The only problems I've had with them have been with items shipped up from the US. If you got a corporate rate, and didn't know of their reputation shipping internationally, then you certainly aren't to blame (and I didn't mean to attribute blame to you, btw).
There have been several "UPS Bashing" threads here over the years. IIRC, Wheatfield in particular, has had many bad experiences with them.
What they did in my case, was to charge unconscionable brokerage fees to get an item over the border - like $45 on an item that I paid $12 for. Plus they charged taxes and duty, so my bill was around $65! Since they "forgot" to charge the shipper at the point of shipment, they tried to charge me. They left a note on my door, saying that I could go pick up the item at a warehouse about 30 miles north of the city, in a place where transit doesn't go.
I explained to them that I couldn't get up there to pick it up, but gave them permission to leave it at my door. They said, "no, since you have to pay us, we can't leave it". I said, "how about if I leave a certified cheque payable to you in an envelope, taped to my door". They said no can do.
I said, "well, I can't get up there to pick it up, you won't deliver it, what are we going to do?" They said that if I didn't come to pick it up, it would be returned to the sender.
Then, about 2 weeks later, I get an invoice in the mail, attempting to charge me for the brokerage fee, the return shipping to California, PLUS an administrative fee for "refusing the shipment". So now the bill up over $80!
Now, they never told me on the phone that they'd invoice me all these items if I didn't come to pick it up.
So, I ignore the invoice, figuring that it's just something they send out hoping that some rube is going to pay.
Two weeks later, a second notice, threatening to send the thing in for collection if not paid immediately.
I sent off a lovely letter, explaining to them that among other things, I had no contract with them, as I didn't ship the item, and I didn't instruct the shipper to send by UPS. The only person who had contracted with them was the shipper, certainly not me. They therefore had no claim against me whatsoever, so please go away.
Never heard from them again, either to confirm that the invoice was cancelled, or to apologize, or to try to collect again.
Jerks.
I know I've told this to the list on at least one occasion, but I just get ~so~ mad when I think about it. And, IIRC from previous threads, such treatment is typical.
FWIW, US Postal/Canada Post never charges brokerage fees on international shipments. About 1/4 of shipments I get from the US by post are charged taxes and duty, 3/4 cross the border unscathed.
cheers, frank
"The optimist thinks this is the best of all possible worlds. The pessimist fears it is true." -J. Robert Oppenheimer
From: Paul Stenquist <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Buying from the US Date: Mon, 09 Feb 2004 17:41:45 -0500
I get a great deal on UPS shipping through work. For shipments within the US they're great. I didn't know about their policy regarding
customs and duties. However, the recipient did save on the shipping cost.
Paul
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