gummybun
Contributor
This is a general FYI post - meant to help cross border relations (Canada/US) on all the classified forums. If the staff can find a better place, please move me.
U.S. sellers (and Canadian buyers) need to be aware of the unfair commercial practices of the major courier companies (mostly UPS but also FedEx).
US sellers need to know that Canadian buyers are forced to pay 'broker fees' (undisclosed to the sender at the time of posting) upon delivery. If these fees are not paid the items are returned to the seller and the recipient and/or the seller will receive collection agency letters at a later date for the return cost of the merchandise. For this reason the buyers usually just 'cough up' the funds. But these fees can be significant and often are in excess of the value of the merchandise itself.
You can source many discussions if you google 'ups canada class action' - But no class action has yet been or is 'on track' to being successful.
It is important and useful to know that the offending service is the 'standard service' often touted to unwitting non-business users. If you spend an extra $10.00 or about 20% you can get the expedited service (3 day by USPS/FedEX) and with this service you get the goods sooner, at a choice of times, and NO BROKER fees. --- You Save Money By Sending Faster --- The Broker Fees are no small amount and often create friction between buyer and seller - even though it is by no means the sellers fault. I have asked sellers to use the more expensive method and they have been 'down-sold' service by the courier companies, and they have chosen it thinking that they are doing me a favor! They are just unwitting pawns, lining the pockets of UPS.
The Rules.
USPS Ground - 50/50 chance of Canada Customs 'surcharge' for inspection, but no broker fees.
USPS '1-3 day' - No Broker Fees, Tracking, Fast.
FedEX Standard - 50/50% chance of Broker Fee
FedEX (all classes above Standard) - clear sailing
UPS Standard - 100% chance of Broker Fee
UPS (all classes above Standard) - clear sailing
Motto - Faster is Faster (and Cheaper)
The only way to stop this practice is to use the marketplace - spread the word.
U.S. sellers (and Canadian buyers) need to be aware of the unfair commercial practices of the major courier companies (mostly UPS but also FedEx).
US sellers need to know that Canadian buyers are forced to pay 'broker fees' (undisclosed to the sender at the time of posting) upon delivery. If these fees are not paid the items are returned to the seller and the recipient and/or the seller will receive collection agency letters at a later date for the return cost of the merchandise. For this reason the buyers usually just 'cough up' the funds. But these fees can be significant and often are in excess of the value of the merchandise itself.
You can source many discussions if you google 'ups canada class action' - But no class action has yet been or is 'on track' to being successful.
It is important and useful to know that the offending service is the 'standard service' often touted to unwitting non-business users. If you spend an extra $10.00 or about 20% you can get the expedited service (3 day by USPS/FedEX) and with this service you get the goods sooner, at a choice of times, and NO BROKER fees. --- You Save Money By Sending Faster --- The Broker Fees are no small amount and often create friction between buyer and seller - even though it is by no means the sellers fault. I have asked sellers to use the more expensive method and they have been 'down-sold' service by the courier companies, and they have chosen it thinking that they are doing me a favor! They are just unwitting pawns, lining the pockets of UPS.
The Rules.
USPS Ground - 50/50 chance of Canada Customs 'surcharge' for inspection, but no broker fees.
USPS '1-3 day' - No Broker Fees, Tracking, Fast.
FedEX Standard - 50/50% chance of Broker Fee
FedEX (all classes above Standard) - clear sailing
UPS Standard - 100% chance of Broker Fee
UPS (all classes above Standard) - clear sailing
Motto - Faster is Faster (and Cheaper)
The only way to stop this practice is to use the marketplace - spread the word.