TallGuyJohninBKK

2 hours ago, pgrahmm said:

You could probably enter that address in a way to make it look like an apartment or work address....

CA taxes what they are might be a concern....Unknown.....

I had a couple of follow-up email exchanges tonight our time/this morning their time with Planet Express. They responded directly and quickly, much to my surprise and appreciation.

On the address issue, their support staff advised that it's fine to substitute something like "Suite" instead of "Mail Box" when addressing things to them, so long as you still use the proper "AXXXX" number for your box. So that's good.

I also asked if they had been "blacklisted" by any of the big retailers that somehow try to identify mailing house addresses and then refuse to ship to those addresses. Target and Walmart are among those that have done like that in the past. Their support staff said they didn't know of any major retailers that would NOT ship to their address. So, I'm planning to test that, and see if they're correct about that.

Both Target and Walmart pretty much would not ship to Shipito's address any time I tried to use it in the past.

I just signed up for a Planet Express account. It was relatively easy to do.

You create your email address and password for their account, and then they send a confirmation email you need to validate. As part of that process, you also fill out and have completed online a required USPS Form 1583 giving Planet Express permission to handle your mail. After that, you log back in and they ask you to pay some unspecified deposit amount in order to receive your shipping address with them. They accept both PayPal and Amazon Pay, which is nice.

I put a small deposit down thru Amazon, and everything went smoothly, and as soon as my deposit was credited, which just took a moment, the banner info for my online account with Planet Express suddenly showed my shipping address with them in the following format:

Account Holder Name
Mail Box #AXXXX
17224 S. Figueroa Street
Gardena, CA 90248, USA

The only question I'd have about them thus far is, that kind of address format sounds and appears a lot like a post office box address, and there are a lot of retailers/shippers who won't ship to what appear to be post office boxes.

Only a current customer with Planet Express would be able to advise whether the address format issue has been a problem with any of the typical online retailers.

On the other hand, I also just now looked at Planet Express, and they do appear to have substantially better prices available than Shipito for 1, 2, 3, and 4 pound packages from the U.S. to Thailand -- which are the sizes I priced via the shipping calculator on their home page.

https://planetexpress.com/

I've never dealt with them, so I have no idea how reliable they are, or how they are to deal with. But in many respects they do appear to be imitating Shipito in a lot of their account pricing details. But their stated shipping rates are much lower.

Here are their rates for 1, 2, 3, and 4 pound packages -- which are significantly better than Shipito's $12 per pound average for their Economy Airmail service.

Planet Express 1 lbs. package U.S. to BKK -- 12x12x12 -- $50 value

Planet Express 2 lbs. package U.S. to BKK -- 12x12x12 -- $50 value

Planet Express 3 lbs. package U.S. to BKK -- 12x12x12 -- $50 value

Planet Express 4 lbs. package U.S. to BKK -- 12x12x12 -- $50 value

1 hour ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

OK, so I've asked this question before, and I'll ask it again here -- since no one has really answered it.

 

If you're using some other U.S. to Thailand package shipping service that will deliver everyday items/regular sized packages (up to 4 lbs) for any all-in rate LESS THAN $12 per pound (which is Shipito's Economy Airmail rate), please post the information and verifiable details here.

 

If someone else is offering better REAL pricing, I'll use them myself.  But no one has yet come up with a better option.

 

Since someone above mentioned MyUS.com and I'd never really looked at them in detail before, I decided to do so today, and priced a 1 lbs package to Thailand with them.

Their best price was $26.57, whereas Shipito's best price for the same weight package was $12.39, as per the graphic I posted above.

Guess I'm not going to be switching to MyUS anytime soon.

OK, so I've asked this question before, and I'll ask it again here -- since no one has really answered it.

If you're using some other U.S. to Thailand package shipping service that will deliver everyday items/regular sized packages (up to 4 lbs) for any all-in rate LESS THAN $12 per pound (which is Shipito's Economy Airmail rate), please post the information and verifiable details here.

If someone else is offering better REAL pricing, I'll use them myself.  But no one has yet come up with a better option.

On 7/14/2017 at 2:46 PM, StefanBBK said:

Of course the package got held up in customs. Then DHL contacts me and wants my to chose how I wish to pay "clearance fee+ import Tax+ Vat".... I told them that it is prepaid and please contact sender. 

Now they want my original passport, because I have to obtain an import license etc... <deleted> is that. 

Here is their message:

"This case you not  have to pay anything  because all activity in thailand will be charge to sender only .
But receiver have to support document for clearance only.
I will inform you about your shipment has detain by thai customs at suvarnabhumi airport Because the value your product over 40,000 THB. If value the product over 40,000 THB you have to registration import license with thai customs first .
So about process registration import license you have to provide original passport for registration import license of thai customs first. If import license complete already we will start process clearance for you , sir  
If you can’t provide original passport we can’t clearance this shipment for delivery to you."

What do I do with that message.... Decided to ask them and still wait for an answer. 

 

I never tried to ship anything valued over 40,000 baht into Thailand.

But, I always used to LOVE getting those kinds of half-English emails or other communications from DHL explaining to me why they wouldn't/couldn't deliver my package to me without me paying a lot of extra money to them...

That was, right up to the point where I fired their sorry ****** and ceased ever using them for my Thailand shipping.

4 minutes ago, BuckBee said:

Main downside/concern I see is safety aspect of carry 20K plus cash, that big money to the dodgy scum on land borders etc and going increase risk of robbings and bag thefts drastically .

In age of computer banking and debit/credit cards is against the trend to have large amounts of cash . 

 

I agree... It's like putting a sign on the back of farang tourist border crossers. Come and rob me somewhere on my journey... at least 20,000 baht per head. Easy pickings.

1 hour ago, zeekgarcia said:

I am looking on shipito website shipping calculator and for shipping 10-20 pounds to Thailand their airmail service is more expensive then their other options Fedex is their cheapest then DHL then USPS then their airmail

 

 

I see the same kind of thing when I price a 10 lbs shipment... Fed Ex economy comes up as their best rate.

Folks here need to be aware, Shipito has TWO kinds of their own brand Airmail shipping -- Airmail Economy (up to 4 lbs or so) and Airmail Priority (beyond 4 lbs.).

I've always been very clear here in saying their BEST rates -- and AFAIK unbeatable rates to Thailand -- are their Airmail Economy rates for packages up to 4 lbs that work out to about $12 per pound all in.

I have rarely shipped heavier packages with them using their Airmail Priority, and for weights just somewhat above the 4 lbs amount, their Priority method still seems to have the best rates.  But once you get up into the 10 lbs or more range, then obviously, their own Airmail methods are no longer economical.

But frankly, I almost never ship anything that heavy from the U.S. to Thailand -- because, it's almost invariably going to be very expensive and I'm better off waiting until my next trip back to the U.S. and just packing the item into one of my suitcases instead.

Here's an example of what I was talking about above in terms of how they're presenting their rates chart these days. This is an actual rate quote for a 1 lbs package I shipped with them last week via their own Economy Airmail. You have to pay attention to the entire chart...not just the top grouping under "Featured Shipping Methods".

12 minutes ago, balo said:

Did you try to check the prices in VIetnam ? Might be a cheaper option . 

 

How does an English speaker in Thailand do shopping in Vietnam, Balo???

On 7/14/2017 at 9:26 PM, ninjapro2 said:

Thanks for the answers guys, I guess the custom declaration is one the biggest problems here. Regarding the service I did some research based on your reccomendations - Shipito.com looks nice, but they are very expensive - 1lbs 10x10x10 inch package to Bangkok with USPS Express costs $78.04 - I found PlanetExpress.com and there with USPS Express same package costs only $27.04 which is really big difference

I don't think you're paying close enough attention to Shipito's rates and rate options.

For a 1 lbs 10x10x10 package, their best rate is always going to be their own Economy Airmail service that would run about $12 total.

Unless, you're shipping something that they can't send via their own airmail service, such as something that includes lithium batteries. That's one thing not allowed via their Economy Airmail service. There also are some maximum total dimension limits of like 36 inches, but the size you mention wouldn't exceed that.

Otherwise, their own Economy Airmail rates (for anything up to 4 lbs) are always going to beat anything available thru USPS.

BTW, I have noticed lately when pricing packages online with Shipito, they've taken to listing available shipping methods thru "Featured Shippers" at the top of the list... ones like Fed Ex and DHL.  And their own Economy Airmail service is listed in a separate section down further in the list.

They didn't used to do like that, but started lately. Nonetheless, if you look further down on the list, you'll see their Economy Airmail option and its rate, usually about $12 per pound. It's entirely possible that newbies to their service might not catch that move on their part, and not realize to look further down on their pricing list for the BETTER/BEST rates they offer. So try it again, and make sure to look at the ENTIRE list of shipping options and prices.

In the past, they always used to order their shipping options/pricing list with the top several entries being those deemed "most popular." And not surprisingly, their own Economy Airmail shipping method was always the No. 1 most popular option, assuming it was available for that particular package (weight/dimensions, etc).

On 7/14/2017 at 10:15 PM, THAIPHUKET said:

shipito requires US address, mine is European. Any solution for 3rd world people too?. Experiences?

That makes no sense. Perhaps you're misunderstanding something.

A large part of their business is forward shipping things bought in the U.S. to residents of foreign countries, and those folks have no U.S. address other than the one Shipito provides to them as Shipito customers.

Perhaps Mr. Bad Boy actor portraying gang rapist should be offered a staring role in a sequel to his current series.

In the sequel series, he's sentenced to prison for his crimes and winds up incarcerated with a relative of one of his victims, who along with a gang of other prisoners dish out their own form of intimate violence against the gang rapist, so he can come to understand just what it's like to be victimized.

I'd say, it has the potential for huge ratings on Thai TV...

3 hours ago, Italian guy said:

I don't approve scams but some people deserve to be scammed! 

Yes, but these guys were obviously working without a proper work permit and engaging in an occupation that is legally reserved only for Thais!!!

Kind of curious, why police aren't identifying by name any of the other arrested suspects who participated in this massacre.

Is it possible, some of them would turn out to be something other than rubber tappers as described in today's news report???

3 am is never a good time to be out on the Thai roadways.

3 am is an even worse time to actually be a driver on the Thai roadways.

and anyone deciding to get out of their car and pose for selfies on a Thai expressway at 3 am is simply beyond reasonable words to describe.

23 minutes ago, HHTel said:

 

 

Death would be a fair result, but as we know, although the death penalty exists in the courts, in practice Thailand does NOT have the death penalty!

Nor do they apparently have a corrections system that treats "life prison sentences" to mean actual prison for the rest of their lives, since even convicted murderers seem to get out early via sentence reductions handed out by prison officials for "good behavior" and periodic/annual sentence reductions and eventual releases by you know who...

1 minute ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Some of the stores have been temporarily relocated, but the signage is very limited so very few people know where!!

There are directional arrows on the wallboards pointing the directions to different shops. But I couldn't tell/have no way to know whether those listed on the boards are simply how to get to the remaining shops that are still open in their original locations, or whether any of those listed are for shops that have been relocated.

Given the vast amount of space that's currently boarded up, the mall couldn't have relocated very many out of the total impacted.

There's some interesting scenery playing out outside the former True Fitness center at the Exchange Building at Sukhumvit and Asoke. Noticed it this afternoon as I was passing by. There are a ton of legal notices taped to various portions of the former storefront there, all in Thai, my wife says they're court notices.

But here were the ones in English that I found intriguing, the True one on top with the subsequent Exchange Tower notice posted just beneath it.

It kind of sounds like some folks/members may have had personal belongings stored in lockers there that they still haven't been able to retrieve after all this time...

Likewise, sounds like the folks behind the business really did a runner, if not even the Exchange Tower folks can get a hold of them.

Stopped by CW today, and if anything, even larger sections of the mall were closed up this time compared to a few weeks ago.  But at least since my original post, they've made the obviously needed improvement of posting signage that explains what they're doing on all the wallboard sections covering up the closed shops. Before, weeks ago, all those wallboards were just vaguely decorative without any information on them at all.

Here's what it looked like today. A lot of people in the mall on a Sunday afternoon, even though huge swathes of stores and restaurants that used to be open there are now gone and closed (at least for the time being).

On 3/16/2016 at 0:34 AM, Lex Talionis said:

I've been living in Phnom Penh for the last three months and can compare it to Bangkok. PP is cheaper in every way except food. Western food that is. If you can eat Khmer then you're golden. But it just can't compare with Thai food. I've been learning to eat it via a KGF who is a good cook. But it's been a long, slow adjustment. It's an acquired taste.

A trip to a Lucky's or Bayon supermarket for western goods can send you into sticker shock real quick.

I'm not sure why you say sticker shock. I'm not familiar with all the items on your list.

But at least some of them -- the Post Shredded wheat cereal, the 500 ml EV olive oil, the Malee pineapple juice, the 500 ml of Listerine, etc --  are no higher and in some cases lower than the typical prices for those in Thailand.

--The Malee price i baht is about 70, and it's not uncommon for it to be priced at 69b here.

--The EV olive oil price in baht is 163b, and it's not uncommon for it to be 175 to 250b here depending on the brand.

--The 500 ml of Listerine's price in baht is 116b, and it often sells for more than that here in BKK.

On 7/15/2017 at 11:53 AM, seajae said:

they are the best thing for casual wear when you have to continually remove your shoes, they also stop sunburnt toes and allow you to get wet feet and not bugger them up, they are also very comfortable, well at least the goods ones are, not the cheap imitation crap

It's funny. My wife likes to wear Crocs shoes to work because they're comfortable.

I buy them direct from the Crocs company in the U.S. via their website, because they're often considerably cheaper there (even after including my own shipping) than the same exact models are in the Crocs stores here in Thailand. But in both cases, the labels on the shoes say they're made in Vietnam.

So, I'm living in Thailand and buying shoes in the U.S. that are made in Vietnam because they're cheaper to buy from the U.S. than they are from Thailand. 

BTW - for those who don't know, Crocs these days makes all kinds of different styles of shoes beyond their original, tradition Crocs sandals with the rubbery material, holes in the front and heel strap. The only common elements between the different styles, which you'd never know just from outward appearance, is the soft, flexible insole inside and the Crocs material outer sole.

On 7/14/2017 at 4:11 PM, than said:

Guess where the money comes from ?

Curious that the article makes absolutely no mention of where the money might have come from?

Or even, how a local police station superintendent would even be in a position to offer 30M baht.

If the judge was smarter, he would have agreed to actually accept the bribe (acting undercover), then have the guy arrested once he handed over the money, and then the authorities perhaps could have traced just where the police officer got his 30 million from.

That also would have eliminated the he said/he said argument from the case, as presumably the defendant would have been caught, so to speak, "red handed." Which probably is a good descriptive in this particular instance.

4 minutes ago, saakura said:

For those in Bangkok, there is a SPAR store on the ground floor of M Tower on Sukhumvit Main Road Soi 62, opened a few months ago

So what kind of stuff are they selling?

Why would anyone want to shop there?