DiyLightAnimation
Hardware => Lynx Smart String => Topic started by: lightguy on February 27, 2011,
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Am I doing something silly here the shipping costs are horrendous and more than the lights and quantity does not seam to pro rate either? Lightguy
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I was just typing up a post on the subject and you beat me to it.
Maybe I am just used to domestic shipping rates. I would have thought that the first item would be expensive and it would drop down quickly from there. However it stays expensive (although slightly less so) for each item you purchase. For the rigid strips to ship the first one it is almost double the price of the strip. If you buy the max of 20 the shipping cost is 100% of the purchase price.
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Just make up a list of the part number and how many you want and send it to him and he can take care of you. I think their site is stupid and I think it treats everything as a new order. But shipping from china is not cheap so be aware of that. I sent him a message but no one there tonight. Mine also did the same thing.
RJ
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RJ,
I know you put a lot of time (and probably a bunch of money) into trying to get these in with a license to make these more afordable for all of us. The shipping prices are ridiculous! <md..
I have 20 controllers in the coop, but I am now reconsidering what I really want to do with this... :(
Sorry to vent on you and it should not reflect as a lack of effort on your part. Thanks for all you do and thanks to Bill for running the controller coop.
Shipping OUCH!
Charles S
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I ordered some stuff in mid-December from him and emailed him with the multiple items that I wanted and he replied back with the total for the entire thing. It was much less than utilizing the "shopping cart" on his site as it charged shipping for each different item.
I can imagine with all of us trying to get our orders in that he will be overloaded with the requests, so give him time.
I had looked at purchasing the same items from a supplier here in the US (that had imported them) and it was still cheaper to go through Ray and pay the international shipping charges with my order once he gave me an overall total. The site doesn't do well when you're ordering multiple types of items together as one order.
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I just talked to him and he says wait two hours and reorder. He is working on the site to get it to see them as a single order better. But says he needs a few hours to get it changed.
RJ
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If I wanted more then 20 of the rigid boards should I contact him or place more then one order? The original plan was for 52 of them.. lol
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RJ or others that have been through ordering from Ray already -- what shipping method would you recommend? I know some shippers require all sorts of customs brokerage fees, etc., so I didn't want to get into that.
Also, is there a preferred payment method?
Thanks,
Jon
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Can't talk to anything else but I normally get it DHL and pay the extra couple dollars over EMS cause EMS can be unbelievable slow and you never know where it's at or if it will come.
I pay paypal but I can't say whats best for everyone else.
RJ
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It seems that it might be working correctly now.
If I select DHL on every item, it does seem to reduce/combine the shipping as your order grows.
It seems that the DHL shipping is approx. 20% of the order subtotal, does that sound right?
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It seems that it might be working correctly now.
If I select DHL on every item, it does seem to reduce/combine the shipping as your order grows.
It seems that the DHL shipping is approx. 20% of the order subtotal, does that sound right?
Yes,
My previous orders have been in that area on the shipping in the past. I am afraid it is not cheap to ship around the world weither I do it for you in a coop or on your own. For the first time person ordering from there it will surprise you a little since we are so use to such cheap shipping here. I know when I send a package to Australia it always sets me back on the shipping since we send 6 express in the states for under $11 but it cost like $48 to send it there the same way and that is slow postal service.
DHL would be twice that I am sure.
RJ
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And yet china companies like Deal Extreme can keep low prices and free shipping to the US so I wonder how they do it....
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some places offer free shipping using the slow mail method.
I dont like it, b/c it gets scary close to when your payment goes through... if you didnt get what you ordered, and that time passes (close to 30 days, i think) then they get their money, and you dont have many options to open a dispute with a merchant.
I've ordered from there and used the slow method. My item came with only hours left on their payment countdown.
Plus using this method, the tracking option isnt as often updated like here in the US.
my item said "leaving origin outward exchange" for almost a whole month, then finally changed to "out for delivery" after it already came in my local post office here in town" It's a big difference from the "package handled by post office A, package handled by post office B(5min down the road, 15min later)" that we're used to here in the states.
I'm kinda glad to only have a faster option here, as the smart strings i've been anticipating ever since i became a member here. <;d
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Anyone else having problems adding products to your cart? I click the add to cart button and a window comes up saying "Adding a product to your Shopping Cart..." with a spinning "i am working on it" type thing. But the thing keeps spinning and if I check my cart nothing is there.
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IF you are using IE 8 or 9, click on the page compatibility button (looks like a torn piece of paper) right after where you type the web address (www...) in.
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Is there any reason to rush on these? Presumably the supplier will make these available for some time. Before everyone rushes to order, it might make sense to get some people in reasonably close locations to group buy (see -- I didn't say Co-Op!!!). Clearly the price per pixel drops as quantities drop...to less than $0.70/node for Smart Strings.
If anyone is in CT, RI, or MA - I'd be happy to take this offline and discuss how we can combine our orders to save on shipping.
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First - thanks to everyone for their hard work in setting this up.
RE: shipping - as of this morning, it looks like even quantities of 1000 smart strings, shipping only drops to ~$10 per string. By contrast, [4M flexible] LED strips @ 1000 strips, shipping is about $3 per strip. I'd definitely be interested in knowing if there is a slower/cheaper method of shipping for the individual nodes. As long as they are here by ~September, I'd be super happy!
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Rigid Strips shipping is still showing at $13 per even at order quantity of 20. The shipping cost is doubling the price of the strip and making them more expensive than the flexible strip now (per node). Maybe the solution is to buy flexible strips and cut them to the needed length instead.
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20 rigid strips still asking for $160 bucks
OUCH...........
Will be selling my ssc/hub kits when they arrive.......... <md..
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some places offer free shipping using the slow mail method.
I dont like it, b/c it gets scary close to when your payment goes through... if you didnt get what you ordered, and that time passes (close to 30 days, i think) then they get their money, and you dont have many options to open a dispute with a merchant.
I've ordered from there and used the slow method. My item came with only hours left on their payment countdown.
Plus using this method, the tracking option isnt as often updated like here in the US.
my item said "leaving origin outward exchange" for almost a whole month, then finally changed to "out for delivery" after it already came in my local post office here in town" It's a big difference from the "package handled by post office A, package handled by post office B(5min down the road, 15min later)" that we're used to here in the states.
I'm kinda glad to only have a faster option here, as the smart strings i've been anticipating ever since i became a member here. <;d
I've always gotten my free shipped stuff from DealExtreme within 2-3 weeks of when they said they shipped. I would gladly wait that extra time to save the shipping costs. When it took longer, it was because they did not ship it which is likely the issue with your orders.
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From a couple different cart configurations, it looks like shipping ends up being about 12-15% of your order (DHL). Doesn't look like there is a slow-boat option. The formula they used really seems to punish the wire (weight?).
1 100-node pixel string was the same shipping cost as 4 lots of 20 (80) of the rectangular nodes (~$25)
I've place a rather minimal order to sample some of these. I would rather pay shipping twice and make sure I'm getting what I want.
For me the most interesting thing would be a domestic coop on the wire. I don't need 300ft, and would pay more per foot to be able to order smaller qty.
Also - have the links the the stranded cat5 been posted anywhere yet - haven't seen them.
-P
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Some shipping costs seem to be out of "whack". The square ones are $17.15 or "one lot", but if I put 20 in, it is $65.37 which is very reasonable.
Side question....for the square ones, there is only three wires but I thought the systme needs four (data, clock, power, ground)? Is the metal case the "ground"? Or, is it the wrong picture?
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Some shipping costs seem to be out of "whack". The square ones are $17.15 or "one lot", but if I put 20 in, it is $65.37 which is very reasonable.
Side question....for the square ones, there is only three wires but I thought the systme needs four (data, clock, power, ground)? Is the metal case the "ground"? Or, is it the wrong picture?
All SS lights are 3 wire. Power ( + and -) and Data
Rick R.
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Thanks Rick.
I noticed on the rectangular modules ... it shows a picture with 4 wires. Can we safely assume that 3 wires is what we get?
Also, I know we can use Cat5 wiring ... so when would I use cat5 vs. these 3 wire ribbons?
I'm assuming that each module (square or rectangular) comes with a short amount of wire attached, but I'm assuming its fairly short per module.
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Cat5 from SS Hub to SS controller, 3 wire cable from SS controller to nodes.
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Placed my order... the change that was made last night made a HUGE difference. The final price per node was 0.6754 for 16 strings of 75. Not used to the shipping costs. Other Chinese outfits I have ordered before have not been that "shocking." Thanks once again RJ and Company for all the time, money and effort you put into this small hobby. Now if I could only land another job and clone myself!
Charles S.
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And people have been buying LED retrofit C9(s) for $1.00 per node for the last couple years and they can only do one color. So I still think its a major breakthrough.
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FYI,
I went to ups and got a price to ship a box big enough to carry 20 ridge strips from them to me. I weight them and sized the box just big enough to put some packing around them.
The cheapest was the economy express for $351 :o
So they get a lot better deal than I can on the shipping.
RJ
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FYI -
I contacted Ray Wu directly and he created a link for my order. When I first tried using the links given to order each item I wanted the shipping added up to $367 (yesterday). After I contacted Mr. Wu directly he made a special link for my order and the shipping dropped to $132 and this is something that I can live with. This is no bad at all considering the size on my order of 32 smart strings, 1 square RGB, 3 Rectangle RGB, 2 Flex strip RGB, 1 Wire and 3 connectors. ;D
Thank you RJ for providing the tip on this!
Pete
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Seems like the shipping charge issues have stabilized. Will the customs, brokerage, etc charges be luck of the draw? I am waiting to see if any of you guys are as "lucky" as me ;D Maybe as long as the order isn't large it won't cause any issues...
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I just want to second the recommendation to contact Ray for a combined shipping quote.
I used the online contact form to tell Ray exactly the items (put in links from the PM) and qty of each ... and indicated diylightanimation specs for these items (just to be sure). He got me a quote back (overnight) with a custom link to buy and saved some on shipping.
It appears the larger your order, the more you might save on shipping. A few members with $2000+ orders have reduced shipping to around 10-11% of subtotal ... and mine being a smaller order was 16% ... but better than the 21% I had in my shopping cart. Used DHL on everything.
It appears for those order a lot of smart strings and/or rigid strips ... your really would want to get a quote like this.
He usually just puts a image of one of the items into your custom page, and marks it as a free shipping item, but the shipping just gets itemized into the subtotal, so it appears your buying one combined item with free shipping.
I have also found that sometimes your invoice has pictures (of all items) and sometimes does not. I'm just a little worried, since his invoice doesn't show enough detail to verify whats what on my order, so I'm asking him to add more detail. Not sure why mine was more abbreviated than others, but its just not making me secure in pushing the order button till its clear.
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Hate to repeat this if it has been answered elsewhere- but are we to expect customs tariffs after landing? Many things I have ordered from China before came with a 30 day later surprise bill for customs....
RW
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Forward air told me it only applys to orders over $2000 invoice not including shipping. At least when I was working on trying to put the coop together. I have never had to pay additional so I am not sure what you are buying.
RJ
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Well after reading this (maybe I should of waited for the caffeine to kick in) http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_trade/internet_purchases.xml
I am still confused. I see the $2000 and $200 marks. I see if using a international post office or courier shipping, also personal vs commercial
Confusing :)
Cheers
Rick R.
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Rick,
Sounds like after reading that, keep your orders under 2k and keep any company names off the shipping label so they are not mistaken as commercial use. As long as no other restriction get caught, hopefully no one will have any issues getting our stuff from Ray.
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I am guessing that I should not see any extra costs. My Material total is $176.85
But who know until it arrives and gets past the invoice time frame
Cheers
Rick R.
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Rick
I ordered a few orders from Ray last year under $500 each. Did not have any issues, but that was then and this is now. :)
hopefully no one has any issues. We are all keeping our fingers crossed.
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Rick,
Sounds like after reading that, keep your orders under 2k and keep any company names off the shipping label so they are not mistaken as commercial use. As long as no other restriction get caught, hopefully no one will have any issues getting our stuff from Ray.
That's not how I read it. Rick should be fine under $200 but there is still a chance. Being under $2000 means that it can be sent in as informal but that doesn't exclude it from possible tarrifs.
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I'm checking with my friend who is a customs broker.
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I am guessing that I should not see any extra costs. My Material total is $176.85
But who know until it arrives and gets past the invoice time frame
Usually this isn't a problem since Ray usually puts on a "modified" invoice that lists the items as less than you paid so you don't end up paying duties.
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Wow dmoore. So Ray is defrauding them-
Guess I will just try to figure out how much it is in case I get hit with it and see if it does not run the price out.
I have 62 strings of 75. Might get him to re-quote it and break it out smaller to see that it might avoid fees.
I just received a $1800 order from China last month and received a customs bill in the mail last week from the shipper for almost $250. It was jewelry.
Not trying to cause concern for anyone just wanting to know what the experience was and whether it was an item SUBJECT TO CUSTOMS.
RW
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Just want to check in with others, did anyone else get a message from Ray asking if he could get an extension in processing the order because the production of the lights was not yet complete?
-P
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Got one yesterday... I extended the 5 days...
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Its up to you
If you don't extend it then your order will be canceled
Cheers
Rick R.
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Yea, extended mine 5 days also
Rick
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My order indicates it shipped 3/8 but it was a small order (281 nodes). Looks like the nodes will beat the controllers and hub in getting to me!
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My order indicates it shipped 3/8 but it was a small order (281 nodes). Looks like the nodes will beat the controllers and hub in getting to me!
How were you able to find this info? everytime i sign in to check my order it does not take me any where i have had no update on my order?
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at the top, click on "my orders"
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I got an email AND it is under My Orders on the site.
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Mine has said for over a week now, Awaiting Shipping from Supplier..
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Interesting, I wonder if Ray has put orders into a "shipped" state to buy time on Alibaba to finish manufacturing?
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if you get yours before the rest of us, then we'll know... :D
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one of my smaller orders also indicated shipped - been that way since 3/5/12 Oddly, when I try to use the DHL tracking number - DHL can't find any record of that number. There is also an odd msg under Remarks saying "will let you know the revised DHL tracking number soon " .
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a lot of times that could be while a package is still moving in china, or waiting in the chinese version of customs.
I've had several packages wait there, before finally making it to the US
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one of my smaller orders also indicated shipped - been that way since 3/5/12 Oddly, when I try to use the DHL tracking number - DHL can't find any record of that number. There is also an odd msg under Remarks saying "will let you know the revised DHL tracking number soon " .
That tracking number is fake. He puts in in to "stop the clock" so the order doesn't get canceled 5 days after you place it. So, more than likely you order has not shipped yet. Aliexpress "policy" is that you should be sent an email from Aliexpress asking if you wish to "extend processing" of your order and if you don't the order is canceled and your money is refunded. I can see where it would be a hassle for him to make sure all his customers extend their time since if they didn't he would be stuck with the items in the time between when you placed the order and when he ships it.
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That tracking number is fake. He puts in in to "stop the clock" so the order doesn't get canceled 5 days after you place it.
Yeah, I have seen this same technique used to bypass the clock.
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Yes, I have received the email about extending the date which I did by quite a bit. I hope that he fills the orders by FIFO instead of using the amount of extension time given. Also, the shipping date is on one of the five orders I have and not the first nor the last but one in the middle. It is also for the smallest amount. It would seem like he would place fake dates for all of the orders. BTW before anyone jumps on me - I am not suggesting Ray a "shady" businessman - he has generally been quite responsive.
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Agreed! He is just working the system for best advantage.
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I ordered 20 of the 5050's rectangle. I spoke to him in chat and he said they would ship out Monday (tomorrow). I verified the date with him also, so we will see what happens.