Since eBay some 15 or 20yrs ago, then more and more online shopping sites, their revenue has gone thru the roof.

No improvement in shipping times. First it was 'we are too busy due to online shopping' (yeah but happy to make more $$$ huh?) then its floods, then covid, then floods. I can't get anything east to west in under 10 days with Aus Post

I just bought stuff in Japan - with free shipping by DHL.

Purchase morning of 26th, in Perth on early arvo 28th. Via Hong Kong and Singapore.

What is wrong with this backwards country? Seriously... TWO days international.

Once it hits the Welshpool black hole you may as well just reorder, nothing ever comes out of there, that's where packages go to die

Privatise it.

I have had some things arrive quickly in WA from Sydney, and some things take ages. I think it comes down to capacity on planes or trucks at the time. I am sure some parcels have arrived on a plane as they have turned up a day or two after posting.

Similarly, I have had express courier things from overseas turn up quickly, and things from overseas take months. I think the difference is if the package arrives via a courier. If something has arrived via DHL, even if the supplier is paying for it, you can't fairly compare it to Auspost.

As for 'privatise it', there are competitors already and they are just as hit and miss. There are third party postage options and I doubt you would get better shipping times for the price, unless its random chance. You also forget that Auspost can let you pick up things from lots of places, whereas some courier companies are pretty limited where you can pick it up from if you weren't there for the courier to deliver it.

I am annoyed with Auspost as well though. They tell you on the day that an item is arriving, but can't seem to manage to tell you the day before so that you can actually be there or redirect the delivery. Surely they must have an idea that the package is meant to arrive on that day?

I don't buy a whole lot of stuff, but Australia Post seems faster than the competitors. 1 or 2 days from east coast shops to me, 4 days from Perth

Wow Markie, how did you survive when you were a kid and the only way to post something to WA was by camel.
If you cant wait a few days pay for a courier, or order it 8 days earlier.


1st world problems.

I often wait weeks for stuff from east coast, and regularly 5 days+ for express post.

If i see 'Australian stock' on ebay i cross it off the list, international priority way faster.

I'd say 50% of my online purchases are from OS (if I can buy locally, that's my choice.... except for pop-outs, eh Macaha?).
It amazes me how often something will track from San Deigo via San Fran, or way outta Europe, and land in Oz in 2-3 days..... then take 2-3 weeks to get from Sydney to Brisbane. I get that it has to pass through customs and all, but damn.

I buy shedloads of stuff online. I have had zero problems with Australia Post. Everything turns up within a few days.

Occasionally something will appear to sit for ages then it gets delivered and the tracking updates in one hit at the end.

On the other hand, I am constantly amazed at the next day delivery from Amazon. I have ordered stuff on a Saturday afternoon and it arrives next day.

DHL and Amazon both run their own airlines and truck fleets. Numerous other shippers do whatever then use Australia Post for the final leg.

I've given up ordering stuff from China if I have a choice. Sometimes the price of the thing is cheaper than the cost of postage and they come with free shipping. I understand that the Chinese government pays for the freight on all those super cheap deals and they just fill the gaps in shipping containers. Stuff can take months or even not appear. I have had a few refunds on things not turning up, or got a refund then the thing has turned up a few days later.

Select to expand quote

psychojoe said..
Once it hits the Welshpool black hole you may as well just reorder, nothing ever comes out of there, that's where packages go to die

this is so true, I buy lot of bike parts online from overseas and Eastern states. Shipments usually take about the same time to make it from sender to Welshpool (or Malaga) as they do from Welshpool/Malaga to our place

But to be fair, they delivered most packages as estimated, including Sundays so I'm not complaining

Actually the convenience aspect of aus post is because they've privatised the retail side already via franchises. I love my local post office. It's messy and small but awesome service.