Importing Computer

[Traveller]

I recently had my computer shipped to me here in Cali.
Now, there isn't anything you can really do about this unless you change your packing material.
I packed my box with packing peanuts. The computer got here in a very short amount of time. I open up the box, take the computer out. Now dings, scrapes, drips, runs, or errors. Next I open it up to see if everything inside is alright. Well, let's see. Someone who inspected it thought it a good idea to disconnect a cable. I'm not exactly sure where it goes, but I think I got it. But, here's the thing, the computer was filled with packing peanuts. Those things get into everything. I mean, it was completley filled, but there was a lot of them in there.   They must have opened the housing inside the box with the peanuts.
"Ugh! Tondor no understand metal box?" (In your best caveman voice)
They're in the fan housing, the boards, the drives, everywhere. And, you have to be very careful taking thenm out of the boards. Took me a good half hour to get them out and I am not 100% sure I have them all out. Plus, you have the little pieces that break of when you have to dig some of them out of tight places.
ANYWAYS...........Word to the wise, if you ship something sensitive like that down here, use plastice bubble wrap instead.

[Hoda]

... in response to Importing Computer, posted by Traveller on Jan 25, 2005


My wife wants to send a laptop to a family member who will be entering the university this coming fall. I've always been concerned with Colombian Customs. To be frank, I have doubts that the laptop will make it to her family. The only other alternatives are for us to wait for our trip or someone we know that's going to Cali in the near future...

[Traveller]

... in response to Who did you use as your shipper?, posted by Hoda on Jan 26, 2005

Throw used a friend who has a shipping company. I don't know who they are. It only cost $79 to ship my PC (minus Monitor) from Ft. Lauderdale.

[Onephd]

... in response to Who did you use as your shipper?, posted by Hoda on Jan 26, 2005

Hoda, try FedEx, it is safe and fast.

Its also going to be expensive.  I would imagine about $150-$200 to ship. Cheaper than a flight however.

[pablo]

... in response to Re: Who did you use as your shipper?, posted by Onephd on Jan 26, 2005


Not only will it be expensive to ship but won't there be custom duties as well?  I think a trusted friend bringing it to Cali would be the best method if you aren't going there anytime soon.

[utopiacowboy]

... in response to Re: Re: Who did you use as your shipper?, posted by pablo on Jan 26, 2005

This is exactly what I did. I took the computer down there and packed it in a suitcase. I didn't know how I was going to explain it to Colombian customs but I hit the green light so it wasn't an issue. My wife used the computer for about 8 months and when she left she gave it to her sister. They were all thrilled with it.

[pablo]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Who did you use as your ship..., posted by utopiacowboy on Jan 27, 2005


I would think it would be safer both during the ride and prying eyes/sticky fingers if the computer went along with you on your take on luggage rather than check in.  Customs doesn't care if it's for personal use.  

I am surprised at how expensive certain items cost here in Colombia.  Any type of electronics is subtantially more as compared to the States.  I wonder if a person could bring in certain items for resale to pay for the airfare.  I can just see it now...ah, no sir, those two Sony 42" flat screen TV's are mine for personal use.  Maybe a dozen i-pods would do the trick.  Any ideas gang?

[kented]

... in response to Who did you use as your shipper?, posted by Hoda on Jan 26, 2005

If you ship Fed Ex or UPS worldwide, things don't disappear passing through customs because the company is responsible for timely and safe delivery.

If you use a shipper (such as the USPO) which hands stuff over to the local postal system, you are less secure.  I would never use USPO to send anything to CR just becasue of the unreliability of the CR post office.  

In Colombia, things frequently disappear.  My ex-wife had her luggage ransacked by Avianca baggage handlers.

[Red Clay]

... in response to Importing Computer, posted by Traveller on Jan 25, 2005

Don't feel bad, same thing happened to me recently. Bought a custom-built computer that was set-up for me by the computer genius. Got it home and opened the boxes, peanuts inside everything.