Canada UPS delivery

I really hate this issue because it always leads to folks not wanting to buy/sell to or from Canada - which in effect lessens all of our options when we're looking for something we need or want to get rid of something we no longer want.

As I have stated previously I run a import distribution company in Toronto which imports & exports almost exclusively to and from the US. So I have some experience with this.

Things to keep in mind are that UPS always charges "Brokerage" for handling shipments that cross the boarder - in either direction. The fees are listed on the internet. The breakdown includes various handling fees that others have mentioned above.

Canadian 'import rates'(Canada to USA)at:http://www.ups.com/canada/using/software/currentrates/engcustoms_rates.html

USA 'import rates' (USA to Canada) at:http://www.ups.com/using/services/intl/import-imp-brokerage-fees.html

Of note: UPS WILL NOT insure personal or used items. ...And if the items you are shipping should become damaged they will scrutinize your shipment ( IMO trying to get out of paying for the damage). So... use UPS if you must, but they are expensive and are RATS should something go wrong.

USPS or Canada post are much cheaper and are quite reliable. ...While I'm certain there is someone out there who can relay a horror story (or two) most of us get the mail like clockwork. ...When was the last time you didn't get that birthday or Christmas gift from aunt Betty in Timbuktu...? IT PLAIN WORKS. And if you insure the goods you don't have to worry about the post office trying to squirm out of paying for the goods if lost or damaged. ...Try that with UPS. ...They will demand that you keep the packaging in order that they can inspect it (to see if it was adequate). God forbid that you should have packaging deemed inadequate because you'll be S.O.L. Or you might have to threaten legal action to get anywhere.

As an aside I find it incredible that we all pay these companies to ship our valuable goods, and then pay them again to ensure that they don't damage the goods or lose them. What the hell are we paying for in the first place...?! ...What an amazing business - kinda like Mafia extortion "protection money". Could you imagine bringing your gear into your dealer to have work done on it, and the dealer asking for insurance money in case the store were to get robbed or in case he dropped your piece on the floor. ...Its amazing to me how accepting we are of these 'normalcy’s' - what a crock!

As a final comment... most folks on Audiogon are honest and wouldn't try to pull a fast one by burdening anyone with additional costs.

Ronk - why even pay this exorbitant ripoff? I mean what can they do anyway if you refuse? Send them back a dollar, no, make that 1 cent, Canadian.

Awdeeofyle,
It is certainly not my intention to dissuade people from doing business in Canada. All I wanted to do was make people aware that this could happen to you also. Now that I am aware that this type of "legal robbery" is going on, I can work with a seller/buyer to possibly split the fees.This was my first transaction in Canada, so I had no previous experience with this type of situation.Would I do business in Canada again? Possibly, depending on the situation. As I stated in my previous post, I had a very good transaction with the seller.This is by no means a reflection on him!I completely agree with you.Once again, big business gets richer at the expense of the little guy!

Bob_bundus,
I agree with you 100%.Unfortunately, I don't want to take the chance that one day some goof-balls from a collection agency are pounding on my door looking for money. Or, worst case scenario, someone at one of these agencies decides they want to ruin my credit rating. I don't know if any of these options would happen, but I don,t want to take that risk. Thanks for your support!