In a message dated 4/8/2004 3:06:41 AM PST, dirk.feeken@sap.com writes:
I should have added the following warning to my last message, stating a
german eBay auction:
Don't bid for (larger) frames or bikes on german eBay unless you are sure
that the seller will ship it to the US and knows how to do this!
I have to correct an older statement of mine that it isn't a problem for
german sellers to send frames or bikes to the US.
I just learned the hard way that it is indeed a problem. While it is very
easy (simple customs declaration) and cheap (39 EUR) to send a box which is
smaller than 120x60x60cm via the german post, it is absolutely impossible to send a
box that doesn't fit into this size to the US like a typical 95x65x20cm box
for a frame with the german Post (Note: If two dimesions are over 60cm you are
out). The reason is that the US post refuses to take "oversized" boxes.
The only possibility are door to door delivery companies like UPS, FedEx, etc
who demand several hundred EUROs!!!
------------------------------------------------
Dirk-
Thank you for this timely alert. Granted that shipping bikes from Germany add
an extra dimension of complexity due to different language, currency, etc.,
but you are also correct in this USPS "Oversize" issue being played out. I
believe a couple of months ago Greg Parker brought up this "Oversize" charge issue
with the USPS and I too have encountered it with those ever-so-"friendly"
postal service workers. NEUMAN clones are more common than you think!! All CR
list members should take this extra charge issue into account as it seems to have
become standard though-out the country and now even German Postal Service is
aware of it as well.
cheers-
Dave Anderson
Cut Bank MT