My top American online stores and private shopping clubs where I make most of my purchases

I have received 33 packages from my package forwarding company (parcel forwarder, freight forwarder) Shipito to this date. I've started with smaller packages of 3-8 kg and ended up getting packages of 9-18 kg. I've been buying all kind of stuff from electronics and toys to clothing and shoes. Most of my purchases have been coming from 3 online sources:

• Amazon USA,


• private shopping clubs (fashion sale, private sale, sample sale, flash sale sites),


• sports online stores

.

Amazon USA

Personally I prefer to use amazon.com more than any other US shop. There are several reasons for that:

• Amazon is the largest online store in the USA.


• Accepts international debit and credit cards.


• Ships to freight forwarders (also know as mail forwarders, package forwarders, parcel forwarders) like Shipito.


• Very good customer service and at refunds.


• International shipping available for many countries including Russia. Although products sold on the Amazon marketplace are not shipped worldwide. And even products sold by Amazon itself sometimes can not be shipped outside the USA.


• You don't need to pay any sales tax (9.5% in California) when shipping from Amazon to the Oregon or Nevada warehouses of Shipito.*

* Note Tualatin, Oregon is a no sales tax location, so you will not pay any sales taxes when shipping to the Tualatin warehouse of Shipito. The warehouse of Shipito in Nevada allows to avoid sales tax as well, but currently this is only valid for shops that do not have any physical presence in Nevada. There are also several Californian warehouses of Shipito; you will have to pay the sales tax when shipping to any of them in many cases.

My overall experience with Amazon is very positive. However there is a group of sites where prices for clothing, shoes and many other items are more attractive every day.

American private shopping clubs (fashion sale, private sale, sample sale, flash sale sites)

I buy most of my clothing and shoes from USA private shopping clubs (also known as fashion sale, private sale, sample sale, flash sale sites). These sites are usually an invitation only clubs (see the invitation links below). They organize flash sales events for its members that typically last 1 to 3 days. Members can buy fashion, designer clothing and shoes for men, women, kids at discounted prices (typically 40-90%). You can also buy jewerly, cosmetics and many other types of good there. My favorite private shopping clubs:

• RueLaLa,


• Gilt,


• TheClymb,


• Zulily,


• Ideel (20+ orders for the past 3 years!),


• Myhabit

While you may use Assisted Purchases from Shipito or any other service when making purchases in online stores, such services won't work well with flash sales that private shopping clubs offer. So it is really great that the above mentioned private shopping clubs support international debit/credit cards and ship to freight forwarders like Shipito.

Although there are plenty of private shopping clubs, they offer fashion and designer clothing mostly. So I still have to shop for many sporting goods elsewhere.

American sports online stores

I make purchases in several trusted sports online stores and outlets:

• Sierra Trading Post,


• Department of Goods (outlet),


• Altrec (and Altrec outlet),


• REI (and REI outlet),


• Backcountry.

I buy sports clothing, shoes and gear mostly on sales or in the outlets.

Share your experience

How do you like American online stores and private shopping clubs mentioned in this article? Do you prefer to make purchases elsewhere?

See also:

• Invitations to private shopping sites offering International Shipping
• All our purchases at Ideel private shopping club (private sale club, sample sale site, flash sale site, designer sale site, fashion sale site) 

Shipito can ship lithium batteries and electronics with lithium,Li-ion, Li-pol batteries through postal system again

Packages with lithium batteries and electronics with lithium, Li-ion, Li-pol batteries can be delivered through Shipito Airmail Priority shipping method again. Tracking is not available at this moment, but packages are insured. Shipito Airmail Priority packages are handled by postal services around the world.

USPS does not accept lithium batteries and electronics with them because they use passenger planes to transport packages. But some other postal services do NOT have these restrictions, because they use cargo planes. Shipito Airmail Priority packages containing lithium, Li-ion, Li-pol batteries are routed through these postal services, so you may easily overcome the lithium battery restrictions! Moreover Shipito Airmail Priority is cheaper than USPS for light and small packages, so you can even save money by using it.

Update (08/13/2012)
Customers from Russia can also use Shipito Airmail Express. This shipping method comes with both tracking and insurance.

Update (11/07/2012)
Customers from Russia can also use Russian Post Standard. This shipping method comes with both tracking and insurance.

Update (11/11/2012)
Effective Nov. 15, 2012, USPS will start accepting specific quantities of lithium batteries - when installed in the equipment they are intended to operate - to be sent to many international destinations, when permitted by the destination or host country.
Update (November 06, 2013)
Shipito Airmail can no longer be used for shipping lithium batteries. But you may use alternative shipping methods offered by Shipito for that including USPS Priority, USPS Express, Russian Post, FedEx, DHL and TNT.

10 free PDF, XPS, EPUB, MOBI ebooks from Microsoft Press (MS Office 2010, Office 365, SQL Server, Windows Server, Visual Studio,...)

Microsoft Press offers 10 eBooks for free in PDF, XPS, MOBI and EPUB formats:

• Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2012


• Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2


• Introducing Windows Server 2008 R2


• Understanding Microsoft Virtualization Solutions (Second Edition)


• Microsoft Office 365: Connect and Collaborate Virtually Anywhere, Anytime


• First Look Microsoft Office 2010


• Security and Privacy for Microsoft Office Users


• Deploying Windows 7, Essential Guidance


• Moving to Microsoft Visual Studio 2010


• Programming Windows Phone 7, by Charles Petzold

How to see credit balance for your Amazon MP3, Kindle Store, Instant Video Download, Software/Video/Games Downloads

To see credit balance for your Amazon MP3, Kindle Store, Instant Video Download, Software/Video/Games Downloads:

1. Visit the following page How to Redeem Your Code for Amazon MP3.


2. Click onto the "Enter your code" button (you don't need to enter any code to see your credits balance).

[caption id="attachment_2235" align="alignnone" width="596"] Amazon: Credit balance[/caption]

$20 discount on Certified Refurbished Kindle 6" Wi-Fi with Special Offers

Today only, Amazon offers the Certified Refurbished Amazon Kindle 6" Wi-Fi eInk Book Reader with Special Offers for $49 with free shipping.

How to get a $20 voucher and redeem it onto Certified Refurbished Amazon Kindle 6

1. Click here for a $20 off voucher


2. Go to the Your Vouchers page and click "View code". It might take a few minutes to show up.


3. Add the refurbished and certified Kindle 6" WiFi eInk Book Reader to your shopping cart for $69


4. Apply your voucher to drop the price to $49

What you need to know about the discount

• Voucher must be redeemed by May 29, 2012


• Ships only to U.S. addresses


• Limited to one per customer


• Voucher is valid for $20 off the regular price of $69 for a Certified Refurbished Kindle with Special Offers from Amazon.com; customer will be responsible for $49 payment to Amazon.com, plus applicable taxes and shipping charges


• Includes Certified Refurbished Kindle with Special Offers wireless e-reader and USB 2.0 cable; power adapter sold separately


• Certified Refurbished Kindle orders are eligible for Prime and Super Saver Shipping


• Voucher is available for use immediately after purchase


• Voucher not redeemable via 1-Click ordering


• Amazon.com account with valid credit card required to get this voucher

p.s.
If you plan to ship Kindle outside the USA, don't forget to use a mail forwarder allowing to deliver lithium batteries and electronics with them.

Free $2 credit to Amazon MP3 Store for sharing Amazon on Facebook!

Share your favorite song on Facebook and get free $2 credit to Amazon MP3 Store. This is how it works:

1. Click onto this link and visit Amazon.


2. Enter your favorite song and click "Share & Claim" to post your response on Facebook.


3. Upon completion of the "Share & Claim" action, a $2 MP3 credit will be automatically applied to your Amazon account.

Promotional credits must be redeemed by 11:59 PM PST on May 24, 2012. Amazon MP3 music is available to customers with IP address and billing addresses in the USA. You must have an Amazon account and accept the Amazon MP3 Service Terms of Use to redeem your credit. Limit one promotional credit per customer.

Some classical music albums you can buy in Amazon MP3 Store for $1.99.

Package forwarders allowing to deliver lithium batteries andelectronics from USA to the Ukraine

Now that USPS prohibits international delivery of lithium batteries and electronics with lithium, Li-ion, Li-pol batteries, many customers from the Ukraine will face problems delivering electronics from the US. The problem is that when you use courier services like DHL, Fedex, UPS you will need to pay for customs clearance in some cases, even if you don't exceed the limit of 200 EUR / month. Plus when you use courier services the limit includes the shipping cots. Luckily package forwarders (also known as mail forwarders, freight forwarders, parcel forwarders, shipping forwarders) started shipping packages from the USA to Europe in containers. Many package forwarders shipping to Russia won't work for the Ukraine when shipping lithium batteries and electronics due to different logistics. But there are package forwarders that will work for the Ukraine. And their prices are often lower compared to USPS Priority Mail or USPS Express Mail International.

• Shipito is one of the largest package forwarders of the USA. Delivers packages with lithium batteries and electronics to the Ukraine by Polonez Parcel, Shipito Airmail Priority and Shipito Airmail Express.
  
  
  
  • Polonez Parcel delivery is cheaper that USPS for large packages is cheaper than by USPS ($0.79/lbs, min 20 lbs, dimensional weight is used if greater than real weight). Packages sent by Polonez Parcel to the Ukraine are not insured.
  
  
  • Shipito Airmail delivery is cheaper than USPS for light and small packages (1-6 lbs). Tracking for Shipito Airmail Priority packages is not available, but such packages can be insured.
  
  
  • Shipito Airmail Express delivery costs about the same as USPS Express Mail. Shipito Airmail Express packages can be insured and tracked. Max content value is $1,000. Airmail Express packages are delivered to Belgium post and from there to by EMS into the Ukraine.


• Meest America (Most) is a delivery service shipping packages by sea and air. Besides delivering freight from the USA to the Ukraine, Meest provides storage and warehouse services, allows to consolidate and repack packages. Every package is insured with the company for $60.00. Additional insurance is available. Packages with lithium and electronics can be shipped by sea.


• RusBid is a package forwarder pretty well known in the Ukraine. Allows to ship packages to the Ukraine by Meest.


• BosMix is a package forwarder pretty well known in the Ukraine. Allows to ship packages to the Ukraine by Meest.

Do you know any other package forwarders that allows to deliver lithium batteries and electronics with lithium, Li-ion, Li-pol batteries to the Ukraine? If you don't live in the Ukraine, do you experience similar problems with your package forwarder?


Update (November 11, 2012)
Effective Nov. 15, 2012, USPS will start accepting specific quantities of lithium batteries - when installed in the equipment they are intended to operate - to be sent to many international destinations, when permitted by the destination or host country.

Package forwarders allowing to deliver lithium batteries andelectronics from USA to Russia

Now that USPS prohibits international delivery of lithium batteries and electronics with lithium, Li-ion, Li-pol batteries, many customers from Russia will face problems delivering electronics. The problem is that courier services like DHL, Fedex, UPS are still facing problems with Russia customs, so they are hardly used by Russians for shipping from the USA to Russia. But luckily package forwarders (also known as mail forwarders, freight forwarders, parcel forwarders, shipping forwarders) started shipping packages from the USA to Europe in containers. And even when major American package forwarders fail to offer any decent shipping alternative for customers from Russia, other major package forwarders do ship electronics. And it is even cheaper than using USPS Priority Mail or USPS Express Mail International.

• Shipito is one of the largest package forwarders in the USA. Delivers packages with lithium batteries and electronics to Russia by Russian Post Standard, Shipito Airmail Priority and Airmail Express:
  
  
  
  • Russian Post Standard is recommended for heavy and small packages (like 26"x13"x13", 18-20 kg). Such packages are delivered by truck to New York and then are sent to Berlin by air. In Berlin they receive tracking numbers and are delivered by the Russian Post to Moscow by train. Then they are delivered to local post offices. Packages can be insured from loss and damages (3% from product value). Weight limit is 20kg. No size can be longer than 105cm and sum of all three sizes should not be more than 200cm. Max content value is $2,500.
  
  
  • Shipito Airmail Priority delivery is cheaper than USPS for light and small packages (1-6 lbs). Shipito Airmail Priority packages can be insured, but can not be tracked. Max content value is $1,000. In Russia packages are delivered by EMS Russian Post.
  
  
  • Shipito Airmail Express delivery costs about the same as USPS Express Mail. Shipito Airmail Express packages can be insured and tracked. Max content value is $1,000. In Russia packages are delivered by EMS Russian Post.


• Shopotam (ex. EbayToday) is one of the largest package forwarders with Russian roots. Delivers packages in containers from USA to Europe, then ships packages to Moscow. Then your package can be delivered either via EMS or via BoxBerry courier service. Boxberry is cheaper than EMS, but it accepts packages up to 15 kg only. All packages are insured. Standard insurance of 1% doesn't cover cell phones. Cell phone insurance - 5%.
  Coupon code for getting $5 onto your account (for new users only): 3fd2d2236ef081c56d1ff16f1588fa0f


• Shopfans is one of the largest shipping forwarders with Russian roots. Sends packages with lithium batteries in containers using Brokers Worldwide (BWW). You can't send more than 2 lithium batteries in one package. Cost of goods in one package can't exceed $1'000. BWW containers are delivered from the USA to Berlin. Packages are sent by Russian Post from Berlin (Russian Post has an office in Berlin). Packages can be insured ($3 for every $100). Packages are insured from non-delivery. Insurance doesn't cover lost, stolen or damaged items in the package.


• Polar Express is a shipping forwarder with Russian roots. Delivers packages from the USA to Russia in containers by air and by sea. Customs clearance is done in Kaliningrad, Russia. Customers can pick up their packages (in some cities) or get them by post or a supported Russian courier service. Packages are insured. And you can insure electronics like iPhone, iPad, Macbook Air. Fee for packages with lithium batteries is only $3. Very good packing of parcels. Shipping rates are very competitive. Cost of goods in a package is limited to $1000. The company has been growing very fast, so they experience problems replying to customers fast as well as some other problems.


• SPSR Express (SPSR USA) offers express delivery to Russian and xUSSR countries. In Russia packages are delivered by Russian courier service SPSR Express. The company offers the following types of delivery: express, economy and economy by sea. Lithium batteries are accepted. SPSR has 200+ branches in Russia and delivers to more than 2000 cities in Russia.
  
  
  
  • Shopotam (eBayToday) offers SPSR Express among other shipping methods.
  
  
  • Qwintry offers SPSR Express among other shipping methods. Delivery cost is identical to USPS Express Mail International.
  
  
  • Pochtoy delivers packages with lithium batteries by SPSR (Express, Econom, Sea).
  
  
  • NYCMSK delivers packages with lithium batteries by SPSR. Supports the following types of delivery: express, econonomy and economy by sea. Packages are insured automatically from loss and damage (covert up to $20 per kg). Additional insurance - 1.5% of the package content.

Besides the above mentioned package forwarders, you may use Meest-America which is very popular among Ukrainian customers. Meest delivers packages by sea and air freight. You may also use package forwarders that ship by Meest such as RusBid and BosMix. The latter companies are well known in the Ukraine, but there is no much feedback about them from customers from Russia.

Do you know any other package forwarders that allows to deliver lithium batteries and electronics with lithium, Li-ion, Li-pol batteries to Russia? If you don't live in Russia, do you experience similar problems with your package forwarder?


Update (November 11, 2012)
Effective Nov. 15, 2012, USPS will start accepting specific quantities of lithium batteries - when installed in the equipment they are intended to operate - to be sent to many international destinations, including APO (Army Post Office), FPO (Fleet Post Office) and DPO (Diplomatic Post Office) locations when permitted by the destination or host country.

Update (November 06, 2013)
Shipito Airmail can no longer be used for shipping lithium batteries. But you may use alternative shipping methods offered by Shipito for that including USPS Priority, USPS Express, Russian Post, FedEx, DHL and TNT.

3501 Jack Northrop Ave, Hawthorne, California, 90250-4433, USA: Scam and fraud or legit?

Is the following address used for scams and frauds?

3501 Jack Northrop Ave,
Suite # XXXXX,
Hawthorne, CA, 90250-4433
USA

No, this is one of the warehouses used by Shipito (Eastbiz Corp.).

What is Shipito (Eastbiz Corp.)?

Shipito (Eastbiz Corp.) is a US package forwarding company (also known as a freight forwarder, a mail forwarder or a shipping forwarder) allowing to overcome geographical shipping restrictions and ship online purchases to

• Alaska, Hawaii,


• U.S. Protectorates and Insular areas (Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, or Federated States of Micronesia),


• APO, FPO, and DPO Addresses,


• DOS Addresses,


• other countries including but not limited to Canada, the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, India, Russia, Kuwait, Virgin Islands, Japan, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Australia, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, Slovakia, Bahrain, Israel, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, The Bahamas, Bermuda, Brazil, Cayman Islands, the Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan,...

Shipito warehouse: 3501 Jack Northrop Ave, Suite # XXXXX, Hawthorne, California, 90250-4433, USA

Shipito is one of the largest freight forwarders. It has tens of thousands of customers from all over the world. Shipito Facebook page has more than 5'000 likes:

Can the "3501 Jack Northrop Ave, Hawthorne, California, 90250, USA" address be used for scams and frauds?

Yes it can be used for legit as well as illegal activities like ANY other address. BUT I and many of my friends use it for making legit purchases in US online shops that don't ship overseas. Also even US individuals and US companies use Shipito package/parcel forwarding service for shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, or Federated States of Micronesia.

Information for online retailers about Shipito

Shipito and victims of stolen credit cards

If you're a store owner who shipped product to 3501 Jack Northrop Ave, Hawthorne, California, 90250-4433, USA and got a chargeback, contact Shipito immediately if you are a victim of credit card fraud. If they find that a stolen credit card was used, they immediately send packages back to you. Shipito has zero tolerance policy. Fraud accounts are immediately canceled.

Shipito and international sales

Shipito offers a program where they can guarantee all sales to online retailers if they are purchased directly by Shipito. This allows online retailers not to lose international sales, while Shipito takes the risk of accepting international payments.

Visit Shipito web-site

Shipito mail forwarder allows customers from Russia to send packages with electronics and lithium batteries

Shipito has offered a new way to send packages with lithium batteries and electronics for its customers from Russia. Shipito offers Polonez Parcel for customers from Russia now. Polonez Parcel packages are shipped by Container to Poland and then given to the postal service for delivery in Russia.

Polonez Parcel limitations:

• Maximum weight is 44 lbs, maximum size 47"x23"x23"(should be more than enough for the large 36"x17"x17" consolidation box)


• No insuranceis available. Polonez unfortunately does not insure packages delivered by the postal service. For this reason, we do not recommend shipping expensive packages. Better solution is to remove lithium batteries from your electronics, ship actual devices by USPS with tracking and insurance, and use Polonez only for batteries.


• Minimum chargeable weight is 20 lbs, so even if you ship small package, you will pay the same as for 20 lbs!


• Dimensional weight formula is L x W x H / 140, dimensional weight is used if higher than actual weight.


• Polonez claims delivery in about two months, but it is not guaranteed, and it may take even little longer than that.


• Polonez picks up packages once a month, usually last complete weekend in the given month.


• Available from California warehouses of Shipito only, no Polonez package can be shipped from the Oregon warehouse (You can transfer your package from Oregon to California for a fee).

Polonez Parcel is very expensive for Russia. For example, I have compared the cost of shipping via USPS, Shipito Airmail and Polonez parcel for my two packages sent in 2012 via USPS Express Mail International:


Shipito Airmail vs. USPS Express Mail vs. Polonez (29 lbs, 37″x19″x14″)


Shipito Airmail vs. USPS Express Mail vs. Polonez (36.80 lbs, 36″x18″x17″)

Please note that Shipito allows to deliver lithium batteries and electronics with lithium, Li-ion, Li-pol batteries through Airmail Priority and Airmail Express shipping methods:

• Airmail Priority packages can be insured, but can not be tracked. And shipping light and small packages is cheaper via Airmail Priority than via USPS.


• Airmail Express packages can be insured and tracked, but they cost about the same as USPS Express Mail packages.

See the Shipito Calculator for shipping options and calculating postage for your parcel.

Update (November 06, 2013) Shipito Airmail can no longer be used for shipping lithium batteries. But you may use alternative shipping methods offered by Shipito for that including USPS Priority, USPS Express, Russian Post, FedEx, DHL and TNT.