Shipping charges and queries. (drums stuff)

[marcdadrummer]

Hey to all!

My situation's pretty much easy but there are lots of problems that'll pop up here and there.

Im gonna start work soon, and have planned out what im gonna get prior to every month's pay. Anyways, issit better to save up my salary for 4 months, and get everything i want? The list would be:

1x TD-20 roland drum module
1x Gibraltar V-rack with 1 side extensions and extra clamps
1x 16" or 14" Floor tom
2x 10" toms
1x Hi-hat stand
8x Mesh heads
2x Buddy Rich signature Stick
5x aquarian cymbal springs
8x Roland Foam cone


So my question to all of y'all out there with experience in brining in stuff from the states, will it be better to buy all these things in bulk and ship em once or buy em piece by piece every after one month prior to my salary??

myner told me that if u bring in bulk, it'll be cheaper but the Vpost said $8.99 for every kg onwars. 12.99 base charge..

thats a plethora of stuff to buy so thats why im gonna get me arse off and work it for 3 to 4 months.. should be enough lah.

any help i forward it with a thank you.

regards:d

 

[angry]

Other than the acutal weight, Vpost charges the volumetric weight as well, whichever is higher. So do take that into consideration as well.

 

[marcdadrummer]

so that means they take whichever's the higher priced weight?? huh i dont get it man??

 

[weckl-x]

I've been analyzing this for awhile myself...

$12.99 + $8.99 per kg* thereafter.
*based on volumetric weight@ or actual weight whichever is higher
Volumetric weight is calculated by (Length X Breadth X Height)/366 where the dimensions are in inches; or (Length X Breadth X Height)/6000 where the dimensions are in centimeters.

BULK is definitely the way to go, piece-by-piece is just way too much for shipping.

Pros:
Customers need to pay only one base charge for multiple shipments under the same category.

Cons:
GST is calculated based on the Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) value of the item plus all duties payable. GST relief is granted on items (excluding intoxicating liquors and tobacco products) imported by a total value not exceeding S$400. Where the value exceeds S$400, the entire sum would be subject to GST. The current GST rate is 5% of CIF.

If you have a friend/relative in the states, the ultimate CHEAPEST would be to send to them, then get them to send to you using USPS Economy (surface) parcel post, but only thing is that it takes damn long (4-6 weeks) and it's not trackable.

Can calculate USPS rates using this link
http://ircalc.usps.gov/default.asp?Mode=Intl_Single&CID=10378

24lbs
Vpost SGD$110.98
USPS economy SGD$80

60lbs
Vpost SGD$258.42
USPS economy SGD$150

 

[sadisticnoob]

some of these can be bought in singapore and some can be bought overseas why dont u buy the td 20 here and get the rest from somewhere else.....btw buddy rich sticks are good i used them super heavy and nice

 

[marcdadrummer]

oh?? i just got my steve gadd siggy from swee lee just now.. i thought of getting the buddy rich one but i dunno which's better. so i chose this one.. anyways, does the buddy rich stick holds up strong?? like does it chip real easy??

 

[marcdadrummer]

oh, i forgot, where to get TD-20 the module just by itself??? i've tried swee lee they only bring in the td-20bk set with all the pads and all... i just want the module... u know where to get??

 

[sadisticnoob]

oh singapore dont sell the moducle by itself due to small market ...(damn it) btw ..i havent tried steve gadd sticks ..buddy rich sticks are good if u play rock as the stick is heavy...as for the chippin part...it depends on how u use the stick

 

[joshie]

rock? hahaha its more jazz. solid sticks.

 

[marcdadrummer]

ahh... wecklx, how do u find ur stick bag, good anort?? the 8 bucks one from sweelee?? thing of buying that and scrape off my current one. can post pics of the inside?? the 3 pockets for 3 sticks and the right side with 4 sticks?? thx man!

 

[weckl-x]

ahh... wecklx, how do u find ur stick bag, good anort?? the 8 bucks one from sweelee?? thing of buying that and scrape off my current one. can post pics of the inside?? the 3 pockets for 3 sticks and the right side with 4 sticks?? thx man!

Okay, a quick simple review. Picture quality not great, taken with my 3230. Digicam on loan to a friend.

Ritter Junior Stick Bag

What I like about it:
-Lightweight
-Decent quality
-Simple design - Holds what I need, no frills
-Left wide pocket allows me to fit A4 song/set list, lyrics folded in half
-Bloody affordable aka cheap =p

This is not for you if...
-you might throw the bag around, this is not padded at all.
-you need to carry more than 8 pairs of sticks/mallets/brushes
-the word 'Junior' makes you feel like a noob

Notes:

See the two velcro straps on the inside of the bag? You can either add plastic rings, or carabiners, to either attach stuff you don't wanna dig around about, or add strings if you wanna hang off the floor tom. I prefer to rest it against the floor tom, so no issue for me. Ear plugs + drumkey for me.

On the left wide pocket, I put 5 pairs to give an idea of the fit. I'm sure 6-7 will do too, just bulk up the bag more. I usually have 3-4 pairs on the left wide pocket, that allows me to fit in a meinl aluminium shaker. Yes, the bag still zips up okay.

 

[marcdadrummer]

wow, thanks for the review!! there's no sling to it so u can carry it around in ur shoulder right??

 

[weckl-x]

wow, thanks for the review!! there's no sling to it so u can carry it around in ur shoulder right??

You're welcome! Nope, just a hand strap. I usually don't use it though, prefer to hold in my hand by my side like one carries books/files.

 

[marcdadrummer]

ah.. coolness man!! i just bought a fake bag from sweelee, quite old looking i thought i just got scammed when i saw ur that they have a cheaper bag with at least a name to it... haha, anyways, my bag no brand one..

umm, if i may ask, are u a member of Vpost?? if yeah, what stuff have u brought in here??

cheerios!

 

[joshie]

weckl post that in the review section. will do those interested in buying stickbags some good.

 

[weckl-x]

umm, if i may ask, are u a member of Vpost?? if yeah, what stuff have u brought in here??

cheerios!

I am. Not like you so hiong! Just used it for one cymbal I bought from someone on a US forum.

 

[weckl-x]

weckl post that in the review section. will do those interested in buying stickbags some good.

Yeah, will do when I get my camera back. These pictures are awful crap!

 

[weckl-x]

weckl-x do you know how to work vpost?

Yo joshie,

It's pretty simple actually, anyone can register for free.
https://www.vpost.com.sg/vpost/ezySignUp

I've used vpost for a couple of things, not too bad, reliable, if a bit on the expensive side. You'll need at least debit card to make payment

Recently found another service:
http://www.comgateway.com

Did some calculations, this service is definitely cheaper if you're getting stuff that weighs more than 3kg. Only for AMEX or Mastercard holders though. I'm thinking of giving it a shot.

Example: For a 10kg package
with vpost will be about $110++
with CGW will be $60++

 

[marcdadrummer]

and i thought vpost uses SGD for their currency?

 

[weckl-x]

and i thought vpost uses SGD for their currency?

Yup, what makes you think otherwise?