Sometimes it works out fine.
I recently responded to a craiglist add for pantera wheels and tires from Michigan. Seller ansered back. I never haggled on his price, but did ask for a shipping cost. We agreed on the total cost and then the hassle started. I explained that I was not really comfortable sending a guaranteed payment for goods I had not received or even seen,and I assumed he was not comfortable sending me an expensive set of wheels without getting paid first. Pretty reasonable for both of us. We e-mailed back and forth for almost two weeks trying to work this out. UPS will not ship COD from the US to Canada, so that was not an option. It was a lot of hassle for both of us, probably more so for the seller than me. After all the e-mails, I think we just got a sense about the other. We never actually agreed to it, but he ended up shipping the wheels and tires before my money arrived and I ended up sending the money without any holds before the wheels arrived. I guess we just decided to trust the other. A little trust and faith in your common man can go a long way.
My money arrived in his bank the day before the wheels arrived at my door. Exactly as he had describe them. No surprises.
Unfortunately, it obviously doesn't work out this well every time, but hopefully almost every time.
Keep the faith. I think it is important for all of us on both sides to be able to buy and sell across the border without the fear of being ripped off.
Doug M
Oh ya, The wheels were described as "used wheels for a 1973 pantera" and arrived NO tax, NO duty, NO broker fees. The driver just unloaded them into my garage. I asked, and the driver said nothing was owing.
Now, if UPS comes back to me in 2 or 3 months to collect duty, I will tell them to kiss my ass.
Doug M
Now, if UPS comes back to me in 2 or 3 months to collect duty, I will tell them to kiss my ass.
Doug M
I think someone might call you a real jerk if that happens.
quote:Now, if UPS comes back to me in 2 or 3 months to collect duty, I will tell them to kiss my ass.
Doug M
How about acting like a responsible adult and just paying it .
quote:Originally posted by INZOWHO:
Oh ya, The wheels were described as "used wheels for a 1973 pantera" and arrived NO tax, NO duty, NO broker fees. The driver just unloaded them into my garage. I asked, and the driver said nothing was owing.
Now, if UPS comes back to me in 2 or 3 months to collect duty, I will tell them to kiss my ass.
Doug M
Better get ready to pucker up Doug. Revenue Canada rarely misses an opportunity to collect taxes, so I think you should prepare for an invoice from UPS. They will charge what Customs tells them and leave you to argue with them later. And they will probably include a hefty fee for their services — especially if it was shipped via. ground.
These situations are exactly why I ship to the northern USA, pick things up there and import them myself. Of course, I then get to enjoy the inside of a concrete room while they tear apart my car looking for proof that I'm doing something wrong. I still have to pay all the taxes (which really pisses me off because there are no taxes on private sale of used merchandise between individuals here), but at least I get to challenge their knowledge of their own rules when they try to charge me duty.
Another thing about this whole cross-border shipping is that EVERY time I (when shipping products from my company into the US) have requested a full and final total quotation of ALL costs from both FedEx AND UPS, I have been given the wrong information and charged more in the end. You just can't win.
Mark
O.K. I should clarify things a little.
If the situation gets out of hand and UPS threatens to charge the sellar, I WILL step up and pay the invoice. Clearly, as the purchaser and the Canadian, it is my responsibilty to deal with my governments taxes and duty!!
Every other UPS shipped order I have received from the US arrived with duty and taxes COD and I had to pay these before I received the goods. How is it that UPS can come back at some future date and invoice you for charges you should have been made aware of at the time of delivery? What do I do if UPS decides to invoice me $2000 for broker fees? It's too late to send the goods back.
Interestingly, when goods are sent USPS/Can post I never have to deal with any of this stuff, which is why I have begged the vendors to mail things instead of UPS.
If I was closer to the border I would go pick up stuff myself, but it's a 10 hour round trip for me to Great Falls, Montana.
When I researched before buying the car, I never even considered parts supply. I figured, you pick up the phone, pay the currency exchange difference, and that's that. Boy, did I get educated in a hurry! I've been puckered up for a couple years now.
Bottom line: If I get invoiced, I will pay it and fight it out later. It is certainly not the American seller's responsibilty that my government and the shipping companies want to bend me over the hood of the car at every opportunity.
Doug M
If the situation gets out of hand and UPS threatens to charge the sellar, I WILL step up and pay the invoice. Clearly, as the purchaser and the Canadian, it is my responsibilty to deal with my governments taxes and duty!!
Every other UPS shipped order I have received from the US arrived with duty and taxes COD and I had to pay these before I received the goods. How is it that UPS can come back at some future date and invoice you for charges you should have been made aware of at the time of delivery? What do I do if UPS decides to invoice me $2000 for broker fees? It's too late to send the goods back.
Interestingly, when goods are sent USPS/Can post I never have to deal with any of this stuff, which is why I have begged the vendors to mail things instead of UPS.
If I was closer to the border I would go pick up stuff myself, but it's a 10 hour round trip for me to Great Falls, Montana.
When I researched before buying the car, I never even considered parts supply. I figured, you pick up the phone, pay the currency exchange difference, and that's that. Boy, did I get educated in a hurry! I've been puckered up for a couple years now.
Bottom line: If I get invoiced, I will pay it and fight it out later. It is certainly not the American seller's responsibilty that my government and the shipping companies want to bend me over the hood of the car at every opportunity.
Doug M
Ive bought some parts in the past and have paid nothing.
there's been other times when I've bought about 350.00 u.s. and had to pay about 110.00 Canadian
And another time when it was about 900.00 Canadian and I paid 140.00 Canadian
it seems like crap shoot until it hits the door
there's been other times when I've bought about 350.00 u.s. and had to pay about 110.00 Canadian
And another time when it was about 900.00 Canadian and I paid 140.00 Canadian
it seems like crap shoot until it hits the door
I've shipped a number of the DT signs, plus other items up to Canada and always use USPS for the same reason. I haven't heard of any cross border charges with USPS, so how come you have to quote all these antique parts/25 yr rules and regulatiosn when using UPS or FedEx and there's not a blink of the eyelid with USPS?
Stuff that arrives by mail USUALLY get charged (due at the door when mailman delivers) along with a flat $5 admin fee. Duty can be charged as well via mail, but usually they assume the stuff is made in America and thus duty free (unless someone stupidly declares "Italian Car Parts").
I want to let everyone know that my situation has been resolved.I want to thank everyone that offered to help,if you did help an extra thank you.I think something was taught to people buying and selling across the border that you can't take things for granted.This is really a great community and forum.
Thanks again and good night to all.
Bob
Thanks again and good night to all.
Bob
Dumb question, but I do this all the time with non-car related US purchases ...
Could you not have the parts picked up locally or delivered to a friend/relative in the US - and them have them sent to you via regular mail (insured) as a "gift"?
Could you not have the parts picked up locally or delivered to a friend/relative in the US - and them have them sent to you via regular mail (insured) as a "gift"?
I believe gifts are duty free up to $60, after that you get hit.
So, that's when you fall back to either slapping on the NAFTA paperwork, or, if it isn't eligible under NAFTA, then you go with 9966.00.00 for anything designed/intended for a 25yr+ vehicle.
And, as folks seem to agree, the buyer needs to bear the responsibility for all of the fees/duties and for dealing with the shipping company and/or gov't if there's an issue -> this is a general statement, if the seller was given clear instructions, but makes some significant error, then buyer and seller will obviously need to come to terms and both act in good faith - I believe 99.9% of the time, it works, and it's the basis of the trust we need for everything to work.
So, that's when you fall back to either slapping on the NAFTA paperwork, or, if it isn't eligible under NAFTA, then you go with 9966.00.00 for anything designed/intended for a 25yr+ vehicle.
And, as folks seem to agree, the buyer needs to bear the responsibility for all of the fees/duties and for dealing with the shipping company and/or gov't if there's an issue -> this is a general statement, if the seller was given clear instructions, but makes some significant error, then buyer and seller will obviously need to come to terms and both act in good faith - I believe 99.9% of the time, it works, and it's the basis of the trust we need for everything to work.
USPS is the way to go. I actually find it faster than any of the courier services. The couriers hold the shipment at the border until they can get a hold of me to agree to their (exhorbitant) customs brokerage fees. No such hassle or costs with the postal service.
Some of the vendors, however, will refuse to ship via USPS.
Some of the vendors, however, will refuse to ship via USPS.
As someone who has shipped many items to and from Canada I find it interesting that Fed Ex would release any item with money owing. As was stated previously, vehicles over 15 years old? or 25, whatever, are duty exempt but subject to provincial (PST, varies province to province, 6-8%) and Goods $ Services (GST 5%) taxes. The recipient usually must pay for any brokerage fees and taxes upon delivery unless he/she decides to clear the item with canada Customs personally; then they must go to the shipping company (Fed Ex, in this case) and take the paperwork to Canada Customs to clear it and pay the taxes; the completed paperwork is faxed back to the Fed Ex and the item is then released. If money is owing, the recipient should pay up as it isn't the seller's responsibly. Most of us are honest up here so don't get jaded by a few bad apples. Thanks, Colin in Winnipeg.
Colin,
I am sorry if I left you or anyone else with the impression that this SOP for Canadians.
It is my experience with buying and selling to Canada that the transactions have been very easy and without hassle. It all comes back to accepting responsibility and open communications.
I am sorry if I left you or anyone else with the impression that this SOP for Canadians.
It is my experience with buying and selling to Canada that the transactions have been very easy and without hassle. It all comes back to accepting responsibility and open communications.
Well, I had not had any correspondence from FedEx for quite some time. I foolishly thought that FedEx dropped the issue or the party in Canada finally paid up.
Today in the mail another hate bill for past due customs fees. I promised myself that I would not disclose the Canadian member’s name if he would just handle this matter.
But now that I have to continue to waste my time arguing with Fed Ex it is also time to announce this individual’s name. Hopefully no other member of this forum will have to deal with him. His name is Carmen and he lives in Montréal.
His e-mail address is: carmelo@interpropane.com I should note that I have sent at least 3 e-mails to him directly which were never answered.
Maybe someone who is an acquaintance of Carmen’s can shame him to doing the right thing, being an adult and paying the bill.
Jeff
Frustrated, aggravated and POed in Atlanta
Today in the mail another hate bill for past due customs fees. I promised myself that I would not disclose the Canadian member’s name if he would just handle this matter.
But now that I have to continue to waste my time arguing with Fed Ex it is also time to announce this individual’s name. Hopefully no other member of this forum will have to deal with him. His name is Carmen and he lives in Montréal.
His e-mail address is: carmelo@interpropane.com I should note that I have sent at least 3 e-mails to him directly which were never answered.
Maybe someone who is an acquaintance of Carmen’s can shame him to doing the right thing, being an adult and paying the bill.
Jeff
Frustrated, aggravated and POed in Atlanta
quote:
Maybe someone who is an acquaintance of Carmen’s can shame him to doing the right thing, being an adult and paying the bill.
Jeff
Frustrated, aggravated and POed in Atlanta
Good luck with that!!
Ron
I have to say .. I have shipped to the Canadian Guys and never had and issue ..I have also shipped large packages to canada and Europe and also never had an issue. I;m very sorry to say ..never used FEDEX ..they are EFFICENT LOONATICS ... I use USPS all the time. I just had a set of seats shipped from Michagan and thye arrived very quick to Post Man was pissed he had to carry them to the porch.
My personal opinion in the DUTY or TAX is the end users responsibilty .. I could be wrong but I thought that was the unwritten rule ??
Ron
My personal opinion in the DUTY or TAX is the end users responsibilty .. I could be wrong but I thought that was the unwritten rule ??
Ron
Jeff. When you buy something, the seller will calculate the shipping cost to your address. This is your resposibility. You can negotiate which company the seller will use to ship your item.
What you are being billed for is brokerage fees and/or duties. How can the seller be responsible for this??
I have received some items with a $0 charge and other items with a $200 charge. The charges are based on a number of factors ranging from the shipper that is used and the value of the parcel. Again, I have had a hundred packages sent to me over the years. The seller never pays for the shipping, nor the associated charges.
You can have your parts shipped without brokerage fee if you have them shipped "air". This is usually 3 times the money of regular shipments. You pay at the beginning or at the end. Either way, the BUYER pays the costs.
Will
What you are being billed for is brokerage fees and/or duties. How can the seller be responsible for this??
I have received some items with a $0 charge and other items with a $200 charge. The charges are based on a number of factors ranging from the shipper that is used and the value of the parcel. Again, I have had a hundred packages sent to me over the years. The seller never pays for the shipping, nor the associated charges.
You can have your parts shipped without brokerage fee if you have them shipped "air". This is usually 3 times the money of regular shipments. You pay at the beginning or at the end. Either way, the BUYER pays the costs.
Will
Will,
I agree. But I am the seller . NOT the buyer.
Jeff
I agree. But I am the seller . NOT the buyer.
Jeff