Damn UPS wants $23.70 for a $50 parcel

SunMax · 07-01-2008, 01:03 AM

I order couple used parts from another .org member and we agreed on the value of $50 (including shipping). He shipped it out ~3 weeks ago through UPS. Big mistake!

Anyway, just when I started to worry that the package was not going to be delivered (happened before), I received an email from UPS today. To make the story short, they want me to call or email to verify my shipping address, as well as informing me that I have to pay $23.70 for gst, pst, brokerage fee...

I haven't call them yet. I remember someone said I can clear the custom myself to avoid the charge. Is it too late for that?

barnone · 07-01-2008, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunMax

I haven't call them yet. I remember someone said I can clear the custom myself to avoid the charge. Is it too late for that?

Unfortunately I think it is since they've already brokered the parcel.

It's been a long time since I've done this so things may have changed, but you either have to get the shipper to explicitly tell UPS that the receiver will broker the package, or get the tracking number immediately and call UPS to notify them that you will broker the item yourself. At least that's how it was explained to me about 10 yrs ago when I did it. Also, if you do this in the future, don't expect the drone at UPS on the other end of the phone to know what you're talking about. It might take some phone tag to get to someone who knows what's going on.

*JSMax* · 07-01-2008, 08:49 AM

request they send you a copy of all charges and the declared value of the item. tell them you want to pay for charges via credit card BEFORE delivery and that will save you ~$5. if the seller declared the value at more than what you agreed ups would have charged you more.

what province are you in?
check here for charges for importing into canada via ups. You should have had the seller declare the value at 40 or less.
good luck, but my rough math works out to what they are trying to charge you.

Dice K · 07-01-2008, 10:18 AM

I've had the same problem in the past.

*JSMax* · 07-01-2008, 01:20 PM

what great insight /\. any other thoughts or wisdom you wish to share with the .org?

SunMax · 07-01-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barnone

Unfortunately I think it is since they've already brokered the parcel.

It's been a long time since I've done this so things may have changed, but you either have to get the shipper to explicitly tell UPS that the receiver will broker the package, or get the tracking number immediately and call UPS to notify them that you will broker the item yourself. At least that's how it was explained to me about 10 yrs ago when I did it. Also, if you do this in the future, don't expect the drone at UPS on the other end of the phone to know what you're talking about. It might take some phone tag to get to someone who knows what's going on.

That was the problem. After I paypal the seller and he replied that the package has been shipped, I had problem getting ahold of him. That's why after 1 week I thought I was scammed until that email shown up.

SunMax · 07-01-2008, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSMax

request they send you a copy of all charges and the declared value of the item. tell them you want to pay for charges via credit card BEFORE delivery and that will save you ~$5. if the seller declared the value at more than what you agreed ups would have charged you more.

what province are you in?
check here for charges for importing into canada via ups. You should have had the seller declare the value at 40 or less.
good luck, but my rough math works out to what they are trying to charge you.

Thanks JSMax. I will try email them (so I have a written proof) first to get a copy of all charges. I hate UPS!

*JSMax* · 07-01-2008, 09:46 PM

you would be better off to phone their customer service line and speak with an agent directly. inform them that you wish to pay for the charges before the package had been brokered, but you were waiting on a tracking number from the seller. Explain to them that you thought you had been "taken" and they *might* allow you to pay the charges and waive the $4.75 (i believe it is) for a c.o.d. fee. That has been my experience in the past. it's only $4.75 but if you import a fair amount of stuff it sure has a way of adding up.

good luck and let us know what happens.

SunMax · 07-02-2008, 09:52 PM

Ok. I picked up the package and only spent $5.75.

I replied the email and the person said if I want to clear the custom myself, I still can do that to avoid the brokerage fee (still has to pay duty, pst, gst). She said I need to do it today as it maybe too late tomorrow. I tried to call the number they gave me but kept getting voice messages.

I went to the UPS depot around 4:45pm. A guy checked my package ,then told me it was tagged as Return-to-Sender. I was like, "What?"

I got the email on Monday and they never tried to deliver it. Anyway, the guy is pretty cool and he went to the back and found it. Then he came out and told me the brokers had just left, so even if I finished the paperwork with the custom I still won't be able to get it today

He advised me to call the customer service and told them about my problem.

So, I did. The rep is pretty nice too (well, I guess part of it is because I asked nicely

). I told her I was misled by the fact that I can pick up the package before 6pm and now their brokers were gone. She said she would checked for me. After ~10 minutes wait, she came back and said she can waive the brokerage fee. Cool.

So, another 10 minutes wait (she needed to put into the system, as well as wait for the data to be updated), I got my package, paid $5.75 (duty, gst, pst) and went home.

*JSMax* · 07-02-2008, 10:24 PM

ahh I like it when I hear good things like that. See what being nice gets you. Some people could learn a lesson from you.

and only 5.75? Awesome deal for you. Good job.
what did you purchase by the way?

SunMax · 07-02-2008, 11:59 PM

thanks JSMax.

I bought a center vent (another long story!!! Damn Canada Post!!!) and a K&N panel filter.

RastaManMax · 07-04-2008, 04:03 PM

I bought some rear pads which cost $38 and was charged $22 in brokerage. This was the first and last time i will ever get anything shipped UPS.

SunMax · 07-04-2008, 04:16 PM

according to some research I made, people recommend using USPS Ground or USPS Global Express.

*JSMax* · 07-04-2008, 06:41 PM

I always ask the seller if they can ship via usps. is cheaper and if they wont... see if they will declare the value under 40 canadian. seems to work so far for me anyway.

*knight_yyz* · 07-11-2008, 01:35 AM

99.5% of the time you will still be charged taxes on global priority, but if you can wait for plain old parcel post from USPS there is better than 50/50 chance you won't pay an extra cent. Problem is no one wants to sent the cheap way because there is no tracking number.

ScottS · 07-15-2008, 04:40 PM

Actually, one can get a tracking number with USPS. Use the USP website to track it to the border, then Canada Post website to track it from there. Not all USPS services provide the tracking number.