Hi Everyone,
I ordered a radiator and electric fan for my mini. I was quoted a price for express shipping, not cheap but I need the stuff and I accepted and paid.
Now I get a bill for an extra £25 because the shipping people asked for more money (that’s what they say anyway).
I’ve asked them in good faith to keep their word and send it.

Nope! They are suggesting they will cancel my order.

Are these guys legit or what??

That doesn't sound like Mini Spares to me. Never had any experience like that.

I’ve heard it happen a few times on larger items these days. I don’t think their automatic freight calculator can keep up with the increasing price of freight at the moment

Eg
http://mk1-forum.net/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=31174

Check the price against Karcraft and other local shops, you might be able to find it here at a reasonable price

There’s also more info in the delivery policy
http://www.minispares.com/contact/misc/ ... cy.aspx#dp

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Are you sure your transaction hasn't gone over the dutiable value? If more than 1000 AUD including shipping ( my recollection the figure may be different) then you may need to pay again before DHL or similar release

It sounds odd but his explanation is that if you buy large but light parts, DHL may charge more.

It’s a radiator and electric fan assembly. Total value about $A600. So, it’s just a pure miscalculation on shipping. As I said, the boy claims it happens all the time!

I have avoided buying from Mini Spares recently. Their service is good but the freight costs have become very expensive as they don't seem to use the Royal Mail and instead private delivery services. And all this happened before COVID added to the problem.
A lot of Mini Spares parts are sold by Karcraft and others, although they have had supply shortages too.

its happened to me with Spares. I think they do the freight quote on weight. However, when they package the stuff up the freight company does a weight VS Cubic volume calculation and you pay which ever is more expensive.

I don't know if you can ask them to package the item before you are to buy it???

I have had one package that came via DHL who added customs duty when none was payable. When I explained that I was not going to accept the package (which meant they were up for the return costs) they became much more amenable to negotiation.

Cheers, Ian

With less domestic international flights at the moment the cost of international freight has gone up.
I've placed a couple of orders from overseas lately and I've had no issues with anything that was relatively heavy for its size, but larger light things are coming in at more than you may have expected or hoped for.

My suggestion - cop the extra charges if you want the item now, otherwise wait a few months and hope the world opens up a bit more for the freight costs to relax a little.

Minispares calculate the shipping at the time of despatch. They don't charge your card until that time. They advise that the shipping cost added to the cart is an estimate only.

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Mk 1 Cooper S 1965
If you could erase all your mistakes of the past
You would also erase the wisdom of your present
Remember the lesson not the disappointment.

Yep, and the duty will be payable when it reaches Australia, not as part of the initial transaction.

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