When I decided to use Buy&Ship for a forward shipping service, I thought it would be a straightforward process: ship my items to a local warehouse, consolidate them, and then have them sent to me. Unfortunately, I discovered an unexpected extra step in their process that added significant time to my shipment.
My Shipping Timeline
- January 23rd: I placed my order.
- January 24th: The seller shipped my items.
- January 27th: The package arrived at Buy&Ship’s Portland warehouse via FedEx.
- January 28th: Buy&Ship recorded the parcel in their system. Without any option for product checking, my parcel was automatically sent to their Hong Kong warehouse for consolidation.
- February 10th: Arrived at the Hong Kong warehouse.
- February 15th: I made the payment for consolidation and shipping.
- February 25th: They packed the parcel for delivery via Skynet.
- March 3rd: The package finally arrived at my location.
For better visuals, I have added a calendar below:
January 2025
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
| 21 | 22 | 23 (Order Placed) | 24 (Shipped) | 25 | 26 | 27 (Portland) |
| 28 (Recorded) | 29 | 30 | 31 |
February 2025
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 (Forwarded to HK) |
| 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 (Paid) | 16 | 17 |
| 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| 25 (Packed) | 26 | 27 | 28 |
March 2025
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
| 2 | 3 (Arrived) | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
One major downside is the lack of a product checking service before the parcel is forwarded to Hong Kong. If an item is faulty, I would need to arrange a return all the way from Hong Kong rather than handling it locally in the U.S. This is a significant inconvenience, especially when dealing with international returns.
Another drawback is the pricing structure, which isn’t exactly cheap. Buy&Ship charges based on weight, and there are two main options:
- Duty Paid (Skynet): RM30 for the first pound and RM28 for each additional pound. However, Skynet has recently implemented a price adjustment, increasing the rate by RM2 per pound, which is now RM32 for the first pound and RM30 for each additional pound.
- Duty Unpaid (UPS): RM50 for the first two pounds and RM22 for each subsequent pound.
This means costs can add up quickly, especially for heavier packages. If you’re ordering bulky or heavy items, you might want to compare alternative forwarders to ensure you’re getting the best value.
If you need to make a return, here are some key points to note from the customer service:
- Free parcel return service is available only to Buy&Ship Plus members.
- Applicable only for returns to sellers in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and Japan who offer return services.
- The return request must be submitted within 30 days of receiving the parcel, with all necessary documents.
- Once approved, Buy&Ship provides a return shipping label, and a courier is arranged to collect the parcel.
- The returned item must be shipped within 7 days of receiving the return label.
- The return shipping time varies based on the courier.
- Buy&Ship credits will be issued for the refund (excluding the Buy&Ship Plus fee).
- Users must confirm all restrictions and return deadlines with the seller beforehand, as Buy&Ship is not responsible for delivery delays.
On top of that, you will also need to take note of the seller’s return policies. Some sellers may have strict conditions, short return windows, or require the buyer to cover return shipping costs. Since these factors can affect the overall return process, it is important to be prepared for the possibility of an unsuccessful return if the item is damaged or unsatisfactory.
While Buy&Ship does offer a viable solution for international shopping, the additional step of shipping items to Hong Kong before final delivery can be a major drawback. If you anticipate needing product checks or quick returns, this service might not be ideal. Additionally, the shipping costs can be high, especially with recent price adjustments. However, if you’re okay with the extended shipping timeline and the limitations on returns, Buy&Ship can still be a useful option for cross-border shopping.
The content in this blog post is based on authentic and genuine personal experience and it is written with full honesty. The items mentioned in this blog post are not sponsored and are not monetarily compensated. As usual, all of my reviews, verdicts and opinions are truthful and will not be influenced by the sponsors/collaborators.
