MobileRead Forums - View Single Post

brecklundin · 09-09-2010, 01:18 AM

As a long time internet seller of merchandise I can say without any reservations that UPS to Canada is the absolute worst service on the face of the earth. I once shipped a piece to a KNOW address in Canada, this was about 1996/7 and it bounced around in Canada being loaded and unloaded from the UPS truck for TWO MONTHS and was never delivered. Never mind the fact the customer had contacted UPS, supposedly straightened out the delivery issue, which I also confirmed with a call to UPS Canada just to be sure...then each and every time the driver would claim there was no such address.

That was the final time I ever used UPS to Canada.

For the OP, I know that is of no help at all, but I am just relating that you are far from alone in your frustrations in dealing with UPS to Canada from the US. Trust me Amazon will be aware of the frustrations dealing with USP Canada can be and I am willing to bet they will make it work for you.

A tip for the future....always select USPS as the shipping option to Canada from the US. It just works...I no longer worry about shipping to Canookia since dropping UPS, for reasons other than above, but their EMS or International Priority service is wonderful. Now once Canada Post gets their grubby mits on the parcel is a whole different thing in itself...hehehe...actually, I have not had any issues with them, though from what my customers tell me, Canada Post vs. the general population is sort of a national sport.

I hope they get this figured out for you...it has to be really frustrating. Hang in there...

Oh, btw, the reason UPS in the US told you only the UPS BRANCH, and BRANCH is the key here, is because they actually have the parcel. So what you need to do is get the number for that branch from UPS US and call them direct. These numbers are not generally posted for public use which is part of the cause of your frustration for sure. Once you get in touch with the branch then you should, and use the term very gently, but your "should" be able to work out the issue.

But remember this, you are not the shipper so chances are UPS won't let you do anything about setting up another delivery, Amazon is the shipper and it is they who should/must handle this for you. So I would contact Amazon and describe it as calmly as you can...I once had a lense misrouted on an overnight delivery...it was sent to TEXAS rather than California and a fast email to Amazon got the parcel rerouted to me and here by 10AM the next day even though it was in Texas at 1AM California time.

BTW, are ya sure your friend did not refuse the parcel because UPS often charges a HUGE brokerage fee on top of customs duty. And if your friend did not pay that then this could be the cause of the problem. FYI, there is no brokerage fee when shipped via the postal system. The brokerage fee is a big profit center for UPS because they pay any customs duty on an item for you but then whack you with a BIG fee for being so nice to you without ever even asking your permission to pay it on your behalf.

Hope it gets done and you get your new Kindle!!

09-09-2010, 01:18 AM	#9
brecklundin Banned Posts: 1,906 Karma: 15348 Join Date: Jun 2007 Device: mine	As a long time internet seller of merchandise I can say without any reservations that UPS to Canada is the absolute worst service on the face of the earth. I once shipped a piece to a KNOW address in Canada, this was about 1996/7 and it bounced around in Canada being loaded and unloaded from the UPS truck for TWO MONTHS and was never delivered. Never mind the fact the customer had contacted UPS, supposedly straightened out the delivery issue, which I also confirmed with a call to UPS Canada just to be sure...then each and every time the driver would claim there was no such address. That was the final time I ever used UPS to Canada. For the OP, I know that is of no help at all, but I am just relating that you are far from alone in your frustrations in dealing with UPS to Canada from the US. Trust me Amazon will be aware of the frustrations dealing with USP Canada can be and I am willing to bet they will make it work for you. A tip for the future....always select USPS as the shipping option to Canada from the US. It just works...I no longer worry about shipping to Canookia since dropping UPS, for reasons other than above, but their EMS or International Priority service is wonderful. Now once Canada Post gets their grubby mits on the parcel is a whole different thing in itself...hehehe...actually, I have not had any issues with them, though from what my customers tell me, Canada Post vs. the general population is sort of a national sport. I hope they get this figured out for you...it has to be really frustrating. Hang in there... Oh, btw, the reason UPS in the US told you only the UPS BRANCH, and BRANCH is the key here, is because they actually have the parcel. So what you need to do is get the number for that branch from UPS US and call them direct. These numbers are not generally posted for public use which is part of the cause of your frustration for sure. Once you get in touch with the branch then you should, and use the term very gently, but your "should" be able to work out the issue. But remember this, you are not the shipper so chances are UPS won't let you do anything about setting up another delivery, Amazon is the shipper and it is they who should/must handle this for you. So I would contact Amazon and describe it as calmly as you can...I once had a lense misrouted on an overnight delivery...it was sent to TEXAS rather than California and a fast email to Amazon got the parcel rerouted to me and here by 10AM the next day even though it was in Texas at 1AM California time. BTW, are ya sure your friend did not refuse the parcel because UPS often charges a HUGE brokerage fee on top of customs duty. And if your friend did not pay that then this could be the cause of the problem. FYI, there is no brokerage fee when shipped via the postal system. The brokerage fee is a big profit center for UPS because they pay any customs duty on an item for you but then whack you with a BIG fee for being so nice to you without ever even asking your permission to pay it on your behalf. Hope it gets done and you get your new Kindle!!