SAL shipping reliability?

[cloudie2k6]

I was just wondering if anyone could share a little experience in SAL shipping? Are they reliable I mean as in terms of the handling and any insurance included? Anyone particularly from Australia, could you let me know how long it takes to arrive at your door step from the first email you got acknowledgment that your package is sent?

I'm asking this because I might switch to HLJ to shop some figurines as they offer SAL and they're definitely way cheaper than EMS shipping, though sometimes in my experience, it took EMS a week to arrive at my place, which I decided to try out SAL option, but of course, any feedback on this would be appreciated!

[ryolo]

I'm in perth and regularly use SAL. So far they've all arrived, although it take ages. Usually around 15-20 days. Also sometimes items sent later arrived first. There's no insurance, no tracking of any sort. If the package doesn't arrive, HLJ will look into it on a case by case basis. But only if it hasn't arrived for something like 3 months.

[cloudie2k6]

Wow, 3 months would be too long to get it investigated. So, even after 3 months when there is no news on the package, how is HLJ supposed to compensate for that? I mean, after such long period of time, you wouldn't be able to secure the items you want ain't it? I guess money refund is the next option eh? In anyway, you're saying that SAL is quite reliable for you then? (Minus the time of shipment)

[ryolo]

Well one time a parcel was very slow in arrival (other that were sent later arrived before it). So I shot off an email to HLJ. They said it's pretty normal for SAL to take up to 5 weeks before delivery. If it still doesn't arrive 3 months give them another yell and see what can be done. Since it did arrive I didn't find out what the course of action would be for HLJ.

So far it's been good. No issue with SAL yet.

[cloudie2k6]

Well, thanks for that ryolo, but still pretty in doubt to switch over to SAL though but I might give it a shot. One more question if you don't mind ryolo, do you have to give signature on delivery? And if you happened to be away from home, do you get notification to grab it from the nearest post office?

[ryolo]

In my case they just dump it at the front of the house.

[Fenix]

Depend on the region too. I constantly get like 1 month or even more than 1 month for SAL to arrive. I only use SAL for cheap crappy stuff that I just want to save shipping on. BTW because SAL has no insurance and no tracking, it up to the seller to help you in case the parcel got lost. For HLJ, probably fine, but not every seller is willing to refund you or send you another one if the item got lost in the mail.

[Maryn]

I do SAL all the time, and it hasn't failed me yet. But it's sure as slow as molasses in the middle of winter. But normally I would recieve it within about 2-3 weeks. Longest I took to receive an item is like a month to a month and a half. I live in the Southeastern region of the US, so that might give a little clue on how long it takes.

But usually I use SAL only if EMS is insanely outrageous, and even then they might offer Air Mail, which is a small step above SAL, takes about 1week-2weeks to get it. So far I've seen Air Mail offerred only on certain sites, not sure about HLJ though. It doesn't hurt to ask if they have that option though.

And Signature on Delivery is usually reserved for EMS only, but without it you'll still be fine. They put the packages in a fairly viewable stop like the front of your doorsteps. That or hope that somebody that lives with you is home when it is delivered. >.>

[cloudie2k6]

Thanks guys for the feedback, guess I will try it out. Yeah, there is one case where I ordered stuffs from other state here in Australia using express delivery, and waited it for a day(It was supposed to be next day delivery). Guess what, on the 2nd day, it was behind my backyard door = = (for two days!). Lol, guess I have to check out my backyard once in a while now should I choose SAL delivery

[loliconstory]

SAL just take long. But!!! Remember this. If you spend a lot on it, i recommend you use EMS, unless you want to take the chance of it getting damaged and not insured = no liability for their shipping. Personally, for me If i spend 100$+ i would choose EMS no matter what.

For me, SAL hasn't failed yet.