Last time I ordered from them, it was a Historex 54mm mounted figure, a plastic kit; weight maybe an ounce and a half. I paid standard shipping, about $6 at the time. I could have paid maybe $15 for expedited shipping, about twice the cost of the kit. After 3 weeks, I called to find out if they had shipped it, and was told it would arrive soon, which it did a few days later.
I've ordered similarly sized packages from France and England and have paid half the price or less for shipping and gotten the items in about a week. Orders from Coloado Miniatures, Military Miniatres Warehouse and The Red Lancer arrive in 2-3 days. Several orders from Lucky Model have taken a couple weeks, with free shipping from Hong Kong to Massachusetts.
When I order from LL Bean, I can expect the item here in 2-3 days with free shipping.
To Squadron's credit, it would appear they have heard the complaints of slow delivery and taken steps to remidiate the problem. According to their website:
- "Effective November 1, 2011, all USA orders will receive the industry standard level of rapid, reliable delivery (no more SmartPost – just good old FedEx ground service or equivalent) regardless of the size or weight of your package – there are just 3 rates based on your total order. As a result, your shipment will reach you quicker, via a single carrier for a cost that is competitive and representative of the value of service you will receive.
$00.01 - $19.99 = $4.95 -- ($6.95 if the destination is a PO Box)
$20.00 - $149.99 = $9.95 -- ($11.95 if the destination is a PO Box)
$150.00 and up = Free
- "Depending upon your location, your order will typically reach you in 1 to 4 shipping days (within the 48 contiguous states). It’s that simple and it’s that good! As of now you get our former ‘Premium’ processing at lower than premium rates – automatically – simple, fast and affordable. "