Has anyone used meineinkauf.ch or similar (Germany to CH package forwarding service)?

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Does anyone have any experience with using meineinkauf.ch or a similar service / website that allows you to have a shipping address in Germany and then forwards the package(s) to you here in CH?

https://meineinkauf.ch

I was thinking about trying that service to order something on amazon.de that doesn't ship to Switzerland, but I'm a bit confused as to how it works exactly. I've been reading through their website, but of course, it's all in German and my German isn't very good, so I've been having to use a translator, but it's still a rather confusing process.

For one thing, it appears that you have to create an email address that is associated with them (they generate it for you) and then use that email address when placing the order. I assume that means that I would have to create a new amazon account with that email address that they give me?

Also, do you have to pay for the shipping cost for them to send it from their facility to you here in CH, or do you only pay their fee as listed on their website (e.g. 14.90 CHF)?

I know it must be a fairly simple process, because that website / service has received excellent reviews. It's just that I'm having a difficult time understanding how it works exactly, especially with having to use the email address they give me and also having to provide them with a copy of the invoice (I think).

From their website:

" Wie funktioniert MeinEinkauf.ch?

Über MeinEinkauf.ch können Privatkunden und Unternehmen mit Wohn- oder Geschäftssitz in der Schweiz (oder Liechtenstein) Waren bei Online-Händlern in Deutschland einkaufen und sich an ihre Adresse in der Schweiz senden lassen.

Hierzu erhalten Sie als Kunde von MeinEinkauf.ch eine @MeinEinkauf.ch Email-Adresse. Wenn Sie diese Email-Adresse verwenden und auf Rechnung der MeinEinkauf GmbH (Deutschland) Waren einkaufen und bezahlen, wird Ihr Einkauf fertig verzollt und versteuert durch die MeinEinkauf AG (Schweiz) direkt zu Ihnen in die Schweiz zugestellt.

Sie zahlen keine Einfuhrabgaben oder Vorweisungstaxen.

Für eine Lieferung eines beliebigen Online-Händlers in Deutschland (z.B. amazon.de) bezahlen Sie damit - oft sogar ohne Versandkosten - den gleichen Endpreis wie Kunden in Deutschland (in Euro) und eine Servicegebühr ab CHF 14.90 an MeinEinkauf.ch (siehe Preisliste), die die Verzollung und den Versand an Ihre Adresse in der Schweiz beinhaltet."

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Quite a few threads here that might be helpful for you

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Thank you so much! I did a search here for "meineinkauf.ch" but nothing had shown up.

I just scrolled through those links (in your comment) that mention meineinkauf.ch, but none of them seem to really explain the process. I think I'll just contact that company directly.

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Everything you understood and mentioned in your first post is correct. I did use them, but it's a little expensive (there are some add-on costs that you need to consider given package size, weight, # of packages in the order, etc).

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Thanks. That's what I'm worried about -- the additional costs that they don't really seem to mention on their website. The prices shown on there seem just a bit too good to be true.

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They do, somewhere. The FAQs if I remember correctly. On the flipside, the process is pretty straight-forward, and shipping is fast.

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Okay, thanks again. I'll try reading (and translating) through their FAQ a bit more. I had also sent them an email a bit ago, asking what exactly I would have to pay them to have a specific item on amazon.de shipped to me, including a link to the item.

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Regarding meineinkauf.ch ... be warned!

Sure, I failed to set up my Amazon account to 100% of the special requirements set up by the Schlauheimer at MeinEinkauf. Respective, my purchase e-mail was not sent to MeinEinkauf. Which ended up in a major crisis - or so as per MeinEinkauf.

I forwarded the the e-mails the same day as the first package arrived at their address.

Keep in mind, it took Amazon three packages to deliver my ONE order.

Eventually all three packages arrived at my home address. Though, each package opened and sloppily tapped for the forwarding to my address.

Now, the invoices ... two of the three invoices (one each for each package from the same order) included CHF 19.90 each for not using their e-mail address for that package. The third invoice charged me CHF 79.60 for not using their e-mail address, despite the description in the code explanations claimed only CHF 19.90 will be charged for not using their e-mail address.

When I questioned the over-priced invoice, they gave me a Kulanz rebate of 39 Franks. When I questioned that, they turned all demanding and how I should be happy that they came back to me with such a huge rebate. Which is still a fraudulent excess claim for services - which are not really a service ... but more a money making scheme.

Again, I understand my error. Still, inflexible and incompetence is clearly the case with these people.

Be warned, highly suggest NOT using MeinEinkauf !! I surely will not.

As a side note: they charged me CHF 29.90 for one package because the contents change from the three different suppliers. Even though I made ONE order at Amazon.de and the package was sent from one location ... Amazon.

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Thanks. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with them. I had a feeling that their customer service was pretty bad, because for one thing, I wrote them an email weeks (if not a month) ago and still haven't heard anything back from them. Also, when I had created an amazon account using their email address extension, the confirmation email was sent to them (not me) and I had no way of knowing when or if they were going to confirm it to allow me to use that email address / amazon account. It just seems like a very complex and annoying process, really. So thank you again for the head's up and warning about them.

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Scott does say that it was his fault, and in their website they repeatedly say that you HAVE to use their e-mail address, how to pay, etc. They are very specific in HOW you have to proceed with the shopping. But if you do it right (it's actually very straight-forward), it's excellent what you can do with their service. The specifics of my first purchase: I got this €350 vinyl shelf. Because they don't ship to CH, I got it via MeinEinkauf In their website you can see an updated status of your order With every step of the transaction, they send you an e-mail They delivered the package within 4 or 5 days of receiving it, and I didn't have to do anything (didn't have to sign anything, didn't have to pay anything) I got an invoice by e-mail, with the cost for my package (the shelf came in only 1 big box, and they didn't charge me for an oversized package)

I think their forwarding cost is quite affordable because they keep the German VAT vs Swiss VAT difference (e.g. the VAT on my shelf was probably around €60, and they kept that, but paid the Swiss customs only €25, so those €35 are part of their profit, plus the Fr. 20 or so that they charged me).

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I have used them and apart from bit being on expensive side and aggressive in clocking up charges (4 Uniqlo shirts in 1 box, counted as 4 separate items ), I found the process straight forward.

You have to understand that for invoicing purpose they have to be the ordering party, hence the email and address being theirs. That is how they can claim back the German sales tax (18% or whatever) and pay Swiss sales tax (7.7%), pocket the 10-11% difference and charge small handling fee.

It has been worthwhile for me quite a few times in last 5 years.

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I've used them too. You really do have to do everything completely by the book, use their email address everywhere (don't worry, it also gets forwarded to you) and no more than 3 items, all from the same seller.

But they spell all that out in detail, and as long as you follow it precisely there are no hidden charges.

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I would have had no problem with paying the charges, waiting the wait and dealing with their rudeness ... as long as the invoicing was correct. I would have, could have, been a good customer of MeinEinkauf - had they proven to be humane and correct their wrong.

Photo ME1 shows the lines with the invoiced cost of CHF 79.60 for a cost given as Z8. ME2 shows the Z8 explanation. The two don't jive. For this reason I am sending my warnings. Apparently they picked a number from the sky and charged me excessively for a service that is only on paper.

Also visible (in ME1) is the almost 30 Franks charged for Amazon's sending items, from more than one seller, in one box. Here, I need to ask "WTF?"

When they try to screw me ... then show inappropriate rudeness and incompetency to correct their vivid mistake ... nope, I don't play that game. Their name is dirt and I will accordingly give them the credit they deserve.