On Mon, 7 Feb 2005 17:26:38 -0800, "mike maghakian"
wrote:

I bought a radio for $215 from someone in canada a few weeks ago and today I
got a bill from the carrier (purolator) company.

the main items we

estimated customs $15
brokerage fee $18
surety bond fee $30
disbursement of funds $5
FCC filing $15

total was $85 on a $215 radio


for those that have experience with this matter, or actually KNOW what they
are talking about, I have some questions.

Am I being taken for a ride ?
I didn't sign anything so why should I pay over $50 in fees to these crumbs
?
Is there a way to fight this ?


Did they phone you and get your approval in advance for the amount? Verbal
authorization is just as good as written.

If not, I would tell them you did not authorize them and ask for their
instructions on how to return the radio and get a full refund of all charges.

If they did phone you and got you to approve the amount, then it is partly your
own fault for agreeing.

Contact the shipper and ask them to help sort it out.

For future reference, Fed Ex does not charge for customs brokerage betwen the
U.S. and Canada (but please double check).

I think Purolater is terible for this kind of thing.

Or ask the shipper to use the Post Office (it can still be shipped express).

I have bought radios Canada and from Jacky's in the UAE and never paid a cent
of duty.