WHY UPS Sucks

[T is for Turbo]

Re: WHY UPS Sucks

Duty: $ 9.72
GST: $12.02
Brokerage $38.40
Broke GST $ 2.69
Total $62.83

Value for Duty $162.00

Grrr!!!

great...now i can't wait to find out how much i'm going to be paying!!

[LaDubDude]

Re: WHY UPS Sucks

I love UPS.

They deliver all my packages right on time. Brokerage fee is sure amaze those first timers. The courier cannot handle cash it is their rule. You cannot blame them on that. Only you don’t know it was their rule in the first place.

It's nice that somebody out there enjoys getting reemed by brokerage fees . . . whatever you're into.

UPS is an American company focussed on the American market. They only ship here because American companies want the service. They don't care about Canadian business, so they charge those inflated fees for border crossing to offset making deliveries they would otherwise not make were it not for their American customers who demand the service. Ever heard of UPS as a leading Canadian domestic courier?

[LaDubDude]

Re: WHY UPS Sucks

Check this out. It's an excerpt from an article about UPS and their hate for Canada Post

United Parcel Service of America, Inc. ("UPS") v. Government of Canada

United Parcel Services of America, Inc. (UPS), a U.S. parcel service provider, has filed a claim against Canada which focuses around allegations that Canada Post Corporation engages in anti-competitive practices by providing its courier products (Xpresspost, Priority Courier, and Purolator) with advantages that are not extended to UPS's investment in Canada, UPS Canada. In addition, UPS is alleging that the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency provides treatment less favourable to UPS Canada than it does to Canada Post's courier services.

another from a CBC online story -

More and more Canadians are turning to the Internet to do at least some of their holiday shopping.
Delores Friesen of Winnipeg likes a good bargain. So when she ordered some books online, she chose to have them shipped by "ground." It's slower, but cheaper.

The books cost about $78. The shipping - by United Parcel Service was another $15. Friesen told us she thought those were the only charges she would have to pay.

Friesen was wrong. Before giving her the books, UPS wanted another $31.00.

"I initially thought that I would return the order, just refuse it, and return it," Friesen told Marketplace. "Ultimately, I decided to accept the books because I really wanted them. I decided these would be my very expensive books that I would treasure and just leave it at that."

The $31.00 Friesen paid was for a service called "clearing customs."

When goods come across the border there may be duty and taxes due. Couriers will take care of this for you, charging what's called a "brokerage fee." You won't see the charge on items going by air because it's included in the price. The brokerage fee applies only on items shipped by ground.

"I was surprised and frustrated that I didn't know that when I ordered the books," Friesen said.

This isn't the first time UPS customers have voiced their anger at what appears to be a hidden fee.

Last year, CBC Regina and CBC Ottawa aired stories of consumers upset with the brokerage fee. At the time, UPS spokesperson Joe Tavares said, "In this case if he was not aware of it up front I can certainly appreciate his surprise."

Phil Cahly of the Canadian Courier Association adds consumers wouldn't be surprised if the stores they buy from in the U.S. told them about the brokerage fee.

There's been a large explosion in e-commerce and retailers aren't aware of customs formalities themselves. They should be telling their customers, but some aren't doing it," Cahly said.

Friesen says the book company she bought from never told her about the brokerage fee.

So we phoned the company, US PrayerTrack. A spokesperson told us they only became aware of the brokerage fee after phone calls from some angry Canadians. The spokesperson also told us UPS never explained to them the brokerage fee.

A UPS spokesperson told Marketplace their website, and U.S. rate guide, clearly state the consumer is responsible for all brokerage charges, duty and taxes. But when we asked if UPS shows clients this information, or tells its clients that Canadian customers will have to pay a brokerage fee - the spokesperson couldn't say.

"I'm glad I paid the money and chalked it up to experience," Friesen told us. "The unusual thing is that a few weeks later, just for no reason I received a cheque in the mail from ups with no explanation."

The UPS spokesperson had no explanation for the unsolicited refund either.

[LaDubDude]

Re: WHY UPS Sucks

Here's how to shove brokerage fees up their UPS arse -

1)Refuse the package
2)You'll need to get the waybill from the courier company.
3)Once you get the waybill, head to customs to pay any duty or taxes that are owing.
4)Make sure you also have an invoice or something to prove the value of your delivery.
5)After that, it's back to the courier company to pick up your package.

This is according the Canadian Couriers Association. I'm gonna give it a go.

[James]

Re: WHY UPS Sucks

Here's how to shove brokerage fees up their UPS arse -

1)Refuse the package
2)You'll need to get the waybill from the courier company.
3)Once you get the waybill, head to customs to pay any duty or taxes that are owing.
4)Make sure you also have an invoice or something to prove the value of your delivery.
5)After that, it's back to the courier company to pick up your package.

This is according the Canadian Couriers Association. I'm gonna give it a go.

That seems like alot of hassle for $40. You'll still end up payin an ass-load to get it there and it just seems like too much could go wrong 'Oh, sorry sir with all the confusion your package is in China..Or lost'

[Khyron]

Re: WHY UPS Sucks

Or you just don't ship with UPS! You still have to pay GST and duty no matter who you ship with (if you didn't expect that, then shame on you) but paying 5-10 bucks to clear, or paying 35 is your choice.

Khyron

[gaffer]

Re: WHY UPS Sucks

I have a strict no UPS policy on anything that I buy. If the company will not ship via another method then it is no sale. There is always someone else who is willing to accomodate.

I have always had great experience with USPS. They are cheap and thier brokerage is reasonable. I dont mind paying duties, GST, or a reasonable amount for brokerage but what UPS is up to is robbery.

Why do you think that UPS' called brown anyways?

Andrew

[Stonewall]

Re: WHY UPS Sucks

Looks like you all have a good CBS story going since some of your ammounts are different for the same thing to the same place. I also have a strick no UPS pollicy now, I even make sure the company I buy from knows that. I had my last package sent via USPS and payed $8, $3 for GST and $5 for handling. My question is why do we have to pay GST on a used item like off ebay?

[LaDubDude]

Re: WHY UPS Sucks

I have a strict no UPS policy on anything that I buy. If the company will not ship via another method then it is no sale. There is always someone else who is willing to accomodate.

I have always had great experience with USPS. They are cheap and thier brokerage is reasonable. I dont mind paying duties, GST, or a reasonable amount for brokerage but what UPS is up to is robbery.

Why do you think that UPS' called brown anyways?

Andrew

I usually run screaming when I hear UPS too, but I was infatuated with that beautiful Phatnoise that seemed cheaper than I could ever imagine. Sweet, sweet noise . . . . .aaaaahhhhhh

[LaDubDude]

Re: WHY UPS Sucks

That seems like alot of hassle for $40. You'll still end up payin an ass-load to get it there and it just seems like too much could go wrong 'Oh, sorry sir with all the confusion your package is in China..Or lost'

Well, it's either bend over and take it or slap them back. Once the package gets to the depot, it ain't going anywhere for at least 30 days (varies by company). It's less about the $40 and more about principle. I won't be shipping with UPS again no matter how good the deal . . . I should have learned my lesson last time.

[NeonGTI]

Re: WHY UPS Sucks

I left my phatbox cheque for those bastards on my front door for $62.67 today. I did write in the MEMO field 'UPS sucks dog balls'. Maybe SOMEONE will see it.

FYI: I did ask the vendor if he could ship it ANY other way than UPS and he was apologetic but said no.

[Mr. Burns]

Re: WHY UPS Sucks

'UPS sucks dog balls

It's funny because it's true.

[LaDubDude]

Re: WHY UPS Sucks

'UPS sucks dog balls'

That's rich . . .

[tintin]

Re: WHY UPS Sucks

Well, it's either bend over and take it or slap them back. Once the package gets to the depot, it ain't going anywhere for at least 30 days (varies by company). It's less about the $40 and more about principle. I won't be shipping with UPS again no matter how good the deal . . . I should have learned my lesson last time.

I'm with you. Never shipping with them again. I'll go pick it up myself next time. (And spend the time in my dub - now that's worth $38.00!!)

[AgentNox]

Third time's the charm

I've used UPS 3 times this year.

One
Shipped my computer across the country when I moved. Monitor arrived broken. Tough luck for me.

Two
Had family ship my down duvet out to me during cold snap. Duvet was lost in transit. I was told to go to the depot as they could probably find it. I spent about an hour waiting at the depot, watching their moronic employees stumble around looking for my package to no avail. After a half-hearted apology from the manager I was told that because the shipment didn't have additional insurance purchased there would be no compensation. The duvet eventually turned up in Montreal. Montreal?! I got the duvet, several weeks late and well into a chinook.

Three
My brand new Phatbox arrived today... and you guys are all familiar with this one.

I have officially joined the club of people who will never use UPS again.