Gypo66

I just discovered that one of the DVDs I recently ordered from Hivizone is defective and so I now have to send it back to Hong Kong for a replacement. I'm assuming that responsibility for paying return shipping of the item is up to me -- even though that really doesn't seem fair, and pretty much destroys any sort of "bargain" I thought I was getting with this order. Has anyone had experience with this sort of problem? For that matter, any suggestions on the cheapest/best way to send this baby back to Hong Kong from the states? Thanks!

Yellow Hammer

if Hivizone is willing to accept back only the disc (and not the case), then the shipping is actually pretty cheap. To send a disc back to HK in an unpadded envelope by first class mail costs under $1 and takes a week.

princessducky

Well, I sent a scratched DVD back to DDDhouse right after the tragedy in NYC. It took a week longer but it costed me about 3 something for the envelope and the shipping. I only had to send the DVD. I just got a conformation that they have sent the replacement disc in the mail. Hope this helps!

Gypo66

So the way to go is padded envelope and first class mail (is it actually still called first class mail whne it's going overseas?)? I can live with a buck or two, but when I called the post office they told me the lowest rate would probably be more like $6 or $7. One more question, this one for you, Yellow Hammer: by "case" I assume you're talking about the actual plastic case that houses the DVD? And would this really make such a weight/price difference with the shipping? Thanks again for your time and insights.

Aghama

The post office was quoting you a more expensive method, what you want is Airmail Letter-Post. A single DVD plus a standard envelope definitely weighs less that 2 oz., which would run you $1.55.

Yellow Hammer

yes, the DVD plastic case makes a big difference not only in the weight, but by the dimensions by eliminating the cheaper 6"x10" Global Priority Mail option. Believe it or not, an unpadded envelope and a single disc is under 1 oz, so the cost from the U.S. to HK would be 80 cents. At least that's what I paid the one time I sent a DVD back to DDDHouse.

rates in US dollars
Airmail Letter-Post from US to HK (known as first-class mail to some):
1 oz - $.80
2 oz - $1.55
3 oz - $2.30
4 oz - $3.05
5 oz - $3.80
6 oz - $4.55

Surface Letter-Post from US to HK:
< 1 lb - $4.95

Global Priority Mail (small envelope - 6" x 10") - $5 up to 4 lbs.

Global Priority Mail (larger envelope - 9.5" x 12.5") - $9 up to 4 lbs.

To me, you shouldn't have to pay more than $5 for shipping to HK. Any more and it's not worth it IMO.

If you (or Hivizone) is concerned about the DVD being scratched up, I would wrap it with tissue paper or put it in a DVD mailer, which would not add much to the weight. Not sure how much extra weight a padded envelope would be.

renaldow

Does Hivizone actually want the disc back? I've never dealt with them, but I have had disc issues with other companies and they've always told me not to bother sending the disc back, they'll just send a replacement. Too much trouble, supposedly.