[Elecraft] Re: import duties

[Geert Jan de Groot]

> Sometimes after weeks of writing letters and making unpleasantly phone 
> calls they forward the parcel to You. But actually I'm in controversy with 
> "General Logistics Systems" (formerly German Parcel). And it seems they 
> will return my parcel to Elecraft.

GLS is among the very worst of import duty handlers. 
Basically, USPS is free to choose to whomever they send packages
to Europe to do the customs handling. Some time ago, they changed
from using the normal postal system to GLS, and it's the pits.

If you send stuff to USPS, then GLS gets to handle it,
and there's no easy way around it.

As I have explained to elecraft before, I would strongly encourage
them to change the shipping on their end. If there is no way to make
USPS avoid using GLS, then perhaps USPS should not be used at all.

I have had lengthy discussions with the complaints handlers of
the Dutch postal system. Again, the current situation is that
GLS goofs up and the postal system gets to handle the complaints,
but it's not their fault to begin with.

You may consider using FedEx instead. I've been using them for
a number of years and while the VAT still needed to be paid,
they have no insane handling fees. They may even be cheaper
than UPS/GLS, at least they are a lot faster and on-line
tracable - shipping times typically are 24-36 hours and you
get to see where your new kit is.
Also, packages don't get "lost" for weeks while I have seen
that happen several times with GLS handling - IMHO, GLS is the pits.

I, for one, have been holding back placing orders exactly
because of this issue and look forward to Elecraft addressing 
this issue.

Geert Jan