Read the fine print, you doofus!

Let this be a negative example to all of you out there toying with the idea of using Vpost for your online transactions.

Don't know what vpost is? Well read about it here. Essentially, it is a mail forwarding service operated by Singapore Post which provides you with a US based address so you can shop with US retailers that do not ship overseas. You supposedly save on shipping as you pay domestic US postage prices and upon receipt of item at their US sorting facilty, you pay another sum in Singapore dollars (base charge plus item charge) for the item to be delivered to your doorstep. Shipping charges are 'transparent' and can be viewed here. So far so good right?

That's what I thought too. Perfectly reasonable. So the other day, I was noseying around ebay when I spotted a bag. I'm always a sucker for bargains and decided that I'll try to make a bid for it. Its a brand name toiletries bag and I put in a bid of USD 5, because I was quite sure that someone else would outbid me and I'll lose the bid. To my pleasant surprise, the auction ended with me being the sole bidder. The seller does not ship international and instead of asking for the parcel to be sent to my friend, I decided that I'd use Vpost instead, having signed up recently.

Ok.. everything is fine and dandy up to now and I was really looking forward to it. Until I received the bill from Vpost. It costs SGD28.30 to ship my item to Singapore. Yes. SGD 28.30 to ship a USD5 bag to singapore. That's what.. almost USD20? I rubbed my eyes and examined the bill. Ahh.. the seller being the professional that she is, had shipped it in a BOX. And according to Vpost shipping charges site, I have to pay a base charge of SGD12.99 + item charge which is "$8.99 per kg* thereafter. *based on volumetric weight@ or actual weight whichever is higher".

Fine.I was expecting to pay at the most SGD22. But nooo.. because my item came in a box, its volumetric weight was 1.7kg! And this for an item which weighed only 100g ( I know.. 8.99/kg, but I just want to illustrate how ridiculous it is).

So.. anyway.. I sent an email to vpost asking them if they are willing to stuff the item in an envelope and resend me the bill, or they can keep the item if that's not possible. I'm prepared to write off the money I have already spent. Seriously, even if I coughed up the money to have it forwarded, I will be super pissed off everytime I see it anyway. Upset with myself for being so silly, and who wants to be reminded about their follies? Best to forget about it.

Lessons?
1) If you are shopping on ebay and the merchant does not ship overseas, ask/beg them to. However much they will ask for is peanuts compared to paying for shipping twice over.

2) If you really insist on vpost (yes.. base charge consolidation can be really attractive if you make multiple purchases), make sure to ask your seller to ship in in a flat pack envelope. Be nice. If you piss your seller off, all they have to do is mail your item in the biggest box they can find and you will be well and truly fucked. Does not matter if you bought a box of matches. They can ship it in a DHL jumbo box for all they care.

3) ALWAYS READ THE FINE PRINT

Or

4) Friends and family in the States? Use FPOST instead.

P.S. I am not complaining about having to pay. I admit it was an oversight on my part (I thought most ebay sellers will ship in envelopes to maximise their profits; nice to know that this particular one is professional) and vpost is not in the wrong. After all, it is stated very clearly on their site. I am just upset with myself for not reading the fine print.