Newb Issue: Attention Canadian customers of Seyberts

N

NervousNovice

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hello.

Just want to share with you guys my not-so-smooth experience of a recent Seyberts purchase. I wished there were a post like this that I could be read and pay more attention to my purchase. So I might as well just write one myself. Hopefully Canadian customers would benefit from the information below. Here is the story.

I ordered $330 USD worths of items from Seyberts a few days ago. When I ordered the items, I chose US Postal International Global Express method to ship to Canada. It was the cheapest option listed there and had an estimate cost of $38 USD. So the total became $368 USD. Of course, I was also expecting extra Canadian tax, custom duty fee, and currency conversion.

However, two days later I found out the shipping method was changed to UPS without notification. A few days later the shipment arrived via UPS, and I had to pay $66 CAD to the UPS personal. According to the attached UPS document, the payment consisted of $25 Canadian GST tax and $40 brokage fee.

I then called Seyberts, asking them about the change in shipping method and why I had to pay $66 CAD again. I was told the followings:

1. Seyberts never uses US Postal to ship to Canada; it is always UPS Ground. They made a mistake in not listing UPS Ground as a (cheaper) shipping option.

2. The $40 CAD brokage fee included some sort of a custom duty fee.

3. I would be refunded the $38 USD of US Postal shipping.

It would be hard to believe that I am the first Canadian customer of Seyberts ever to notice or go through this. So why weren't the mistakes being corrected before? It seems Seyberts had added UPS Ground back to its list of shipping options a few hours ago.

Cheers.
 
If you have a copy of the order showing your shipping choice, or other documentation where the supplier admits changing your instructions without consulting you, you can complain to your credit card company.

Any U.S. company that values Canadian customers will ship by mail because UPS is such a hassle, not to mention the large added expense with its brokerage fees.
 
Scaramouche said:
Any U.S. company that values Canadian customers will ship by mail because UPS is such a hassle, not to mention the large added expense with its brokerage fees.
Click to expand...

The first thing I look at when interested in a product on ebay is the shipping. I will not buy from vendors who ship "only UPS". The outrageous brokerage fees are the one and only reason. Considering the difference between UPS and other cross-border shipping methods, it would be in Seyberts best interest to point out their options or lack thereof for Canadian customers. Any mistake on their part that cost one of their customers money should be corrected by them imo.

Dave
 
A Big ditto to everythings said about UPS:mad: and brokerage fees.

I'm not sure if companies or people who use UPS in the states realize what a deterrant to sales UPS is because of thier brokerage fees. Because most people on flea-bay use UPS to ship to Canada, I rarely bother to even look in the US for what ever it is I'm buying whether it's cues or model railroad supplies, it's easier to buy in Canada.

The good deals you can get in the US turn out to be lousy deals after UPS gets thier hands on your product.
 
I realize this won't help the majority of my fellow Canadians, but living in Windsor across from Detroit, I learned recently that I can send my UPS shippments to a UPS store located close to the border in Detroit and they will hold it for me for two days for $5 US no tax per box ( on top of regular shipping fees) and I can go pick it up and declare it at the border.

I pay the duty but save the $40 dollars UPS charges to clear customs, although it does cost almost $9 to cross the border and come back. This is usually made up for by the lower shipping charge to ship within the US.

Bernie
 
Thanks for the heads up. I have thought about buying from Seyberts but my instincts always flared up. Now I have even more reason to buy elsewhere. There are quite a few suppliers in Canada as it is.
 
There are three levels of U.S. service to Canadian customers:

The Unknowing - foreign shipping must be by UPS, refuses to ship by mail - Customer contacted by UPS to find out customer's customs brokerage firm, customer does not have one, UPS tacks on fat charge.

The Unsophisticated - ships by mail - Customs inspects package adds a $5.00 charge that must be paid along with taxes to mailman on delivery if you are home, or at a post offfice if you are not.

The Full Service - Customs and taxes are added on the invoice - package clears customs without additional charges, mailman delivers without need to contact recipient.
 
Adanac67 said:
Thanks for the heads up. I have thought about buying from Seyberts but my instincts always flared up. Now I have even more reason to buy elsewhere. There are quite a few suppliers in Canada as it is.
Click to expand...
Actually this thread should serve more as a heads up for Seyberts. The Canadian Billiard community is a significant but neglected market, and they should be looking for ways to make themselves more attractive.
 
I've got no problem with seyberts. I think they have an excellent customer service. I've order a 314 shaft from them and they gave me a call the next day regarding some detail info. Although I'm confused at the fee i had paid UPS when i received my package. Seyberts marked the shaft with a value of $25. I got the package and had to pay the UPS guy $50. Why i did not question the UPS at the time i don't know. But it's kinda odd that I got a package thats valued at $25 and be charge $50 by UPS.
 
Cardinal_Syn said:
I've got no problem with seyberts. I think they have an excellent customer service. I've order a 314 shaft from them and they gave me a call the next day regarding some detail info. Although I'm confused at the fee i had paid UPS when i received my package. Seyberts marked the shaft with a value of $25. I got the package and had to pay the UPS guy $50. Why i did not question the UPS at the time i don't know. But it's kinda odd that I got a package thats valued at $25 and be charge $50 by UPS.
Click to expand...
I think the common complaint is with UPS and not Seyberts. They may be unaware of the unreasonable charges UPS apply to Canadians. (but it should be thier business to find out.)

Like I said earlier, anybody that hopes to do business with Canadians should be sensitive to these problems with UPS. That includes Seyberts.

As far as I'm concerned I've had great service from USPS in the past.
 
Sounds to me like Seyberts took care of him by refunding $38 shipping charges.

I agree, UPS is robbing Canadian customers. Their "brokerage fees" are off the charts. USPS is the way to go.
 
dont mean to dig up an old thread but i ordered a 5k3 with z shaft and moori tip from them last week and they shipped it via usps express. i havent gotten it yet but i checked canadapost and it said the item was released from customs and entered into sortation. i should get the cue on monday, i'm sure i'll have to pay some customs but i know for a fact it was sent by usps so it wont be an insane amount.
 
If you're in Canada and want to purchase from a US retailer I highly recommend Platinum Billiards. Just ordered a shaft from them and they offer free shipping on any item over $50 to US and Canada. They also offer three choices of shipping, USPS being one of them. I asked them to ship USPS and they complied no questions asked, even confirmed my request on my email receipt.

When I received the package, customs fees were Canadian taxes and an $8.00 handling fee. More than acceptable since I saved so much buying from them and enjoyed free shipping. :)
 
I have ordered through Seyberts many times and have never had an issue. I deal with Rick directly and every transaction has been smooth. Out of my 4 suppliers they are the best at everything.

Shit happens and I'm pretty sure that's why UPS is the colour they are.
 
I too order from Seyberts quite regularly and have never had a problem(in fact they are my favorite mail order house). Quick shipping and great service always. I live in NY about 10 minutes from the Canadian border.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top