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Post by danie on Nov 13, 2011 20:57:41 GMT 2
On my first two parcels from Pavel he did attach the invoices on the outside of the parcels. It has been done properly, and there was no chance that it would come loose.
Danie
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Post by Charles on Nov 13, 2011 21:27:53 GMT 2
Not one of my parcels had the invoice on the outside and I only had problems with one. All was ordanary mail. The one I had problems with was lying at customs for 3 weeks. They select parcels at random to check. I was one of the unlucky ones.
Charles
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Post by danie on Nov 14, 2011 5:40:20 GMT 2
Hi Ari Thanks for mentioning your experience with Pavel here - to mind this is just more proof that he is prepared to "walk the extra mile" for his customers. In his e.mail this morning I could also sense that Pavel is worried about the fact that my parcel has not arrived yet. I have responded by ensuring him that it is not his fault that the parcel has not arrived yet. Right from the start I was fully aware of the fact that shipment via Standard Airmail could be more risky. In fact, in his first e.mail to me Pavel has also mentioned that Standard Airmail is more risky than EMS Speed Post. I still believe that my parcel will arrive in the near future - but should it be lost, I will not accept any refund from Pavel . I have ordered this parcel from Pavel via Standard Airmail on purpose, knowing very well that this shipment would be more risky. Danie Hi Danie only ems parcels are deliered to your door if invoice is placed on outside of package. Best of luck. Regards Mike That is how my first two parcels ( via EMS) have been delivered. The invoices have been attached separately to the parcel, and Customs did not seem to have opened the invoices - I have opened it myself. If Customs did open the invoices, they have done a very good job in closing it again.... I think I will contact Customs today, if possible. Danie
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Post by marius on Nov 14, 2011 17:43:33 GMT 2
Hi Marius I think it is actually better ( safer, as well as cheaper) rather to order parts in bigger batches via Speed Post (EMS). I know its not always possible but smaller parcels also tends to go through customs more easily without being taxed. However just very recently I got taxed on a DVD set. Speed Services is by far the safest/best way to go in my experience, but I don't think I've ever lost a parcel through ordinary mail but there is some risk involved. Marius
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Post by danie on Nov 14, 2011 17:54:38 GMT 2
Anyone who might need to phone Customs about parcels - this is the phone number:
011 9616000
I have phoned them today, and my parcel has not arrived yet.
This is the Post Office phone number, where info about parcels (when Tracking Numbers are submitted) will be supplied on request:
086 0111502
Danie
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Post by jaco1978 on Nov 14, 2011 18:12:27 GMT 2
T'nx for the info Danie.
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Post by danie on Dec 1, 2011 19:08:44 GMT 2
At last- some positive news about my parcel from Pavel:
This afternoon I have phoned Customs again - and they have confirmed that the parcel has been received, and that it has left Jo'burg this morning - 45 days since it has been posted by Pavel.
Needless to say - I will never order another parcel via standard Airmail again.
Danie
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Post by danie on Dec 6, 2011 20:05:13 GMT 2
Got the parcel today - 50 days since it has been posted by Pavel on 15 October.
There are 5 stamps on the parcel , all 5 dated 15 October 2011, and stamped in the Ukraine. No other stamps or indications can be found to trace the transport record of the parcel.
Unlike my first two parcels which have been ordered via EMS mail, this parcel has been tampered with - but no components are missing. The parcel has clearly been ripped open, and then sealed with duct tape which indicates:
"Found open or damaged and officially secured by the Postal Authorities".
Pavel's previous Parcels have been made up and packed very well, and I believe the latest parcel has just been opened, inspected, and then sealed by Customs again.
My latest parcel includes a complete gasket set for my Lada's original engine. Almost all gaskets contains linings which look like Viton, and these gaskets might be of a better quality than the local Lada gaskets which I have seen before.
I will send some pics a bit later - the camera's batteries are charging at the moment.
Danie
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Post by Charles on Dec 6, 2011 20:12:28 GMT 2
Hi Danie
Im glad you finally got it. It sounds like customs opened it. It has happened to one of my parcels aswell.
Charles
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Ladaniva
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Post by Ladaniva on Dec 7, 2011 0:35:25 GMT 2
Ja Swaer, Vandat al die "sniffer dogs" in SA tik gevoer is moet elke pakkie seker oopgemaak word, of hoe? Die feit dat daar nou 'n span Afrikaners in die Ukraine boer en die ANC bang is hulle voer AK47's uit na SA sal verder verseker dat elke pakkie deur ander wesens as "sniffer dogs" deurgesnuffel sal word - miskien opgeleide sitbokke een van die dae. Imagine Pavel stuur vir my Russiese vervaardigde draagbare radio saam my parte; ek dink die spul hardloop hulle bene af as hulle die pakkie oopmaak en die ding maak 'n geluid! Eish, eish !!! Time bomb run comrades, run!! Of se nou ek bestel van die uitstekende Russiese bande, en die pakkie word oopgemaak hierdie-kant. Absolute verstomming sal heers. Wat! 'n Ingevoerde "necklace"? Goodness. Ja, nee Daantjie, jy dink nog jy bestel parte van Rusland dan skop die aasvoels, of is dit nou valke, jou nek in vir inligting oor 'n Afrikaner weerstandsel in die Ukraine! En al wat ons wou doen was om ons Ladas goedkoop reg te maak, nou is dit nog moeiliker - dit neem so twee maande om karparte deur die doeane te kry. Mooi man!! Lekka in Sunny SA! Groete, Fanus
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Post by danie on Dec 7, 2011 6:01:32 GMT 2
Hi Fanus Ja, ek glo ook die pakkie has been "damaged" by Customs . Pavel usually attach a separate plastic container to the parcel, which contains the invoice. In this case the plastic container has also been ripped apart, and the invoice is missing ...... My future parcels will only be ordered via EMS Speed Post - nobody in his right mind would be prepared to wait 50 days for a parcel I guess... Anyway - I will send some pics this evening, and I would advice you to get a cylinder head Gasket from Pavel for your Supercharger modification. The Head Gasket from Pavel is different from the Gasket which I have bought from the local guy some time ago - and Pavel's Gasket should be a definite improvement. Will pass more comments under the "Supercharger Thread"this evening....... Regards Danie
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Post by danie on Dec 9, 2011 5:51:47 GMT 2
Pics of the parts which have been ordered for my Lada's engine: Vibration Damper, Exhaust Valves & Valve Guides, Clutch Slave Cylinder, Valve stem Seals, Timing Shoe Tensioner, and Oil pump. Full Gasket set. These parts have been ordered to rebuild my Lada's engine completely. I am hoping to find a good Lada body, to install the engine, and other components which are just lying around.... should be nice to have a second Lada. Danie
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Post by Nikki Lada on Dec 9, 2011 7:33:21 GMT 2
Hi Danie Glad to see that your parcel eventually arrived! At what stage during the 5 week process did you receive your South African tracking number and during your final conversation with Customs when you were advised it had arrived in SA did you ask for any explanation for the delay? I did some internet browsing a while ago regarding delays at SA Customs and it seems to be a common problem – one guy waited 14 weeks for something from the USA! It also seems to be the luck of the draw as to how long it takes and around 4 weeks seems to be the norm. The good news is that things seldom get lost! ;D I’ve mentioned previously on the COMPARE PRICES ON IMPORTS HERE thread that it would be wise to advise the supplier not to mention anything on the invoice or parcel that could be mistaken for clothing, viz. boots, shoes, slippers, etc., which carries extremely high import duty and your parcel could be taxed as such. This has happened to me and it was quite a mission to claim it back! It can also be pretty frustrating trying to get through to the Customs Dept.!! NIKKI
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Post by danie on Dec 9, 2011 21:00:20 GMT 2
Hi Nikki During my initial conversations Customs could never give me a local Tracking Number - because (according to them) the parcel has never reached South Africa. When I phoned them on Wednesday, 23 November, they still informed me that the parcel is not in South Africa yet. On Thursday, 25 November we left for the Free State, and got back a week later - on Wednesday evening , 30 November. I phoned Customs the next day- Thursday, 1 December , and they told me that the parcel has been received, and send to Durban on the same day. Unfortunately I did not ask for any explanation about the delay. I found the local Tracking Number on a label which has been stuck to the parcel - 11 271 809 278 ZA. . Another label indicated the Post Office website where the tracking records of parcels can be viewed: tracking.postoffice.co.za/parcel.aspx?id=11%20271%20809%20278The above mentioned link is absolutely useless - to this day there is still no tracking record of my parcel at this link ! I might be wrong, but I believe this parcel has arrived at Customs quite a while ago. According to the stamps on the parcel Pavel did post the parcel on 15 October, and according to the Ukrainian website www.ukrposhta.com/www/upost_en.nsf/search_post?openpage the parcel (Number CP 861 012154 UA) did left the Ukraine three days later on 18 October 2011 . Customs told me tat the parcel has left the Ukraine on 28 October 2011, but I actually believe that this is the date on which the parcel has been received at our local Customs.....and I believe that the Ukrainian link is more reliable than the South African one . Regards Danie
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Post by Charles on Dec 9, 2011 22:07:22 GMT 2
Our custom services are useless.
Charles
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ladanivabelgium
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Post by ladanivabelgium on Dec 10, 2011 7:54:43 GMT 2
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Post by marius on Dec 10, 2011 8:16:45 GMT 2
I think you are right Jan. There has been quite a number of improvements and gaskets are one of them.
Marius
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Post by Charles on Dec 10, 2011 13:06:18 GMT 2
Those gaskets looks to be of high quality.
Charles
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Post by danie on Dec 10, 2011 14:10:56 GMT 2
Hi Jan / Charles My camera is not the best in the world, but hopefully these pics will give you a better view: Pavel once informed me that he only sells top quality Lada parts - and I do not have any reason to believe that he is kidding. According to his website "We even don't offer you poor quality spare parts " - and I must admit - I do believe that statement : www.ladapower.com/ Regards Danie
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Post by Nikki Lada on Dec 10, 2011 23:35:55 GMT 2
Hi Danie - thanks for all the info. From what you say, I also think that your parcel probably arrived on 28 October and was lying around in Customs for weeks. Anyway, 'better late than never' and nothing was damaged. Those gaskets do look pretty good - how does Pavel pack those big ones to avoid damage? NIKKI
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Post by danie on Dec 11, 2011 7:04:04 GMT 2
Hi Nikki I have phoned Customs a number of times, and during one conversation I have been told that the parcel has left the Ukraine on 27 October 2011. The fact that they have mentioned two different dates of departure, made me think that they were trying to fool me - so I did not trust their dates. I simply don't believe that any parcel which have been ordered via EMS speed post, will ever be lying for weeks at Customs - so all my future parcels will be ordered via EMS. The Gasket set came in a separate container, which protected the gaskets - and Pavel has reinforced the parcel (as usual) to protect everything. This is the separate Gasket container: Regards Danie
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Post by Nikki Lada on Dec 13, 2011 21:55:17 GMT 2
Hi Danie Thanks for the info and the photo of the packaging– Pavel does seem to pack things nicely I must say. Unfortunately, the packaging on some of the stuff I ordered from Valeriy left a lot to be desired at times. As Charles said earlier, you may have just been unlucky with your parcel because I haven’t had any problems with unreasonable delays at Customs either and I’ve ordered quite a few things from various countries over the years. When ordering spares from Russia I’ve only ever used the ordinary airmail system but always with a tracking number. Whatever method I use, my biggest problem seems to be at my local Post Office, just 2kms away, where they have ‘lost’ about 4 of my parcels. They either put them in the wrong cubby hole and can't find them or hand them over to someone else in error! Fortunately, they usually re-appear eventually. NIKKI
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Post by danie on Dec 14, 2011 5:46:57 GMT 2
Hi Nikki
My first parcels came via EMS, and I did not get any slips . The parcels have been delivered at my work address - that is how things work in Durban, (a bigger city) should one use a work street address as destination.
I am not sure how things work in smaller towns around the country.
Anyway, I was highly impressed with EMS speed post, and will never order any parts via standard mail again. The difference in price between EMS and Standard Airmail is not that much on bigger orders anyway.
I think the "secret" is to plan ahead, and rather to place a bigger order for all components which might be needed in future. To place a small order makes imports more expensive , and makes EMS transport too expensive as well.
Regards
Danie
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Post by Ladaniva on Dec 14, 2011 10:53:10 GMT 2
Hi All, The long and the short is this: the most likely place where things will go wrong is the SA Postal Services - country wide. If you know the state of our government you will thank all the gods you know if you receive a parcel in record time! Of course this statement do no justice to the good people working there, but is not intended to do that; quite the opposite. I simply make you aware of a fact with millions of examples, of which people being maimed and killed by the inefficient government are already running into the millions of examples over a year (you will not know this because it is not worth reporting on anymore). Not even statistics can be trusted. I know because I have a family member working in the government statistics department (senior position) who spend most of her time reworking statistics to suit! This inefficiency can change but is unfortunately not going to change if nothing is done by the public = accept the status-quo/accept bad service. It is our duty to oppose and expose bad service big time. This is my way to do it at this point in time; I have seen South Africa being run efficiently and want to see it run efficiently again for the better of all. Oh yes, an example (relevant to this forum): Just make a calculation of how many trucks you see on our roads a day and using a lot of imagination, think back how many trucks you have seen in a vehicle roadworthy testing station in your life in SA/your area. I drive past one, easily accessible to trucks, on an almost daily basis and have never seen one truck there ever for the last few years! So trucks do not go for physical roadworthy (regularly) or the papers only are done (or I am a blind driving a car)? All I know is that my family and friends are on the SA roads every day, and with truck drivers only rarely being tested for competency, let alone their trucks, are exposed to extreme risk (not to mention how the roads are destroyed by illegal practices by truck owners and drivers). I high-jacked this post? No I did not. Just think about it. If you can not even maintain/sort out the postal system in a country with all the available technology and relatively high salaries paid, how will you and your family enjoy a Niva on road not knowing if you will get back safely, for no reason of your own. Regards, Fanus
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Post by ronnie on Dec 14, 2011 12:56:10 GMT 2
Hi Fanus Well said and true. We have been dealing with SARS the last few days, and some of the people have been very helpfull. Except when you get to E filing and then the system comes back to tell you the certificates you sent does not match the ones on the system. The system does not tell you what differs just you must resubmit the correct documents. Ronnie
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Post by Nikki Lada on Dec 19, 2011 9:18:51 GMT 2
Hi Danie I see that you recently purchased a Clutch Slave Cylinder from Pavel which presumably came with the protective rubber cap – Part No. 2101-1602518 - shown under B130 of the Parts Catalogue? If it did, please do me a favour and check the part number that should be stamped on this cap. About a year ago I noticed mine was torn so I added this cap to the last order I placed with Valeriy. However, when I finally got around to getting it replaced recently I was told that it was too small and must be the wrong part. I had a look yesterday with the new cap in my hand and although it’s difficult to tell with the old one still in place the new one does seem to be smaller in diameter. The part number stamped on mine is 2101-1602518, which is correct according to the Parts Manual, but about half a centimeter after the last digit the number ‘05’ is also shown and this may indicate that I do have the wrong part and mine is for a different model. Thanks a stack. NIKKI
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Post by danie on Dec 19, 2011 18:57:10 GMT 2
Hi Nikki
The only stamped numbers on the rubber cap which are clearly visible, are 2101 - 1602 .
Unfortunately the rest of the stamped numbers are completely distorted for some or other reason, (probably during the manufacturing process) and it is not possible to read the complete number.
Regards
Danie
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Nikki Lada
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Post by Nikki Lada on Dec 19, 2011 21:30:30 GMT 2
Thanks Danie - it's not serious - I'll sort it out in the New Year. NIKKI
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Post by danie on Dec 20, 2011 7:46:55 GMT 2
Hi Nikki
I need to visit a local Hardware shop, which is close To Autozone this morning.
I will take the old slave cylinder with, and pop in at Autozone - the guys there are very helpful, and might come forward with a suitable rubber cap.....
Danie
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Post by Nikki Lada on Dec 20, 2011 9:51:32 GMT 2
That's very kind of you Danie - THANK YOU - I really appreciate the trouble you are going to on my behalf! As I am now going off camping until the end of the month I won't know whether you were successful or not until then but will catch up as soon as I get back. Thanks again and good luck with all the repairs! NIKKI
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