FedEx woes :(

[wilser]

So a few months ago I sold a bass on ebay. I was only willing to accept US buyers to keep my problems to a minimum, but a Canadian guy begged and pleaded and made a pretty convincing case that he was alright. I said 'sure'. I try to help out people whenever I can. I didn't need to allow him into the bid queue because there were already 3 bids on the thing, so it was virtually sold.

Anyway, I told the guy I like to use UPS because they have always treated me well. He said he likes FedEx for the lower rates and he has had good experience with them. So, again, trying to help a guy out, I said yes. Mind you, it was a US $1.94 difference!

So now, a few months later I receive a bill from FedEx about unpaid duties and import charges with a note that says that it's their policy to bill the sender in case they can't reach the recipient for payment. Now, I DID read through their agreement when buying the shipment online and NOWHERE was this detailed. I guess it's in some obscure document on their website.

Why don't they just keep the package until everything is paid IN FULL? I paid my part, why the heck am I responsible for some guy I don't even know not wanting to do their part?!?!?!

I guess my question is, if I refuse to pay, what can they do to me?

[flakeh]

Originally Posted by wilser

So a few months ago I sold a bass on ebay. I was only willing to accept US buyers to keep my problems to a minimum, but a Canadian guy begged and pleaded and made a pretty convincing case that he was alright. I said 'sure'. I try to help out people whenever I can. I didn't need to allow him into the bid queue because there were already 3 bids on the thing, so it was virtually sold.

Anyway, I told the guy I like to use UPS because they have always treated me well. He said he likes FedEx for the lower rates and he has had good experience with them. So, again, trying to help a guy out, I said yes. Mind you, it was a US $1.94 difference!

So now, a few months later I receive a bill from FedEx about unpaid duties and import charges with a note that says that it's their policy to bill the sender in case they can't reach the recipient for payment. Now, I DID read through their agreement when buying the shipment online and NOWHERE was this detailed. I guess it's in some obscure document on their website.

Why don't they just keep the package until everything is paid IN FULL? I paid my part, why the heck am I responsible for some guy I don't even know not wanting to do their part?!?!?!

I guess my question is, if I refuse to pay, what can they do to me?

Send the bill to the buyer.

Whereabouts in Canada did the bass go?

[EricF]

This is why I don't ship to Canada anymore. I sold a pedal that ended up costing the buyer almost twice what I sold it for.

[wilser]

Originally Posted by flakeh

Send the bill to the buyer.

Whereabouts in Canada did the bass go?

I have contacted the buyer but no answer yet. I will definitely do that and send him the bill. I did email him a soft copy of it asking (nicely!) to take care of it, since I did take care of him when it was time to ship it!

He's in Ontario. Maybe you can stop by with a couple of your muscular friends?

[flakeh]

Originally Posted by wilser

I have contacted the buyer but no answer yet. I will definitely do that and send him the bill. I did email him a soft copy of it asking (nicely!) to take care of it, since I did take care of him when it was time to ship it!

He's in Ontario. Maybe you can stop by with a couple of your muscular friends?

where in ontario?

[wilser]

Originally Posted by flakeh

where in ontario?

Here's the partial address where I shipped it. It's supposed to be a recording studio he owns. Stillwater or something.

Brampton, ON
L6X 3L2

[flakeh]

Originally Posted by wilser

Here's the partial address where I shipped it. It's supposed to be a recording studio he owns. Stillwater or something.

Brampton, ON
L6X 3L2

Well thats an hour or so away. I know some peeps there.

I shall see what can be done.
PM full address?

[wilser]

Rather than have the guy's arse kicked I would like to know what are some possible actions FedEx can take to make my life miserable. Any one had this happen to them?

[flakeh]

Originally Posted by wilser

Rather than have the guy's arse kicked I would like to know what are some possible actions FedEx can take to make my life miserable. Any one had this happen to them?

Check PM's

[iamlowsound]

That is weird, I always get billed from FedEx when I am the receiver. Also, you guys that wont sell to Canada are douchbags, seriously. I don't care that I have to pay the import fees and whatnot, I am still getting it cheaper than I would if I bought it in Canada. You don't realise how frusterating it is when you can find what you are looking for, but the person selling it is too stuck up to ship it to Canada. All you have to do is label it and ship it, I pay all the fees, just make sure that is spelled out before you ship. Also, USPS is much better for shipping to Canada, takes longer, but there is a lot less fees.

lowsound

[bobbykokinos]

What will probably happen is FedEx will send it to collections. Then you'll start getting calls from a 3rd party company, which will almost become harassing, until you pay or something is resolved with FedEx. I had a similar situation on a bill that wasn't mine at all, I disputed it and nothing happened. Several months down the road, collections called me and it ended up on my credit report!!

I've never heard about the SENDER being responsible for import charges. I always thought it was the reciever. Thus, why so many people ask to declare the package value WAY cheaper than it is so they dont get raped on import fees.

If I were you, I'd contact their executive customer service and talk to them to get a straight answer. If you call regular customer service, you'll just get canned responses. But, be prepared to end up just paying for it to make it go away. Sucks, but its the truth.

On a side note, FedEx has been nothing but trouble. Leaving expensive packages outside my door, they'll literally knock ONCE and then run away back to their truck before I can even answer. Not to mention, the FedEx guy thinks my complex is the Indy 500 track and runs through here at excessive speeds. Just two day ago, he hit some lady coming around the corner in her car head on. Luckily, no one was hurt.

[MJ5150]

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

....you guys that wont sell to Canada are douchbags, seriously.

You don't realise how frusterating it is when you can find what you are looking for, but the person selling it is too stuck up to ship it to Canada.

Slow your roll bro. There is some extra hassle in international shipping, and some people are not comfortable dealing with it. As you can see in wilsers case, something came back to bite him in the butt. It happened to me also before. No one is stuck up here, it's just easier to send packages around the USA. Sorry.

So you guys have free health care in Canada. We have cheaper bass gear! Neener, neener, neener.

-Mike

[BetterBottomEnd]

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

That is weird, I always get billed from FedEx when I am the receiver. Also, you guys that wont sell to Canada are douchbags, seriously. I don't care that I have to pay the import fees and whatnot, I am still getting it cheaper than I would if I bought it in Canada. You don't realise how frusterating it is when you can find what you are looking for, but the person selling it is too stuck up to ship it to Canada. All you have to do is label it and ship it, I pay all the fees, just make sure that is spelled out before you ship. Also, USPS is much better for shipping to Canada, takes longer, but there is a lot less fees.

lowsound

And if everyone was like you then it wouldn't be a problem. But douchbags reside in both Canada and the US. Honestly I would wager that every country has to have a few.

[wilser]

That really sucks!

On a lighter note I just got a response from the guy apologizing. He said he was contacted by FedEx back in Sept but when he disputed they said "ok, we'll just zero your balance" ...I guess they just thought they could get it easier from me? The buyer said he was gonna call FedEx tomorrow and if necessary pay the balance. I guess if I get another bill from FedEx I will just pay it, since I definitely don't want any harassment or credit report issues! But one thing is for certain, they will NEVER get business from my end again!

Originally Posted by bobbykokinos

What will probably happen is FedEx will send it to collections. Then you'll start getting calls from a 3rd party company, which will almost become harassing, until you pay or something is resolved with FedEx. I had a similar situation on a bill that wasn't mine at all, I disputed it and nothing happened. Several months down the road, collections called me and it ended up on my credit report!!

I've never heard about the SENDER being responsible for import charges. I always thought it was the reciever. Thus, why so many people ask to declare the package value WAY cheaper than it is so they dont get raped on import fees.

If I were you, I'd contact their executive customer service and talk to them to get a straight answer. If you call regular customer service, you'll just get canned responses. But, be prepared to end up just paying for it to make it go away. Sucks, but its the truth.

On a side note, FedEx has been nothing but trouble. Leaving expensive packages outside my door, they'll literally knock ONCE and then run away back to their truck before I can even answer. Not to mention, the FedEx guy thinks my complex is the Indy 500 track and runs through here at excessive speeds. Just two day ago, he hit some lady coming around the corner in her car head on. Luckily, no one was hurt.

[seventhson]

This is new Fedex policy. It's buried in their T's & C's.

I also got burned by shipping a guitar to Canada. Basically Fedex decided they are no longer in the duty collection business. Nor do they want to hold unshipped inventory. When I brought this up with Fedex, they told me to collect the estimated duties beforehand using their Global Trade Manager tool. It's a waste of time.

I believe (but am not sure) that this is the same with UPS. Anyway, this is why Canadians will ask you to ship using Fedex.

Only safe way to ship to Canada is to use USPS.

[bobbykokinos]

Thats cool the guy is willing to do something about it.. If I were you though, I'd still check in with FedEx in a couple days to make sure its cleared up. Most companies will warn you once and send it straight to collections without any other warning.

Unfortunately, there arent many carriers, in my opinion, that I really trust anymore other than UPS and USPS. I've even had trouble with DHL. Had a package shipped from Cincinnati (1.5hr driving from me). Package showed up 2 days late.. Went from Cincinnati, up to Detroit, spent a day there, and then came back to Indianapolis finally. A package that that was 1.5hr away ended up on a 10hr trip!

Originally Posted by wilser

That really sucks!

On a lighter note I just got a response from the guy apologizing. He said he was contacted by FedEx back in Sept but when he disputed they said "ok, we'll just zero your balance" ...I guess they just thought they could get it easier from me? The buyer said he was gonna call FedEx tomorrow and if necessary pay the balance. I guess if I get another bill from FedEx I will just pay it, since I definitely don't want any harassment or credit report issues! But one thing is for certain, they will NEVER get business from my end again!

[SB100]

I hope you guys don't mind someone from downunder crashing in here with his 2 cents worth about couriers.

FedEx and UPS here are both screwed, but not as much as DHL/Barrington who are damn near double the price and 1/4 the service.

Global EMS (Post Office) - Often 1/2 the price of FedEx/UPS and are a bit slower but I've never had anything go missing or arrive damaged.

Down here out beloved Govt likes to raise taxes by playing dirty pool. For example They set an import threshold for Global EMS of $1000 AUD but in the fine print that is the item value PLUS shipping. Once it hits $1000 you get walloped for 10% GST plus around $108 for an import license. FedEX/UPS ued to have a $500 limit before GST and an import lic was applied, however about 18 months ago the sneaky barstewards in Canberra lowered it for non Post office couriers to $250 and didn't I find out the hard way when I brought in an item on FedEx (no choice) that when came in at $250.20 after conversion from USD to AUD I got thumped with $131 bucks worth of charges. Now the only things I'll ship FedEx or UPS are oversize items.