Delivery trouble?

[Selo]

I made a deal on a new Caterham 7 kit quite awhile ago.

It was supposed to be here last fall, then in May, then end of July, but come to find out now it's still hasn't left the port. Originally it was supposed to be 2 to $3,000 to ship to me. When I spoke with the shop last time, they said that due to the craziness in the shipping industry, now it was going to be $10,000 or so. I called today for an update, and was told there are further complications and it hasn't yet left the port. I'm taking that to mean the cost could go even further.

Has anyone else run into problems such as these? Any ideas on how to get it shipped over for a more reasonable price? I mean, potentially having to spend 15 or $20,000 to ship a 40 or $50,000 kit simply isn't reasonable.

Any advice will be appreciated.

 

[JohnCh]

Supply chain issues have not been kind to anyone with a car on order.  My deposit was placed in early May 2021, and the kit was considered production complete in early April, but Caterham refused to ship because it was missing a coolant hose and grill (don't get me started on that one.) Those parts became available early last month and now I'm waiting for another car to come out of waiting-for-parts-hell so we can share a container to keep shipping costs under control.  If your dealer has another car coming to the US, that might be an option to discuss with him.

 

Regarding the cost, are you sure the original quote to ship the kit to you was that low?  Prior to placing my order, I was given the impression that shipping rates were ~$6k to Seattle but were clearly at risk of increasing.  I've heard from someone else recently whose portion of a shared container was ~$8k.

 

-John

[Selo]

I might be misremembering.  Maybe 3-$5000 original estimate.  But a lot less than what we're talking about now. Sharing a container is a good thought.  I'll check it out. 

[jimmylukeii]

On that big of a delivery charge, I would ask to see the quote directly from the shipper.  Not sure if it is typical for the importer to tack on a bit of a surcharge, but I would still like to know the base rate.

 

It seems very high, but then again everything seems high these days.

 

[Bartman]

Hi,

 

I pay for sea shipping containers often, the cost has increased dramatically, as an example a container from Hong Kong to NYC in 2019 was 3.5-4K, it went up to over 20K late pandemic and is currently 11K or thereabouts. I don't ship from Europe (or at least what was previously Europe) but I understand this type of dramatic increase in cost is worldwide. Having said that you don't need a 40' container, a 20' would suffice or as mentioned co-shipping. It is possible to ship LCL (less than container load), but this has some attendant issues in my experience and does complicate customs clearance etc. as the container you have your goods in may get held up by others in the same container who don't do the paperwork properly.

[Selo]

@Bartman, valuable info, thank you. 

[Junior7]

FWIW - I own a trucking company and spare parts are not to be found. Last spring, I waited six months for a $600 part for the emission system in one of my trucks last year. That same part today, when I can find it, is now $900. Take it or leave it.

 

In January of this year, I placed an order for a specialized truck...and I was told I'd get the truck in December of this year...we hope.

 

I placed my 7 order his spring...and I hope I get my car late next year.

 

Wish I had better news for you...but...

[Selo]

Well, the good news is that the ship has left the port with my car on it.

It's scheduled to hit the port in LA 8/21. Then has to make it's way to my residence in ABQ.  

Cost for shipping approx $11000.

I'm really looking forward to this project, and since I'm retired now I plan to approach this as my day job once it arrives. However,...... Had I known it would end up costing me this much it would have been a tough decision...... There are lots of super nice brand new cars one can buy with this kind of scratch. 

[Junior7]

Great new!