 What's With Ups?, got dinged an unexpected charge upon delivery |
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 Feb 7 2010 - 03:10 PM
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#1
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 Group: Regular Members Posts: 910 Joined: Jun 28th, 05 From: Mississauga ON Canada Member No.: 145  |
I wasn't totally surprised by the charge since I've read posts on CsC critical of UPS on this point. My wife ordered a couple of articles from a place in Kansas City: $31 each plus $20 for shipping; total $82 US. When the parcel got to our house, the driver gave us an invoice asking for an additional $39.44 CAD in "import charges". The breakdown was: GST $8.31; Broker's fee $29.55; GST on broker's fee $$1.48.
When we pay shipping costs, the assumption is that that is all there is. From what I've read on CsC discussions, shipping by US/Canada post (or other couriers?) doesn't incur these charges. What is it about the UPS system that necessitates these charges when other services do not levy them? Why do businesses not use the postal services rather than UPS? I'd like another UPS anomaly explained if anyone out has insde knowledge of the courier business. When tracking the package's trip from KC over four days, it appears to have arrived in Windsor three times before it was put onto a truck for final delivery. Prior to the last time, it was sent back to a terminal in Michigan, which, IIRC was called "Earth City". -------------------- Gary ... 2005 silver/silver passion coupe with bungee grey interior; license "SMART 65".
 Extras: tach & clock pods, heated seats, sound upgrade, all-weather mats, cupholder, underseat storage tray, electric P/S, cabin filter, softtouch, wheel locks, CTC pro-fit 1 front mudflaps, steelies & Blizzak winter tires and black triangular hub covers, traction disabler, MDC cruise control with W/W arm control, MDC armrest, front signal lights converted to Euro-style with original signal lights running as DRLs and front side lighting converted to act only as signal repeaters (now LED), Grundig 6 CD changer, MDC ultimate window package, Pyroil 900W 120V cabin heater, Scangauge II, 50W oil pan heater, vortex generators, 3-spoke steering wheel with paddle shifters, Upsolute stage 2 remap from Sept 2005 to Oct 2007; Technine stage 2 remap from Oct 2007. |
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Feb 7 2010 - 03:43 PM
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#2
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 Group: Regular Members Posts: 1,166 Joined: May 10th, 08 From: Seaforth, Ontario Member No.: 5,864 |
I do not purchase anything from the US that can only ship UPS. USPS has never charged me anything extra for purchases under $100.
-------------------- "Kalliste" 2005 Bay Grey Pure, tach/clock pods, panoramic roof, a/c, soft touch, sun shade, ignition free windows, vertical wipers, LED Euro turn signals, LED fog lights, LED city lights, LED turn signal side marker lights, Scanguage II, LED interior light, LED license plate lights, LED reverse lights, LED high brake light, LED brake lights, UWC wheel covers, window vents, tinted windows, Wet Okole seat covers with carbon fibre heaters, under seat drawer, Noma space heater
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Feb 7 2010 - 04:53 PM
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#3
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 This is my smart. There are many like it, but this one is mine. Group: Regular Members Posts: 9,038 Joined: Jun 12th, 05 From: Kelowna, British Columbia, CANADA Member No.: 95 |
Welcome to the wonderful world of UPS bastards International shipping! hate,hate,hate
Regarding the tracking, your parcel is scanned each time they move it from one location to another. This seems to be even between departments within the Windsor or Richmond depots. It lets you/them see in whose hands (responsibility) the parcel was before it (e.g.) went missing. UPS International damnthemtohell charges exorbitant brokerage fees. Why? Because they can  The funny thing about UPS International bastards is that sometimes they charge you and some times they don't. They have some arcane evil devil's formula for deciding whether you are an end user or a business, whether the enclosed item is NAFTA or not and whether your eyes are blue or green on which day of the week. I get a fair number of deliveries from the US and when I order them, I like to email direct to the sender to ask if they would please send by another courier, or even preferably by USPS. If they cannot, and I really need/want their product, I roll the UPS subliminal destroy dice. They even tried to charge me twice for a shipment they delivered to the wrong location and shipped back to the sender in MA without even phoning me! I told them I would pay that invoice when winged pigs ice-skated their way through the gates of hell. stupid fockers Other than that, I have nothing but good things to say about them.....  FWIW, Bil  -------------------- Are you on the map? CLICK HERE to add your marker!
नमस्त Namaste  ::  Boost your CDi's performance with LubeCorp Diesel Additives |
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Feb 7 2010 - 06:06 PM
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#4
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 Bright Bobb Group: Regular Members Posts: 290 Joined: Jul 23rd, 09 From: Owen Sound, ON Member No.: 7,256 |
I agree UPS sucks but if you can get it sent "expedited" it cost a few bucks more but does not garner the customs fee
Bobb -------------------- 2006 Passion coupe, "The Silver Lemon" Hello Yellow-silver, Clock & tach, pollen filter, ashtray, double cupholder, arm rest, CT front flaps,3M Ceramic Tinted windows, euro markers, window mod, cruise, Scan gauge, key mod, DRL mod, Windshield washer mod, stubby antenna, Remap by Flyingtiger, Hardwired Garmin 2730, Billet Axel caps, Stainless steel bumper spikes
2002 Blue GL1800 1981 Yellow C70 4.27 L/100 kms Avg [Lots of high speed runs] 3.5L/100 kms Best Yet ! |
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Feb 7 2010 - 09:17 PM
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#5
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 Group: Regular Members Posts: 71 Joined: Nov 30th, 06 From: GTA Member No.: 1,968 |
QUOTE (bilgladstone @ Feb 7 2010 - 07:53 PM)  Welcome to the wonderful world of UPS bastards International shipping! hate,hate,hate Regarding the tracking, your parcel is scanned each time they move it from one location to another. This seems to be even between departments within the Windsor or Richmond depots. It lets you/them see in whose hands (responsibility) the parcel was before it (e.g.) went missing. UPS International damnthemtohell charges exorbitant brokerage fees. Why? Because they can The funny thing about UPS International bastards is that sometimes they charge you and some times they don't. They have some arcane evil devil's formula for deciding whether you are an end user or a business, whether the enclosed item is NAFTA or not and whether your eyes are blue or green on which day of the week. I get a fair number of deliveries from the US and when I order them, I like to email direct to the sender to ask if they would please send by another courier, or even preferably by USPS. If they cannot, and I really need/want their product, I roll the UPS subliminal destroy dice. They even tried to charge me twice for a shipment they delivered to the wrong location and shipped back to the sender in MA without even phoning me! I told them I would pay that invoice when winged pigs ice-skated their way through the gates of hell. stupid fockers Other than that, I have nothing but good things to say about them..... FWIW, Bil Oh, come on...tell us how you really feel... 
-------------------- *2007 Honda Civic DX-G
 *2007 Honda Fit  *2006 smart fortwo CDI Pulse  -- *1998 Volvo S70 GLT *1998 Chrysler Cirrus *1997 Audi A4 Q *1992 VW Jetta *1984 VW Scirocco *1979 Chevrolet Monte Carlo |
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Feb 7 2010 - 11:07 PM
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#6
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 Group: Regular Members Posts: 1,189 Joined: Apr 24th, 07 From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Member No.: 2,861 |
x10 on what Bil said about UPS.
Had I said it there would have been alot more swear words and general slagging about those UPS ...........people !!! If I want something and the company selling it will only ship UPS I say no thanx. Binn down the UPS road .....never again. -------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2006 Black/silver Pulse Coupe, Smart cup holder,two cd tray sets,softouch,smart premium sound package,Rev counter & clock,Smart mud flaps,Raised rear view mirror,A/C,Turn signals and park lites in headlite cluster,LED interior lites, LED side markers with blink mod,Fram pollen filter (CF8249),Cruise control,Super white headlite bulbs,Wiper arm spray nozzel,Vertical wipe mod,DRL city lites mod,Home made camo cargo cover,Passenger side window controller,Matching fabric armrest,A real horn,Lockable drawer,MDC Drivelock,Handy base platform, Checker plate footrest,chrome exhaust tip,  |
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Feb 7 2010 - 11:30 PM
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#7
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This is my smart. There are many like it, but this one is mine. Group: Regular Members Posts: 9,038 Joined: Jun 12th, 05 From: Kelowna, British Columbia, CANADA Member No.: 95 |
I think we have a consensus.
-------------------- Are you on the map? CLICK HERE to add your marker!
नमस्त Namaste :: Boost your CDi's performance with LubeCorp Diesel Additives |
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Feb 8 2010 - 05:16 AM
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#8
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 Group: Regular Members Posts: 1,245 Joined: Jun 21st, 07 From: Ottawa, Ontario Member No.: 3,521 |
You just have to know how to use them. They are awful for regular freight across the border, if shipping something of little value where a $30 brokerage fee is going to make a huge difference in the price. But if you ship small items overnight express, the brokerage fee is INCLUDED in the price of shipping, which will often make it cheaper than shipping regular freight.
-------------------- Chris "Mighty Mouse" C.
Life's too short to drink bad wine. |
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Feb 8 2010 - 08:14 AM
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#9
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 Group: Regular Members Posts: 726 Joined: Sep 22nd, 05 From: Moorefield Member No.: 323 |
I'm sorry to hear of your troubles in shipping. I personally have not had a problem with them on items shipped only through Canada. and as a business but have heard all the horror stories. I have had ordered stuff not sent by ups on ebay from the states and been dinged heavy fees that double the costs. duty and extra tax just doesn't seem fair does it.
I must say I bought a greenhouse from Texas. not a small item. six boxes of refrigerator size but it was such a good buy made from recycled plastic not available in Canada. it was shipped UPS to an address that the greenhouse company kept in Canada then onto me to avoid the import fees. at least it was figured out before they came to the door. Hope you complained to someone at ups make sure they didn't mess up anything. Karen -------------------- 2005 Star blue/silver Cabrio Passion,"Tardis" Bungee grey interior, two tone horn,cup holder,Soft touch, clock and tach,velour floor mats.winter tires on steelies. custom cargo cover with club logo on it. wind net. el cheapo heated second cup holder even more cheaper sun shade, custom Nav system holder. Brand spankin new engine July 2009. old one in a box.
Stitch N Smart custom embroidery specializing in smart cars. "get your car in stitches" |
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Feb 8 2010 - 03:06 PM
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#10
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Group: New Members Posts: 11 Joined: Nov 9th, 09 Member No.: 7,506 |
The only real way to avoid duties and taxes is to have your parcel shipped USPS and have it marked as a "gift". I just received a $100 parcel and had to pay $18 in taxes and fees. I expected this as it was a cross border ship. The best way to make sure that you are in control of what you pay is to have a US postbox/address that you can ship to and pick it up yourself from there. That way when you claim it at customs you know then and there if you will have to pay. This is the route that I take but then I'm 30 minutes from Buffalo
 The suggestion that you contact the seller and have them ship USPS is also a great idea. If you make it clear that you will return the item at their expense if shipped differently they will usually comply
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