Let's start with the good things, the improved processes.
InvenTree
For the new Td-Free's, I now have pretty much end to end tracking for the components from purchase to the finished Td-Free. Tests will also be tracked in InvenTree. Let's get into InventTree: It's a system to track stock, sales and purchases. All while being open source and hosted on my own server, so no need to worry about your data. I try to keep everything under my control: The shop system, the emails, the stock tracking. This also enables better stock displays as it can handle the need for assembly for eg. the assembled Td-Free.
Expensive Shipping to the US
Well, instead of 10$, you'll now pay 35-40$. For a 40g letter that much. This happens, as the letter for goods offered by the German Postal Service/DHL (the same here in Germany) has been paused until they implement the new customs processes. Once they do, I, as the seller, will be charged for the taxes. But not only the incalculatable taxes, also an extra fee of 2€, so once they'll continue this service, it'll be 11$+3$+taxes.
Until this service will be continued, I have to fall back to the private companies, such as UPS or FedEx. And their offerings start at 35-40$ per goods letter. I think you know my stance on this: Trump destroys part of my business and your pocket.
Shipping Delay
I won't send out any shipments between November 24th and December 7th. This is me protesting against DHL, as they introduced a so-called "Peak-in-Peak" surcharge. Normally, there is a small surcharge of around 20cts/shipment in November and December, but for this year, they introduced an additional surcharge of around 50cts/shipment. This means that every shipment in the aforementioned timeframe is around 0.70€ more expensive than one in eg. September. While I respect this peak surcharge of around 20cts, I don't respect the additional 50cts. This is pretty close to a scam. Well, their whole pricing is a scam, but whatever. They hold the monopoly.
Express Services
You might find express delivery options presented to you. Please note that I try to drop them off as fast as I can, but as I don't think that any of my products are time critical, I'll also treat them as such. But for the record, I've dropped off most of my orders within 1-3 days after the order came in. If any additional delay is expected, I reach out to the customer to offer a full refund or the option to wait until I work it out.