Acquiring Arteb Brazil GMT400 headlight reflectors

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1998_K1500_Sub

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Shipping: What it costs, then and now, and its impact on total "delivered" costs

I'm going to explain shipping costs, how they've been affected by recent currency fluctuations and what I'm doing about it.

I'll just lay the costs out spreadsheet-like: Here we go...

- B$267.20 Cost of 3.2kg package (one pair of headlights) shipped via Correios "express" service, from Jacobina, BA, Brazil to any US address (see attached image)

- B$25 Added cost of ground transportation to Correios' office

- B$292.20 Subtotal

- B$58.44 Service "adder" of 20% of subtotal, paid to Carlos for his time packaging and handling

- B$350.64 TOTAL


Now, let's look at the exchange rate and its effect.

Earlier this year, I was able to exchange at 5.3:1, so shipping was net US$66.16. (I also bought all the headlights at that exchange rate which was fortuitous, see Note [1]).

Recently (Apr3), with the exchange rate at ~4.66, the shipping is net US$75.24.

Keep in mind, with the recent shipments I'm paying for shipping as it happens, which means I'm converting money now at around 4.66:1 instead of 5.3:1. See note [2].

NOW, reflect back on the estimates I had provided earlier in this thread (back in ... January?). I guessed shipping would be around US$50/pr. That was a poorly founded estimate in retrospect, but it's what I used. My bad. Accordingly, I priced at that time a pair of headlights, delivered, at US$301 (Note [1])

Here we are today. These recent shipments are costing me around US$328/pr ($251/pr + $77 shipping) and I'm bumping the original price I quoted, US$301, up to US$325.

This may sound like sour grapes but it's not. It's me documenting the process and being transparent so that all know what's been involved.

I appreciate everyone's patience through this process, particularly those who got "bumped" by the Stage 1 debacle.


NOTES:


[1] As was discussed in detail in an earlier post in this thread, I bought the headlights in a block of 12 and gleaned a 20% discount which I passed along. After all was said and done, the headlights' cost was US$251/pr as explained there.


[2] I converted an appropriate sum at the 5.3:1 rate early in this process, anticipating its use for shipping, but I took a ~US$350 bath when the Stage 1 shipments bounced. So a chunk of what I had exchanged prior, for shipping, was then wasted. I ate the US$350 loss and charged it to "experience", but I now have to backfill at the ~4.66:1 exchange rate.
 

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1998_K1500_Sub

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Stage 2 shipping well along, Stage 1 deliveries completed last week:
Apr7 9:10pm Central


Stage1: The last "Stage 1" shipment was delivered mid-week last week. Recipients reported some of the reflector's adjusters needed lubrication, as I noted in an earlier post https://www.gmt400.com/threads/acquiring-arteb-brazil-gmt400-headlight-reflectors.44133/post-1232274

Stage 2: Shipping is roughly 30% complete and Carlos is typically shipping MWF. The first shipment of this phase is out of Brazil headed to Miami; the most recent shipment (Wed) is coursing through Brazil to Sao Paulo for customs inspection. The shipments are already staged for tomorrow (Friday) and Monday. Others are being readied. For those still waiting, expect to be contacted 1-2 days before we intend to ship.

Protocol: I track all shipments daily and I follow-up individually using email or text (not PM) with either pictures (e.g., the shipping receipt) or information / status related to the shipment. Expect to hear from me more often after shipment than before.
 
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1998_K1500_Sub

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Stage 2 shipping nearing completion:
Apr12 8:10pm Central

Stage 2: Shipping is roughly 70% complete and, of those, the first delivery will reportedly be tomorrow ("Wed Apr12" said USPS, but I'm betting it's Thu). We're shipping one per day, MWF. Tomorrow's shipment is staged and Friday's is being readied.

Protocol: I track all shipments daily and I follow-up individually using email or text (not PM) with either pictures (e.g., the shipping receipt) or information / status related to the shipment. Expect to hear from me more often after shipment than before.
 

1998_K1500_Sub

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New Orders: Arteb products

Requests for Arteb products will be accommodated but, for now, requests will be serviced onesie twosie, first come first served. Interested parties will work directly with Carlos @carlos_lightsbyarteb on all matters related to new orders, although I'll be available to assist.
 

1998_K1500_Sub

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Stage 2 shipping essentially complete:
Apr19 10:53pm Central

Stage 2: Shipping is essentially complete. There are no packages remaining in Brazil... the last one just left Brazil for Miami and the others are on US soil in the carrier's hands. Once these packages have been received and in good condition, it's done.
 

df2x4

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Thanks again to @1998_K1500_Sub and @carlos_lightsbyarteb for making this happen! It's still wild to me that this took place at all. Never thought I'd see these in person, and yet here we are.

Mine are still sitting on a shelf awaiting installation, but it makes me happy to look at them every time I walk by. So that's nice. :)
 
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Thanks again to @1998_K1500_Sub and @carlos_lightsbyarteb for making this happen! It's still wild to me that this took place at all. Never thought I'd see these in person, and yet here we are.

Mine are still sitting on a shelf awaiting installation, but it makes me happy to look at them every time I walk by. So that's nice. :)
I am delighted to see you happy, it is very good to participate in this. We are available to answer questions and new submissions. Thank you. Goodbye!
 

962500HD

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awesome, thanks for coordinating all this Jim. Got my headlights over the weekend. I can't wait to get them installed.
 

RedneckWithPaychecks

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