So I ordered a toy from Mandarake and it shipped April 22nd using SAL which only takes 2 weeks. Always used this option but when I check the tracking this comes up: Your item has been processed through our sort facility in ISC NEW YORK NY(USPS) at 9:04 am on May 5, 2014. I know it hasn't been that long but never waited this long and never had a problem with them updating the tracking. WTF?
Not sure what it's like in USA, but here in Australia if customs randomly inspect the package it can delay things by a few days for sure. From what I've heard USPS is even shittier than Australia Post so that could be the case??
For most of my overseas purchases, I haven't had any issues. Just this year though, twice I have had a package get held up in customs for over a month.
I have had this happen to me too Greg. Customs is a real pain sometimes. I also always use SAL for Mandarake. The stuff typically leaves the store that day, and the country within a day - to arrive here shortly thereafter. However, I have still waited a month while the tracking just shows "item has left Japan", in other words arrived in Canada but is sitting in customs. It is incredibly frustrating, but even picking other shipping options doesn't alleviate this.
I had that same issue as you Greg last year in August. Package from Mandarake as EMS. Was at ISC NY for weeks which turned in to months. Eventually after a month I contacted Mandarake. Package was lost and Mandarake refunded my purchase. It was a 3 month ordeal before I got the refund. Mandarake was very nice about.
I had a parcel from Hong Kong stuck at a USPS sort facility in Bethpage NY. Basically my package was hijacked by US postal employees. I called to complain so they resealed the envelope & sent it to me without the contents. You can file a complaint with the postmaster general but the most they will tell you is that the incident will be or has been investigated. I couldn't file a claim because the item was a prize & not something I paid for... your tax dollars at work.
