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Post by jimmythedonut on Sept 14, 2022 21:16:46 GMT
Hi guys reposting from facebook as time is of the essence (scheduled for delivery tomorrow) so I need to make up my mind and potentially prepare for "battle" asap
My import of swords has finally cleared customs. However, UPS just can't let me relax and now wants to charge me damn near $300 for "import fees." Per my research into importing and duties, I was under the impression that antique swords are either/both antiques of over 100 years of age (and the only one I am not sure of the age on is a model 1905 Portuguese sword with no date of manufacture visible), or as military artifacts, and thus exempt from import fees.
I know other members have had recent issues with UPS as well. Is this something I can or should challenge? Or is this them holding me back and punching me in the gut a few last times just for that extra bit of shakedown like the criminal syndicate that shipping is becoming lately?
Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!
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Post by jimmythedonut on Sept 14, 2022 21:54:53 GMT
Ah it appears to be a "brokerage fee" for doing what exactly? What did you broker? The duty free items I already cleared myself? I am going to call customer service as per their website it says normal brokerage fees are waived except for special circumstances. Is the special circumstance that they want more of my money?
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Post by jimmythedonut on Sept 14, 2022 23:17:08 GMT
Ahahah 90 minutes on the phone and all they told me is it was a "warehouse" fee. Per their own rules,
"Warehouse Storage The following charges will apply if a shipment is not cleared through customs within 3 calendar days: • Warehouse storage charge of US$8.20 per shipment per day, or US$0.08 per kilogram of shipment per day, whichever is higher. • Shipment deconsolidation charge of US$10.40 per house air waybill; plus a service charge of US$0.03 per kilogram of a shipment weighing less than 100kg, or US$0.04 per kilogram of a shipment weighing 100kg and above. The charges will be calculated from the 4th day and will apply unless the delay is due to the fault of UPS."
So I would REALLY like for them to tell me how they can justify a $300 surcharge when it has not spent more than 36 hours in one location? I'd delete this thread as it's no longer specifically about antiques but one of you might also go through this one day and hopefully you can build off my learnings
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Post by pellius on Sept 15, 2022 1:46:44 GMT
This is terrible. Over the years, UPS has found a multitude of nefariously innovative ways to vex me. Charging $100 per day to not deliver an item is next-level awful, even for them.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2022 3:02:08 GMT
This is terrible. Over the years, UPS has found a multitude of nefariously innovative ways to vex me. Charging $100 per day to not deliver an item is next-level awful, even for them. They are truly plumbing the depths of depravity. Yikes.
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Post by jimmythedonut on Sept 15, 2022 3:08:04 GMT
This is terrible. Over the years, UPS has found a multitude of nefariously innovative ways to vex me. Charging $100 per day to not deliver an item is next-level awful, even for them. I have gotten their billing department number, I will call them when they open and try and at least get the charges reduced. By their criteria, I don't even MEET that, let alone somehow 270 something USD? The shipping alone was already 700, at least the Mafia wears nice suits and visits you in person. I will let you guys know how this goes, maybe a nice thread for sword logistics, especially with antiques and customs would be a nice thing to help with one day!
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Post by bas on Sept 15, 2022 3:59:22 GMT
If you're in the US would this be considered mail fraud? Is there a consumer advisory body you can approach for advice?
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Post by Mark Millman on Sept 15, 2022 4:00:44 GMT
Dear jimmythedonut,
Be sure to place a consumer complaint with your state's Attorney General, whose business it is to make sure that companies do not cheat their customers. Be even more sure to point out to UPS that you have lodged your complaint with your state's Attorney General.
Best,
Mark Millman
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Post by jimmythedonut on Sept 15, 2022 13:38:54 GMT
Welp we have figured out the origin of the charges. "Warehouse fees" From August 30th to September 8th as it violated the 4 day grace period for storage. Except for one tiny detail, THEY WERE F*CKING RETURNED TO MY FRIEND ON SEPTEMBER 1ST BECAUSE WE DIDNT HAVE THE RIGHT FILES!!!!! That's right, UPS is either so mentally deficient or deliberately malicious they think they can charge me for storage of items they didn't even store! I've gotten the email of the warehouse manager, outlined their own policies, attached screenshots of all the shipping including proof of return delivery, and in the politest wording I know, asked them how we can best go about dropping this charge because I sure as semprini will not be paying for their own incompetence
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2022 14:08:15 GMT
I'm willing to believe either theory: incompetence or dishonesty. I second the suggestion made by Mark to contact your state's Attorney General, as it is their job to be financial watchdogs. I am wondering if this is a case of incompetence pertaining to scans. Everything in freight revolves around scanning. Perhaps there was some error or delay in scanning the parcel's last departure?
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Post by treeslicer on Sept 15, 2022 14:18:57 GMT
Welp we have figured out the origin of the charges. "Warehouse fees" From August 30th to September 8th as it violated the 4 day grace period for storage. Except for one tiny detail, THEY WERE F*CKING RETURNED TO MY FRIEND ON SEPTEMBER 1ST BECAUSE WE DIDNT HAVE THE RIGHT FILES!!!!! That's right, UPS is either so mentally deficient or deliberately malicious they think they can charge me for storage of items they didn't even store! I've gotten the email of the warehouse manager, outlined their own policies, attached screenshots of all the shipping including proof of return delivery, and in the politest wording I know, asked them how we can best go about dropping this charge because I sure as semprini will not be paying for their own incompetence UPS is often pronounced "OOPS" for good reason. While at least one of their local drivers has done very good work for me, another would only hand off packages to me outside my gate, because he sincerely believed that one of my goats (who was a big black horned billy that liked to beg for food) was possessed by demons (true story). I've had a variety of bad experiences with them because of their computer system throwing errors on my address, due to their own erroneous data, which have required lots of phone calls to sort out.
Several years ago, I started using a "street address" PO box address for shipping most things (cuts down on theft), and have had no problems with them since. They can usually find the local post office..........
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ghost
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Post by ghost on Sept 15, 2022 14:35:40 GMT
this is terrible and I like UPS Fedex always is really rough with my packages and snapped a Christian Fletcher scabbard right through the box. (so rough they scraped off the tracking number and had to call me and confirm addy, arrived fully smushed)
i have a custom knife coming through customs...really hope this isnt the case but most of my stuff ends up via dhl. guess this wasnt a duty tax then
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Post by jimmythedonut on Sept 15, 2022 17:27:54 GMT
Dear jimmythedonut, Be sure to place a consumer complaint with your state's Attorney General, whose business it is to make sure that companies do not cheat their customers. Be even more sure to point out to UPS that you have lodged your complaint with your state's Attorney General. Best, Mark Millman After calling, again, and also threatening legal action for fraudulent charges they have made the wise decision to drop the fee. Let's see if it updates before they arrive today. A shame, really, I was almost looking forward to seeing if I could get the $700 shipment fee waived as well had they continued. A part of me now wants to pursue legal school (admittedly it's been weighing on me anyways due to dissatisfaction with my job due to low salary vs elsewhere in the industry and a desire to avoid the corporate ladder structure) and now I have mild aspirations of being an importer/exporter as a side job just so no one else has to deal with UPS doing criminal stuff like this LOL. It would be very period correct as well.
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Post by bas on Sept 16, 2022 3:33:22 GMT
congrats on getting your shipment released Jimmy
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Post by jimmythedonut on Sept 16, 2022 4:48:42 GMT
congrats on getting your shipment released Jimmy Thank you! Most surprising part was somewhere along the way getting a free if very aged 1897 made by Fenton during WWI, now I look at all the ones I need to clean up and get paralyzed with indecision lol. It's gonna be a long few months with my hands, hope they're ready for more steel wool splinters and calluses!
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