I've decided to use USPS Express Mail for shipping Epson v600 Photo scanner to Russia. This way of shipping is faster than USPS Priority Mail. Besides your parcels are delivered to your door when using USPS Express Mail, while they are delivered to your postal office when using USPS Priority Mail. USPS Express Mail is slightly more expensive than USPS Priority Mail, but it is worth every penny.
Shipping Epson Perfection v600 Photo Scanner using USPS Express Mail from B&H Photo Video costed USD $141.00.
[caption id="attachment_653" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Shipping Epson Perfection v600 Photo Scanner using USPS Express Mail from B&H Photo Video"]
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Shipping Epson Perfection v600 Photo Scanner from Amazon (not its marketplace) to a USA location is absolutely FREE. So I shipped the scanner to my middleman, a US company called Shipito, for free. I've used the "FREE with Super Saver Shipping" option on Amazon.
Then I used Shipito to ship the scanner to Russia via USPS Express Mail. It costed me USD $105.24. Other expenses when using the "Individual packages" plan are equal to zero (no setup fees, no monthly fees).
[caption id="attachment_654" align="alignnone" width="501" caption="Shipping Epson Perfection v600 Photo Scanner from Amazon using Shipito and USPS Express Mail"]
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As you can see, the same shipping method was chosen (USPS Express Mail), but it was USD $35.76 cheaper to ship from Amazon using Shipito, than to ship from B&H Photo Video directly.
Note: The american version of Epson v600 Photo supports 110V only, so you need a different power supply or a voltage stabilizer to use it in Russia. Personally I use Robiton IN3800S AC adapter (Input: 100-240V, 50-60Hz, Output: 24V, 1.5A). It was cheaper to buy Robiton IN3800S and replace its cable with the one from Epson A411B than to buy Epson A411E AC adapter (Input: 220-240V, Output: 24V, 1.3A) or to buy Epson v600 compatible AC adapter (Input: 220-240V, Output: 24V, 1.5A) on eBay. Note that replacing the Robiton IN3800S cable will require you to use special tools and a soldering iron, you won't be able to do it with regular screw drivers only. Besides Robiton I was also suggested to use an AC adapter from MeanWell.
[caption id="attachment_1395" align="alignnone" width="578" caption="Robiton IN3800S (100-240V, 50-60Hz) with Epson A411B cable"]
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Note: Usually Amazon sends multiple goods in several packages, so it is recommended to use the "Virtual Mailbox" plan on Shipito when buying multple items. "Virtual Mailbox" allows you to consolidate packages (You pay only $2 for every consolidated package).
Shipping Epson Perfection v600 Photo Scanner using USPS Express Mail from B&H Photo Video costed USD $141.00.
[caption id="attachment_653" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Shipping Epson Perfection v600 Photo Scanner using USPS Express Mail from B&H Photo Video"]
[/caption]Shipping Epson Perfection v600 Photo Scanner from Amazon (not its marketplace) to a USA location is absolutely FREE. So I shipped the scanner to my middleman, a US company called Shipito, for free. I've used the "FREE with Super Saver Shipping" option on Amazon.
Then I used Shipito to ship the scanner to Russia via USPS Express Mail. It costed me USD $105.24. Other expenses when using the "Individual packages" plan are equal to zero (no setup fees, no monthly fees).
[caption id="attachment_654" align="alignnone" width="501" caption="Shipping Epson Perfection v600 Photo Scanner from Amazon using Shipito and USPS Express Mail"]
[/caption]As you can see, the same shipping method was chosen (USPS Express Mail), but it was USD $35.76 cheaper to ship from Amazon using Shipito, than to ship from B&H Photo Video directly.
Note: The american version of Epson v600 Photo supports 110V only, so you need a different power supply or a voltage stabilizer to use it in Russia. Personally I use Robiton IN3800S AC adapter (Input: 100-240V, 50-60Hz, Output: 24V, 1.5A). It was cheaper to buy Robiton IN3800S and replace its cable with the one from Epson A411B than to buy Epson A411E AC adapter (Input: 220-240V, Output: 24V, 1.3A) or to buy Epson v600 compatible AC adapter (Input: 220-240V, Output: 24V, 1.5A) on eBay. Note that replacing the Robiton IN3800S cable will require you to use special tools and a soldering iron, you won't be able to do it with regular screw drivers only. Besides Robiton I was also suggested to use an AC adapter from MeanWell.
[caption id="attachment_1395" align="alignnone" width="578" caption="Robiton IN3800S (100-240V, 50-60Hz) with Epson A411B cable"]
[/caption]Note: Usually Amazon sends multiple goods in several packages, so it is recommended to use the "Virtual Mailbox" plan on Shipito when buying multple items. "Virtual Mailbox" allows you to consolidate packages (You pay only $2 for every consolidated package).
I am planning to do exactly the same thing: buy an Epson V600 from Amazon
ReplyDeleteand ship it to Moscow via Shipito. I have an anxiety though:
scanner is a hefty fragile appliance. Wouldn't it be too risky to get
it damaged on the way? From your experience, was the packaging
bump-proof ? Thank you for your blog!
Hey Sergey,
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading my blog! And thanks for the good question!
Epson V600 comes in a retail package which protects it. Amazon put it in another box when shipping, so the protection was fine for me. I used USPS Express Mail. It comes much faster than when using USPS Priority Mail. The faster it is the safer it is. Besides I believe that EMS attracts better professionals than the rest of Russian Post.
Not only have I shipped Epson V600 from USA to Russia, but also a laptop, 4 cell phones, a router, a NAS (with 2 HDD drives inside), a video camera. Most of this electronics was shipped via USPS Express Mail or USPS Priority Mail. Of course Russian Post is anything but careful with its packages. For example, see the following video showing how they unload packages http://youtu.be/MReC1XqwJrQ . Sending anything via Russian post has always been risky. Personally I have never had any content of my packages damaged because of the shipping. And a 30% discount is well worth the risk for me.
Also please note that Shipito charges for package insurance by USPS. And although USPS is far away from ideal when paying the insurance, shipping from USA to Russia is not that risky.
I think that the largest risk when shipping electronics is actually not shipping, but the following facts:
1. You can get a malfunctioned item.
2. Your item may break down during the warranty period.
Note that for most electronics the warranty is valid in the USA(or North America) only.
Thank you for your very circumstantial answer.
ReplyDeleteI am thinking it over and weighing all the pros and cons...