DHL and Debt collection agency

Seamus1964

Hi everybody!

For most of the year of 2011 I have received via DHL many parcels from China (business related goods). When i started receiving parcels from China DHL just delivered the package and I paid requested custom duty/VAT fees to the driver (sometimes cash,sometimes cheque).Every delivery they held until I paid the custom fees and would not release it unless I paid it fully.Now about 3 months since my last delivery with them, and with absolutely no warning or calls or mailings, I have recieved a notice from a ReCope LTD. debt collection company .They seeking (behalf of DHL) money for five delivery's from last year.Seriously - it's absolutely nonsense! My bank statement shows that some cheques has been cashed (only one seems to be not cashed yet).I'm ringing to debt collectors and DHL now,but lots of hassle. DHL delivery driver told me that it's happening a lot of time and there is absolutely nothing to worry about - I'm no expert but that sounds like bull****.I think this can affect my credit score and rating.Plus I must to waste lots of time searching for documents and statements to put things right.

Anyone else got similar problems?

Paulw

You should deal directly with DHL.

Get a list of all items, and check to make sure taht you paid all duties due on those.

If you do owe money, pay it to DHL. Just double check everything first.

Seamus1964

DHL custom fees shown as unpaid when payment has been made (and can be proven)?
I already stated: Every delivery they held until I paid the custom fees and would not release it unless I paid it fully. My bank statement shows that cheques has been cashed - Not exactly a "technical" problem on my side or what?

DHL seems to use with payment issues a fully automated procedure that would normally require human attention.
I tried to ring to DHL customs department numerous times and it goes pretty much straight to voicemail. They are people who are 'hard to reach' And when you reach to them, they listen to your problem and always say they will ring me back, but they never do.

I am wondering if there is more than one (mine) issue for the payment issues with DHL Ireland?

In this topic I want to bring together all people with similar problems

Milton09

How did this work out for you Seamus, find myself in almost identical situation after getting 2 nasty letters this morning. Driver paid with cheque before Christmas. Dont know if its been cashed yet but if it hasn't
he must have lost it - wonder where does that leave me now?

Seamus1964

Most annoying experience in my life
Long story short: threatened with legal action (angry and disgusted) - it took a while, but DHL has now got things sorted out

I'm not proud of it but I did it anyway ... and it worked.
Not the way it's supposed to be but the only way to get things done

schemingbohemia

Milton09 wrote: »

How did this work out for you Seamus, find myself in almost identical situation after getting 2 nasty letters this morning. Driver paid with cheque before Christmas. Dont know if its been cashed yet but if it hasn't
he must have lost it - wonder where does that leave me now?

It's very easy to find out if that particular cheque has been cashed or not, that's where you should start.

soundman45

If you pay a dhl driver for a delivery he must issue you with a receipt for the payment, if not dont pay as you have no proof of payment

Seamus1964

They don't issue receipts and goods will be withheld for non-payment.