Canadian EF Users... Is there any way to avoid custom charges. They are a B!

Contributor: Breas Breas
Quote:
Originally posted by Kat Shanahan
Well, here's the thing, though (at least in my case, and I'm not going to apologize for "complaining" here on the forum): The amount I was charged did not match the amount I would have been charged simply to cover taxes. I've ... more
I think voicing your opinion is fine and should not have to feel like you need to apologize!

yes taxes are "normal" for us Canadians to receive but NOT brokerage fees.. which was the big issue when I had started this thread... Never in my life have I received a brokerage fee before until the issue with EF.. and I've ordered plenty of items from the USA as well as internationally over the past several years.

I think it's good you are stating your opinion as I am sure there are others who feel the same as you do, but haven't replied to this thread, or don't even come to the forums. It would be nice to know why every package is taxed now when before they never were... though I'm just happy they dealt with the brokerage fees because that was the HUGE B for us!
12/20/2011
Contributor: Breas Breas
My partner and I plan on moving soon, and I'm worried that our new UPS man won't accept cash like the UPS man we have right now. I was talking to him (he's an awesome chatty delivery man) and he said he knows the guy who does the route in the town over (where we are moving) and he said he would talk to him and suggest taking cash from us, but he said that he doesn't think that he will..

So as far as UPS accepting cash, it is not everyone. If a driver chooses to accept cash, that is their own thing.

Since they don't take gift credit cards or cash, I'm not sure what we are going to do because I don't have cheques, and I do not have a credit card any more. I hope this new guy will break down and accept cash from us.

As for the gift credit cards we had used awhile back when our fees were like $50bucks each, well, I just got a letter last week from UPS saying that I owe on those packages, even though we gave them gift credit card numbers. This really pissed me off at UPS because gift credit cards are NOT reloadable and silly me.. I didn't keep the credit card because I had assumed the balance was taken from UPS for the fees on the package. So basically, we threw out gift credit cards that still have balances on them since UPS obviously didn't take the money from the cards (or at least I assume because why would they be sending me bills).. Ugh. Just had to rant.
12/20/2011
Contributor: toxie m toxie m
Quote:
Originally posted by Breas
My partner and I plan on moving soon, and I'm worried that our new UPS man won't accept cash like the UPS man we have right now. I was talking to him (he's an awesome chatty delivery man) and he said he knows the guy who does the route in ... more
Could you get the credit card numbers from them? That is a really, really frustrating situation. I would tell them that if they can't get those card numbers back to you and "refund" you that money they can just shove it because they've essentially just doubled your fees and left you absolutely in the dark. It's safe to assume that many people would throw out giftcards they had every reason to believe were empty. UPS totally screwed you here, that's maddening.
12/20/2011
Contributor: Serenesub Serenesub
Quote:
Originally posted by Kat Shanahan
OK, so I just placed another order over the weekend, and it was shipped today. I'm hoping to stay ahead of any "surprises" in terms of fees and be ready when the Purolator guy comes knocking.

When you say "..email UPS and ... more
Wait until it says it's cleared customs and can move in transit or whatever it says. Otherwise it just doesn't show a charge. And it probably will be that soon if it was expedited. It's shocked me before too
12/20/2011
Contributor: Eva Schwaltz Eva Schwaltz
Quote:
Originally posted by Misfit Momma
I'm honestly starting to get frustrated with all of you complaining about the fees being charged. Those of us who posted in the first few pages of this thread were overcharged, which is why EdenFantasys was kind enough to reimburse us. From what ... more
Thank you! This is what I've been trying to say. In EF's shipping policy it states "We also are not held liable for any tariffs, import duties or international taxes that may be imposed outside the USA."
12/21/2011
Contributor: Kat Shanahan Kat Shanahan
Quote:
Originally posted by Eva Schwaltz
Thank you! This is what I've been trying to say. In EF's shipping policy it states "We also are not held liable for any tariffs, import duties or international taxes that may be imposed outside the USA."
The fact that customers are all of a sudden being slapped with COD charges due to customs fees or taxes IS an issue. Whether it's an issue on EF's part, or the carrier's part, or whoever it is...it's STILL an issue. EF has been great in trying to deal with it and help out customers who have experienced this.

I have absolutely no problem paying taxes on my orders (if that is indeed what the charges are) because after all, I don't get charged tax on my order when I place it. BUT (and I have said this before, but I suppose it must bear repeating) the amount that I was charged at my door for my last order did not match the amount that I would have been charged for HST. It didn't match, period. It was way off. And so I can only conclude that I was paying brokerage fees as well....which, sorry to say? I'm NOT paying again. I'm just not. I've already paid for shipping; I'll pay the taxes, but there's no way I'm paying anything else. I've calculated the amount of HST for my latest order, and when the delivery guy comes, if the COD charge is one penny over that amount? Forget it. He can shove the package up his ass.

So yeah, it might be "annoying" or whatever to read people's complaints, but they're *legitimate* complaints, so...yeah. We've got a right to air our concerns, and I don't know about anyone else, but I won't apologize for it.
12/21/2011
Contributor: Kat Shanahan Kat Shanahan
I doubt very much if anyone will answer this today, it being Christmas Day and all, but I figure it's worth a shot!

When paying brokerage/tax fees by cheque, who do you make the cheque out to? Dumb question, I know, but I'm honestly not sure, and I want to have the cheque ready to hand over to the delivery guy in the morning....
12/25/2011
Contributor: Breas Breas
Quote:
Originally posted by toxie m
Could you get the credit card numbers from them? That is a really, really frustrating situation. I would tell them that if they can't get those card numbers back to you and "refund" you that money they can just shove it because ... more
Well I was thinking that, but wouldn't they basically just send the bill to a credit collector? I wouldn't want my credit affected just because they are A-holes.
12/25/2011
Contributor: Breas Breas
Quote:
Originally posted by Kat Shanahan
I doubt very much if anyone will answer this today, it being Christmas Day and all, but I figure it's worth a shot!

When paying brokerage/tax fees by cheque, who do you make the cheque out to? Dumb question, I know, but I'm honestly ... more
I don't know (sorry), but it would only take a second to fill it out when the UPS delivery person arrives and they'll be able to tell you : ) Or, maybe they have something posted on their website? You may have to browse around for a bit though.
12/25/2011
Contributor: Misfit Momma Misfit Momma
Quote:
Originally posted by Kat Shanahan
I doubt very much if anyone will answer this today, it being Christmas Day and all, but I figure it's worth a shot!

When paying brokerage/tax fees by cheque, who do you make the cheque out to? Dumb question, I know, but I'm honestly ... more
I just put UPS on them whenever I have used a cheque.
12/26/2011
Contributor: Ilya Ilya
Quote:
Originally posted by Kat Shanahan
I doubt very much if anyone will answer this today, it being Christmas Day and all, but I figure it's worth a shot!

When paying brokerage/tax fees by cheque, who do you make the cheque out to? Dumb question, I know, but I'm honestly ... more
I don't know exactly, but UPS will be able to answer your question. Give them a call at 1-800-742-5877 with your tracking number.
12/27/2011
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
So, just out of curiosity, if UPS is being such a stick in the mud and customs is being a stick in the mud, is it not possible to have the items sent via post instead?
01/10/2012
Contributor: toxie m toxie m
Quote:
Originally posted by Ansley
So, just out of curiosity, if UPS is being such a stick in the mud and customs is being a stick in the mud, is it not possible to have the items sent via post instead?
I'm also wondering this. I'm about to place an order and I'm waffling over whether I want to give USPS a go or if I want to keep choosing UPS despite how much trouble they've given me in the past months. Has anyone had any experiences with USPS recently?
01/10/2012
Contributor: Serenesub Serenesub
Quote:
Originally posted by toxie m
I'm also wondering this. I'm about to place an order and I'm waffling over whether I want to give USPS a go or if I want to keep choosing UPS despite how much trouble they've given me in the past months. Has anyone had any experiences ... more
I'd try USPS and see if it works. A couple weeks ago when all this was going on I thought I'd try that too. It let me choose it but as soon as I hit the button to carry on to the next part of check out I got a note popping up telling me that EF doesn't ship USPS to Canada.
01/11/2012
Contributor: toxie m toxie m
Quote:
Originally posted by Serenesub
I'd try USPS and see if it works. A couple weeks ago when all this was going on I thought I'd try that too. It let me choose it but as soon as I hit the button to carry on to the next part of check out I got a note popping up telling me that ... more
You're right, it didn't work. Hm. Why does USPS even come up as an option for Canada, then? Weird. I really thought "USPS Worldwide" would ship to Canada, but apparently not? Oh well. UPS it is.
01/11/2012
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
Quote:
Originally posted by toxie m
You're right, it didn't work. Hm. Why does USPS even come up as an option for Canada, then? Weird. I really thought "USPS Worldwide" would ship to Canada, but apparently not? Oh well. UPS it is.
Bummer, I was hoping it would work for you guys. I do know that UPS makes it incredibly easy for businesses to ship internationally, but it looks like they don't have any issue with making life difficult for their customers' customers.
01/11/2012
Contributor: Serenesub Serenesub
Quote:
Originally posted by toxie m
You're right, it didn't work. Hm. Why does USPS even come up as an option for Canada, then? Weird. I really thought "USPS Worldwide" would ship to Canada, but apparently not? Oh well. UPS it is.
I have no idea. I thought the same thing when it did it to me. I was being told to ship that way because it would help. Tried to do it and it wouldn't let me. I'm not sure how it would fix the problem either since it's customs having the issue and the packages would still have to go through customs.
01/12/2012
Contributor: toxie m toxie m
Quote:
Originally posted by Serenesub
I have no idea. I thought the same thing when it did it to me. I was being told to ship that way because it would help. Tried to do it and it wouldn't let me. I'm not sure how it would fix the problem either since it's customs having the ... more
I'm not convinced it IS a customs issue, but it could be. I do know that UPS is a company I am sick of dealing with, however.

I am going to be paying extra close attention to this package shipment, and I'll definitely be calling once it's gone through brokerage to ask how they're calculating the COD charges, since I assume they'll be some again. If it was all just taxes, I would expect it to be an amount reflective of the package's worth, since it'd be a percentage calculated from that. However, they try to charge me $40 every time, no matter whether it's a package worth $500 at full retail or $100. That's just fishy.
01/12/2012
Contributor: Serenesub Serenesub
Quote:
Originally posted by toxie m
I'm not convinced it IS a customs issue, but it could be. I do know that UPS is a company I am sick of dealing with, however.

I am going to be paying extra close attention to this package shipment, and I'll definitely be calling once ... more
That I may actually be able to help with. I asked for a breakdown from UPS when all of this started.


Here is the breakdown of the charges on brokerage invoice based on the shippers declared value of $107 CAD:
COD CHARGE $4.25
This is a UPS fee, to cover the cost of collecting the funds in this manner.
COD GST TAX $0.21
The Goods & Services Tax on the COD fee.
BOND FEE $5.85
Disbursement fees are charges for UPS having to pay duty and/or taxes to the government on behalf of the importer.
ENTRY PREP FEE $29.00
Entry preparation charges are a fee for UPS processing the paperwork for a package to clear Customs
BROKERAGE GST $1.45
The Goods & Services Tax on the Brokerage charges.
CUSTOMS GST $1.74
The Goods & Services Tax on the Canadian value of the goods.
CUSTOMS GST on goods $5.33
01/13/2012
Contributor: Serenesub Serenesub
Looks like I *MAY* be overcharged again. I'm really hoping I'm wrong but I can't say I'm pleased right now. Dealing with UPS as I type.
01/15/2012
Contributor: Serenesub Serenesub
Question, Has anybody ever been charged when their packages shipped UPS Expedited?

My last few packages have shipped that way and no extra charges. This package ships UPS Standard and suddenly I'm getting charges again. Is there any way we could add Expedited as an option for shipping, and/or USPS (For Canada it doesn't work when you try to ship with it) ?
01/16/2012
Contributor: A.Mari A.Mari
Quote:
Originally posted by Serenesub
Question, Has anybody ever been charged when their packages shipped UPS Expedited?

My last few packages have shipped that way and no extra charges. This package ships UPS Standard and suddenly I'm getting charges again. Is there any way ... more
Sucks that USPS doesn't work when you select it! I don't understand why it's available to all other countries & not Canadians . It would be better if a USPS option was available as UPS charges outrageous fees...they are like crooks LOL. $8.50 + tax is what Canada Post/USPS charges which is hit & miss...I would rather pay the USPS/Canada Post fees then the random high fees UPS charges. I think it would be way better if we had a choice btw the 2 *sigh*
01/31/2012
Contributor: Breas Breas
They did recently have this problem again, but I believe it's been fixed. I had received a package with a 49something brokerage fee, and then a 30something fee in taxes. It's all worked out now, but Serenesub, you should look on the UPS receipt and see if it has anything under the brokerage fee section.
01/31/2012
Contributor: A.Mari A.Mari
Quote:
Originally posted by Breas
They did recently have this problem again, but I believe it's been fixed. I had received a package with a 49something brokerage fee, and then a 30something fee in taxes. It's all worked out now, but Serenesub, you should look on the UPS ... more
So UPS shipments are no longer being hit with fees?
01/31/2012
Contributor: Breas Breas
Quote:
Originally posted by A.Mari
So UPS shipments are no longer being hit with fees?
Well, the tax fees are still there. It really was the brokerage fees that were a pain in the butt.
01/31/2012
Contributor: A.Mari A.Mari
Quote:
Originally posted by Breas
Well, the tax fees are still there. It really was the brokerage fees that were a pain in the butt.
I understand tax charge, that's completely fine. Was you shipment via UPS Standard or Expedited? And do you know the reason why brokerage wasn't charged? I'm planning to place a $100 plus order, and I don't wanna be charged any brokerage fees.
01/31/2012
Contributor: toxie m toxie m
Quote:
Originally posted by A.Mari
I understand tax charge, that's completely fine. Was you shipment via UPS Standard or Expedited? And do you know the reason why brokerage wasn't charged? I'm planning to place a $100 plus order, and I don't wanna be charged any brokerage fees.
I've been charged brokerage fees on my last two orders. It sucks because it doubles the fees - $11 tax and then $11 brokerage? So lame. An extra $20 isn't the end of the world, but that really adds up when you order on a regular basis. As far as I know, this is still ongoing. EF customer service is lovely and extremely helpful with this issue, but it still sucks to have to go through it every time.
01/31/2012
Contributor: Breas Breas
Just received an order with brokerage fees of $15 and roughly $15 more in taxes. Ugh. Brokerage is just annoying and I really don't feel like calling EF every time.
02/01/2012
Contributor: Kat Shanahan Kat Shanahan
So...today I received a fucking BILL from UPS for the "government charges" on my last order. Problem: I ALREADY PAID THE FUCKING CHARGES WHEN THE PACKAGE WAS DELIVERED. And I don't plan to pay it again. So, basically, UPS can kiss my fat ass, because they already got the fee out of me once and they are NOT getting it again.

I know this doesn't have anything to do with EF per se, but I really wish there was another option for shipping to Canada, because UPS is pretty much THE worst carrier I have EVER dealt with.
02/01/2012
Contributor: A.Mari A.Mari
wow! That sucks!! I hope you still have have your proof of payment...I'm guessing you payed by credit card since I think they do not accept cash, so the proof should be on your statement and you should be fine. I hope it all works out for you.
I agree with you 110% UPS suckkkkkkkkks!
02/02/2012