Here's my story in short: I had the opportunity to buy a strut tower brace from NJ USA for $20US plus shipping. I asked the guy to send me a shipping quote using the USPS site because I've always had cheap and fast shipping results.
Anyways, the guy tells me that it will cost $153US for a 7-10lb 3' long bar too ship through UPS.
I then send him the link to ship through USPS and restate that I want shipping through USPS not UPS.
The guy then tells me that USPS quoted him a price of $80-$100US for shipping. He then complains that he's spent over an hour of his time trying to figure out shipping and that he's not going to sell it to me anymore. He then sells it to someone else before I have a chance to respond.

My question is: Why is there such an apparent problem with some US sellers shipping to Canada?

 

The problem stems from the vendors not understanding that there is a lot more to shipping into Canada than they thought. They have different forms to fill out for customs and then taxes and duties etc. If you ship via USPS it isnt that bad except the vendor has to go to the post office and fill out more forms, for a $20.00part I wouldn't do it either!(lol) If you ship it UPS it will cost you triple just for their brokerage charge!

 

Bassboat:

You're a teacher, so somewhere in your past you must have been familiar with the concept of averages.

Well, intelligence has an average as well. Some people are smarter than average, some people are dumber than average.

However, if you are familiar with the concept, you will know that the percentage of people who are dumber than average is 50. Yes, that is correct; HALF of all people are possessed of below average intelligence.

Now, if you consider yourself to be above average, intelligence-wise, it follows that every time you are dealing 1-on-1 with someone, they are dumber than average.

I would suggest that the case you described is proof of my conclusion above. If you want further proof, try and sell something on Kijiji.

 

I got tired of trying to comprehend the ins and outs of duties/taxes/brokerage about a year ago. So many times I get no bill (like on the $2400 A-spec turbo kit?) and then other time's I'll get stabbed for $100 on a $90 purchase from a private person in TX.

I'd love to see it though. You know, the magic wheel they spin. The one that dictates any and all duty charges.

 

Hmmn... I always thought that shipping through USPS air avoided the brokerage raping fees. What do folks on here usually ship through.

Feds, yes...you're correct with your observations. I deal with below average intelligence folks all the time-through my job. Most of the time, it's with administration that I get below average results!

 

I guess I've been lucky so far (up to now). I was buying a crapload of parts over the past two years and have always had decent pricing for shipping. Maybe it had something to do with the strength of our dollar at the time.

 

Likely you're just lucky.

I've shipped multi thousand dollar boxes with no fees (the apsec kit as mentioned, and various resto parts from LMC truck, year one and the like) and then the odd one gets nailed. From everyone from USPS to Fedex to DHL.

Then sometimes, small boxes, small price tags, get nailed. Sometimes not. Its totally random. Even my broker can never give me a straight answer on how they calculate the rates - and they're a broker!! (russel a. farrow)

 

There's nothing worse than the anticipation watching the delivery guy walking with the package just to bust out the (more often) UPS C.O.D label. It's almost like a joke to them. Hey buddy, I've got your part you've been waiting on, you must be so thrilled to finally...BAM! C.O.D. charge bitch!

 

That's why I hate shipping! It eats away at a budget very very quickly.

 

Well something you have to consider is how the vendor marks the package too. If its marked as a gift, or Product Sample, you don't get taxes nor duty on it. Some companies are nice enough to do that. I'll tell you the Asian guys know that and i think 100% of the stuff I received from the Asian countries were all marked Product sample.

Also another thing that dictates thing is how much they put the value at or insure the product at. Some companies like to go a little more just in case it gets lost and cover lots time, shipping charges, and what not. So the higher its marked the more money it costs in this case.

So really most of the stuff that dictates things is by the vendor and not the brokers.

 

It was definitely the vendor in this case. I had a box of suspension parts shipped from the States that was cheaper than what this guy was quoting me! It was waaaaay heavier and larger than what this guy was going to ship. The box included RB front sway bar, four shocks and springs.

 

Yeap, went through about $400 worth of shoes and other misc. clothing items, without a hitch.
Order another pair for shoes for $60 and get hit with $40 worth of duties.

Edit: It sounds as if he's trying to "screw" you. Probably trying to make it worth his while to fill out the forms and go to the post office. Numerous smaller sellers do this. Low item price, but inflated shipping costs.

 

Expensive or large items I always use U.S. Address in Niagara Falls NY. Drive down pick up, save the hassle and BS shipping costs to Canada.

First exit over the Lewiston Bridge. 3908 Whitmer road

 

This happens somewhat often on ebay simply because ebay charges you a fee for every listing, which is calculated as a percentage of the final item cost, not item + shipping.

 

I remember seeing this a while back. Is it that easy to set up? Link?

Thanks,

 

I'd be interested in this as well.

 

who's adress is that?

 

http://canammailbox.tripod.com/


This is what I think he's talking about.....

 

How many people have had success using this set-up?

 

Here is the link.

http://www.usaddressinc.com/

 

I've had success with CBI for this sort of stuff

www.cbiusa.com

 

UPS wanted $110 "brokerage" for a $99 set of brake lines from Mazdatrix. I eventually bitched them down to around $50, but it's still insane how they expect you to pay so much.

And its because of that same attitude that the entire aerospace industry will never touch Chinese sourced material.

 

How did you manage to do that exactly?

 

By asking them to prove to me that I accepted the terms of the brokerage fees.

 

see, its stuff like that which is ridiculous. If they had a hard cost on that type of ****, you wouldn't be able to negotiate ANYTHING.

Plus, the next time you ship something - ask them how much it will be upfront. They will have no idea......but they sure as **** figure it out when it comes time to drop the item off! They know how much the shipping will cost to the penny, but will never commit to any number on a brokerage/duty charge: Until they drop it off.

F***8**ing racket!