FedEx is being weird about this brokerage fee issue.

[meltdown75]

I bought a PS2 from a guy in the FS/FT forums a while back. Everything went smooth, I paid $115 shipped for the used system, 2 controllers, game, etc. It arrived on August 5th.

On Sept. 21st I got an invoice in the mail re: "brokerage fee" of $51.67 CDN. I thought that these fees were to be paid before the item was released?

Anyhoo I assumed that I had to pay it, grudgingly of course - but I held off. I want FedEx to come after me for it, since they didn't tell myself or the shipper about any of these fees and they were brought to my attention so long after receiving the shipment.

Yesterday I get a "friendly reminder" notice in the mail. My wife called FedEx while I was outside picking my onions from this year.

FedEx told her that it is the shipper's responsibility because he signed a "waiver" when he was there. The shipper told me he has no idea what a brokerage fee is and I believe him.

Who has to pay the fee? Personally I'd like to tell FedEx to shove their brokerage fee where the sun doesn't shine.

At any rate, I'll be asking the shipper to use USPS next time to avoid these fees.

cliffs: FedEx is gay

 

[meltdown75]

Does anyone have any opinions or comments on this?

I don't mean to bump my own thread but there's gotta be someone out there who has had to pay one of these damn fees.

 

[Captante]

The fee is supposed to be paid by the shipper, but I have heard of Fedex and UPS coming after the receiving party if the shipper fails to pay.

I'm not sure what they can do to you to force you to pay, but they may send you to collections an damage your credit.

 

[Chryso]

I would think they may send the shipper to collections but since the receiver isn't specifically liable I can't see them sending the receiver to collections.

 

[meltdown75]

I thought they were supposed to keep the item until this crap was settled.

I already have the shipment. I'm thinking FedEx might have to pound salt on this one.

Surely they wouldn't sic a collections agency on me for fifty bones?

 

[imported_LoKe]

Originally posted by: Captante
The fee is supposed to be paid by the shipper, but I have heard of Fedex and UPS coming after the receiving party if the shipper fails to pay.

I'm not sure what they can do to you to force you to pay, but they may send you to collections an damage your credit.

Last time something was shipped to me by UPS, I (the receiver) was charged the brokerage fee, at an insane cost. It was something like 60% or the items value.

 

[Patt]

My wife got screwed by this as well. One of her yoga students gave her a gift certificate to an online store in Utah ... she ordered a bunch of crap worth about $50. FedEx hit her with a brokerage feel of $32 ... The shipper had no idea, the item arrived with the FedEx invoice attached. They offered the solution of dealing with the brokerage crap yourself, but that turned out to be an even bigger hassle, and she has vowed not to buy anything from anyone that ships FedEx again.

If it were me, and I wasn't notified in advance (i.e. the shipper basically when he sent it), I'd like to tell them where to go. Very poor customer service IMO.

Screw 'em

 

[Kyteland]

Is this the first time you've ever ordered something from the US? These fees aren't exactly a new thing. Also, if you go with the USPS you still have to pay the taxes yourself, right? That's all covered by the UPS/FedEx brokerage fees.

 

[Pabster]

Originally posted by: meltdown75
Surely they wouldn't sic a collections agency on me for fifty bones?

Don't be so sure. Collection Agencies have been known to bite for much less than $50.

 

[imported_Baloo]

Originally posted by: Captante
The fee is supposed to be paid by the shipper, but I have heard of Fedex and UPS coming after the receiving party if the shipper fails to pay.

I'm not sure what they can do to you to force you to pay, but they may send you to collections an damage your credit.

That would not be the norm for the shipper to pay, in fact that would be highly unusual. The brokere fee should include duties and taxes, once you factor that in, it is not so high. Still sucks for Canadians what they have to pay when the bring stuff into the country.

 

[shabby]

Next time never use fedex or ups when shipping into canada, they both charge you $30+ brokerage fees(the more expensive the item the higher the brokerage fee) plus taxes, while usps charges a flat $8 brokerage fee plus taxes.
If you dont pay that fee fedex will expect it from the shipper, if he doesnt pay then they'll call the feds... err i mean the collection agency.

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: Kyteland
Is this the first time you've ever ordered something from the US? These fees aren't exactly a new thing. Also, if you go with the USPS you still have to pay the taxes yourself, right? That's all covered by the UPS/FedEx brokerage fees.

I'm 150ish-0 on eBay, I've had plenty of things shipped to me from the US. This isn't the first time I have had to pay a brokerage fee, but the last time it was to UPS and I paid the courier - at the door by credit card. Receiving an invoice advising me to pay 6 weeks after the shipment arrives is a bit different, no?

The conundrum here was that a) I didn't know my shipper was using FedEx and b) neither one of us were informed of the additional brokerage fees that would be levied.

Definitely from here on out, I'll advise my US shippers not to use FedEx... the USPS fee is $5 and it is paid by the shipper when the package is sent. I guess that's the only way to go.

 

[intogamer]

Its Fedex/UPS's way to profit when shipping internationally.

 

[mrrman]

I never pay duties...you just have to know how to work the system

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: Pabster

Originally posted by: meltdown75
Surely they wouldn't sic a collections agency on me for fifty bones?

Don't be so sure. Collection Agencies have been known to bite for much less than $50.

my mom works as my dads secretary, she has sent people to collections for 12$ before, hell prob less, shes kinda of a bitch about it, who the fuck cant pay a 10$ fee, after months she just lets collections deal with them

 

[Pepsi90919]

Receiving an invoice advising me to pay 6 weeks after the shipment arrives is a bit different, no?

not at all. ups does that sometimes. pay up.

 

[Pabster]

Originally posted by: Anubis
my mom works as my dads secretary, she has sent people to collections for 12$ before, hell prob less, shes kinda of a bitch about it, who the fuck cant pay a 10$ fee, after months she just lets collections deal with them

Yep. A collection agency might pay (literally) $1 for each account. So even a $12 bill is pretty decent profit, especially a lot of them.

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Receiving an invoice advising me to pay 6 weeks after the shipment arrives is a bit different, no?

not at all. ups does that sometimes. pay up.

they will have to pry it from my kung fu grip. and by that i mean they will have to send it to a collections agency

 

[n7]

Always use USPS when doing Canada/USA shipping, or you get raped.

Sadly, i have firsthand experience with that rape.

Hundreds of dollars of rape actually :frown: :|

 

[meltdown75]

Did I mention FedEx can blow me?

night all. :moon:

 

[sandorski]

Another vote for:Use USPS.

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

A friend of mine works for Fedex Trade Networks..maybe I can get her to register and chime in..

Okay..she's too chicken to chime in. Here's the problem. I ship internationally and know the facts about duties and such so I'll put a few words in. Basically the shipper screwed up. He/She should have paid the duties (If you two agreed upon that) otherwise the consignee gets billed for it (DDU - Deliver Duty Unpaid).

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: Cdubneeddeal
A friend of mine works for Fedex Trade Networks..maybe I can get her to register and chime in..

Okay..she's too chicken to chime in. Here's the problem. I ship internationally and know the facts about duties and such so I'll put a few words in. Basically the shipper screwed up. He/She should have paid the duties (If you two agreed upon that) otherwise the consignee gets billed for it (DDU - Deliver Duty Unpaid).

Hmm. the terms were "$110 shipped" for the item. When I paid, I was paying for the item and the shipping. The FedEx rep on the phone told my wife that it was the shipper's responsibility and that he signed a waiver of some sort. I don't even think they explain what you are signing when you are there. Mostly I feel bad for the shipper because I think this is going to come back to him at some point.

 

[Deadtrees]

1. FedEx is the worst when it comes to brokerage fees.

2. USPS only charge around $10 or nothing but they're often slow and you're likely to pay full GST+PST.
(3 times, it took 1 week for delivery. The other 1 time, it took a month. The other time, the item got lost)

3. UPS Worldwide saver: It is THE BEST! Not only there's no brokerage fee at all, you only pay one of GST or PST. Not only that, they're damn fast:
For paying a bit more than what USPS charge, you get your item in 1 day! and that was from N.Y to Vancouver Island in B.C, Canada. I've used this service more than 5 times and they were always on time.

UPS Expedited: there's no brokerage fee as well but I think it takes a few more days for delivery.

EDIT: It seems like some people are confused or have no idea what they're talking about.
Brokerage fees are NOT duties, nor duties are included in brokerage fees. Brokerage fees are fees that are there for shipping company/ageny to profit.

 

[YetioDoom]

Originally posted by: Pabster

Originally posted by: meltdown75
Surely they wouldn't sic a collections agency on me for fifty bones?

Don't be so sure. Collection Agencies have been known to bite for much less than $50.

Yup - If they think they can get you to pay, they'll come after you.