50% UPS Brokerage fee????

[kazoobers]

I bought an item that was $99.95 US. The Seller charged me $16.00 for UPS standard shipping to Canada.

The package arrived and here is a Brokerage C.O.D. due to UPS for $54.17. What a rip! The seller said nothing about additional fees due IN ADDITION to the $16.00 I paid him for the shipping. By looking under Help in eBay, I see there is nothing I can do about it.

[randall-prue]

When I list on ebay.com, with item in the US, if I select shipping options to US:

* UPS
* Priority Mail
* Parcel

The first one presented to the buyer at checkout is the UPS. Since I added UPS (that is who does daily pickups at my warehouse down there), most buyers choose UPS. I told one guy he would get it much faster by priority and that was fine with him.

It seems to be set up to encourage UPS (domestic at least, US > US).

Many times, I use faster, cheaper post office services, and no one complains. They get it faster!

2007: Granny goes to jail. Read my predictions and tales of eBay misadventure.

[ferret-mom]

I don't suppose eBay is getting any kind of "compensation" for that cozy arrangement? Sort of like the fees that manufacturers pay the grocery stores to feature their goods at the end of each row....

[old.crows.nest]

Did you someone say kick-backs :O
---

[canuckchat]

.. highly doubt that is the case...

[hdgilles]

i bought a bass head for 110$ CA
55$ UPS shipping..not bad
of course this was my first time shipping with UPS so i didnt expect the huge pile of fees coming my way
shipping ended up more than double the initial cost
moral of the story? DONT USE UPS

[yfrig]

For your info about UPS -So be careful. My first buy was an auction for a baby swing...i didnt ask for the shipping fee..my mistake.when i won the auction for us10.00. The seller contacted me and said that the shipping was us58(18lbs) . It was my mistake so I paid.But when it arrived via Ups I had to pay an extra cdn34 brokerage fees...The shipper had forgotten to put the value and UPS decided that the value was the shipping fee...I cotested that and by sending them the copy of the pay-pal bill they refunded the $34.but it took close to 2 months.

[graham177]

Actually, I have had 2 occasions in the past 2 months to dispute the brokerage fees with UPS.
The first time was $34.51 owing on a $6 US item shipped to Canada from California because someone(not the shipper) valued the item at $50. I did not accept the item at that time, contacted UPS, gave them my Ebay item # showing $7 CDN purchase price, and the package was delivered after a few days with nothing owing.
The second time was a warranty replacement part from Kansas worth about $40-$50 US for which UPS wanted $19.41 upon delivery because they (as couriers)are allowed to still charge brokerage on warranty items valued at over $20 CDN. A value of $20.02 had magically been placed on the item by someone (again not the shipper, who had noted "Warranty, no charge) Warranty items coming to Canada by mail are exempt from duties and taxes if the total of the duties and taxes on the value of the warranty is less than $50. So I called UPS again and when I learned that I was bound by law to pay the fees on this item (if I accepted it), I told their rep that the company in Kansas(Garmin) had told me to refuse it and they would ship another one out by USPS right away(true). I then told her that I would be telling everyone I knew not to use UPS for cross-border shipping. She then offered that, as a goodwill gesture and for 1 time only, she would cancel the brokerage fees and all I would need to pay was the $1.29 taxes upon delivery. I thought this was very fair of them and accepted her offer.
So, while I do not agree with the courier's brokerage fees, I have found that UPS is quite accomodating if approached in a reasonable and calm manner.
"Caveat Emptor"

[ve7brian]

Posting this yet again;

The UPS delivery guy stopped by yesterday & wanted $38.50 COD brokerage fee,
I told him I would stop by the distribution center (today) & pay Canada customs & pick it up myself.
Went to the UPS distribution center on the north side of the Vancouver airport at 9:30AM this morning , there was a slow lineup,
& at 9:45 I told them I would like to clear customs processing myself.
They said they would have the paperwork to me in 10 minutes.
At 10:40AM I asked how much longer the paperwork would take..they said "wait".
At 10:45 I finally got the paperwork & had to drive to the south side of the Vancouver airport to CBSA (Canada Border Services).
Paid a $2.00 parking fee & got a number off the wall (to wait in line) at CBSA - waited ~10 minutes.
The guy was friendly & I asked if I should pay the GST/PST, ( ~$8.00) he said "Nahhh!" & stamped my paperwork & told me to bring it back to UPS.
Went back to UPS & waited in line another 15 minutes & got my package..no charge!
Total time & money spent - 2 hours and15 minutes, plus$2.00 parking at CBSA.
LOTS of people there for commercial orders challenging the UPS Brokerage fee..I guess it's worth it for $$ of stuff.

We went to FedEx to send a package prior to going to UPS.
( was $22.00 to send a box to Terrace via Fedex, as opposed to $115.00 to send via UPS)
Fedex had 4 staff on the counters, we were the only customers - uniformed, fast , large neatly kept service area & efficient.
UPS customer service was a tiny little rat-hole( dirty, old tape stuck all over, broken posters, scruffy clothing, etc.) with ZERO in the way of customer service- 1-1/2 service persons that peered out of the broken "personnel only"door every 10 minutes or so.
Day & night difference.

End bitch.

[spac3.ace]

I bought speakers for 166$. Shipping advertised by seller was 23.84$. I took an insurance that cost 1.60$.


Advertised shipping rate from seller : 23.84S
+Taxes paid cross-border to Canda: 24.60$.
+Brokerage fee charges by UPS: 42.21 + taxes on that (2.35$).

Real shipping paid: -->>> 93$ <<<---.

This does not violate eBay rules ? ? ?

[spac3.ace]

94.60, I forgot the insurance (did I even need one?)

[canuckchat]

You paid 23.84 to the seller for them to ship an item to you and it cost them 93.00 to ship it to you?

[canuckchat]

[syednali_64]

I bought a used camcorder for $199 + shipping charges $23 and I paid all that by PayPal
when the UPS person came at my door, he demanded $82 brokerage fees (almost 50% of item cost) or else the item will be shipped back to the seller. It was a big loss me. Its ridicules, this is clear cheating by UPS (United Parcel Service). And both seller and UPS are committing this crime together. What should I do?? The government agencies don’t take any action against both cheater parties. UPS is scamming the public. So does this mean the government is involved in this scam???

[canuckchat]

UPS charged you $82 for their brokerage fee - PLUS they charged you in addition to that amount, the amount of taxes you need to pay for the item coming into Canada?

Or - did UPS charge you $82 for: GST, PST, brokerage fee, and any possible duty owed on importing the item?

The seller is not committing any crime.

Actually, neither is UPS. I believe their fees are listed on their website.

[toyman_ron]

Here is how to avoid UPS "Brokerage Fees" when receiving goods into Canada.

1) Don't use UPS if possible rather use USPS Priority mail. (Canada Post will charge only a nominal $5 to $10 clearing fee)

2) If seller insists on using UPS, be sure they invoice properly so that "Shipping and Handling" are not part of the value for "customs declaration" (which in my case must be in Canadian dollars.)

3) If package arrives at your door via UPS anyways you should "REFUSE DELIVERY". Tell the driver you wish to pick it up at the UPS Depot and clear it yourself through customs. They have a special clerk who looks after this kind of request. GET THEIR PHONE NO.! (or use TOLL FREE customer service).

4) When the paperwork is ready go to the UPS depot and pick up the paperwork. (usually this clerk is in a separate area from regular pick-up counter, so ASK). You then have to go yourself to Canada Customs (which in Winnipeg where I live is only a couple of blocks away from UPS warehouse). Bring copies of "original EBay description" and all of your invoices, Paypal etc. (the customs boys know some people request sellers to "low ball" the value on the declaration.). Take a number and wait for a customs agent to clear the item. You will only have to pay the taxes (GST and PST). NO CLEARING CHARGES!
Take the "stamped documents" back to UPS and they will then release the PARCEL to you at NO ADDITIONAL COST!

5) Pat yourself on the back for "not getting screwed" by UPS. Your only cost besides the taxes is TIME and GASOLINE. If you don't have TIME then you have to PAY!

6) For larger items and to receive items that SELLER states they will NOT ship to Canada, you can have them shipped at USA rates (sometimes even FREE when EBay sellers have specials) to a "Canada US Border town broker". They charge a nominal fee for receiving only and short term storage. From Winnipeg, I go to Pembina, North Dakota to a firm called "UPS SUPPLY CHAIN SOLUTIONS" and they charge only a $10.00 US Fee! They will even "forklift" heavy boxes into your truck for that price. Don't know what their commection to UPS parcel service, but they are great and cheap! Again since this is close to the border crossing, you clear it yourself! Just make sure it is a "legal" thing you purchased and that you have proper ID (by next Sept. a Canadian Passport). Cost of gasoline and a nice day trip I say!

Good luck! I am retired so have nothing better to do and a limited income but a "thirst" for toys!

Toyman_ron

[canuckchat]

... many people confuse "brokerage plus GST plus PST" with "UPS CHARGES" .... in effect, you DO have to pay TAXES ... however, the brokerage fee can be avoided by having it sent via postal service ... as outlined in umpteen hundred discussion forum threads....

[mjakab22]

Self Brokerage only works if live in a city where there is a shipping entry point (Winnipeg, Vancouver, etc.)
Otherwise you have to deal with this UPS, FedEx SCAM and Brokerage Charge RIPOFF. How does a maximum of 5 minutes worth of paperwork amount to a percentage of the total item's value? Does it take more labour or paperwork to declare and pre-pay the duty or taxes for a $1000 item compared to a $100 item? How is it that DHL, Canada Post and USPS charge much, much less than UPS or FedEx for brokerage fees?

Oh and by the way canuckchat not everyone is as informed about this as you are and that is the whole purpose of this FORUM, so stop being a smartass and thinking that you are the almighty INFORMED one because you have been involved in so many businesses. NO ONE CARES and all people want to do is learn why they are being ripped off and to avoid it ever happening to themselves or anyone they know in the future. Deal with it and let the FORUM keep informing Canadian eBay users !!! B-)

[canuckchat]

How is it that DHL, Canada Post and USPS charge much, much less than UPS or FedEx for brokerage fees?

Canada Post has negotiated to have a nominal $5 brokering fee on the parcels. They are in the business of moving the mail. They are not in the business of brokering export/import items.

You can not look at Canada Post and UPS (or FEDEX or DHL or any other courier) as the SAME business - they are NOT.

Canada Post moves "MAIL"

Courier companies move "SHIPMENTS"

You're trying to compare apples with cigars - not even in the same realm.

The forums here are FULL of all kinds of information that tells newbies buyers to ask their sellers to ship by POSTAL SERVICE.

Its not new - it hasn't been new in eons - there has always been this information on here.

In addition, its not something to ARGUE about - it is what it is - specify that you want your item to be sent via the "POSTAL SERVICE" and that is that. Finito.

Do not try to natter away with words like "fedex scam" and "ups ripoff", and think that you are going to change the world single-handedly - you're not! Big surprise!

Would you go the Hilton and say to them that you want their best room for $42.95 because, after all, Motel 6 has it for $42.95, so why is the Hilton trying to "rip you off" and charge you $99.99?

You are no more going to get a $5 brokering fee from UPS or Fedex than you are going to get a Motel 6 cheap rated room at the Hilton!

[canuckchat]

Can you put a 52-cent UPS stamp on a letter and send it off with UPS?

Nope!

You put a 52-cent Canada Post stamp on a letter and you send it off with Canada Post.

Therein lies the difference between a "postal system" and a "courier system"

[ferret-mom]

Would you go the Hilton and say to them that you want their best room for $42.95 because, after all, Motel 6 has it for $42.95, so why is the Hilton trying to "rip you off" and charge you $99.99?

Sorry, but that analogy is a little flawed. In comparing Motel 6 and the Hilton, you are comparing two very different outcomes, since your stay at each hotel will be markedly different.

With CP vs. UPS (other than the final charges), the result is essentially the same -- you get delivery of your widget. And can you really say, in all honesty, that UPS spends more time ushering an ordinary parcel through customs? How long does it take to convert US values to CDN dollars, calculate taxes and add a brokerage fee (other than typing a few more lines than CP does)?

The courier companies were orinally designed for large shipments of various goods. Before NAFTA, content and country of origin were important aspects of the brokerage function, and these companies were compensated accordingly. Fair enough. But the business has now changed to encompass single items sent by individuals, yet UPS and FedEx have not altered their rate structure to account for the changing clientele. And why would they? No need to kill the goose that laid the golden egg.