Shipping savings on VPostUSA?

[Devilname]

I recently use VPost to pay fo rmy singtel bill and found their new service, that is VPostUSA, and found that it could be a good way to save money by buying it through the system. More details can be found at this address: http://www.vpost.com.sg. i had some doubts and proceeded to ask them more about it:

the question:

Suggestion:
> Hi, I have a question on the new VPostUSA services. I have read
> the table on the shipping charges but i do not understand it well.
> I have an intention to buy a telescope priced USD450 through a US
> dealer, so i order through their website and i enter the details
> needed for the purchase. I enter my vpost details as found on the
> vpost profile, and submit my payment for it through the website.
> Then wat about the shipping charges from US to SG? Wat are the
> other charges included that i have to pay? Thanks and i look
> forward to your reply...

their answer:

We appreciate your interest in vPOST.

If you have already confirmed your order through the web site and have
provided your vPOSTUSA address as the shipping address, please forward
your invoice via email or Fax to vPOST customer service for attention.
The invoice shall complete with all necessary information ie. product
description, product price, number of item purchase, shipping and
billing addresses and the estimated delivery time to the vPOSTUSA
address.

Email : vpostusa@vpost.com.sg
Fax : 68413982

The estimated shipping charge for shipping your item from USA to
Singapore is about $121.51 (Assuming the exchange rate is US$1 =
S$1.741 „³ US$450 is about S$783.45 x 15% = $117.52 + $3.99 = $121.51)

Please note that the shipping charge excludes GST and tax that may be
imposed by the Singapore Customs.

Thank you and have a nice day.

hmm..i still have some parts i haven't calculated i think,
like the local US shipping fees from their source address to the US VPost address.
But still it could mean a pretty good amount of money saved on shipping.
And not only that, this means that items that can't be bought through their website (e.g. they don't ship to SG) can be bought now.
I wonder if its true...Anyone has used this service before and can verify?

[Airconvent]

I wonder how safe is this mode of shipping? will items get lost easily?
also, do they have priority clearance arrangements with the customs dept. else scopes have high potential for detention by them as Kochu learnt when he imported his LX90.
I think if you can pay more, UPS, Fedex will stand a better chance as they have dedicated transports and clearance channels.
rich

[nF]

I think there's should be some sort of guarantee considering that vpost is under our very own Singapore Post.

[sojourn88]

Amazon.com has some good selection of telescope accessories. the Celestron Ultima 2X Barlow is listed at USD 60.41. If shipped through VPOSTUSA, the shipping charges = 6.99+(60.41*1.7*0.15)=22.39SGD. Total cost of item=60.41*1.7 + 22.39 = SGD 125.
sounds like a good deal via VPOSTUSA, and considering that the USD to SGD rate is more favourable for us now.