I live in the UK and buy at least a dozen items from the USA via ebay / RCM / direct website.
Never lost a item in the past 8 years - when I want tracking I pay for International Priority mail (Parcels not Flat rate envelope) or EMS. Shipping can be between $25 and $35 but is fully tracked door to door.
People are wrong to think that packages cannot be tracked door to door via regular usps. Below is trackin info from
www.usps.com as proof.
This is a big box containing a painted revo body CJ196453643US shipped International Priority parcels - slower but cheaper/ $26.50 due to size of box but weight low.
Label/Receipt Number: CJ19 6453 643U S
Class: Priority Mail International Parcels
Service(s): International Parcels
Status: Delivered Abroad
Your item was delivered in GREAT BRITAIN at 9:59 AM on September 3, 2009
Detailed Results:
Bullet Delivered Abroad, September 03, 2009, 9:59 am, GREAT BRITAIN
Bullet Out of Foreign Customs, September 02, 2009, 11:31 am, GREAT BRITAIN
Bullet Arrived Abroad, September 02, 2009, 11:30 am, GREAT BRITAIN
Bullet International Dispatch, August 27, 2009, 7:34 pm, ISC MIAMI FL (USPS)
Bullet Arrival
Bullet Electronic Shipping Info Received, August 26, 2009
This is a small package containing a Neu Motor EC65 8621 631US - shipped EMS on took 3 days from USA to my door. $25 for shipping
Label/Receipt Number: EC65 8621 631U S
Class: Express Mail International®
Status: Delivered Abroad
Your item was delivered in GREAT BRITAIN at 8:42 AM on September 4, 2009.
Detailed Results:
Bullet Delivered Abroad, September 04, 2009, 8:42 am, GREAT BRITAIN
Bullet Out of Foreign Customs, September 04, 2009, 1:00 am, GREAT BRITAIN
Bullet Arrived Abroad, September 03, 2009, 10:01 pm, GREAT BRITAIN
Bullet International Dispatch, September 02, 2009, 10:38 am, ISC MIAMI FL (USPS)
Bullet Arrival
Bullet Processed through Sort Facility, September 02, 2009, 6:20 am, MIAMI, FL 33112
Bullet Processed through Sort Facility, September 01, 2009, 6:05 pm, ORLANDO, FL 32899
Bullet Electronic Shipping Info Received, September 01, 2009
I frequently find that most people do not realise that the USPS postal system is very economical and efficient if you use the right service
Mohan