Ship to US service - review
 

Which services are you guys use?
I am thinking to use it to buy one day deal form the states
from one of those dailysteals, one day a deal type website.

electronics mainly or small home electronic item

thelettercarrier.com
blainemailboxesplus.com
mbistore.com
ameri-canadianparcel.com‎
securitymailservices.com‎
hagensofblaine.com
blaineenterprises.com‎
thelettercarrier.com‎
pacificmailandparcel.com‎
diversifiedshipping.com‎
p2pparcel.com
prshell.com

which one is the cheapest?
annual rates?
comments and experience is appreciated


I'll make a summary table for comparison for other to use :)

There is already quite a few threads on this topic. I suggest doing a quick search.

yes already discussed but i'll summarize what i said in the other post:

hagen's of blaine. just down the street from the peace arch by the water. really convenient. charges a yearly fee like most places now ($8.50 or $10 i can't remember). packages generally $2.50 or $5.00 for larger. accepts canadian payments. no membership - the fees double

better tracking of someone's item now with online registration and an account ID.

in your spreadsheet, you should have at least a few columns:

- location + distance from border (i wont use blaine regardless of how good they are since PR is closer)
- cost
-- per parcel vs monthly vs annual
-- number of packages required to breakeven on an annual fee
-- price per size increase
- hours (some arent open on the weekend)
- security (TSB has a registration system, TLC is a free for all)
- max parcel size (can they receive a palette?)

thelettercarrier.com - the only company i deal with, best customer service, email/phone when your parcel is ready for pick up. price is decent. a plus for me since its very close by and i get to fill up on gas and do a bit of shopping/golf/food etc.

I use Point to Point Parcel - a complete range of package receiving and shipping services. in point roberts instead of thelettercarrier

I've been using Hagens for the last 6 years or so. Close enough to Peace Arch to walk/bike across and skip the lines (if you don't have nexus). Fees are $12 for the year and $2/package. Reasonable and they've never messed anything up for me and are quite friendly so I have no reason to switch.

I've been using point to point lately too. It's the easiest to walk to and little to no waits.
Last saturday it was a 45 minute border wait (non-nexus) but I was in and out of P2P in about 2 minutes. I drove down to get gas and the lineup outside TLC was crazy, a good 30+ cars parked on the shoulder on tyee. I've had many long waits at TSB too and if you and your parcel just arrived on the busier day they MIGHT not help you find it (Speaking from experience)

Thinking of switching to hagens since nexus doesn't open going to be US till 11
Anyone know how the waits are on Saturday mornings at tlc?
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You sure about that Nexus opening time? I've been there a lot earlier than 11 and I've never had a problem crossing.

Quick google search shows it as open at 6AM: Peace Arch

So unless they've changed it pretty recently...

Oh sorry I meant at point Roberts >.<
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In six years I don't think I've waited longer than 5 minutes for my packages at Hagens. Including the line.

tlc doesn't email or phone me when my packages arrive.
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www.prshell.com Their hours are way more flexible than any of the other shipping places in PR. Consistent email notifications, no annual fee, and prices are cheaper than TSB which I used to use exclusively for about 5+ years but have been using the Shell for the past 3 or so.

Part of making it worthwhile going to PR is picking up a tank and couple jerry cans of cheaper gas. So p2p with their closeness to the border is irrelevant to me. Last time I saw TLC finally has some wooden doors built to protect their outdoor storage lol

30 min wait today At the letter carrier at 11am...never going again ugh good thing for nexus
Hagens from now on!
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anyone try 24/7 parcel?

They look really promising. I like how its 24/7!
Considering switching from Hagens. One thing I don't like is their hours - always have to rush after work or weekends(border line is always long)

You guys keep talking about long wait times. Whenever I go to TLC in Point Roberts, the border wait time is maybe around 20 mins max. I've gone on early Saturday afternoons and late weekday afternoons in the middle of the week.

When I get to TLC, I don't remember ever having to wait more than 15 mins in line.

I miss the days when only the saavy would get things shipped to Point Roberts...when the majority of people were still scared of shopping on the internet.

...then I wouldn't have to wait in line, dammit. Now everyone with a credit card and WiFi is down there every Saturday.

+1

Biggest thing for me is that PRShell is open on sundays, while TSB is closed. I've been in the middle of the afternoon down to Point Roberts on a sunday, and it's maybe a 5 minute wait at the border, if that.

I think Point Roberts > Blaine for this sort of thing. Point Roberts is a bit closer and those border crossings tend to be busier.

Is prshell the only one open Sunday's?
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At The Border Mail

Literally right across the street from US border at Pacific Highway crossing. Able to walk across if line ups are long.

$10.00 annual memership fee.
$2.50/parcel up to 50 lbs.
Email notifications when your package has arrived.
Mon,Tue,Thur,Fri 8:30am-5:30pm
Wed 8:30am-8:00pm
Sat 8:30am-1:00pm