50% UPS Brokerage fee????

kazoobers
Community Member
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.
The money's the same, whether you earn it or scam it.
Bobby Heenan
Message 1 of 950
latest reply
949 REPLIES 949

50% UPS Brokerage fee????

zaddeo
Community Member
Just received my $20 US item. Brokerage was $17.40 CDN ++ thats almost 100%
No justice.
Message 761 of 950
latest reply

50% UPS Brokerage fee????

elwickedo
Community Member
UPS are thieves pure and simple. Anyone defending them should have their brains examined.

If you live in BC, you can join a class action lawsuit against them at the law firm Poyner Baxter web site. www.poynerbaxter.com/UPS.htm
Message 762 of 950
latest reply

50% UPS Brokerage fee????

alisonlaidlaw
Community Member
I did know about brokerage fees and therefore have never again, bid on a UPS shipped item. Recently bid/won an item, shipping indicated on the ad that it would be shipped USPS, then it came UPS...with insane brokerage fees...do I have any recourse?
Message 763 of 950
latest reply

50% UPS Brokerage fee????

kristin4808
Community Member
Same deal, bought used golf clubs for $300 US, got dinged $50 CAN at the door for brokerage fee, plus GST. The seller likely had no idea that UPS has this charge and they probably don't indicate it to them. I have seen a couple of sellers refuse to sell to Canada, which is likely a result of negative feedback that affects their business. This should be brought to the attention of Canadian buyers on ebay, and US sellers.
Message 764 of 950
latest reply

50% UPS Brokerage fee????

As has been said, even on this thread, previously

UPS/FedEx/DHL, and all other
*heres the important part*
Privately run FOR PROFIT business are NOT a part of the UPU, an institution which has been in existance for over 100 years, of which USPS and CP are members
THAT is why you only pay 5 to 8 dollars
The Privately run FOR PROFIT couriers are allowed to charge whatever ... WHAT EVER, they feel the market will bear
When you buy something from out of the country, you become an importer, whether you like it, know it, or understand it.
That is the way it is.
And it IS up to importers to know the rules, the different methods, and most importantly, the rates charged by the various services
If everyone would stick to using USPS and CP, this thread would most likely not exist

to alisonlaidlaw - have you already recieved it, and paid for it?
If yes, then sorry but no, nothing you can do now
If it's in transit still, you can self-broker the item yourself, and save the UPS charges

self brokering
You need to call UPS, and inform them you will be self-brokering, and give them the item number
They will try telling you several things, just say whatever call me when it arrives @ the local depot
(I've read how they try telling people in Toronna that the nearest depot is in Windsor ... hogwash, they can deliver it to the nearest-to-you UPS store)
When it arrives - you print off the page showing how much you paid for the item
You take that to the UPS place where your item is, and get the paperwork for your item
You take all that paperwork to your local Inland Customs/Clearance House
You present all your paperwork, pay the taxes owing(no courier fees, just the taxes)
They stamp your paperwork
You take that back to UPS, and you are given your item ... no more money owed

The important thing to remember is ... courier companies are run PRIVATE companies, run FOR PROFIT
Canada Post and the USPS are national companies, and are bound by the terms set by the Universal Postal Union (UPU)

An informed shopper is a shopper that doesn't pay needless expenses to a private courier, like UPS, FedEx, etc etc


C:
C:\spot
C:\spot\run
run spot.run


"A dictatorship would be a heck of a lot easier, there's no question about it."


George W. Bush

Message 765 of 950
latest reply

50% UPS Brokerage fee????

emj_05
Community Member
OMG here I'am wondering why do I have to pay for this Brokerage fee. I didn't even know about it too. Well I guess I'am not alone. I bought used psp that was $127+shipping ofcourse. And UPS is asking $46.55 I think that this is just too much..brokerage fee ***s*cks*** I should have buy a new one If I have known it.
Message 766 of 950
latest reply

50% UPS Brokerage fee????

I was also burned by UPS's outrageous brokerage fees. They added a $41 customs-clearing charge, on top of the $17 up-front delivery charge, on $50 worth of goods. $30 -- nearly 2/3 of the value of the goods -- of this was brokerage fees, plus another $1.48 in GST on these fees. The rest was legitimate Canadian customs duties.

Luckily I was dealing with a very conscientious seller who acknowledged that he'd originally agreed to ship USPS (and took a chance on UPS since they advertised that shipping insurance was "included"). I refused delivery, he received the goods back and quickly arranged a new shipment through USPS. That one went through without a hitch.

My problem-- and I'm wondering if anyone else has had this experience -- is that UPS has now mailed me a bill for the $41 in total import charges on the order I refused to accept. I'm inclined to just ignore this. It seems like an intimidation tactic, they didn't complete the delivery, I never signed anything with them or contracted with them and the seller and I were forced to find an alternative arrangement because of UPS's dishonesty. Are they likely to sic a collection agency on me and, if so, do they have anything they can use materially against me to make my life difficult, or are they likely to just phone repeatedly for a couple of months then give up?
Message 767 of 950
latest reply

50% UPS Brokerage fee????

I refused delivery, he received the goods back and quickly arranged a new shipment through USPS. That one went through without a hitch.

This is exactly the right thing to do.

And yes, it is an intimidation tactic. Ignore them and if they call you tell them that the item was not accepted but returned to the sender.
Message 768 of 950
latest reply

50% UPS Brokerage fee????

Thanks for the reassurance, lafemme1946. It looks like UPS's intimidation cycle is shifting into high gear, but it's pretty comical at this point. They've started phoning in pursuit of these brokerage fees they think they're entitled to, despite the shipment being refused, but they can't be bothered to put a human on the job. The phone rang first thing in the morning and a recorded voice asked to be transfered to the "accounts receivable" department, then helpfully added "this message will now be repeated" before I hung up.
Message 769 of 950
latest reply

50% UPS Brokerage fee????

blueflashes75
Community Member
If you are in Canada, NEVER EVER buy/bid on a product that will be shipped by UPS! UPS has a deal with "Custom Brokers" who charge flat rates, which is only profitable for commercial outfits. Just remember, if it says "UPS" anywhere on the page, just skip. Or better yet, send a message to the seller that you will skip over his auction and why!
Message 770 of 950
latest reply

50% UPS Brokerage fee????

2foray
Community Member
UPS have been doing this for years. They quote low shipping cost to seller and then charge about $30 C.O.D. to buyer for "brokerage fees"
In the past I have paid $30 for them to collect $6 in taxes. UPS is taking advantage of a situation. They are just crooks! I insist on no UPS from the US to Canada!!!!!!!!!!!
Message 771 of 950
latest reply

50% UPS Brokerage fee????

UPS has a deal with "Custom Brokers" who charge flat rates,

Actually, they do their own customs brokerage.

Nice little profit centre.
Message 772 of 950
latest reply

50% UPS Brokerage fee????

jnc.y
Community Member
yes. NEVER EVER deal with UPS. I've just learned my lesson. The seller does not know anything. it's quite disappointing when I have to pay 50% extra just for the item to cross the border.
Message 773 of 950
latest reply

50% UPS Brokerage fee????

If the seller advertised USPS delivery and substituted UPS, you can file a Significantly Not As Described dispute.

Because UPS is fast,cheap and picks up, it is widely used in the States. Your seller may have thought she was doing you a favour.

If she advertised UPS and shipped UPS.... well, it's all part of the learning curve.
Message 774 of 950
latest reply

50% UPS Brokerage fee????

Yup, I'm afraid that there's nothing you can do. I always expect a charge but rarely get hit. The higher priced the item, the more likely you will pay. It also depends on what the item is, and if you use courier you will usually pay a fee.

We've purchased a stroller, golf clubs, etc., and didn't pay a thing. Then one day we got another set of clubs and paid because of how the item was shipped...but we figured the possibility into our purchase and hoped for the best.
Message 775 of 950
latest reply

50% UPS Brokerage fee????

shelburnecounty
Community Member
UPS charged me an exhorbitant amount of $50+ on an item valued at $75. Unfortunately I needed the item and had to pay.
I now received an item through FEdEx and they are charging $20 on a $50 item. I am telling them that they had no contract with me, I asked the shipper to use USPS. Their contract was with the shipper and I had paid all shipping charges up front. They can go pound sand. And the HST is paid via cheque to CRA. We'll see where they go with this.
Mark
Message 776 of 950
latest reply

50% UPS Brokerage fee????

Always get thing s shipped from the USA USPS not UPS. Unless you like their outrageous brokerage fees.

Never have paid any brokerage fees bolgna with USPS. If they only ship UPS stay away.
Message 777 of 950
latest reply

50% UPS Brokerage fee????

sharlajustin
Community Member
Does anyone know if we get charged duty and taxes on "USED" items?
Message 778 of 950
latest reply

50% UPS Brokerage fee????

You get charged on the value of the item whether it is new or used though of course the value is usually less on a used item.

It is always better to buy from a seller using the postal service rather than UPS.
Message 779 of 950
latest reply

50% UPS Brokerage fee????

issamworld
Community Member
I DID BUY AN ITEM AT 29$
PAID 28$ SHIPPING TO UPS
UPS ASKED ME ANOTHER 23.32 BROKERAGE FEES
I END UP PAYING 51$ SHIPPING FOR AN ITEM OF 29$
THIS IS WHAT WE CALL ORGANISED CRIME
CHECK WHAY THOUSANDS OF OTHER VICTIMS SAY :
http://www.epinions.com/reviews/bsrv-Office_Services-Shipping-All-UPS_Standard_to_Canada
Message 780 of 950
latest reply