DHL charged me 62% charge (Is this Fraud?)

tcpip1414

All,
I received a package from the USA (Reading Glasses).
The VAT came to €19 and had an administration charge of 38cent.
Wondered what the Administration charge was for and on the back of the invoice it said the admin charge was 2% of the VAT, I did some research and found that DHL has paid the VAT on my behalf so they could deliver my package without delay. (I thought this was a great service and 2% for a couple of days credit was fair enough.)
On my next package the charge was €10 Administration fee on a €16 VAT cost. I checked the back of the invoice and it still states that the administration cost is 2%.
My question is this...
They have advertised 2% charge.
They have documented a 2% charge on the invoice.
They then charged 62%.
Is this fraud?
How many more customers have they caught?
If you too have been caught, please post here.
Thoughts?
Comments?

whomitconcerns

pretty sure that they always have an admin charge of 10€

tcpip1414

Hi 'whomitconcerns'
Nope.. Was 2% (Have the invoices to prove it)
As also stated it says on the back of the invoice also that it is 2%...
But they recently started to charge €10...
If it was always €10 I would not have ordered the second set of glasses as a 60%+ charge is excessive for 2 days credit.

whomitconcerns

info on the web is suitably vague alright.......sorry..dont know more....

Mr. Incognito

They probably have 2% subject to a minimum of a tenner. Read the terms and conditions

Zen 2nd

I know when I ordered from the US with FedEx I would get a €10 amin charge when they paid the custom duties, which is nothing related to VAT.

Your first order may have avoided custom duties so all that was left was to sort out the VAT.

tcpip1414

Thanks All,
But Terms and conditions state very clearly that the admin charge is 2% of the VAT. There is no mention of a minimum charge.
Like I said... Got one already that was 2% of the VAT as advertised. (IT did not avoid paying VAT)

2% advertised.
2% stated on the invoice

€10 charge which is not 2% but 62%.

They may now be charging to a minimum of €10, but the invoice does not state this anywhere.
€10 may be a reasonable charge if you are paying hundreds in VAT, but if only paying a few euro, €10 does not reflect a credit charge for 2 days credit..

To Advertise one thing and also put it in the terms and conditions and then charge something completely different is Fraud.

uck51js9zml2yt

I get glasses online coming from China with fedex and never have to pay anything

tcpip1414

Hi 'tatranska'
What site do you get them from?
Are they good quality and price?
I get Rimless glasses from the US. Last time with rebates and vouchers etc, I got 3 pairs for $90 including Delivery... (Then DHL pissed me off by gouging me for a tener.. not the amount, it is the principal of advertising one thing, then doing something completely different..)

bmm

10 euro is more of a handling charge for doing the paperwork and dhl charge this in other eu countries too.

tcpip1414

Just to Clarify.
I have spoken the DHL about this and they have said the charge is an administration charge for 'pre paying' your VAT on your behalf.
There is no question that this is a worth while service and I am not complaining about them charging for it. but if they pay €5 on your behalf, is it fair for them to turn around and then charge you €10 for doing that? Especially when they are guaranteed to get paid the following day as you do not get your item until you have paid. The second gripe is when they advertise and document 2% fee, then charge what they like, this is Fraud and is illegal.

RUDOLF289

Suggest you take them to court. You have a "prima facia" case!