USA tool purchase - Rockler (USPS).

**Sir Stinkalot** · 24th November 2007, 10:08 PM

I just thought I would briefly share my recent experience with a USA tool purchase buying through Rockler. The reason for sharing is that before making the leap I thought I would do a search on these forums to see what others experiences were with purchasing tools from the USA ...... I thought that I would put down my personal experience as it may help others in the same situation as I found myself.

I was looking at purchasing an item from the USA given the unfortunately high difference in price of the item available from Australian retailers. The main hurdle with many of the US sellers was the postage prices .... often so high that it would bump the total purchase price very close to the Australian retailers.

Rockler (http://www.rockler.com/) were very reasonable on their postage costs which made it a very viable alternative to purchasing locally. The website provided an up front estimate of the postage costs (prior to commitment) which made it handy if you were just running a few calculations. Any major fluctuation in postage costs will be confirmed with the buyer before proceeding. There were three different postage options available, basically just changing the expected delivery time and price. I selected, USPS INTN'L PRIORITY, the mid option of 2-3 weeks as I was in no hurry.

The order was placed on the 8th November (US$432.97 & US$116.55 S&H). One of the items which I ordered was out of stock. The website showed the expected date of 14th November. As it was an international order they wait until it can be sent as one package. While I was waiting for the back order to be filled I started to get cold feet so I sent off an email to ask about insurance given the package was going half way across the world .... I was informed that Rockler would insure when it ships.

I received an email on the 17th November(Saturday) to notify that the package had been shipped. I checked my bank account and to my surprise I was charged less than the original quoted price which was a surprise. The package was sent via USPS to Melbourne. The package arrived in two parts on 20th November (Tuesday)*.

There were no additional charges ..... no custom problems with USPS .... no long waits .... no problems.

Whilst I would like to be able to support the Australian retailers .... there are occasions where you need to look elsewhere. I am 110% happy with Rockler and USPS and will be happy to use them again in the future. It is surprising that it was possible to get an item from the USA quicker than may Australian retailers ..... and at a far better price (AU$300+ less). The world is a much smaller place thanks to the internet.

So that is it .... long winded but a happy ending. I hope it is of some use in the future for others that found themselves where I was a few weeks ago.

* As the item was large and I ordered a number of different items it arrived in two packages. They were delivered to the 20th floor by Australia Post. Only one package was delivered on Tuesday ..... the second on Wednesday. It would just appear that the block forgot to take the two packages out of the truck and didn't find the second package until he returned back to the depot for the night. It was delivered the next day without a problem so I would just put that down to a simple mistake which had nothing to do with Rockler, UPS or Australia Post.

**Des.K.** · 24th November 2007, 11:17 PM

I'll second Sir's recommendation. I've ordered a few things from Rockler on two occasions (furniture hardware, router bits, and other bits and pieces), and have been more than happy with the service, and the price.

Des

**Tex79** · 25th November 2007, 10:11 AM

While I haven't had the chance to order anything from them, I was lucky enough to visit one of their stores while on holiday in the states at the start of this year.
They were an absolute pleasure to deal with and they matched their competitors prices without and argument, even though there was a significant difference in price.
Two thumbs up from me.

Cheers,

Evan

**lesmeyer** · 25th November 2007, 10:43 AM

Indeed excellent service from Rockler. I have used them once before with the same result. I have used LV many time with excellent results. The great thing about these 2 companies, is the indication of whether the stock is available. Not a single Aussie supplier does this on their website. The 2 above mentioned companies are no doubt in competition with each other and the results are fantastics for their customers.
Regards
Les

**BrettC** · 25th November 2007, 08:00 PM

Thanks for posting stinko, some Aussie retailers could learn a thing or two from this sort of service. I've recently waited for something from one of the 'big' Aussie retailers for around 7 weeks after initially being told that it would be a two week wait - I went with Aussie supplier because I didn't want to wait the 8 weeks (but cheaper price) from O/S

**Peter36** · 27th November 2007, 05:55 PM

I've had all good experiences from Rockler also and have purchased from them a few times . On one occasion I included a music movement in the order and was dissapointed in the sound when I received it . It was immediately replaced .
Peter

**seriph1** · 27th November 2007, 11:40 PM

I have had a shade under a thousand international transactions, (mostly model railway items and tapware) mainly with US and UK sellers but a smattering of NZ and European sellers as well. Had one item arrive broken because it was packed by an idiot.... Aust Post covered it fully. I love buying with Paypal as it protects me from fraudulent sellers. After all our purchases for the home, I estimate the cost of say, our kitchen appliances at around 40% of what I would've paid here in Oz. Three items I did order through an Australian retailer ended up taking longer than 2 complimentary items I ordered at the same time from the US. As mentioned, you just have to weigh up the postage costs carefully ... my biggest 'wins' have been a Miele Steam Oven from Germany which retails for $6250 - I paid all up, $800 delivered, and a Gaggenau 70CM wall oven that retails for $9999 that I paid $900 for, also delivered. Just my experiences.....

**Ross** · 28th November 2007, 09:03 AM

Originally Posted by lesmeyer

. The great thing about these 2 companies, is the indication of whether the stock is available. Not a single Aussie supplier does this on their website. Les

You have not checked out the Addictive Pen site.

Ross

**Pusser** · 28th November 2007, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by seriph1

...After all our purchases for the home, I estimate the cost of say, our kitchen appliances at around 40% of what I would've paid here in Oz. ... my biggest 'wins' have been a Miele Steam Oven from Germany which retails for $6250 - I paid all up, $800 delivered, and a Gaggenau 70CM wall oven that retails for $9999 that I paid $900 for, also delivered.....

Did you get instructions in English or German?

**jerryc** · 28th November 2007, 06:29 PM

seriph1

Just read your post. Wish I had read this before purchasing a Neff oven (German). One question. Oz distributors say they need five days to convert oven to Oz standards. What sort of conversion did you find necessary? Wife mumbled something about me getting it sorted as she wants more Neff stuff (at the right price of course).

Jerry

**Bryan1982** · 28th November 2007, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by seriph1

I have had a shade under a thousand international transactions, (mostly model railway items and tapware) mainly with US and UK sellers but a smattering of NZ and European sellers as well. Had one item arrive broken because it was packed by an idiot.... Aust Post covered it fully. I love buying with Paypal as it protects me from fraudulent sellers. After all our purchases for the home, I estimate the cost of say, our kitchen appliances at around 40% of what I would've paid here in Oz. Three items I did order through an Australian retailer ended up taking longer than 2 complimentary items I ordered at the same time from the US. As mentioned, you just have to weigh up the postage costs carefully ... my biggest 'wins' have been a Miele Steam Oven from Germany which retails for $6250 - I paid all up, $800 delivered, and a Gaggenau 70CM wall oven that retails for $9999 that I paid $900 for, also delivered. Just my experiences.....

where did you get it from and was there any prob with hooking it up with conversions?????????????

cheers bryan

**Corunetes** · 28th November 2007, 11:49 PM

Hi Guys............... Just to put my two bob's worth in.... There is no doubt about it, the Yanks do mail order better than anyone else. I imagine that this is because it is not a new thing over there. In Oz we have only recently taken to using the mail order system and quite frankly many Oz companies need to pick their game up to a marked degree.
This will probably work itself out when these companies realise the amount of business that they will be losing to other suppliers if they refuse to give the customer GOOD service.
I have found that a lot of Oz companies (or should that be companies in Oz)have a total inability to get the product to the customer in a reasonable time. I'm not saying that all Oz companies are like this 'coz I know from personal experience that many companies are trying (and succeeding) to give good service but unfortunately the companies that don't give this service are dragging the mail order industry in Oz down.
Just my ponderous ponderings!

**elkangorito** · 29th November 2007, 01:12 AM

What about warranty? What happens if your yank purchased item has a bowel collapse? Do you have to send it back to septic land or will they send someone to fix it?

**Sir Stinkalot** · 29th November 2007, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by elkangorito

What about warranty? What happens if your yank purchased item has a bowel collapse? Do you have to send it back to septic land or will they send someone to fix it?

You really have to weigh the issue up depending on what you are purchasing. I wasn't concerned with the warranty aspect on the item that I purchased.

The purpose of the post wasn't to have a did at Australian retailers .... more as an education of my personal experience with ordering an item from overseas. Before my order I was concerned about the number of things that could have gone wrong purchasing from the other side of the world. As it turns out it was all positive ..... reminds me I should send them an email to say thanks.

**seriph1** · 29th November 2007, 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by Bryan1982

where did you get it from and was there any prob with hooking it up with conversions?????????????

cheers bryan

Brian - Germany is 220-240 and the Gaggenau appliances from the US are auto-switching because many homes are running 220 into their kitchens over there. I only buy items that will run on our system.

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