none.RemoveThis@nospam.invalid writes:
>> B&H gives the first alternative as default but I prefer the second
>> alternative which is cheaper. In fact I remember to have read somwhere
>> that UPS is faster also. Is it OK for me to choose UPS?
>In Canada we absolutely won't use UPS on purchases from the USA.
>Why? Because UPS gouges on their customs brokerage fees. There is NO
>DUTY on many items including photographic equipment, but UPS will charge
>a very hefty "brokerage fee"
To elaborate on this: other shippers also charge a fee for handling
customs brokerage, but they include it in the total shipping cost that
they quote up-front, so you know you're going to be paying it. And the
fee is usually pretty reasonable for low-value items.
In contrast, UPS Ground quotes a very low fee that includes
transporting the package but not brokerage. Then, when the package is
sitting in their warehouse, they call and ask if you want to have them
handle brokerage for an additional fee. Essentially, they're holding
your package hostage until you pay more.
The extra cost is enough that you probably wouldn't have chosen UPS in
the first place if you knew about it and could compare total cost to
what other carriers charge. But once it's in their warehouse, you have
few choices. You can pay their fee. You can refuse the shipment and send it
back to the shipper (but you lose what you've paid for shipping, and you
still have to ship it by some other means, and you've lost a week).
You can drive to the warehouse and handle customs clearance yourself (if
you live somewhere near the warehouse, and can take the time off work).
Lots of people consider this sleazy and underhanded, and refuse to use
UPS after being burned once.
Dave
>> Stay informed about: different shipping system 
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