UPS .......what to do?

[seakayakerbruce]

I purchased an item from a US seller not realizing that they didn't use the G.S.P.,so I send them a message stating it might cause problems,and we could mutually dissolve the purchase,she asked for me to use UPS,which I thought would be ok.   So ,I'm away working and the try to deliver the parcel,and will hold for 5 days then return to sender.  I phoned UPS and explained my dilemma........that if they held the package a few more days ,I would be home to pick it up. They said their policy is 5 days,and that it will be returned to sender and that I have to pay $50 in import fees for an item I wont be receiving anymore.

So I'm out the purchase price of the item and have to pay brokerage fees for an item I wont have..........seems quite unfair,especially after talking with the seller and UPS ,directly.

[dutchman48]

NEVER, NEVER use UPS from the US. There fees are outrageous. Why are you away from home and buying items to be delivered, especially this time of year?

[reallynicestamps]

that I have to pay $50 in import fees

Those fees would include applicable duty, applicable sales taxes and UPS' brokerage fee.

The duty and tax would not be applicable if the item is not delivered, but returned. If you get in touch with them again, ask for a breakdown.

Be polite; you are dealing with a clerk who doesn't have the power to set the rules, but has some leeway about enforcing them.

UPS makes all the complaints about the GPS seem a minor irritant.

Do you have any friends who can accept the parcel for you? How about someone at work? The recipient would have to pay the import fees, so you'll need to be good buddies. And buy the person a nice bottle of something intoxicating for the favour.

Will the UPS shop hold the item for a small fee?

If you don't ask, they can't say yes.

So I'm out the purchase price of the item

No .

When the item is returned the seller is supposed to refund your payment including the original shipping. Get in touch with her and explain what is happening.

She may be charged for the return shipping, btw. She won't be happy about that if it comes out of the blue.

Most US sellers are used to UPS as a shipper because domestically they do an efficient, tracked and well-priced job. It's the cross-border part that they are horrible about. And of course, both you and the seller agreed to use them. Mistakes were made on both sides.

[seakayakerbruce]

Im always away working.....and it's never been aproblem,  it either goes to my postal mailbox or it's held at my local post office. But I have never had a seller use this style UPS.  UPS wanted me to pay "hush money".....another $10 cdn ...over top of the $20 shipping,and $5o brokerage fees to change my delivery to another date....I even agreed to pay over the phone,but they said they would only hold for 5 days.....and that the store was only open for 3 hrs daytime,and 2 hours at night and no weekends.

[seakayakerbruce]

thanks for your info ....reallynicestamps.....your well read on the workings of ebay.

I talked with UPS and asked if it could be held for a small fee......and was told that it would be 5 days only.  I was told by the clerk that If I paid by c.c. the COD charges the UPS driver would do an extra delivery the next day.  It was his third attempt,and have been on the phone with UPS the lst 2 days,but wasn't given this option.  When I phoned to do this,the clerk said that because it was a third attempt,it will be held for 5 days then returned to sender.

I have been in contact with the seller and she said her hands are tied,so I will try due diligence when I get home and try to resolve.

Both seller and myself have both unknowingly climbed into the lion's den  with UPS.