff for your own use, or is it for commercial use? I guess for the latter, other rules apply regarding duties or taxes or whatever … wouldn’t be able to give you specifics as I have no experience with this kind of business … maybe somebody else??
If it’s private, we’ve made very good experiences with ordering from amazon both from the US and europe, both have been delivering to our private address for the last probably 4 years regularly and without problems (a bit slower since moving to Taipei …). But, that’s only for books, DVDs and video tapes. We’ve tried ordering clothing, sporting goods and other apparel from the US, but always stumbled over the hurdle that most of these products are not shipped outside the US and its territories by normal on-line shopping sites. It’s worked from europe, but postage can become quite a cost-position … Good luck, Xpet.
Never had any problem ordering DVDs from Amazon in the UK. Usually get about a dozen or so at a time, and they usually arrive in about 10 days. I am lucky though as the security guards at my apartment complex will look after the package until I collect it.
I miss surface mail. I want to buy my son a Hess Truck. Amazon USA doesn’t ship to Taiwan. Amazon Japan does but the price of the item is really Jacked up! Are there any cheap shipping alternatives?
I really miss boat mail where I would ship a ton of books and toys overseas for very little money: Please give access to some reasonable priced shipping.