KTM-Parts/BongoUS warning

[Jay GTI]

Just a word of warning… this came up in a different thread, I can’t remember who, but someone bought a jacket from KTM-Parts and was stung by their freight forward ‘partner’ BongoUS… but I have further experience.

I’d had a nose through the KTM-Parts website and decided to buy some Moose riding gear and some other pointless crap that is difficult to find over here (scale model of a 350sxf, coffee mug etc). Then I read about the jacket freight costs and thought again. By this point I’d already set up an account with BongoUS and was merrily awaiting my order, but the order hadn’t shipped due to a couple of items being on back order, so I thought best to cancel. Sent an e-mail to KTM-Parts and awaited response. No response. Sent another e-mail, no response. Then KTM-Parts sent me an e-mail saying they had shipped my order. Well they had partially. No Moose riding gear, but my KTM mug, plastic drink bottle and model bike were on their way. Ok, figured that it’s a small order, won’t weigh much and should cost a lot less to ship than a bulky, heavy jacket, may as well go through with it. No so…

Although it’s almost impossible to calculate the actual shipping cost on the BongoUS website (you need to know the weight and size of the packaging, which isn’t obviously available when you order), I figured it would be at least semi-reasonable… but no. US$35 worth of goods will cost me US$120 to ship to my NZ address… The weight of the package as delivered to them is under 1kg. The shipping weight, once BongoUS add large lumps of lead to the package (I can only assume) is 4.5kg. Ok, so not a realistic freight charge, so I thought I’d have everything returned to KTM-Parts. That will be US$40… but yet it cost US$12 for KTM-Parts to send it to them. Then I will have the pleasure of trying to argue with KTM-Parts that I shouldn’t be charged the 20% restocking fee, because I asked them to cancel the order. If they don’t, it will actually cost more for me to return the items than it did to purchase the items. I have asked BongoUS to bin the items, as this is actually the most cost-effective solution, and will take it as a lesson learned. Which, for obvious reasons, I should share…

[Katoomer]

They should rename themselves Bogus.
I would never buy from overseas unless the freight is included in the total price. E-Bay have lots of traders that quote freight to here. I've heard of similar stories from guys getting burnt on shipping charges though.
It even happens a bit on tardme but to a lessor degree.
Thanks for the heads up.

[White trash]

Wrong. They don't add weight. Shipping charges for airfreight are based on the actual weight, or the volumetric weight, whichever is greater. USD120 door to door via express courier is more than reasonable, quit crying.

[Jay GTI]

Wrong. They don't add weight. Shipping charges for airfreight are based on the actual weight, or the volumetric weight, whichever is greater. USD120 door to door via express courier is more than reasonable, quit crying.

You really are awesome.

Where exactly in the post is the crying? What I said, in essence, was I’d made some assumptions and I got burned because they were wrong. Don’t really care if you consider the freight charge reasonable, or how freight costs are calculated, all I’m doing is sharing my experience with other people, so they can make an educated decision on making any of their own purchases using either company.

[nodrog:Me]

The crying has arrived.

Fanny.

[White trash]

You really are awesome.

Thanks, I've been working out. Once, when I was at the public swimming pools in Dunedin, I tripped over and took a mouthfull of water. I was finding it really hard to get my footing back and kept slipping over, spluttering and choking on more and more water, rapidly losing composure. Luckily a life guard spotted my distress and waded into the kids pool to drag me safely to my feet and away from the dangerous six inch deep undertow. Between my inconsolable sobs on his shoulder he told me I was awesome and that lots of 19 year olds almost drown in the toddlers pool.

Where exactly in the post is the crying? What I said, in essence, was I’d made some assumptions and I got burned because they were wrong. Don’t really care if you consider the freight charge reasonable, or how freight costs are calculated, all I’m doing is sharing my experience with other people, so they can make an educated decision on making any of their own purchases using either company.

Sorry about that, I misread the situation, apologies. My own interpretation was that you were wingeing about the freight cost and that BongoUS were somehow diddling the figures in their favour unethically. Just wanted to point out how the figures are actually calculated to remove any doubt or confusion. No offence intended. FWIW, the volumetric for air freight is based on 1CBM = 167kg chargeable weight. Seafreight is accepted as 1CBM = 1000kg but some rogues will try for 1CBM = 333kg and charge 3W/M for a tonne of freight. Cnuts.......

As you were.

[takitimu]

I dunno, if you check fedex that is the quote for a 1kg package ( ok I did it from work in NY to Kerikeri ) & ups are not much cheaper.

International courier costs are steep, having said that btosports look to be doing a deal with UPS and are $40USD, which is not alot more than I'd pay to get it shipped to a hotel in the states.

[Jay GTI]

Sorry about that, I misread the situation, apologies. My own interpretation was that you were wingeing about the freight cost and that BongoUS were somehow diddling the figures in their favour unethically. Just wanted to point out how the figures are actually calculated to remove any doubt or confusion. No offence intended. FWIW, the volumetric for air freight is based on 1CBM = 167kg chargeable weight. Seafreight is accepted as 1CBM = 1000kg but some rogues will try for 1CBM = 333kg and charge 3W/M for a tonne of freight. Cnuts.......

As you were.

Nah it’s fair that you read what you did, reading back I could see where my post would make people think that. I’ve bought plenty of stuff from the ‘States before, but this is my first time using a freight forwarding company and I have learned the hard way that it is not good practice to assume anything when it comes to costs. Having read your explanation on how the freight costs are calculated it makes a lot more sense of where the US$120 came from, certainly made no sense to me, so thanks for that!

I just found it very hard to calculate how much the freight would cost, due to it being based on the size/volume of box the items would arrive in at BongoUS, and stupidly decided to go through with it regardless. Subsequently I have now got myself into a position where I don’t believe it is economical to receive my items and feel pretty stupid as a result. Sounds like the costs are in fact completely reasonable for the service, just if I’d been a little more diligent and slightly less mouse click happy, I’d have realised and not proceeded.

Oh and thanks for the pool story, that really was awesome!

[Str8 Jacket]

Oh, can we all hug now!!

[Jay GTI]

Oh, can we all hug now!!

Sure, but keep your hands where I can see 'em...

[Str8 Jacket]

Sure, but keep your hands where I can see 'em...

That's no fun!

[Jay GTI]

That's no fun!

Hmmm you sure? There's quite a few areas of me you could put your hands and I could see them...

[White trash]

Jesus you KTM guys are far too easy to get along with.

I'm off to bait some Honda riding homos...........

[Reckless]

Jesus you KTM guys are far too easy to get along with.

Na Its dirt bikers Jimmy you simply don't get the shit in here you do out in KB Land!!

We use KB how its supposed to be used "where you riding this weekend" and "how do I fix this?" Besides if we don't get along you'll just get ridden past when your stuck out in the whops with a fouled plug or in a bog up to your ass and you can't get your freckin bike out!!

[vazza]

Wrong. They don't add weight. Shipping charges for airfreight are based on the actual weight, or the volumetric weight, whichever is greater. USD120 door to door via express courier is more than reasonable, quit crying.

You have no idea.

Get clued up on international shipping more.

Sucks to be in your situation Jay. I used to order off ktm-parts quite a bit. Good to deal with, however the whole bogus thing sucks. Knew it would cost a fortune.. The jacket thing confirmed it for me.