Itead lead times? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: deephaven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2013, 11:46:40 am
content: I just wondered what the typical lead time people have experienced with Itead these days for a 2 layer board, shipping to the UK?

author: JJalling
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 30, 2013, 01:51:31 pm
content: Quote from: deephaven on October 30, 2013, 11:46:40 amI live in Denmark, but I think the time is comparable to UK.The fastest time i have experienced, from uploading the files, to the PCB's lying on my desk is 13 days with their cheapest delivery method, but it usually takes a little longer.I usually plan for 2,5-3 weeks.BR Jonas

author: Dagon
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2013, 02:46:59 pm
content: I'm in Ireland and generally have the same experienceThey turn around the boards pretty quickly. My last order took five days from placing the order to shipping. It is the shipping that can vary though. 10-14 days seems to be average but I've had stuff take longer.

author: deephaven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2013, 04:01:26 pm
content: That doesn't sound too bad. Thanks for the replies guys.

author: westfw
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2013, 04:09:10 pm
content: My first order got "returned" to iTead during the recent HK postal crackdown, and ended up taking six weeks :-(On the bright side, I did get a note at just about the time I was going to complain, that the boards had been re-shipped.

author: deephaven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2013, 05:39:23 pm
content: Quote from: westfw on October 30, 2013, 04:09:10 pmWas that crackdown effectively a glitch which is passed now, or is it on-going?

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2013, 06:17:53 pm
content: Quote from: deephaven on October 30, 2013, 05:39:23 pmHK Post seems to be serious about it. Yesterday they even partly or completely suspended mail service to several countries, including the UK:http://www.hongkongpost.hk/eng/publications/notices/2013/20131029a/index.htmQuotePreviously they warned that PCBs are accidentally caught in the crackdownhttp://www.hongkongpost.hk/eng/publications/notices/2013/20131025a/index.htmQuote

author: deephaven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2013, 06:32:36 pm
content: Thanks for the info, BOW. I assume that the Itead boards aren't insured and so would make it through - as long as they weren't mistaken for batteries!

author: FrankBuss
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 30, 2013, 06:55:31 pm
content: With UPS it was 11 days forsome big two layer boardsto Germany. For some other projects I used their cheapest shipping service, which needed 3-4 weeks.

author: Dagon
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2013, 07:30:36 pm
content: Just to complete the picture I used DHL on a recent order just because I wanted the boards quickly. Three days from shipping to my desk. No complaints there.

author: deephaven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2013, 08:02:54 pm
content: That's excellent feedback guys, I appreciate all the helpful replies. Many thanks.

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2013, 09:05:26 pm
content: The big one to watch out for is Chinese holidays. Tack on up to an extra month if it's around new year especially.

author: deephaven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2013, 09:46:08 pm
content: Thanks Smokey.

author: poorchava
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2013, 06:23:57 am
content: For cheap mail the best was 15 or 16 days IIRC and the worst was like 3.5 weeks. I've ordered fast DHL (or whatever they use) shipping only once and they came after 10 days from placing the order.

author: deephaven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2013, 08:33:51 am
content: Thanks poorchava

author: daedalus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2013, 01:27:40 am
content: I order from itead to the UK regularly, and using UPS its normally in my hands between 10-12 days later. I would love a faster turn, but you just cant beat the prices.

author: deephaven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2013, 08:56:07 am
content: Quote from: daedalus on November 01, 2013, 01:27:40 amThanks daedalus. 10-12 days aint bad, especially considering how far they have to come!

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2013, 05:44:45 pm
content: I have to admit I completely don't understand international shipping sometimes. For some stuff it seems like you pay a huge amount for shipping and it still takes forever. Other times it's super cheap and gets here in a couple days.The most ridiculous was when I bought an international edition of a text book off ebay. It was in India and had free 2 day shipping. We are talking 600 pages of dead trees, so it's pretty heavy. The total cost to me was 15 USD and it showed up 3 days later. Blew my mind.

author: westfw
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2013, 12:24:57 am
content: A lot depends on the country of origin. China seems to actively encourage shipping things out of the country, while the US actively discourages it. The cheapest I can mail a 4oz package to China is about $10, whereas I can get PRODUCTS shipped to me from China for less than that.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 02, 2013, 12:36:01 am
content: Chinese somehow manage to sell things on ebay for $1-1,5 including shipping, ebay fees, product price itself, whatever...