shipping cost issues with Oso Grande Knife & Tool and UPS

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Will

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About two months ago a placed an order (to Canada) with Oso Grande for $66.97 worth of merchandise. The website wasn't working properly, so I placed the order by phone, and the guy wasn't sure what the shipping cost to Canada would be, but assured me it would be reasonable. They then charged me $28.99 for shipping, which is quite high compared to many other dealers, but I assumed it must include the taxes and collection fee.

A week later the UPS man dropped off the package and didn't bill anything else so I figured all the taxes and such had been payed and incorporated into the shipping fee as is done by many other retailers. BUT, a few weeks ago a got a bill in the mail from UPS for C$57.49!

I was surprised by this especially considering the rather excessive $28.99 I was charged for freight by Oso Grande. I only purchased $66.97 worth of merchandise, and to have to pay another $75 to have it delivered is unreasonable.

A few weeks ago I wrote Oso Grande asking them to intercede with UPS as I am sure Oso Grande wasn't aware that UPS had billed me. I still havn't heard back from them yet, but I hope they at least try to seek an adjustment with UPS and get back to me. I was pleased with the prompt delivery, but so far, I am not a satisfied customer.

This sort of thing makes it difficult to serve Canadian customers. From speaking to others, and reading other posts, it seems UPS is not the way to ship to Canada. The taxes are the only appropriate charges on the UPS bill, the rest seems unreasonable for a non-commercial delivery.
 
I've heard before that UPS charges unreasonable fees for a cross-border delivery, but what's this about delivering the package first and sending you an unreasonable bill later? What makes them think they can collect? :confused:
 
I know Purolator will drop the package and bill you later, but I haven't heard of UPS doing this. Once you accept the package there is little recourse. UPS has acted as your broker and they want to get paid for services rendered.

I have refused UPS shipments in the past because of ridiculous brokerage fees.

**When ordering from the states NEVER EVER USE UPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Insist on USPS airmail- cheap, slow no insurance
USPS global express- expensive, fast, insurance available.
There are other USPS options as well.
 
Cougar Allen said:
I've heard before that UPS charges unreasonable fees for a cross-border delivery, but what's this about delivering the package first and sending you an unreasonable bill later?
Click to expand...
That is common for a small amount, if it is large you usually have to pay it first.

-Cliff
 
Oso Grande would not have known of the charges that UPS added to your shipment. This was done by the Canadian division of UPS. The fees include a charge for doing your Customs clearance, any duties and taxes owed and a fee for lending you the money to pay those duties and taxes.

The amount you were charged for shipping seems strange. I went to the UPS site and checked their different rates to Vancouver from the San Diego area and got: Standard - $8.70, Expedited - $37.75, Express - $40.00. Insurance on the first $100.00 is included. There are extra chages if UPS has to do a Statement of Origin - $10.00, Saturday delivery - $12.50, Shipper's export declaration - $10.00.

If the $28.99 was in US funds, you actually paid an extra $93.00 Canadian to get your knives. That is rediculous, and the reason that I will never use UPS. I have all my packages sent by Post.
 
I recently pruchased a Custom Knife from Rick Frigualt, out of Canada. Rick's quote is, "I can ship through Canada Post, with a tracking number, and you will get it in 3 to 5 business days for $18.00.
Or I can ship Via Fed Ex with next day delivery for $35.00 "

Not wanting to go through the hassles of "Canada Post", I opted for FedEx Next Day. It was worth the extra $17 that I had to pay. The knife arrived tne next day, and there have been no additional charges. Since this was a Custom Knife, I didn't want to cause any temptation to the Canadian Postal System.

My advice - go FedEx when dealing with Canada. It may cost more. But, you get what you expected, and nothing EXTRA!!!!

Ken
 
Will said:
About two months ago a placed an order (to Canada) with Oso Grande for $66.97 worth of merchandise. The website wasn't working properly, so I placed the order by phone, and the guy wasn't sure what the shipping cost to Canada would be, but assured me it would be reasonable. They then charged me $28.99 for shipping, which is quite high compared to many other dealers, but I assumed it must include the taxes and collection fee.

A week later the UPS man dropped off the package and didn't bill anything else so I figured all the taxes and such had been payed and incorporated into the shipping fee as is done by many other retailers. BUT, a few weeks ago a got a bill in the mail from UPS for C$57.49!

I was surprised by this especially considering the rather excessive $28.99 I was charged for freight by Oso Grande. I only purchased $66.97 worth of merchandise, and to have to pay another $75 to have it delivered is unreasonable.

A few weeks ago I wrote Oso Grande asking them to intercede with UPS as I am sure Oso Grande wasn't aware that UPS had billed me. I still havn't heard back from them yet, but I hope they at least try to seek an adjustment with UPS and get back to me. I was pleased with the prompt delivery, but so far, I am not a satisfied customer.

This sort of thing makes it difficult to serve Canadian customers. From speaking to others, and reading other posts, it seems UPS is not the way to ship to Canada. The taxes are the only appropriate charges on the UPS bill, the rest seems unreasonable for a non-commercial delivery.
Click to expand...

Well, it has been several months since I wrote Oso Grande, and still no reply. It is obvious they have no intention of even answering my request, let alone trying to seek any sort of adjustment.

It is too bad Oso Grande take customer service so lightly. With all the competition out there one might think they would make more effort. I guess they feel they got my money and that is all that matters. Repeat buisness must not be important to them. Oh well, I will spend my money elsewhere next time. New Graham are a much more perfessional dealer and I have been well treated by them as a customer.

Will
 
I am a knife dealer and occasionally I ship ups to Canada generally I use USPS airmail. Sad to say I was unaware of this extra fee that UPS charges Canadian customers. Unfortunately there maybe some upset customers out there and I had no idea until now.
 
UPS charge about 25 Euro for "processing" packages from th USA to Germany... I dont know how they manage to do that but they do. A total rip off. I dont mind paying the duty and sales tax (well I dont like it but OK, I know about it) but UPS' "fee" is way over the top.
 
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