Virtual Shopping from the States
How many times have you spotted something online you wanted to buy but could not because the online store does not ship to Malaysia? This normally happens in online stores based in the US. I, for one, have bought many items from US, but I have had the good fortune of having friends help me ship those items back. Some of my friends were sent to US on work assignments for a few months or years and when they return to Malaysia, they are allowed shipping allocation to ship items back, so what I did was to have my items hop onto their shipment. Of course, the downside to this is I have to depend on the schedule of their return and it could be months before I receive my products.
But what if you spot something you really really want urgently and there was no way to get it except to purchase it from that US store online and get it sent to Malaysia? What if it is a life and death situation? Okay, I exaggerated a little, but you get the idea.
If you own a HSBC credit card, you can do so now. Using something known as vPOST, you can now buy things online from US stores and have them shipped right to your doorstep in Malaysia! vPOST is a Singapore Post subsidiary that gives you overseas delivery when you shop from US websites. I checked this out a few weeks back when I wanted to get some DVDs for Ethan. So how does this work, really?
- Register and receive your PIN via SMS or email. You will need this PIN to complete your registration.
- When you shop at any online US store, key in your name, PIN and vPOST address.
- Email the invoice to inv_malaysia@vpostasia.com
- Pay shipping charges
- Wait for items to arrive (11-14 days)
All this looked fine and dandy, but I was curious to find out how much the shipping charges were.
That worked out to be a considerable sum, because if I were to order 3 DVDs, I would need to pay the base charge of USD8.99 + USD2.99 per DVD. Even with the 10% discount on shipping charges accorded to all new members, it was still a hefty sum to pay. I scratched this idea and contacted one of my friends who was coming back next month instead.
However, truth be told, if you really desperately need something from an online store in the US, now you know there IS a way. And you know that sexy Victoria’s Secret V-string is just a click away!
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Posted by Giddy Tiger on September 27th, 2007 filed in Credit Cards, Online, Shopping |
September 27th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
You know, I felt exactly the same about it!
Great minds think alike eh?
My article is at: http://www.all-aboutshopping.com/2007/09/11/buying-direct-from-the-usa-with-vpost/
The Giddy Tiger says: Of course great minds think alike! Heh
September 27th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Woah! That’s expensive… Lucky for me I haven’t found anything so must have on the Net yet. Hehe.
The Giddy Tiger says: Haha….luckily you found out about this first!
September 29th, 2007 at 4:52 am
You need anything from the UK? I can get it for you before I come back. Like Little Einstein DVD..they don’t show that on the tv..it’s different..or anything else..just email me..
The Giddy Tiger says: Thanks for the offer, Sue. I’ll let you know if I need anything ok?