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UPS Delivery Invoice

  • 08-01-2014 1:46pm
    #1
    Mmmm_Lemony
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 891 ✭✭✭


    I recently made a purchase on Sparkfun electronics. I asked for expedited delivery as I need the components for a college project. The total bill from sparkfun was roughly 170 US dollars or 127 euro.

    The guy arrives today with the parcel. Nice bloke, until he hands me the invoice for nearly 60 euro. Almost have the price!

    Naturally I wanted to complain so he gave me a number for their brokerage department. I called and they informed me that sparkfun had not listed any delivery charges, therefore UPS had to add them for customs. UPS also charge a flat rate of 14.50 or 2% of the items cost.

    I called and paid as I have no choice. I've made lots of purchases in the past but never charged so high before. I was expecting 25-30 euro max. I will likely be making these types of purchases from sparkfun and other again. If I could buy these components from memoryc I would but couldn't find anywhere locally that stock them.

    How can I avoid these ridiculous fees?


Comments

  • #2
    wexie
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,480 ✭✭✭wexie


    Mmmm_Lemony wrote: »

    How can I avoid these ridiculous fees?

    Don't use UPS, they seem to actually hand stuff over to customs making sure you get done for the import duties. Shipping with USPS you can get lucky.

    (as an aside, I presume you've tried places like http://radionics.rs-online.com/web/ and http://ie.farnell.com/ for components?)


  • #3
    dudara
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33,518 ✭✭✭✭dudara


    Please note that Boards does not condone avoidance of customs & duties.

    Your exact situation happened to me before, where I had free delivery from the US, but the seller didn't put $0.00 on the paperwork. As a result the courier calculated based on a standard cost.

    I refused delivery and told the courier's brokerage department that I wouldn't be accepting the item as there was a mistake on the paperwork. It was returned to the seller and I got refunded.

    I understand that you need the items, but I'd be getting in touch with Sparkfun as it was actually their fault that the charges were calculated so high. They should have completed the delivery charge section correctly.


  • #4
    athtrasna
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,420 ✭✭✭✭athtrasna


    Buying from within the EU might help?


  • #5
    Conas
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,071 ✭✭✭Conas


    People shouldn't have to pay customs and duties from anything sent by USPS, given how slow they are.

    I paid $26 dollars for a First class International package, which contained an International Letter, and it's been woefully slow. They take your money easily, but then drag their heels with the delivery, don't even think they ever bother to update the tracking, certainly not with me. Third Class is what the delivery method should be called. Won't ever be ordering off them again once it gets delivered (if it even gets delivered)


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