Correos de Mexico - MexPost

[jamnkats]

So, any new war stories?

Last year I had 2 boxes of books shipped down and a box of mail sent that arrived no problem. I also received a couple letters and sent a couple that arrived. I have a neighbor who ordered DIVE COMPUTERS and all kinds of fancy schmantzy electronic gear and it all arrived!

Any recent stories?

Oh, I had a purse shipped down that never did make it though.

[Vlad]

I've been using the Mex Post for about eight months for personal and business correspondence. So far, nothing has failed to be delivered that I'm aware of. I've sent checks to the U.S., and received a new credit card and a new ATM card, among other things. I haven't tried it with parcels, either way. (I have a post office box, this end, which reduces the amount of handling the mail is subject to, and that may make a difference.)

The service is slow, most of the time, with mail coming this way taking one-three weeks; outbound seems to take less time- with around one-two weeks for delivery, typical. I wouldn't use it where time is a factor.

[John]

Vlad, is your post office box set up in the Mex Post facility, or somewhere else? And, how much does it cost for one?

Thanks!

[Vlad]

It's an official Mex PO Box, in the central post office, Cancun. Cost is 180 pesos/year, as I recall.

[John]

I recently ordered some running shoes from an online store in the US. Shipping to Mexico was an option, so I decided to give it a try.

I placed the order on April 15. It shipped on April 16. They sent me a tracking number, which I was VERY curious about. I checked every few days to see if there was an update, but it was not updated online. I entered my email address for tracking updates - I never received any.

Upon returning home on April 26, I discovered a delivery attempt notice from MexPost. My package was available! Unfortunately, the notice does not include a telephone number, website URL, or location. Thanks to Solomon, I soon had the location of their office (Calle 2 and Avenue 20).

I picked up my package this morning, and it was not very interesting. They took my slip, located my package, and made me sign 2 shipping documents.

I just checked the status of my tracking number and finally got the details:

Label/Receipt Number: XXXX XXXX XXXX X
Class: Priority Mail International Parcels
Service(s): International Parcels
Status: Out of Foreign Customs

Your item cleared customs in MEXICO at 1:53 PM on April 23, 2010. Information, if available, is updated periodically throughout the day. Please check again later.

Detailed Results:

Out of Foreign Customs, April 23, 2010, 1:53 pm, MEXICO
Into Foreign Customs, April 23, 2010, 11:44 am, MEXICO
Arrived Abroad, April 23, 2010, 11:44 am, MEXICO
International Dispatch, April 22, 2010, 4:13 am, ISC SAN FRANCISCO (USPS)
Arrival
Acceptance, April 20, 2010, 3:42 pm, HOOD RIVER, OR 97031
Electronic Shipping Info Received, April 16, 2010

All in all, a very good experience. I'm impressed, to say the least!

I just thought I'd share, in case others were curious about the experience.

[Vlad]

What's that, John, seven days from the time it shipped until it was delivered to your post box, having cleared Mexican Customs, as well, during that seven days? Got to be a record!

That represents the equal of my best experiences with mail, using the Mexican Post, but I've never shipped goods that way.

Congrats on trying it: most don't even try....

Vlad.

[John]

I decided last year that technological advances here would take forever unless people started to take advantage of the services available here and now. Since I'm a technology guy, I'm doing my part to further the cause. Since last year, I have purchased the following online:
* a computer from Dell, Mexico. (Estafeta)
* an A/C remote from Mercado Libre (Estafeta)
* a replacement laptop hard drive from Mercado Libre (Estafeta)
* replacement hard drives from Mercado Libre (Estafeta)
* placed online food delivery orders at 2 local restaurants (Hong Kong, Giallo Limone)
* shipped packages from the US all the way to PdC. (MexPost)

The computer was slightly more expensive then it's US counterpart, which is probably the Mexican customs tax. I'm ok with that. Ironically, the computer was probably built in Mexico and shipped to the US for delivery.

All of the other computer equipment I bought online was cheaper than comparable items at the stores here in Playa, including shipping costs!

The online restaurant ordering is more for fun than anything. The ordering experience reminds me of websites I created back in 1996. Hey, they have to start somewhere.

Now, if I could buy a TiVo and download the PdC/Cancun Cablemas programming schedule, I'd know that we finally entered the new millenium.

[jamnkats]

Wow! I recently ordered about $100 of books (for the kids) and it took about 2 weeks to arrive (but I didn't check every day as I expected it to take a while).

How much was the shipping on your shoes and did you pay customs fees? And what brand did you get ?

I just had my sister mule down 4 shoes for me, Brooks Ghost (2 sizes), Glycerin and Defyance. I loved them all but sent all but the ghosteseses back.

[John]

Ok, I'm kind of embarrassed to say, but I purchased a pair of Vibram FiveFingers KSOs. They are popular now in the barefoot running crowd. It's definitely experimental. It took over 10 minutes for me to get them on, I'm not sure if that's normal, or if that indicates a tight fit. One foot feels quite comfortable just walking around, in the other, it feels like my toes are being held out of their normal placement. Since you previously commented on my running form, you may know the perceived benefits of barefoot running. If not, read Born to Run or visit the Vibram website, Vibram Five Fingers: Discover the Barefooting Alternative .

Back on topic... I purchased the shoes from Kayak Shed, shipping was $26.13 for USPS Priority Mail International. If there was a customs charge, it was built into the shipping cost. I paid nothing extra for customs, otherwise.

[Libby]

Kathy, Overstock.com now offers shipping to Mexico. What's great is that you're able to see exactly what the shipping and customs costs will be before you place your order. When I get back to Playa, I think I'll be placing and order for towels and bed sheets. I'll let you know how it goes.

[jamnkats]

Thanks, Libby! I get all that stuff at thriftstores though. Too cheap.

John - did you get the special socks (infiniti?) to go with them? Some people report blisters on long VBO runs without the special socks.

Good for you! I'm thinking about Newtons but I tried them next to my Brooks Ghosts and the heel sit is incredibly similar. Still, if I lived in the US (so I could take them back after running in them for a while) I'd probably try the Newtons. I'm NOT ready for VBOs though!

[John]

I did not get any special socks with them. However, considering the tight fit already, I think I'd have to go a size larger to fit anything else in the shoe.

I have not had a chance to give them a try yet. Hopefully in the next few weeks...