Piglet
02-17-2007, 09:48 PM
So, I already know the drill - never ship UPS to the US! I have learned my lesson once already after getting burned horribly on brokerage fees. I vowed NEVER to ship UPS... and them my MA broke a few weeks ago :( I called Britax and they said to ship the seat back (at their expense) via UPS Ground. I was skeptical, but obliged since I needed my seat fixed and Britax was footing the bill. After 2-3 attempts at getting the seat shipped (don't ask), I finally sent it off.
On Friday morning, I open the front door to find a delivery notice from UPS. They tried to deliver on Thursday and I wasn't home, but they requested I leave a cheque for $66 in brokerage fees for them. I get on the phone with UPS and try to get to the bottom of this. It turns out Britax failed to state that the seat was a warranty/replacement. They also stated the declared value at $200. I ask how I can fix this and am told that if Britax resends the commercial invoice (where they state the contents) that I will have my fees re-assessed. I get on the phone to Britax and finally get through and ask them to fax a new invoice, stating "warranty". They do it and I call UPS again to ask what is happening with my package. First I am told that a 2nd delivery attempt was made and only 1 more attempt will be made or the item will have to go back to the shipper. Then I am told that I still owe $48 in brokerage fees. I make a stink and they look up the revised commercial invoice. Britax has changed the value to be $100, but has once again failed to state that it is a warranty item. Now here is the kicker - I ask UPS what happens if Britax resends the invoice again, but stating it is a warranty item and I am told that brokerage would still apply, but no GST would be owing (wow a whopping $6 saving). SO they charge exorbitant brokerage fees even if there is no duty or GST owing... WTF??? I mean, what they heck am I paying for? I already paid for the seat once, and it was pretty pricy back then. Now my seat costs $48 more? The good news is that in one of the discussions with Britax they said that I can pay the brokerage and they would reimburse my fees, but I am so ticked off with UPS!!
So now I have to pay UPS for what may very well be my old carseat and Britax is out $48 (if they ever reimburse me). The only thing I discovered in dealing with UPS is that when someone does warranty work, they are supposed to state the declared value as the value of the repair, so if all I needed was a new screw for the seat and it costs $1, then they only have to state $1 as the declared value. I am going to call Britax (and hope they are open on Monday - President's Day) and see what they have to say. Either way I am forced to pay UPS the brokerage fees at this point because this will be the final delivery attempt and I really do need my seat back. My hands are tied, UPS is making boatloads of money and I really hope Britax doesn't let me down with reimbursing me the money.
Note to self... avoid UPS! I will post an update once the dust settles.
On Friday morning, I open the front door to find a delivery notice from UPS. They tried to deliver on Thursday and I wasn't home, but they requested I leave a cheque for $66 in brokerage fees for them. I get on the phone with UPS and try to get to the bottom of this. It turns out Britax failed to state that the seat was a warranty/replacement. They also stated the declared value at $200. I ask how I can fix this and am told that if Britax resends the commercial invoice (where they state the contents) that I will have my fees re-assessed. I get on the phone to Britax and finally get through and ask them to fax a new invoice, stating "warranty". They do it and I call UPS again to ask what is happening with my package. First I am told that a 2nd delivery attempt was made and only 1 more attempt will be made or the item will have to go back to the shipper. Then I am told that I still owe $48 in brokerage fees. I make a stink and they look up the revised commercial invoice. Britax has changed the value to be $100, but has once again failed to state that it is a warranty item. Now here is the kicker - I ask UPS what happens if Britax resends the invoice again, but stating it is a warranty item and I am told that brokerage would still apply, but no GST would be owing (wow a whopping $6 saving). SO they charge exorbitant brokerage fees even if there is no duty or GST owing... WTF??? I mean, what they heck am I paying for? I already paid for the seat once, and it was pretty pricy back then. Now my seat costs $48 more? The good news is that in one of the discussions with Britax they said that I can pay the brokerage and they would reimburse my fees, but I am so ticked off with UPS!!
So now I have to pay UPS for what may very well be my old carseat and Britax is out $48 (if they ever reimburse me). The only thing I discovered in dealing with UPS is that when someone does warranty work, they are supposed to state the declared value as the value of the repair, so if all I needed was a new screw for the seat and it costs $1, then they only have to state $1 as the declared value. I am going to call Britax (and hope they are open on Monday - President's Day) and see what they have to say. Either way I am forced to pay UPS the brokerage fees at this point because this will be the final delivery attempt and I really do need my seat back. My hands are tied, UPS is making boatloads of money and I really hope Britax doesn't let me down with reimbursing me the money.
Note to self... avoid UPS! I will post an update once the dust settles.