EU Warehouse through Amazon

[GTC]

Would it not be possible for LTT store to supply the EU directly through Amazon that way they don't have to have their own warehouse and shipping logistics? 

(Maybe I'm just being stupid, I know nothing about the complexities of international distribution)

[venomtail]

Doubt it. The whole reason LTT made their own store is to avoid all and any middlemen. Amazon in EU would defeat the point of what they've been building the past few years.

[dizmo]

Only if you want to pay a lot more. Selling something on Amazon comes with a lot of costs.

[Lurick]

They'd still have to deal with taxes and whatnot in doing that I believe which could quickly make it a moot point and possibly make things more expensive in the end.

[Adam Pilolla]

https://lttstore.gorgias.help/en-US/will-lttstorecom-open-up-foreign-distribution-centre(s)-in-markets-such-as-eu-317868

[LogicalDrm]

From the former CEO.

[yolosnail]

Even accounting for the Amazon fees and LTT having to ship the screwdriver to Amazon, it's still $5 USD cheaper to import it from Amazon US than to order it directly from LTT Store if you're in the UK, presumably because of the extortionate costs they pay for shipping!

 

In fact, what makes me laugh is the fact LTT charge $10 USD to ship within Canada, and it would only cost me about $15 USD to ship the screwdriver from the UK to Canada, and it's essentially the same to ship from the UK to the US as LTT charge from Canada.

I know that doesn't include the handling part, but it really does put into perspective the costs on that side of the pond!

[GTC]

On 10/3/2023 at 1:56 PM, dizmo said:

Only if you want to pay a lot more. Selling something on Amazon comes with a lot of costs.

They already sell on Amazon in the US 

[CC007]

> How many SKUs do you think we have? (hint: it's well over a thousand)

How about only considering the most selling products? It would probably be possible to see which products sell the best in Europe. Using an EU warehouse for those might be feasible.

[LogicalDrm]

21 hours ago, CC007 said:

> How many SKUs do you think we have? (hint: it's well over a thousand)

How about only considering the most selling products? It would probably be possible to see which products sell the best in Europe. Using an EU warehouse for those might be feasible.

This would only then be those items that have least configuration options. Like original and all black screwdrivers (2 SKUs), backpack (1 SKU), stealth waterbottle (3 SKUs if all sizes I think).

[Alex T88]

I guess it doesn't really matter if they open a warehouse or not, as long as they offer proper shipping methods at somewhat affordable rates. I've seen in some other threads, that for instance, they justify the higher shipping cost, due to the smaller scale they operate. I am not denying that. However, the time it takes, for a product to get delivered to Eastern Europe, is long, given the price. And you do not get delivery at your doorstep. For instance, Dbrand, who afaik operate on a smaller scale than LTT, with less SKU's, etc, they include free shipping for orders above $30 U.S. (they also ship and operate from Canada) and they use the proper delivery channels. Received my last order, during the 10th business day from ordering. It's as simple as that. My main complaint was always about the delivery, which takes a long time, goes through a number of couriers, etc. I really do not know why they chose Wizmo to handle shipping, but from my own personal experience, they hover between bad to utterly terrible. And yes, it's their fault, when they choose couriers like Asendia, when you have for instance Aramex or DHL for Eastern Europe, which are cheaper and much more reliable and professional.

[LogicalDrm]

On 10/16/2023 at 3:39 PM, Alex T88 said:

I guess it doesn't really matter if they open a warehouse or not, as long as they offer proper shipping methods at somewhat affordable rates. I've seen in some other threads, that for instance, they justify the higher shipping cost, due to the smaller scale they operate. I am not denying that. However, the time it takes, for a product to get delivered to Eastern Europe, is long, given the price. And you do not get delivery at your doorstep. For instance, Dbrand, who afaik operate on a smaller scale than LTT, with less SKU's, etc, they include free shipping for orders above $30 U.S. (they also ship and operate from Canada) and they use the proper delivery channels. Received my last order, during the 10th business day from ordering. It's as simple as that. My main complaint was always about the delivery, which takes a long time, goes through a number of couriers, etc. I really do not know why they chose Wizmo to handle shipping, but from my own personal experience, they hover between bad to utterly terrible. And yes, it's their fault, when they choose couriers like Asendia, when you have for instance Aramex or DHL for Eastern Europe, which are cheaper and much more reliable and professional.

I'm gonna agree and disagree. For one, DHL seems to have much different reputation in US/Canada as it has in Europe.

 

From what I've seen, LMGs pricing is competitive. Yes, its much for "domestic & US" zone, but for anyone outside of those two, its within reason. For example within Europe/EU, the brackets I've seen are €20, €30 and €55, depending on size of package. Buying mid-size Lego set from Netherlands was €17 for them to ship it to me and €25 for me to ship it back. Haven't bought anything big from US. The only thing I did buy was wrist rest and shipping for that was $20.

 

The times are not, and should not, be viewed as connected to price. You can only make that argument if you are choosing to pay extra for express shipping. But I agree Wizmo being the issue. As they aren't shipping company, but handler, they seem to combine multiple courier services to get cheapest rates possible. There are some good and some bad about that. Good being those competitive prices. Bad is that 1) it goes through many warehouses and steps, and is often stuck, most likely as the handler doesn't have enough content going in correct ways. 2) Some here have noted that some of those handlers aren't even known companies, but man-and-van style operations. 3) The services seem to have issue with large items, like backpacks.

 

I don't think using Dbrand as comparison is very fair here. Most of what they sell are small/light items. So if you are paying more, its more likely the item is bigger. Thats quite common kicker for online sellers. Have some limit you need to reach to get free shipping. It really only means that they have baked some shipping pricing in the product pricing.

[Alex T88]

13 hours ago, LogicalDrm said:

The times are not, and should not, be viewed as connected to price. You can only make that argument if you are choosing to pay extra for express shipping. But I agree Wizmo being the issue. As they aren't shipping company, but handler, they seem to combine multiple courier services to get cheapest rates possible. There are some good and some bad about that. Good being those competitive prices. Bad is that 1) it goes through many warehouses and steps, and is often stuck, most likely as the handler doesn't have enough content going in correct ways. 2) Some here have noted that some of those handlers aren't even known companies, but man-and-van style operations. 3) The services seem to have issue with large items, like backpacks.

In my opinion, the times are directly connected to the price. I refer to the shipping price. As long as other retailers, no matter how big or small, provide accurate and way shorter shipping times, than LTT, for the same or less money, that is a problem for me. I know LTT is not a shipping company. But the fault is at least partially on them, because they decided to work with Wizmo. And as I said, Wizmo is doing a terrible job at mitigating shipping. It is unacceptable in this day and age, for similar packages from different companies, similar in weight, size, etc, to have to wait over a month or more for something to be delivered and not even receiving it. You have to go and pick it up, pay handling fees and whatnot. This all starts with Wizmo. And it all started, when LTT decided to work with Wizmo.

 

13 hours ago, LogicalDrm said:

I don't think using Dbrand as comparison is very fair here. Most of what they sell are small/light items. So if you are paying more, its more likely the item is bigger. Thats quite common kicker for online sellers. Have some limit you need to reach to get free shipping.

$30 U.S. is their starting price for free shipping. For instance, my last order, an Iphone 15 Pro Max Phone case, a vinyl cover and a 2 pack tempered glass screen protector, cost me 74,85 $ US, after taxes. Of course, with free shipping. Where it gets interesting, the package weighs 544 grams (1,19 pounds) and was like 40-50% bigger in size than the LTT package in which I received my normal screwdriver and the sticker pack. The LTT Screwdriver pack, was weighed and it had 200 grams (0,44 pounds) and it was smaller in size than the Dbrand pack. So, it's doable. 

 

13 hours ago, LogicalDrm said:

It really only means that they have baked some shipping pricing in the product pricing.

Yes, most probably. It doesn't bother me, either way. What really bothers me and it did so from the get go, was the very slow shipping process, the uncertainty and the fact that you are mostly kept in the dark, by the couriers, whoever get to handle your parcel. Even when you get in touch with them, they have absolutely no clue, why your package is stalling God knows where. In my opinion, this is a matter of choice. And Wizmo chooses to work with decrepit companies and incompetent couriers. And this is not ok. Again, I reiterate, the fact that I have to pay shipping is not a problem for me. I'd even pay expedited shipping, if that would guarantee that my parcel would arrive at my address, in due time, without any hiccups. To provide such services, for extra fees, it is simply unacceptable, for me. And I've seen thousands of complains over the Internet, from people that are in my shoes. Why LTT, still continues to employ Wizmo's services, that is beyond me. In my opinion, a company of their statute, should be nowhere near someone like Wizmo. 

[Neroon]

On 10/15/2023 at 11:18 AM, LogicalDrm said:

This would only then be those items that have least configuration options. Like original and all black screwdrivers (2 SKUs), backpack (1 SKU), stealth waterbottle (3 SKUs if all sizes I think).

I do think that's something they should consider.

 

I don't think selling merch would be a good option for this, but considering how good the screwdriver is, I can see that being a product that will make sense to sell that way. It's not merch, it's a high end tool, and plenty of people who don't want LTT could be interested in it. Not to mention that the product is fairly small to store, compared to how expensive it is, so it does make a great product to sell that way.

[Razercake]

On 10/16/2023 at 2:39 PM, Alex T88 said:

And you do not get delivery at your doorstep.

Just FYI, here in Denmark I've always had my LTT orders delivered right to my door. so that might be a country-to-country difference? or I'm just extremely lucky with the deliveries.

[LogicalDrm]

4 hours ago, Razercake said:

Just FYI, here in Denmark I've always had my LTT orders delivered right to my door. so that might be a country-to-country difference? or I'm just extremely lucky with the deliveries.

Here its either extra service, or not preferred. We use pick-up points mainly as there one in almost every local store. Much easier if you are working/moving around than trying to set up time to meet with delivery driver. Since once they fail to deliver, I have to go to some odd place to get it.

[Razercake]

12 minutes ago, LogicalDrm said:

Here its either extra service, or not preferred. We use pick-up points mainly as there one in almost every local store. Much easier if you are working/moving around than trying to set up time to meet with delivery driver. Since once they fail to deliver, I have to go to some odd place to get it.

Well, I have them put it in front of my apartment door. usually, deliveries go to a pickup point, as shops tend to charge extra for door delivery. but LTT comes straight to the door, I'd be fine with whatever since I have 3 pickup locations within a 5min walk of me.

 

Just wanted to point out that some places do get delivery to the doorstep, I do wonder how much it varies from country to country. might be a local carrier thing, even if the package comes from DHL it will be handed over to our local postal service. So this could just be PostNord, going the extra mile for some reason.

[Alex T88]

4 hours ago, Razercake said:

Just FYI, here in Denmark I've always had my LTT orders delivered right to my door. so that might be a country-to-country difference? or I'm just extremely lucky with the deliveries.

Could be. For some reason, every parcel from LTT is given to the National Post Office in my country, as a final courier. They are the epitome of incompetence, lack of transparency and professionalism. They even resort to opening and stealing the contents of the parcels, from some people and then they act as if it got lost. I am not blaming LTT for this, but rather Wizmo. I had really high hopes, when I saw that my stubby parcel, was initially picked up by DHL. Thought it was going to get delivered either by DHL or by GLS. Every other parcel, from abroad, no matter it was from Asia, South America, USA, or Canada which was picked up initially by DHL, was delivered as such. And I've literally had hundreds of parcels throughout the years delivered as such, for myself and for the company I used to work for. The stubby was received by the National Post Office. They do not deliver at home, you have to go, wait in line and pay extra handling fees. If you ever receive your parcel. And there is always the uncertainty that you may never get what you ordered. Again, this is not on LTT. But as I said, Wizmo is not doing a good job at all. It goes through many shipping companies, I do not know why, and they always seem to chose the worse shipping companies. For example, why would they even work with an entity like Asendia, which is utter trash?! That is beyond me.