Actually, I inquired from JAC two days ago if my package was already with them. Unfortunately, there's none yet. The reason, as he said, is that JAC NY has Saturday (US time) cut-off for shipping to Philippines. Since my Amazon package was received by JAC NY last Saturday also, it probably did not make it with the cut-off time. JAC advised me that'll it be included on the next batch and that he already sent e-mail to their NY office.
Anyway, it's still fine with me. I guess it's much better than waiting for a Post Office pick-up notice that usually come very late. JAC Megamall is just walking distance from my office.
Just picked up this lunch time from Megamall my first Amazon package coursed thru JAC. All I can say is, the service is rewarding. I also believe it's much cheaper than to use Amazon's standard international shipping method right now. Anyway, for the benefit of those who want to try JAC, I'll state my first order as an example:
- The item I ordered is Spider-man - The High Definition Trilogy
- I was hopefully expecting that the item plus the shipment box will be under 1 lbs. Well, it's not. It was stated on the JAC statement of account registering 2 lbs. JAC Megamall's personnel is kind enough to weigh the package in front of me and voila! It's 1.05 lbs. Ok! ok! I'm not sourgraping or something, but they charge $5.5/lbs, so had I speculated it more accurately, I should have added 1 more disc to maximize the rate against the weight.
- At the time my package reached JAC here in Manila, the current exchange rate they applied is P43.40 per $1. Not bad!!!
- The total amount I paid JAC is P694.40. Breakdown? Weight (2lbs) x Rate ($5.50) plus $5.00 handling fee, then multiplied with current exchange rate of P43.40. So, it's $16 to be exact. As for the discount applied, I'm not sure if I had to post it here, but they excluded one charge from the list of charges.
- Oh, not to forget, I used Amazon's Super Saver Shipping method, so it's $0 shipment charge. And Amazon had made a refund of $4 for this item because it was under the pre-order price guarantee.
Had I opted not to use JAC and coursed my shipment thru Amazon's standard international shipping,
- then I should have only been charged $8.98 for it.
BUT the catch or risk is... if Amazon had used IMEX instead of DHL Global Mail, definitely, I'll be slapped by our local PO of certain, "unfriendly" custom duties for shipment that is above $50! Not to mention the 3-5 weeks of waiting of the PO notice to arrive.
I could have saved more if it will be a sure ball Royale Logistics door-to-door delivery at my Ortigas Center office, but, hey! I don't want to take the risk anymore!
So, from now on, it will be JAC for all my succeeding Amazon orders. I may have received the item within two weeks time, but it was well-explained why!