Evergreen Plastruct Supplier

Ouch!  $45 for 3 packs....in Oz?

KL-8's retail $7.35 per pack (2 ladders per) at our store (LHS-Michigan).  Of course it's the postage to Oz that's a killer.  We'd be happy to be your supplier, but we have no control or magic wands/formulas for the shipping....it is what it is. 

Have you inquired at Plastruct and Evergreen what arrangements they might offer for direct shipping to Australia?  It may not be much advantage, though.

So, any local friends/friends-of-friends who do frequent biz travel to the states?  Unless you're buying a LOT of the plastic, it's not much added weight/space in the luggage.  Three packs of KL-8?....15" long, a few ounces.  Hard to imagine that would cost $23US to ship.....but I've seen wackier numbers on shippers' websites lately!

Wife and I both did a LOT of travel to Oz  in our pre-2000 working lives.  Lots of friends there.  Unfortunately, the cost/hassles of flying most anywhere....and our collective ages/tolerance levels for flights lasting more than 2 hours!...keeps us half a world apart now. 

Maybe some other forumites will have better suggestions. 

KD

Maybe try Ebay.     

My favorite source for stuff like this is Hobbylinc.  They do ship internationally, you might want to ask about cost.

http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/pls/pls90423.htm

Thanks, KD.

US$7.35 = approx A$10 (depending).  Even if the USPS charged the equivalent of $5.00 per pack, I'm still no worse off.

Anyway, it's not about the money ( I'm in O scale  ), I just want a reliable supplier.

I had a look at Brunel Hobbies  http://www.brunelhobbies.com.au/  they have a comprehensive list of Evergreen, so . . .

  90423 is not on the list, and when you ring them to order what IS on the list, often it's out of stock.

Evergreen will deal with Oz, but only as a retailer - that means buying big numbers so I can re-sell it.

I'd rather spend my time modelling.

So, if you can supply Evergreen; I have PayPal and a limit locked credit card.  If you are prepared to mess about (like Norm from Protocraft kindly does), working out the postage costs - I will happily work with you.

My email address is below my signature.

Cheers

Thanks, Bob.

Our posts crossed.

I'll have a look.

Hobbylinc seems to have come up trumps, Bob.

The exchange rate/insurance/Customs looks like about A$23.90 for the three packs.  That leaves A$21.10 postage to break even.

I've ordered it USPS Express Mail, which is normally about 10 days.

Thanks to you all.

I just discovered that Evergreen and Plastruct are two different companies.  DOH!     

The explains a lot about the search results I've been getting.

Some mothers do 'ave 'em!

Glad we could help you out! 

Yes, they are two different companies.  I buy direct from Plastruct on the interweb at plastruct.com.  They have a great catalog you can purchase to drool over.

You don't have to be dodging kangaroos to not be able to find a hobby shop stocked with much of either of these brands.  I have complained on here before that many  U.S. hobby shops look like they bought one sample rack of one, not necessarily both, when the shop opened in 1946 and have never restocked it.  I ordered a large order of windows for a stamp mill, loose and on the sprue,  from Plastruct and found them accommodating, and have ordered from Hobbylinc.  Good luck on finding them, and affordable.  The way this country imports more than it seems to export, you'd think manufacturers would make it danged easy to sell their products overseas.

Thanks, CH.  I wandered into Junction Muddles yesterday to dig through his old decals box and found that the Plastruct order has come in the previous day - despite being told that it wasn't expected for some time.  They had the ladders in both ABS and styrene. 

Sigh. 

OK -  Just to add insult to injury . . .

Hobbylinc charged me A$158.29 for my six ladders - that's A$26.38 per each. 

US$17.92 I converted to A$23.89 for the three packs of two - that's A$3.98 per each . . .

and, wait for it . . .  A$134.40 for postage!

"They seen me a'comin'  Elmer."

Max

For future I suggest you use Des Plaines. I live in NZ and if I want urgent Plastruct I just give them a call. Service is excellent and shipping charges I think are at cost. They never seem to be unreasonable. Mind you we are one ditch closer to the US.

Ian

Thanks, Ian.

It might be a funds approval (now reading the fine print).

I'll check back with them.

I don't know if they do international shipping but Caboose Hobbies in Denver has a lot of Plastruct and Evergreen in stock.

Also consider Slater's in the UK.

I don't know if they do international shipping but Caboose Hobbies in Denver has a lot of Plastruct and Evergreen in stock.

Also consider Slater's in the UK.

Thanks, BT

W.F.Walthers in Milwaukee,Wi., carries good inventory of Evergreen Plastic and Plastruct, also you can buy direct from either company by accessing their respective websites.

Walthers!  I didn't think of them!

Thanks, John. 

Max, I just read your post and made a submisssion of this email to Hobby Inc.

I think they did you a terrible dis-service by not at least informing you of the shipping charge.

Ray

K - Just to add insult to injury . . .
Hobbylinc charged me A$158.29 for my six ladders - that's A$26.38 per each. eek
US$17.92 I converted to A$23.89 for the three packs of two - that's A$3.98 per each . . .
and, wait for it . . . A$134.40 for postage!
They seen me a'comin' Elmer.

I have just read this post on the OGR forum and seeing these kind of shipping charges,even for an over-seas order is terrible. If this has any foundation in fact I would request that you remove my name from your email list. Thank you
Raymond Puls

Thanks, Raymond.

I appreciate your support.

I've sent them a contact email as well.

There may be an explanation.

Cheers

I have received a terse note from Hobbylinc . . .

"The first submission was only a funds verification, not a charge, no money changed hands.  When your order shipped we made one charge for the actual amount of the items and correct shipping charges, which is the second amount you see if you are looking at an online statement.  Although most banks simply convert the funds approval to the actual charge, some do not.  If not, they should remove the funds verification automatically in a few business days. If this does not happen please let us know. The charge you will actually be charged when the order ships will be much less for this order. We apologize for the confusion."

There were no salutations; just the terse statement.

My card was debited and no reversal has appeared to date.

Should anything change, I'll post it.

Max, This is the reply that I received from Hobby Inc., not very friendly but pretty much expected from business in the USA.

Hi Ray

I can't read your link text, but I suspect that it is the same as in my post.

I've had a reply from them.  They claim that it's not a debit , but a pending charge.

All I have on my bank statement is a debit.  Presumably they will send me a credit when they work out the actual charge.

I have been buying on line for a long time now and I've never been subjected to this practice before.

I'm not sure how Americans view this, but I'm sure that the rest of the English speaking world find it unacceptable; at the very least offensive.

Some of our banks are copping flak for holding non-cash from transactions (cheques and cards), and are moving away from it as the result of pressure from customers.

I should have been suspicious when Hobbylinc wouldn't accept PayPal.  Clearly they are trying to avoid the charges.

I guess that when they get around to it, they will pass a credit.  Time will tell.

I won't be dealing with them again.

Thanks for your support.

Max   I feel your frustration!!!    Ive had this experience to, very large box, very small item and lots of peanuts, astronomical shipping, and no thought for the customer. I complained and basically I got back, to bad so sad.  I have found P&D hobbies to be good.          cTr...( Choose the Right )

Hi Stephen

Thanks.  Pat @ P&D has been very helpful.

I must call in and see you.  Every time I go past, I'm rushing somewhere - usually to a gig with the band.

My email is below my signature.  Send me the directions and I'll get myself organised - promise! 

Cheers

Hello, Max,

As I said in another topic: big choice but big shipping for those like us who don't live in the USA! It's a shame because prices are attractive! but some of the retailers or some brands have also good prices for shipping (P&D, Atlas, Tichy,...and others). So we have to take care! and make The good choice! luckily, here in my city, I have found a good retailer for Evergreen pieces!....and no shipping!!! it's another problem with rolling stock! 

I hear what you say.

My layout is so small that I only have room for 8 pieces and I'm almost halfway through building them.  I'm thankful for small mercies.

Cheers

Update.  Today I received an email advice that my invoice charges have been reduced to US$41.53

So far no credit has appeared on my credit card bank statement.

I will report back if it does.

I checked my bank ledger this morning and the debit has been reduced by A$101.38 to A$56.91   Whew!  

However, there is no record of the original debit, which makes me feel a bit uncomfortable.

They said that no money had changed hands, but the debit balance went up in the interim.  That must affect the interest charge.

Anyway, the six ladders ended up costing me A$9.48 each, only a few dollars more than what it would cost locally; if they had them.  Not too bad.

It's clear that this system removes the PayPal charges and passes them on to the customer via the bank.

There are large notices on their invoices to this effect, but most of us have trained ourselves to ignore extraneous graphics, so I missed it.

I think I'll stick with PayPal equipped suppliers and wear any extra cost in the price.

Cheers

Good news for you!

To be on the safe side, I first choose PayPal equipped suppliers. You make a good choice!

jpv69

I just wish Micro-Mart would stock Evergreen and Plastruct, along with their good selection of wood, as a one-stop source for construction materials, always out of stock in any walk-in retailer.

Hello Max,

Go take a look at this website:

Max

i'm not going to complain as much about inter-state shipping anymore !!

Thanks, JP.  Very interesting.

AlanRail posted:

Max

 

i'm not going to complain as much about inter-state shipping anymore !!

Yes, at least you have it, Alan.

I've been waiting for four weeks for an LH 100 from our Oz importer.

"Ostrayans are very patient, Grasshopper."