Aerotech G76 reloads and Hazmat fees?

[Mikus]

I've got a new vendor asking for Hazmat fees to ship me 12 G76 reloads where my old vendor never did. Is this no longer true or am I being "scammed" out of $20?

"The G76G produces a highly visible exhaust plume with Mojave Green's distinctive green color. It is a two-grain configuration similar to the redesigned G64W and the G71R released last year, and likewise may be shipped via U.S. Mail Parcel Post® with no hazmat fee. The G76G will be available in three time delays: G76-4G (P/N 77504), G76-7G (P/N 77507) and G76-10G (P/N 77510)"

Rocketry Planet G76 Press Release

 

[MarkM]

I see two possibilities:
1) the vendor will ship hazmat and charge you. In this case you aren't being scammed since the shipper is charging you what he is paying for the hazmat shipping. The vendor simply doesn't know any better. Try correcting him and see what his response is. If he still insists they need to be shipped hazmat, find another vendor.

2) You're being scammed and the vendor will ship parcel post and charge you the hazmat. In this case, the vendor knows what he's doing & is shafting you for the $20 for the hazmat that he isn't paying.

I may be wrong, but I don't think there is a total weight limit on parcel post shipping. That's the only reason I can think that the vendor wants to charge/ship hazmat. Out of curiosity you might try to ask how he would ship 1 or 2 of the G76. That may give you an idea what he's up to.

 

[madsen]

I've got a new vendor asking for Hazmat fees to ship me 12 G76 reloads where my old vendor never did. Is this no longer true or am I being "scammed" out of $20?[/URL]

Scammed.

 

[Mikus]

Thanks!

 

[Garoq]

Scammed.

Not necessarily. If he's shipping them via Parcel Post, yes. If he's shipping them via FedEx or UPS, no. They charge a hazmat fee for anything bearing a diamond label, even 1.4S or 4.1.

Ooops...basically what Mark said.

 

[Mikus]

Not necessarily. If he's shipping them via Parcel Post, yes. If he's shipping them via FedEx or UPS, no. They charge a hazmat fee for anything bearing a diamond label, even 1.4S or 4.1.

Ooops...basically what Mark said.

Yeah but I like hearing it from you. I mean there is what we think and what the guy in charge knows.

And I know which one I want to put my money on....

I asked why there was a Hazmat Fee and was told they would be sent Parcel Post tomorrow. Score one for the little guy.

 

[bobkrech]

The Department of Transportation sets the rules for commercial shipments by common carriers within the US. It costs money for the commercial shipper to inspect, transport and track hazmat shipment and DOT allows them to charge a Hazmat Shipping charge and since they are in business to make money, they charge the shipper for it and he passes it on to you.

UPS, FEDEX, Yellow Freight, etc. are common carriers. If you specify any common carrier in a motor transaction for any size motor, you will legitimately be charged for a hazmat fee because cause the vendor has to pay it. Some vendors will eat this fee if you make a big order, but they still have to pay it.

Other government agencies are exempt from DOT regulations including the US Postal Service. By law they do not deliver hazardous materials, and therefore there is no hazardous materials charge in the USPS. By law they can define what is and is not a hazard material in their delivery system, and they have decided that rocket motors or reloads containing not more than 30 grams of propellant are not hazardous if packaged and label in a perscribed manner and are shipped by ground. When you order this type of motor from a vendor, specify USPS delivery and you will not be charged a hazmat fee.

Just remember that you can not ship single use motors with more than 30 grams of propellant, or reloads with more than 30 grams of propellant by USPS even if you ask for it, and the vendor will be forced to ship by common carrier and you will be charged a hazamt fee.

Hope this is really clear.

Bob

 

[madsen]

I asked why there was a Hazmat Fee and was told they would be sent Parcel Post tomorrow.

You should also have asked the vendor why they were charging you a $20.00 Hazmat fee. The current Hazmat fee for both UPS and FedEx is $22.50. Of course if you never really pay it--you might not know what it is.

 

[Mikus]

You should also have asked the vendor why they were charging you a $20.00 Hazmat fee. The current Hazmat fee for both UPS and FedEx is $22.50. Of course if you never really pay it--you might not know what it is.

I suspect they were scamming me. Just one more reason it pays to be an informed consumer.

The motors arrived yesterday via USPS parcel post.

 

[madsen]

The motors arrived yesterday via USPS parcel post.

Congratulations. In the past 10 years I have ordered several score of Aerotech G reloads--in lots of ten. They have always come USPS--no Hazmat. The subject has never come up. I really doubt that your vendor was considering any other means of shipment, other than USPS. That is the standard for this item. I have no problem with vendors making a profit--that is good--but I always go crazy when they pad shipping and "handling" --and now--in your case--Hazmat.

I just got my first batch of G76's a few weeks ago. I have not had the chance to try them yet--but from everything that I have seen--they are fantastic. I will fly them for the first time at SpringBlast at Rainbow valley in about 2 weeks. I never take pictures of my rockets--I have enough to do. However, if you get some shots of yours--feel free to post.

 

[El Cheapo]

Madsen,there are usually atleast a handful of people at Spring Blast with some serious picture takin' hardware. I'm sure they'd be more than happy to snap some pictures if you asked them to. Take some business cards with you or print out on the computer your name, email address and then write down a description of the rocket. That way they have a better idea of what pics to send.

 

[Mikus]

I never take pictures of my rockets--I have enough to do. However, if you get some shots of yours--feel free to post.

Yup, it's hard to press the button, keep an eye on the bird AND get pics.

Here's one taken by Luke Strawwalker with an excellent capture of the green flame. Don't blink, it's a fast burn with some serious oomph.