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dgcuff Regular user Canada 191 Posts |
Please help me.
Here's the situation: I live in Canada. Occasionally I purchase things from people in the U.S. Sometimes, people want to send me these items via UPS. This is both extremely and unnecessarily costly to me. The expense is invisible to the sender, therefore they think it doesn't exist. I cannot convey this to people. That's why I'm asking for your help. How can I convey this clearly? Let's say Bob lives in the U.S. and sends me a parcel via UPS. First, UPS charges Bob a shipping fee. That's all Bob ever has to pay. Next, UPS charges me taxes and duties. No problems yet--everyone has to do this, and they're charges are the same no matter who ships the parcel. Finally, UPS charges me a "brokerage fee." UPS charges the highest brokerage fees in the business by a considerable margin. A shipment valued $100 will cost me around $25 in brokerage fees, above and beyond the taxes and duties. (Everyone else charges around $5.) I've just finished explaining all this to a vendor in the States, as clearly as I could. Their response? "Please check your invoice, It's a lot less than $xx with ups." In other words, "Bob" still thinks the initial shipping fee he pays is the only thing I'll be charged for. I'm so frustrated. I don't know how to express it any more clearly than I have. Please help me--PM if you like, or here.
I formerly ran a site of links to help Canadian magicians, magicinfo.ca, but I retired it in 2022.
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Wayne Hackler Regular user 139 Posts |
If a dealer doesn't want to ship in the way that would be the most economically to you, the customer, don't use him. One of your best bets would be to email or telephone the dealer you want to work with and let him know your situation, and also inform him of the added expense of brokering fees. A good dealer will value your business, find a way to make it less espensive for you, thereby increasing his repeat customer base.
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dgcuff Regular user Canada 191 Posts |
Thanks for the thoughts, Wayne. In fact, I no longer purchase from dealers that ship only via UPS.
In this case, I am dealing with an individual.
I formerly ran a site of links to help Canadian magicians, magicinfo.ca, but I retired it in 2022.
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Rob Johnston Inner circle Utah 2060 Posts |
I don't deal with dealers that don't have more than one option of shipping. I recommend you do the same.
"Genius is another word for magic, and the whole point of magic is that it is inexplicable." - Margot Fonteyn
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Reg Rozee Special user Vancouver, Canada 592 Posts |
Perhaps you could send them a scan of a UPS receipt for the brokerage fees they charged you on a previous transaction?
Reality is what doesn't go away when you stop believing in it. -Phillip K. Dick
Who are you going to believe, me or your own eyes? -Chico Marx |
R2 Special user 935 Posts |
I can speak of this as an owner of a UPS Store.
UPS has been given a complete license to run and operate a brokerage clearing house of their own. In effect no one from the Canadian government ever touches your shipment. We "UPS" have to pay a subsidy or "KICKBACK" for every parcel that is processed. This offers a quicker clearance or processing time for your parcel. The customer pays less for UPS Standard to Canada rates but, the recipient will have to pay the expedited processing fees. When a customer comes into the UPS Store the documentation is sent to the destination clearing house electronically. This means that all of the paperwork has been processed even before you parcel arrives. So in effect you are paying for the expediting of your package through the process. That is why UPS rates are higher than anyone elses. We are the only commercial carrier with our own brokerage clearing house in most every country of the world. Your customer pays less using UPS Standard rates to Canada than by using another commercial carrier. That is why they are choosing UPS Standard rates. I hope this helps? r2 |
dgcuff Regular user Canada 191 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-06-09 11:08, ReyRey Puentes wrote: It's not an offer. It's a requirement. There's no way to opt out of the faster processing. The customer gets to pay less, and pay the cost on to me. Having said that, I do appreciate your efforts in explaining it all, sir. It just reaffirms my determination never, ever to do business with someone who ships only UPS.
I formerly ran a site of links to help Canadian magicians, magicinfo.ca, but I retired it in 2022.
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martini Special user delta, pennsylvania 548 Posts |
Greetings dgcuff;
As wayne mentioned, if the dealer is not willing to look out for your best interest, switch to another dealer. I have always used the fastest, method and the cheapest in costs to my customers. I have found that the U.S. postal Service has given me better rates especially when sent as small package airmail. I always mark the item as gift on the customs label. One way you can avoid UPS is to have your magic sent to a P.O. Box, UPS will not deliver to a P.O.Box. Just a couple of thoughts All the Best Marty |
dgcuff Regular user Canada 191 Posts |
I appreciate the responses. Again, for those that missed it, I was dealing with an individual, not a dealer.
In the end, I could not make this person understand. They sent the package yesterday via UPS Ground. <sigh> That's twice in two tries. I'm going to swear off buying things from the States for a while. Much, much more hassle than it's worth.
I formerly ran a site of links to help Canadian magicians, magicinfo.ca, but I retired it in 2022.
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dgcuff Regular user Canada 191 Posts |
Update:
I finally received the parcel today from the individual who insisted on shipping via UPS Ground. UPS charged me $45.65 brokerage fee, as opposed to the $5 Canada Post would have charged me. But that's not why I'm posting. The jerk advertised a new piece of software and shipped me the upgrade. I guess I should have paid attention to how un-helpful this person was.
I formerly ran a site of links to help Canadian magicians, magicinfo.ca, but I retired it in 2022.
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Dave V Inner circle Las Vegas, NV 4824 Posts |
Dg,
The way I understand it, the (mandatory)UPS brokerage fee is in lieu of customs fees. Somebody would have to pay one way or another, and using a broker to get parcels across the border is much easier (and faster) than the alternative (leaving it in the hands of Customs officials) I bought a guitar from a Canadian dealer, and also had to pay a UPS broker fee. Since it was in their hands the whole time and wasn't opened for inspection at the border, I felt better about the whole transaction. He gave me other choices, all of which were more expensive, not guaranteed, and not trackable. Rey Rey can correct me if I'm wrong.
No trees were killed in the making of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
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R2 Special user 935 Posts |
You are absolutely correct Dave!
If someone ships something through my store I can offer a less expensive, non traceable means, slower means of shipment or they can choose to use UPS which offers all of those not offered in the above. If something were to get lost using the cheaper means then all I could do would be to make an excuse! The postal service offers no guarantees. You can purchase insurance, but, I have had to make some postal service claims and it took almost three months. If they ship UPS, I can tell you exactly in whose hot little hands your parcel is in. If it should happen to get lost or damaged, it only takes me 3 weeks for the entire claims process. Not exactly super fast, but still much better than 3 months. I have never lost an International Package! Through the UPS International Program the postal service of those participating countries never touch or open your parcels. Here is my advice. If you can afford to wait and possibly lose the parcel you paid for then, didn't pay a large sum for the item, then ship using the cheapest means. That is what I tell my clients here at my UPS Store. If it is something you recieved a good price on, you value the unique or hard to obtain item, and wish to recieve it fast and guaranteed not to be lost choose UPS International Shipping. You will have to fill out an invoice for the declared items individually and also sign over a power of attorney so that a UPS employee can act on your behalf in the movement of your goods. This all rides with your parcel. I am happy to answer any further questions as they relate to your international shipments! |
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