saw this statement by davidp in general car talk so i brought this over to the lounge area
"The brokerage fees are a real deal killer for me ... as they won't use USPS ... and don't really seem to care how much extra it is for an order coming into Canada ... "
i am assuming most of us have seen the fedex ad promoting them shipping your golf clubs when you go somewhere instead of taking them on the plane with you. my manager and a buddy went to florida golfing back in december and took their clubs with them on the plane. as the buddy was going to california to meet up with his wife after golfing for a visit there with some friends he shipped his clubs back with ups. i wasn't at the shop the day they arrived up here but the sh!t hit the fan hard. the ups guy who comes to our shop isn't a bad guy and he has heard my verbal diarehha many times about the brokerage fees. he actually said if he orders something he won't use them.
when the clubs showed up it was a 180.00-190.00 buck fee. my manager flipped right out as they charged brokerage and duty on the value buddy put down for insurance purposes. they were his own used clubs. as the argument heated up the driver leaves with the clubs saying he doesn't have to take the abuse he was getting. you would have to know my manager to get a grip on how bad this could of got. lol buddy gets back and has to go to the depot to rescue his clubs and he flips to no avail. mon-tue this week the ups driver shows up with a small parcel for me and he is nervous like a cat on thin ice when asking for the usual 30-35.00 brokerage charge. i laughed at him and told him to relax as the other ordeal is over and i had talked to the manager about it not being the drivers fault.
anyway my point being is, when ordering from the south specify usps and if they say no tell them you don't need their parts as you can get them elsewhere that will ship usps. tell them that ups screws canadians with the brokerage charges and it makes their parts to expensive. jeg's, summit and now mac's as well as a bunch of others will ship the mail. i ordered a couple of small pc's from mac's and they said ups and i told him about the rip-off from ups. the guy said it was out of his hands at the order desk level but gives me a e/mail address for someone up the pole and says send one explaining the situation as he gets the same b/s from most canadians. about 3 days later i get mail saying the parts are shipped via usps. point being, speak up guys. the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
-- Edited by shag766 on Saturday 15th of February 2014 05:35:29 AM
Summit racing is now using Fed X and is stating no surprise costs or at your door shipping pricing. I think they have figured it out with all the people shipping to US addresses and or not much Canadian interest. I will be trying this out with my next order to check if it is true. (small order). I like Summit and they are pretty stand up company in my opinion. One of our last orders we shipped to the US and went to pick up (free shipping to US address) had a messed up part in it that was unuseable and we didn't catch it until we got back to Canada. I called Summit but they said they might not cover the return shipping because it went to NY and now it is coming from Canada and then back to Canada. They said to get a quote and let them know how much it would be. I did this with UPS and they said no problem (it was around $45) send the part as well as the bill for shipping and they would credit my card back the money and send the new replacement to Canada. They came through for us and the new part arrived safe and sound at no extra costs.
-- Edited by slab on Saturday 15th of February 2014 07:08:36 AM
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slab----67 chevy II 2dr post and 66 chevy II hardtop
I used to buy a lot of stuff for my 54 on ebay.after a couple of things were sent ups twice their fees were more than the value of item ordered.I would ask seller to ship usps most did not realize that ups raped us on their rates.most were individuals not business.the thing was they explained was most did not live close to post office so was easier to call ups and it would be picked up at their door and delivered to customer.their customers in US dont have to deal with customs fees so unless it is explained to them they are not aware.and in the case of business they have ups account so if aware of problem it is not worth their time to send usps .I cant say as I blame them.my son also bought off ebay several times the fees were more than the cost of item.I explained to him to ask to have them ship usps now we only buy if they agree to ship usps.there have been a couple of times we had to go to PO to pick up items and had to pay taxes but these were rare.thing was it was not the size or weight as a couple of times they were delivered to our door no need to sign for them.several times they were delivered by courier again no fee just sign for.have not bought off ebay for several years now but if I do I will only buy if they will ship usps.I had a problem with ups years ago where they were to deliver a part sellers did not use usps again unaware of our costs.the problem was I thought it was coming usps so was prepared to wait as sometimes it does take time as the seller needs extra time to get to post office to ship.time went by I contacted seller she said it had gone out weeks before.I thought I had lost the money then out of the blue get a phone call fro m ups that I owed them money for delivery of said item.I told them I had never received the package.person on phone said they would have another department get back to me.couple weeks later they call again stating that I had signed for package.I know at my age senility is setting in but I knew I had not received the packed asked everyone in family if they had and forgot to tell me highly improbable as the package would be in house somewhere.I asked them if they could show me my signature I would pay this went on for over almost 3 months.meanwhile I had contacted seller and she sent replacement I received it in 3 days by usps.finally ups called said they could not confirm my signature as package had gone to NY state.WTF I was pissed contacted seller to explain that ups probably lost package and to ask them for her cost she explained it had happened before not to worry.she said she believed I had not received it.that was last time I would deal with UPS.if I wanted to buy something and the only option for shipping was ups I would pass no matter how bad I wanted it.I will end my rant now as blood pressure rising at the mere thought of my ups experience.
If you need something shipped here by UPS, and there's no other way, the pay a bit extra and get it shipped using
UPS Air. You'll pay a bit more for shipping, but brokerage costs will already be included and you'll get your stuff faster.
USPS is still my #1 choice.
I paid UPS's surprise brokerage fees at the door with my visa and got my card hacked, it was the only ever purchase on that card so I've sworn off of UPS and Canada Post. I get everything shipped to SCC in Port Huron now and either drive down or get my daughter to pick it up when she goes for gas and groceries.
If I was the UPS driver, I would have done the same thing (Though even less nicely perhaps)...not his fault nor does he have to put up with anything. Your buddy, should have dug a bit deeper before he used UPS...and yes their brokerage fees are criminal. USPS is the only way to go.
If you dont have a shipping alternative, you can "self broker or self clear" UPS shipments yourself
I think your right that most case's someone from the U S don't realize ups is a blatant rip off when parts cross the border. I had a Quote for a seal kit out of Michigan 120 in parts 320 to ship ups. They even suspected this to be out of line because all the parts would fit in a 8x11 bubble pack. I ask real nice if they could check what it would cost to ship Usps . A few hours latter they came back with 30 bucks and said they will never quote ups again for outside the us. You won't see UPS pull this crap with customers that ship large volume with them because the complaints go back to the customer and they soon tell them that if we have to deal with this we will find someone else .
I purchase a lot in the U.S. and will never use U.P.S. I either ship to CBI in Nia. Falls or ship U.S.P.S. The so called 'no extra fees' of Summit,Speedway, Rock Auto, Macs etc. do include H.S.T. and since they do their own brokerage they are cheaper than U.P.S.. There are no free deals. I see Ebay is now adding their version of HST & brokerage to some Canadian purchases but I can usually get around that.
I too have been ripped by UPS. I have found lately that USPS is getting really bad too. I needed to order some small belts, only place I could find to get them was the USA. You could have put the 3 belts in an bubble envelope. The company just used a USPS flat rate box. The box was 13-5/8" x 11-7/8" x 3-3/8". Weight less than a pound.
Flat rate charge of $61.60. It's getting expensive no matter what anymore.
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Custom CNC plasma cutting. PM me for your custom parts.
I could rant for hours (UPS), I could praise and recommend time and time again (USPS), certainly would agree on SCC but it's all been said so well before me.
forgot to add in my previous post that when they finally found my package after 3 month ordeal.they wanted to know if I still wanted it.my response was [never mind may be children present] you I think know
I get all my stuff sent to Kuhns storage just across the bridge. 4 bucks and that includes a call when he gets it. Bridge is $3.50 but still much cheaper than broker fees.
Summit racing is now using Fed X and is stating no surprise costs or at your door shipping pricing. I think they have figured it out with all the people shipping to US addresses and or not much Canadian interest. I will be trying this out with my next order to check if it is true. (small order). I like Summit and they are pretty stand up company in my opinion. One of our last orders we shipped to the US and went to pick up (free shipping to US address) had a messed up part in it that was unuseable and we didn't catch it until we got back to Canada. I called Summit but they said they might not cover the return shipping because it went to NY and now it is coming from Canada and then back to Canada. They said to get a quote and let them know how much it would be. I did this with UPS and they said no problem (it was around $45) send the part as well as the bill for shipping and they would credit my card back the money and send the new replacement to Canada. They came through for us and the new part arrived safe and sound at no extra costs.
-- Edited by slab on Saturday 15th of February 2014 07:08:36 AM
i see that they are promoting fedex. let us know the out come of that will you.
Not sure when the next order will be but the last one was about a $340.00 order I had shipped to NY. My son and I always shop the web site first and then call it in on the phone. On the web order (shopping cart) it said I believe around $70.00 for shipping with no extra fees. This seems reasonable to me but I was still nervous about an at your door cost so we didn't go that route at that time. Since then I have seen more detailed advertising and am considering trying it. The $70 is less than it would cost me in time (1hour drive to the boarder each way not including waiting at the boarder) and even a Honda civic would chew up a good portion of that in gas. And if you are of the Honest type or just don't want to risk getting caught with way over the limit in goods...you will be paying the 13% tax anyway. Summit also has OEM parts for your everyday drivers and they are usually half the cost. Ben's new Monro Sensitracs front strut for the Camaro project , were less than half of the price of NAPA's cheaper strut. The control arm bushing were a joke $30 for one up here and $30-40 for a set down there in poly-urethane. The other way to look at it would be the savings on one strut would have payed the shipping. The drive to NY was worth it though in that last case anyway. Spent the day with my wife and got to visit friends. So it was all good. To each their own though. To ship or not to ship......that is your own question. LOL
PS. The numbers stated are from my not so good memory and I would recondmend going to the Summit web site and doing your own fictional order to check it out yourselves. Not sure if it was tax in then the shipping cost or if it was tax and shipping for the $70ish??? When I make my next order I will post a response more detailed. Rich
-- Edited by slab on Sunday 16th of February 2014 07:49:54 AM
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slab----67 chevy II 2dr post and 66 chevy II hardtop
here is an old one, in late 1999 i ordered a new 2000 f350 dually 4X4. the only way to get posi was with 4;10-4;11? gears. after 3-4 months i'm not liking listening to the power-stroke screaming up and over 70mph. i ordered two sets of crown and pinions from richmond gear somewhere in the states and ups delivers with the usual brokerage but they also charged duty on nafta parts, 60-70.00. i call them and blah-blah-blah we will reimburse you. at about the 3-4 month mark no cheque and i call and get the usual its being processed be patient. at about the 9 month point still no money and i call and now its getting as a matter of factly. i told them if i don't have my money in 10 business days i was putting it in small claims court. the person on the other end got snooty and says do you know who we are and blah-blah and our head office is in the states. i told them after 10 days i will fill in the papers against the local depot as they are the ones who received my money and the cost of filing will be added to the monies owing. about 2-3 days later i get a call apologizing for the mix up and my cheque came about 4-5 days later.
anyway, it wasn't so much about the money, it was the point. how many would of gave up and they win.
If I was the UPS driver, I would have done the same thing (Though even less nicely perhaps)...not his fault nor does he have to put up with anything. Your buddy, should have dug a bit deeper before he used UPS...and yes their brokerage fees are criminal. USPS is the only way to go.
If you dont have a shipping alternative, you can "self broker or self clear" UPS shipments yourself
Oh UPS fail. Brokerage charges. Apparently if you get an account they waive the charges.
I had a part ordered from the US was the wrong one. Company didn't even want it back, they just sent out the correct part from the US. I got an invoice and customs form for $0.00 (replacement part RMA). Freaking UPS still charged the $30.
About six years ago I ordered a bunch of display cases from the US for resale through my business. Since the company wouldn't handle the cross-border shipping I had to make all the arrangements here and they would only allow FedEx to pick up. For some reason, I think because I was in Canada and having FedEx US pick up, I could not use FedEx brokerage so I had to arrange my own brokerage here. All this was no big deal and a few days later I was notified my shipment was at the Cambridge depot and I could pick it up. Even that went well.
At this point I should mention that when I called for a rate I was given a significant discount which in reality is probably what most regular customers would pay. The discount was about $350..
So about a month later I received a call from FedEx telling me I had an outstanding amount owing of $450.. Thinking this was them wanting the discount fee I explained everything to the fellow on the phone and that seemed to be the end of it.
Again a month later I got another call and went through the whole schpeel again.
And then on the third month's call they finally said, no this wasn't anything to do with the discount, the charge was to unload the truck for inspection at Canada Customs. Can you imagine my shock ?!?!
Anyhow, I asked for proof whereupon they sent a copy of the written order from the customs officer. I called the border and talked to the agent and he confirmed it. I then tried to fight the charge based on the fact that NOWHERE in FedEx's policies does it say the receiver is responsible for the unloading fees in the event and inspection is required (UPS does make that statement and the last time I checked the fee was $500.).
Anyhow, the short and sweet of it is that I fought them for two years but when they finally put it in the hands of a collection agency I gave in and paid the bill. And THAT ate up every cent of profit on the displays!
So since that time I absolutely refuse to use FedEx. I won't use them for inbound shipments and if I sell something and the buyer wants to use FedEx I cancel the sale. FedEx can go **** themselves!