MOTM

a) if you want "station-to-station" tracking, meaning every step there is a 
scan, you can see it, there are *2* options: UPS and Fed-Ex.

b) since Paul H. is setup on UPS, that is preferred.

c) there is only *1* way to "track", and I use that term loosly, USPS packages. 
That is a service called either 'Express Mail' (delivery in USA) or 'EMS Global 
Mail' (foreign). The reason I say "loosly" is that the package is NOT tracked 
station-to-station in great detail like say Fed-Ex. Rather, all you get is 
really 3 possibilities:

the package was mailed
the package left the US and entered country XYZ
the package was delivered

you DO NOT see Fed-Exish detail like "it's on the truck in Berlin scheduled for 
delivery at 4:11PM".

d) Fed-Ex level of service is VERY EXPENSIVE, sending 4 modules to say Germany 
is approaching $88. Sending 2 modules to Australia is also close to $60. Don't 
fuss at me, I don't set the rates. Heck, sending a SKB full of modules (63 
pounds when double-boxed) to Poland was $894!!

Again, if you want "high tracking ability" and want to pay for it (AND get your 
stuff in 3-4 days) just say so.

Paul S.

> Again, if you want "high tracking ability" and want to
> pay for it (AND get your stuff in 3-4 days) just say so.

So far I am totally happy with the current (non-express) 
shipping method from the US to the Netherlands. Every 
package made it, and in one piece as well. 

Customs is already spoiling the fun by taking 20% of the 
package value. I'm not looking for more costs, and I'm not 
in a hurry either. The only problem of course is insurance, 
and honestly I have no idea who's going to pay for a lost 
package!

- Robert

I much prefer USPS, it is a lot cheaper, and I have never had any problems with it. I don't need my gear to arrive the next day, I just want a cheap reliable service, which is what I get using USPS from the USA to Australia.

USPS does provide a little more detail than what Paul describes, as it tracks it into and out of customs as well...
Track & Confirm 
Shipment Details
Your item cleared customs in AUSTRALIA at 12:50 pm on February 21, 2005. Information, if available, is updated every evening. Please check again later. 
Here is what happened earlier: 
ARRIVED ABROAD, AUSTRALIA, February 21, 2005, 10:25 am 
INTO FOREIGN CUSTOMS, AUSTRALIA, February 21, 2005, 10:25 am 
INTERNATIONAL DISPATCH, LOS ANGELES AMC, February 18, 2005, 1:52 pm 
ACCEPTANCE, February 17, 2005, 4:57 pm, EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245 

Simon
Canberra
AUSTRALIA

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Schreiber [mailto:synth1@airmail.net]
Sent: Monday, 21 February 2005 5:13 PM
To: MOTM litserv
Subject: [motm] More on foreign shipping

c) there is only *1* way to "track", and I use that term loosly, USPS packages. 
That is a service called either 'Express Mail' (delivery in USA) or 'EMS Global 
Mail' (foreign). The reason I say "loosly" is that the package is NOT tracked 
station-to-station in great detail like say Fed-Ex. Rather, all you get is 
really 3 possibilities:

the package was mailed
the package left the US and entered country XYZ
the package was delivered

you DO NOT see Fed-Exish detail like "it's on the truck in Berlin scheduled for 
delivery at 4:11PM". 
  
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