Free Shipping @ BPL

Just for interest, the international shipping expressly does not include insurance or tracking:

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING = NO INSURANCE or TRACKING: First Class International and Priority Mail International shipping methods come with NO INSURANCE and NO TRACKING. Express Mail International offers tracking at least to the destination post office (not necessarily your doorstep), and are not insured.

Some more information on international shipping — I've used Express Mail International service purchased online through the USPS website and it includes insurance on up to $100 value. The postal workers I've spoken to have told me that Priority Mail International isn't worth the extra cost over First Class International.

Hi Arapiles

First of all let me state quite unequivocally that my response was MY response and not an official response from BPL. Only Ryan, Don, Steph or Karen can make an official response for BPL.
Further, I am not a BPL employee. 'Staff' is an honorary term for Senior Editors – no wages involved sadly …

> BPL presumably has more scale than Oware. But let me know if that's not the case.
I don't know what staff Oware has, so I can't say.

> that's why they charge extortionate postage?
I don't know what BPL charges, but I do know that international postage can be expensive.
For instance, a pair of shoes posted to me by a member of BGT for a BGT test cost US$36 just for the postage – the cost of the postage was on the box. The BGT member did not charge for the trip to the PO: BGT are all volunteers.

Regardless of how many parcels are being posted, it still takes time to handle each one, and that costs money, regardless of scale. How much to charge – that's a matter for BPL to decide, not me. I just know what it costs me to take a parcel to the PO.

If you feel it was an ad hominem attack and personal abuse – my apologies.

> Natimuk Post Office
Well, well. Have they improved the toilets at the 'Piles campground yet? They had a hessian screen last time I was there.

Cheers

No one has addressed my suggestion of at least discounting the international shipping to match the average savings from free domestic.

I would welcome a official response by BGT to the host of issues and possible solutions in this thread. Seems to me from the comments we have got at this point that that they are not interested in doing anything about it or in taking it seriously.
If this is not the case I would be glad to retract my comments to that effect.

"Seems to me from the comments we have got at this point that that they are not interested in doing anything about it or in taking it seriously."
How do you come to this conclusion? "They" have not addressed it in this forum.

It seems to me that if you have customer service issues, you should take that up with BPL Customer Service. There is email and a phone number available if you stop whining and go look for it. I see a phone number at the top right hand corner of this page right next to the "Help" link. See how hard that was? I bet if you click the link, you might even get more information. If you expect a response from BGT, try contacting BGT instead of posting here.
In addition to wanting free international shipping, are you expecting them to be watching all the forum posts for your improperly handled complaints too? Talking about it is one thing. Expecting a response here and now (weekend/ off business hours) is unreasonable in my opinion. They've always handled my questions and comments when directed to them in a manner they provide support for.
Best of luck.

No Chris – I'd just like them to respond to this and respond to members publicly. This thread has been going on for a while but I can understand if they want to look into their options first before responding.
I'm posting so this thread does not go away, but thanks for the personal attack anyways.
Cheers, Rob

C'mon folks. This is supposed to be a friendly forum. If you don't agree with someone, say so with good humour rather than in a way which will cause offence. Otherwise there's just bad feelings all round and this forum will cease to be a fun place to be. The phrase "lighten up" doesn't just apply to backpacking!

"If you feel it was an ad hominem attack and personal abuse – my apologies."

No problems, apology accepted.

Not sure about the toilets at the Pines but I'll ask a colleague who was there on Saturday.