Job Discussion Forums

OzBurn · Joined: 03 May 2004 Posts: 199

Has anyone out there had things shipped from the US? How long does it usually take? Have you had problems with customs? Where do you have to pick up your mail? I want to have some books shipped here.

Thank you.

jojoni · Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 87

It would take about 2-3 weeks or worst a month. As for custom, depending what is inside the package and the mood of the custom officers. I sent my sister two English books that I put them together for her and some other junks and she has to pay tax. :shock:
Where do you ppick it up? At the main post office near the big Catholic church and the old ex Presidential Place.
THere is one big bookstore that has many English teaching books if they do not have them you can order it through them. Good luck

OzBurn · Joined: 03 May 2004 Posts: 199

Thanks. After spending 50 bucks for a book on the psychology of music at the Xuan Thu (sp?) store on Dong Khoi, I'm ready to go with Amazon. (Although it's quite an interesting book, I desperately need some fiction. Odd place, that store. Very odd. And why do they have a large selection of fiction in French, but none to speak of in English? Never mind...)

ianthe · Joined: 13 Aug 2004 Posts: 11

It's really hard to get fiction here, the only place I know of is on Pham Ngu Lao. They occasionally have some good stuff, you can also exchange. It drives me crazy - i don't even know why I'm telling you- more competition! Am even considering opening a book shop...

jojoni · Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 87

You should.

OzBurn · Joined: 03 May 2004 Posts: 199

Yes, the tiny shop on PNL is the only place in town -- and I have to admit, I have the same thought...why am I even writing this, it will bring everyone there...but I've given up on that place, and am ordering from the US from now on, anyway.

Actually, a good used bookshop, I think, might do very well here. Someone should try it.

jojoni · Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 87

Do you want to open an English bookstore in HCMC? DO you have capitol to do it?

jojoni · Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 87

THis past July I brought an electronic rice cooker for my sister HCMC. I was warned that I had to pay import tax as the rice cooker going through the ex-ray machine, and x-ray machine officer saw it, but he let me go. I guessed I was arriving around mid night and there were tons of overseas Vietnamese with giant luggages to bribe on. So they did not bother with me. I was lucky.

Alexandria

Learn from my experience and void getting burned!

I ordered some books & videos from Amazon. Their international shipping is only available at one speed/price: fairly fast and extremely expensive.

Also, the customs officials saw the Amazon box and pounced on it. Because the items were brand new and wrapped up in shrink-wrap, they assumed that I was going to re-sell them for profit (?!). So when I went to the post office to pick up my package, I had to pay customs tax in addition to other fees and (don't forget) on top of the ridiculously high international shipping fee that Amazon chose for me. The final result was that the price of the items I'd ordered was less than twice of what it cost for me to get them here. NOT worth it!

So now I order from Amazon and have them send my order to a trusted friend in the states. She then unwraps and breaks the "new video" seals on all the items, repackages them in a plain cardboard box, and ships them to me at a much slower, much more affordable rate (& sends me the packing invoice later in a letter... it cannot be in the box mailed to you!)

This incident happened when I was teaching in Thailand, but I'm sure it would be repeated should I have new materials shipped to me that way here in Vietnam. Good luck!

ianthe · Joined: 13 Aug 2004 Posts: 11

I don't have the capital to open a book shop but I have a friend who says he will back it, and he does. I have a lot of ideas but i'd like to meet someone who has a good business head rather than just a lot of ideas about what would make a cool bookshop. Like, some idea about bookkeeping, costs, financial feasability, um...money, not just books and decor and coffee and PR...My backer just don't got the time...ysss i know that's bad grammar but what a relief.

jojoni · Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 87

May be you and I can be partner. I have a house there in district 1, brand new. And I will be in HCMC at the end of this year.

ianthe · Joined: 13 Aug 2004 Posts: 11

Let me know when you get here, we should meet up. I thought you were already here...it would be good to know dates, especially if your interested in that weekend work...This is silly having this conversation on two threads simultaneously...email if you want.

jojoni · Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 87

Hello Ianthe,

Currently I am in Korea. I will be in HCMC on December 30 with my dog and possibly the rabbit too. I know what a baggage, but they are my family. WHen the time is near I will let you know my phone number there. DO you have a phone number? If you do I will give you a call and we will meet up at my place. E-mail me at [email protected]

Mimi

jojoni · Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 87

Hello Ianthe,

Currently I am in Korea. I will be in HCMC on December 30 with my dog and possibly the rabbit too. I know what a baggage, but they are my family. WHen the time is near I will let you know my phone number there. DO you have a phone number? If you do I will give you a call and we will meet up at my place. E-mail me at [email protected]

Mimi Very Happy