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DementedReality · 06-02-2011, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

You and I are arguing over different points here. I say if UPS et al want to charge a brokerage fee- let them.

My issue is that shipping from the US to Canada always involves customs at some point. Why is it that the one part of the processing has a cost that is not charged up front? Why is it that shipping does not automatically include that brokerage fee built into the upfront price?

That is what seems to be "underhanded" to me- to be told the shipping is going to be one price; and then right at the end to be told there is another charge. Going back to our restaurant Pepsi example; if the cost of the drink is $5 then tell me up front; don't tell me it's $2 and then after it's too late tell me it's another $3.

international trade has a system of identifying the responsible parties for the parts of the shipping transaction. pick up, insurance, freight, clearance, unloading, packaging, etc ....

look up incoterms 2011. there is a clear definition of who is responsible for what as the ownership of the goods actually change hands based on these terms.

the point being they are two seperate transactions and usually the standard is the shipper pays the freight and the consignee takes the brokerage, duty and taxes unless otherwise negotiated by way of Incoterm.

Most people have never heard of nor need to use Inco Terms, so the standard as above applies.

wooohooo · 06-02-2011, 10:03 PM

Again, the problem isn't the fact there's a brokerage fee... but rather how they charge it after the fact. Even if it is separate entities and UPS is picking up the cost for us, shouldn't we know about this cost before we buy the item? Regardless, to most people... shipping includes everything to get from point A to point B including brokerage, duty etc. When paying you should have a outline of what your fee includes and a disclaimer stating the amount of the brokerage fee and who is covering the cost. Then you pay for the item, not when it comes to your door.

Like someone else said, brokerage fees are so random, there have been times which I've got shipped the same item, same shipping package and got dinged for brokerage once and not the other time. So how are we supposed to know? Call every single time?

It seems a 'scam' because the parties are not given any indication of this fee and is charged after payment.

3 Justin 3 · 06-02-2011, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeteLFan

I haven't even got my stuff yet so I don't know what's gonna happen. Heck I wasn't even aware of these new charges until I started this thread. I was just referring to the slow ass movement of my stuff.

Yes, brokerage fees are a bitch. I never use UPS.

My dad ordered a RC truck off eBay, paid the $55 shipping charge, and when it arrived UPS slapped us with a $88 brokerage fee bill. Wouldn't give me the package until I paid him.

UPS can burn in hell for all I care.

We got no indication we had to pay more. If shipping is going to end up costing $140, then tell me, don't BS me and tell me $55.

CrusaderPi · 06-02-2011, 10:48 PM

Read the thread Justin. Shipping was $55. Brokerage is a totally different service. Don't blame a courier company for your lack of understanding.

ken0042 · 06-02-2011, 11:09 PM

How is somebody supposed to "understand" when the charge is hidden. I think maybe you are the one who needs to read the thread. I'm still waiting for somebody to tell me how a comapny that sends thousands or millions of packages can justify not telling its customers about a charge.

The only reason I know about it is from threads like this; no courier has ever bothered to tell me.

And its not like it's some other company making this charge; it's the courier charging for the "service."

DementedReality · 06-02-2011, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

How is somebody supposed to "understand" when the charge is hidden. I think maybe you are the one who needs to read the thread. I'm still waiting for somebody to tell me how a comapny that sends thousands or millions of packages can justify not telling its customers about a charge.

The only reason I know about it is from threads like this; no courier has ever bothered to tell me.

And its not like it's some other company making this charge; it's the courier charging for the "service."

Hang on a second Ken ...

you arent shipping with the courier, the person you bought from is and they do know about the brokerage charge and duty and taxes because they are asked to declare on the waybill who is responsible for the charges.

what other companies deliver small parcels other then couriers? of course they are the only ones charging it because they are the only ones who are asked to provide that service.

as already explained, CanadaPost isnt tasked with the same level of care and scrutiny as commercial operators and therefore either charges far less or not at all.

again, as the consignee, you never entered into the contract with the carrier, the person doing the shipping did.

sounds like the issue is with sellers who offer "shipping" but dont disclose the true cost of purchasing from them.

wooohooo · 06-03-2011, 01:28 AM

When I ship something through UPS I sure as hell do not know how much the brokerage fee is going to be. Not once have I ever been told what that amount will be. It would be nice for them to point it out seeing as it could be as much as the item itself or more. I hate sending a package to a person and they getting upset about the brokerage fee. I didn't know about it, they didn't know about it... UPS knows about it. They should state it upfront and clearly.

You clearly are in a demented reality... you're by far the minority here, and you only seem to know what you do because you were in the business. For all us other folk, we're left in the dark.

3 Justin 3 · 06-03-2011, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrusaderPi

Read the thread Justin. Shipping was $55. Brokerage is a totally different service. Don't blame a courier company for your lack of understanding.

Yes, it is my lack of understanding that I get no heads up what so ever about a brokerage fee. I love how they don't tell me before hand, and leave it as a surprise.

Totally my lack of understanding because they never disclose how much it is.

ken0042 · 06-03-2011, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DementedReality

Hang on a second Ken ...

you arent shipping with the courier, the person you bought from is and they do know about the brokerage charge and duty and taxes because they are asked to declare on the waybill who is responsible for the charges.

I just entered a random shipping quote on UPS.com. This is the only comment about brokerage. (Emphasis mine.)

Guarantees and Notices

Subject to the Tariff/Terms and Conditions of Service, UPS guarantees on-schedule delivery of packages shipped via UPS's services listed as guaranteed, or will refund your transportation charges. Guaranteed Service is not available in all locations and scheduled business days and delivery schedules are revised occasionally due to changes in distribution and volume. Service to some remote areas also may require additional delivery days. For current delivery schedules, service availability and information, and a description of the UPS Service Guarantee, see the UPS Rate and Service Guide. Certain commodities and high value shipments may require additional transit time for customs clearance.

Rates are estimates only based on Prepaid service.

Please Note: Shipping rates quoted are estimates based on the information you have supplied. Shipping rates quoted do not include duties, taxes or other non-routine customs brokerage charges. Other shipping charges, surcharges or accessorial charges also may apply. Your final shipping charge may differ based on your shipper characteristics and the characteristics of, and services requested for, packages actually tendered to UPS. Rates quoted here are based on UPS published rates. Please see the UPS Rate and Service Guide or the applicable service and rate guide in your jurisdiction for details. Rates and service may vary at retail locations.

Duty types are provided as a convenience only and should not be relied upon by shippers or any other person.

Seems a little vague to me; what is a non-routine brokerage charge?

Once again, all I am saying is that at this point in the process they should be telling me (the shipper) that my customer will be hit with a fee that is 2-4 times the price of what the shipping charge was. Heck- there was already one manditory field where I chose the packaging; why not make a bold statement to that effect there?

That is where I suspect if they did, they would have fewer people shipping with them.

bomber317 · 06-03-2011, 08:34 AM

You know why I don't have a problem with Canada Post? It's not because it's cheap.

It's because I know I have to pay them

$5 + GST to get my item.

And you know what? Fedex gives me a detail bill for their charge.

So I have no problems paying fedex the brokerage fee since they break down what was declared, how much I paid in taxes, how much I paid for "brokerage/handling"

Stop trying to blame

a) the person using the shipping service/company
b) the person receiving the item from the shipping service/company

Neither person A or B knows what the charges will be from some couriers/shipping companies.

PeteLFan · 06-05-2011, 09:53 AM

Sorry to bump this, but my tracking says processed sort facility CALGARY for June 4th, but says 11:06am mountain. It's only 9:53 WTF DHL.