Canada Post Eh (Devo this is for you)

[JZ]

Devo, after your laughter about my earlier Canada Post issues, I thought you would really get a chuckle out of this one. ;D

Last week I finally decided to go for the 10 rack Cabelas dehydrator that's on sale and ordered one. Go through the online ordering process and there is a $16.95 handling fee to ship to me. Seems pretty good. But this is my first order from Cabelas and I didn't know there might be more charges after I placed the order. To be fair to them, they do state there may be more charges for overweight or oversize parcels, but I thought it would show up during the ordering process. Now I know better. :)

So today I get this email

We are currently trying to process your order, however there are additional shipping charges required. Canada Post would be an additional 55.52 for standard service or UPS would be an additional 24.32 and would need an address for delivery. Please advise how you would like to proceed.

I'm starting to think Canada Post has pic of me bent over, with a caption underneath that states "INSERT SHAFT HERE" :o >:(.

Ya I know it is cheaper to get it shipped via UPS, but I was so PO'd I just told them to cancel the order. I can live with my old dehydrator. :) Sometimes principle gets in the way of my better judgement. ::)

[seb bot]

yeah, it can be pretty frustrating trying to get stuff shipped from the states, seems like a lot of the savings disappear in freight and duties! ???

you may have made the right call though, because I think UPS would have added a bunch of brokerage and duties to your bill too! >:(

from what I have heard/read on other forums, the best bet is usually USPS, they charge a flat rate fee for the brokerage. I don't shop online much, but I've used them once or twice with no issues or surprises when ordering car parts.

Maybe you will see an okay deal up here at some point, hope your old one holds together in the mean time!

[JZ]

Damn, I forgot an important point. :-[ This order would have been shipped within Canada!!!! From Alberta (Edmonton to be exact) to BC. No US border involved. :o

[Piker]

I have found that Canada Post charges are getting out of sight as is Greyhound. If a company uses courier it is cheaper. I have my U.S. orders shipped to the border where I pick it up. I am just a hour away and usually shipping is free anywhere in the U.S. if your order is big enough. Piker

[tsquared]

For members here on Vancouver Island, the best way to avoid brokerage fees is to use an outfit at Victoria airport called Seawings Express. Order what you want from whatever company in the States and get it shipped to you care of their office in Blaine. Be sure to put Victoria after your name and ask the company you are buying your item from to put a priced invoice on the outside of the package. Phone the Victoria office and give them your name and number and they will call you when your item comes in. They run a truck daily from Blaine to their bonded warehouse at the airport. The cost is $17 for the first 5 lbs and then goes up from there. Once you get the call, go out to their warehouse and get the paperwork, walk up to the customs office inside the terminal and get it stamped and then back to the warehouse where you pay seawings their fee and you get your package. Works like a charm AND most of the time the customs guys won't even charge you tax, let alone duty. I learned to avoid ups in cross border shopping many years ago when I ordered a Maverick meat thermometer that I couldn't get in Canada and it cost me more in brokerage fees than the item was worth. Never again.
T2

[oakville smoker]

I have found there are some great deals to  be had on line but the only people getting rich are the post office and courier companies.
UPS has to be just loving the  internet economy.  I should pull an annual report and compare revenues year over year for the last 5 years.  Actually I wont because it will just upset me

I have found USPS to be pretty good though and reasonable.  An order of cigars from a US wholesaler always seems to find its way safely to me and that saves me some serious cash.