Recent posts

#21

The Lounge / Re: The Cost of Ownership

Last post by BruceK - March 06, 2026, 06:41:31 PM

I went to order 4 $1.00 circlips from minisport usa yesterday and they wanted $40.82 for shipping. You could stick them in an envelope with stamp.

Two weeks ago I purchased two small items from an Etsy seller in the UK and my items were put in a stiff envelope sporting a £3.80 stamp with King Charles portrait on it. What's keeping MiniSport from doing that?

#22

The Lounge / Re: The Cost of Ownership

Last post by MiniDave - March 06, 2026, 08:49:48 AM

Good grief...

#23

The Lounge / Re: The Cost of Ownership

Last post by 94touring - March 06, 2026, 08:26:36 AM

I went to order 4 $1.00 circlips from minisport usa yesterday and they wanted $40.82 for shipping. You could stick them in an envelope with stamp.

#24

The Lounge / Re: A new game... Post pics fr...

Last post by BruceK - March 05, 2026, 05:48:31 PM

Got a cheap simple siphon pump from Amazon. Looks like the instructions are personalized for people with a certain name. 

#25

The Lounge / Re: The Cost of Ownership

Last post by BruceK - March 05, 2026, 03:32:09 PM

I think you're right - maybe they've realized most people won't bother to fight it so it's an enhanced source of revenue....

Yes, 100%. 

I think there's a bunch of factors here. Primarily there is a ton of inertia at these courier companies to continue to do things the way they've done for decades. I realize the imposition of the tariffs and the elimination of the $800 de minimus loophole was not something they were expecting, but they sure have not risen to the occasion in terms of customer service. I totally believe they are basking in the confusion and using it as an opportunity to profiteer over the situation.

The most damning thing is that even if you contest the tariff and other charges, the courier companies completely control the process, and can arbitrarily deny any challenges. Or, in the case of my dispute with UPS, just never respond to it. It's their world and they control it. They have no incentive whatsoever to be responsive to the general public who may only receive one international package a year.

#26

The Lounge / Re: The Cost of Ownership

Last post by MiniDave - March 05, 2026, 11:30:19 AM

I think you're right - maybe they've realized most people won't bother to fight it so it's an enhanced source of revenue....

#27

The Lounge / Re: The Cost of Ownership

Last post by scalpel_ninja - March 05, 2026, 10:29:00 AM

Did the package arrive looking like it had been opened for inspection?  if so, perhaps some inspector type saw a "made in ..." label and decide it was all from a column-2 country?

The Mini Spares tape was completely intact. I think DHL just arbitrarily generated the tariff bill.

#28

The Lounge / Re: The Cost of Ownership

Last post by MPlayle - March 04, 2026, 07:58:50 PM

Did the package arrive looking like it had been opened for inspection?  if so, perhaps some inspector type saw a "made in ..." label and decide it was all from a column-2 country?

#29

The Lounge / Re: The Cost of Ownership

Last post by BruceK - March 04, 2026, 06:20:04 PM

..... If "column 2" is used, then rates jump to 25-30%, but only a limited list of countries fall under that category of sanctions, such as North Korea, Russia, etc.

Which day did that list only hit countries such as North Korea, Russia etc.? What time of day?? At one point even an island inhabited only by penguins was being tarriffed. 

Yeah, the "penguins only" island was apparently included intentionally back in April 2025, along with similar obscure locations. The rationale of the very long list was to close potential "loopholes" or prevent other countries (such as China) from rerouting goods through virtually unknown territories or locales as a countermeasure to evade higher US tariffs.

#30

The Lounge / Re: The Cost of Ownership

Last post by Dan Moffet - March 04, 2026, 06:11:06 PM

..... If "column 2" is used, then rates jump to 25-30%, but only a limited list of countries fall under that category of sanctions, such as North Korea, Russia, etc.

Which day did that list only hit countries such as North Korea, Russia etc.? What time of day?? At one point even an island inhabited only by penguins was being tarriffed.