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Ok so I was able to place an order with lens rentals for my big camera package for an upcoming trip. They now say they cant ship here after the order went through. They will refund my money BUT I NEED THIS CAMERA equipment! I am devastated.
The issue is customs. They said that delays in customs happen so frequently that they cant guarantee time of arrival. I ordered it a week in advance but they warned me that someone in PR had a friend ship a package and it was stuck in customs for three weeks.
SO I guess long story short is how the hell can I get this camera here? I don't understand custom AT ALL. I order so much stuff from amazon and it never takes long nor does it get lost. It always arrives on time. What is the difference? Does everything go through customs? Is it because its electronics? I asked about the battery thing and they said that wasn't the issue, it was that customs isn't reliable.
This is a once in a lifetime trip so I need to figure this out - like now. I have a friend in FL that can receive the package and ship it to me but wont it have to go through customs anyways that way too - not solving the problem?
I have a friend in NYC that can receive the package and during our layover he can bring it to the airport but I worry that we would miss a plane as I know that airport is crazy busy.
LAST resort is that I can fly to FL I guess for the camera but I really don't want to do that nor do I really have the money to do that. I would if I had to thou.
I am renting it for three weeks and a week prior to going which should give me a buffer period but I have to pay for the rental daily.
HELP! THANKS!
Posted : December 29, 2014 9:10 pm
What is the weight and dimensions of the packaged camera?
Posted : December 29, 2014 9:14 pm
If the lens is foreign made, it's likely to get held up in customs, especially with the holidays.
DISH shipped me a new receiver via UPS but because it was not made in USA, it got held up in customs, for well over a week after it arrived, plus I had to pay duty on it. This was before the holidays.
Know anyone headed here before you leave?
Posted : December 29, 2014 9:24 pm
Topic starter
Oh I don't know. Small isn - Its likely less than 20lbs and I would assume 20x20x20. Its two canon camera bodies and two lenses on elf the lenses is big and weighs lbs.
Ill email them and see thou. Ya got an idea?
Posted : December 29, 2014 9:24 pm
If they send it USPS express mail to you it should be no problem. It's when you use FedEx and UPS that problems occur.
Posted : December 29, 2014 9:39 pm
what Ronnie said!
Posted : December 29, 2014 9:51 pm
Try posting on St Thomas and St John Bargains, Sales and Trades Facebook page. Someone could be flying back. Good luck.
Posted : December 29, 2014 9:59 pm
Topic starter
Sorry my keyboard was freaking out I guess. I mean its going to be smallish. I assume about 10-15lbs. One lens is 4.2lbs.
Posted : December 29, 2014 11:25 pm
Sorry my keyboard was freaking out I guess. I mean its going to be smallish. I assume about 10-15lbs. One lens is 4.2lbs.
Post office.
Posted : December 30, 2014 12:07 am
What Ronnie says is true. I've never had anything held up at customs that was shipped USPS. Have them mail to a friend to express mail to you. You can use my P.O. BOX # if need be.
Posted : December 30, 2014 12:07 am
I'll bite,.....where are you going? If you can share,...that is : )
Posted : December 30, 2014 12:35 am
If this were happening to me, I'd contact the head person in Customs and get the facts. I would hope that he/she could clarify exactly the process and help you get your camera parts here without delay.
If they are your problem, they are also your solution. There's nothing to lose by talking to them. Good luck and please tell us how it turns out.
Posted : December 30, 2014 2:28 am
Who says it will get delayed by customs? They won't ship post office?
Posted : December 30, 2014 9:39 am
It MAY. Customs doesn't check everything according to UPS but randomly. So best to not take the chance. When I went to put my receiver, several other people waiting had their packages held up for delivery because they were waiting to be cleared thru by Customs.
You can indeed call Customs. Good luck with that.
The woman I spoke to was extremely unhelpful bordering on rude.
Hope you fare better.
Posted : December 30, 2014 10:01 am
Topic starter
If this were happening to me, I'd contact the head person in Customs and get the facts. I would hope that he/she could clarify exactly the process and help you get your camera parts here without delay.
If they are your problem, they are also your solution. There's nothing to lose by talking to them. Good luck and please tell us how it turns out.
Agreed - I think I will do just that. I am soooo nervous that it wont make it and the lens rentals.com said that they've had issues with USPS also. I just can not afford for this to get held up. I think I am going to rent it for an additional week and a half and just pay the $40 per day fee. This will give me SOME wiggle room I think.
Margie - I am going to south Africa - first to Paris then to Joburg - Krueger for a treehouse safari and then to Cape town to dive with the Great Whites, bulls and HOPEFULLY hammerheads. Yes I know I am a bit coo coo but I really love sharks. 😀 Happy 35th birthday to ME!
Took a few last month in St. Marteen before camera flooded lol. http://adrianpoe.smugmug.com/St-Martin-/i-TSfRpw3
Posted : December 30, 2014 10:19 pm
If this were happening to me, I'd contact the head person in Customs and get the facts. I would hope that he/she could clarify exactly the process and help you get your camera parts here without delay.
If they are your problem, they are also your solution. There's nothing to lose by talking to them. Good luck and please tell us how it turns out.
Agreed - I think I will do just that.
With all due respect, doing that is a total waste of time and effort and will only frustrate you more. Have it sent Express Mail via USPS.
Posted : December 30, 2014 10:28 pm
Had a feeling a safari was involved! Lol! I went to Kenya several years ago and begged, borrowed and stole all the photographic and video equipment I could! Enjoy!!!
Posted : December 30, 2014 11:21 pm
Topic starter
I am flying to FL to get the rental.
I found a ticket for $228 and since I have a chase sapphire preferred that I used to book the trip I have $700 in free airline tickets. I wanted to save that for hopefully a dive trip next year to Egypt but oh well. Not that much really. Even better with booking travel with the rewards I get more for less kind of - so the ticket only costs $180. Ideally I didn't want to have to do this BUT for my sanity and peace of mind I am gonna go pick it up. At least I have friends in FL that can accept the package there.
Cant WAIT to play with a 600mm lens!!! :-O I also get to play with on island for a week! Get ready for some great parrot pics! lol. Ive been trying for good pics of them since I moved here.
ps. I highly recommend that Sapphire CC. It is fab and has awesome rewards.
Posted : December 31, 2014 12:42 am
Topic starter
Totally worth it:
First is with a regular point and shoot and the latter with the Sigma 600mm. :-O
Awesome.
Regular camera - red circle is parrot
No crop 60mm
Cropped
Size matters lol
Posted : January 17, 2015 5:17 pm
Awesome!
So glad you got your lens for your trip. A bit challenging but hope you took advantage of being in FL to hit a shopping mall and stock up!
I am overdue for a fix!
Thanks for sharing your pics.
Can't wait to see the pics of these great whites!
Have an amazing adventure on your trip!
Posted : January 17, 2015 5:50 pm
Topic starter
Na I just made sure I had a carne asada burrito and cracker barrel lol. No time to ship its was a burn and turn trip.
Posted : January 17, 2015 6:32 pm
beautiful and big difference for sure. and did you bring any cracker barrel back for the restof us?
Posted : January 18, 2015 10:06 am
That is some long, fast glass! Have a great adventure!
Posted : January 18, 2015 12:03 pm
Just out of curiosity, what would that lens have cost if you bought it?
Posted : January 19, 2015 2:01 pm
Totally worth it:
First is with a regular point and shoot and the latter with the Sigma 600mm. :-O
Awesome.Regular camera - red circle is parrot
No crop 60mm
Cropped
Size matters lol
Make sure you have some prime lenses or shorter telephotos. Having been on safari myself, you'll be surprised just how close you actually get to most of the critters.
Posted : January 19, 2015 10:24 pm
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