Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => General Talk => Topic started by: NUXJR on October 29, 2009, 11:54:37 AM

Title: Brokerage fees &^%&#@
Post by: NUXJR on October 29, 2009, 11:54:37 AM
Finally found some aftermarket lights that I like for the Rango but can't seem to find a Canadian distributor so ordering from US.  Looks like the shipping(ground UPS) will be about $60 but the bloody brokerage fee could as much or more.  Anyone got any ideas how to minimize the damage?

Thanks in advance! :)

Cell # is 403-870-5718 if ya wanna call me.
Title: Re: Brokerage fees &^%&#@
Post by: morerpmfred on October 29, 2009, 12:12:24 PM
Get them to send it usps and then there is NO brokerge fees. No tracking either. Explain to the shipper you will only purchase the product if they sent it usps. You still have to pay gst when the post man drops it of. Shipping should be half of what ups charges as well.
Title: Re: Brokerage fees &^%&#@
Post by: slimbeam on October 29, 2009, 01:13:28 PM
ups does there own brokerage and should be included in the shipping unless the shipping is prepaid in which you will pay for broker when you get the item, there is no way around the brokers unless you go to US and get piece yourself. maybe check with FedEx and US postal on there rates Rob so you have a comparison
Title: Re: Brokerage fees &^%&#@
Post by: JackstandJohnny on October 29, 2009, 01:33:19 PM
what happened to free trade?  i remember this big ole' document signed in 88' that said canada and US have 'porous' borders? 
i guess thats just for illegal aliens?
Title: Re: Brokerage fees &^%&#@
Post by: WhiteOut on October 29, 2009, 01:36:51 PM
You know better Johnny ;D  UPS says its a brokerage fee when its just an extra handling fee.
Title: Re: Brokerage fees &^%&#@
Post by: slimbeam on October 29, 2009, 01:45:28 PM
what happened to free trade?  i remember this big ole' document signed in 88' that said canada and US have 'porous' borders?  
i guess thats just for illegal aliens?
Thats rite Johnny, although a lot of duties were lifted and reduced on different items they still have to go through a broker unless you bring them across yourself for your own use and even then you may have to visit a broker at customs to get it cleared to enter Canada. I no it has caused me as a international freight hauler more grief and paperwork since "free trade' came about than it did before
Title: Re: Brokerage fees &^%&#@
Post by: JackstandJohnny on October 29, 2009, 01:58:20 PM
I guess no matter what Slim, the canadaian american gov'ts just don't want mexican truckers haulin arse on our highways and vice versa eh?
i studied it a lot in school,  (which doesn't mean much  ;) ) and theres so much BS in there is ridiculous.  don't get me started LMAO haha

Rob, x2 for USPS....... last things i ordered from them through the states have ended up on my door, no extra costs. go ebay!
Title: Re: Brokerage fees &^%&#@
Post by: JohnB on October 29, 2009, 02:51:50 PM
See here: http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs_clearance.html

and to really squirt you off....compare the cost in the other direction....http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/select/receiving/customs/fees.html
Title: Re: Brokerage fees &^%&#@
Post by: w squared on October 29, 2009, 03:08:33 PM
Long story short...UPS won't even buy you dinner before they get down to business. The total of brokerage and shipping fees when dealing with UPS can be as much as the value of the item...or it may be as low as 10% if it's a big ticket item. Bottom line is that it's going to sting if you get something from the US shipped via UPS.

USPS isn't magical and isn't fast...but they don't ding you anywhere near as badly. I no longer do purchase ANYTHING from places in that states that insist on shipping UPS. If they won't ship USPS, they won't see my money.
Title: Re: Brokerage fees &^%&#@
Post by: FiEND on October 29, 2009, 03:12:22 PM
i'll use ups if it is below $20 US then there is no brokerage.  ie lots of ebay junk up to $100 if they value it at $20 or less for me

usps only for anything else.  if they wont ship it i will pay the extra for someone who does.  usps charges flat $5 on items valued $20 or more.

Title: Re: Brokerage fees &^%&#@
Post by: h0tr0d18 on October 29, 2009, 05:16:40 PM
UPS are a bunch of crooks and I only deal with them when absolutly necessary.
Title: Re: Brokerage fees &^%&#@
Post by: hamrtime on October 29, 2009, 07:46:31 PM
gotta tell my spring storey again - one of my first cross border transactions - needed an extra throttle spring cause its touchy in 4lo , got a part# for one from summit, it was about $7, they shipped it UPS and now its over $20 US but premium service it must be, well the canadian UPS guy shows up wanting another +20$ ...

it would have fit in an envelope for .50 cents

if I ever sell my jeep I am taking that spring off , its priceless ...

use US post whenever you can ... use UPS only if its a body organ and if their late you dont have to pay the bill anyway

Title: Re: Brokerage fees &^%&#@
Post by: wrenchead99 on October 29, 2009, 08:27:43 PM
I buy stuff from the states all the time.  Like I mean every week!!!  not cheap stuff either, I'm talkin like high end OTC tools, car dvd systems and stuff like that.  With usps/canada post, I rarely pay any brokerage and taxes on anything that comes up, and if i do the cost is minimal.  I just Had a pair of 9-inch headrest DVD players/monitors shipped to my door (cost was like 300 or so) and total owed for brokerage was like 20 bucks.  UPS charges a flat "brokerage" fee of 39.95 just for the pleasure of charging you ADDITIONAL brokerage and GST on everything!!!!! :o
Title: Re: Brokerage fees &^%&#@
Post by: esi on October 29, 2009, 09:51:18 PM
What brand of lights are they?
Title: Re: Brokerage fees &^%&#@
Post by: parabs on October 29, 2009, 10:06:49 PM
here is a link to another thread for a calgary based forum, it may have info relevant to what you want to do.

http://www.performance-shop.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=61287.0
Title: Re: Brokerage fees &^%&#@
Post by: sn4cktime on October 30, 2009, 12:17:38 AM
Can get a lot of stuff "shipped" through Northridge 4x4.  They have a store in Ponoka now.  Have to sometimes wait about a month between they're runs though.  Call David at the Dot Com address and he can hook you up.
Title: Re: Brokerage fees &^%&#@
Post by: NUXJR on October 30, 2009, 09:20:24 AM
What brand of lights are they?

Looks like I hit a nerve that is shared by many. :D

Thanks for all the input everyone. 

The lights in question are from Spyder Auto out of Industry, California.  Headlights, tail lights & fog lights.  Have a quote through Street Pros in Georgia for $364.24 including shipping(best pricing I have found anywhere, including ebay).  Asked about sending by USPS but they use UPS only($62.34 without brokerage).  I've tried to find a Canadian distributor but no luck.

http://www.spyderauto.com/19972004-dodge-dakota-19982003-dodge-durango-black-housing-halo-angel-eyes-projector-headlights-p-298.html?cPath=26_76_648_2681

http://www.spyderauto.com/20012004-dodge-dakota-20012003-dodge-durango-halo-angel-eyes-projector-lights-p-158.html?cPath=26_76_648_1746

http://www.spyderauto.com/19962000-dodge-caravan-black-housing-tail-lights-p-1220.html?cPath=26_76_77_640

If anyone knows who in Canada might deal with these guys, will be muchly appreciated if you share
Title: Re: Brokerage fees &^%&#@
Post by: WhiteOut on October 30, 2009, 09:52:01 AM
When do you need them?  My sister is in the US for school and is home mid-december.  if they are shipped to her and then brought home as either a gift or "used parts" it might work.
Title: Re: Brokerage fees &^%&#@
Post by: NUXJR on October 30, 2009, 10:14:39 AM
When do you need them?  My sister is in the US for school and is home mid-december.  if they are shipped to her and then brought home as either a gift or "used parts" it might work.

Thanks for the offer.  I have had the same thought but kinda needing them sooner than later(especially the headlights).
Title: Re: Brokerage fees &^%&#@
Post by: WhiteOut on October 30, 2009, 10:25:47 AM
I wonder if her simply resending them from school would work?
Title: Re: Brokerage fees &^%&#@
Post by: NUXJR on October 30, 2009, 12:44:55 PM
Tried ebay?  Didn't compare prices, but these guys ship to Canada, granted probably via UPS...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/97-04-DODGE-DAKOTA-HALO-BLK-PRO-HEADLIGHTS-98-99-00-01_W0QQitemZ200399351911QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20091028?IMSfp=TL0910281910006r6601 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/97-04-DODGE-DAKOTA-HALO-BLK-PRO-HEADLIGHTS-98-99-00-01_W0QQitemZ200399351911QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20091028?IMSfp=TL0910281910006r6601)

Thanks for the heads up Pat!!  I can get to ebay on the work computer but restricted from doing anything past that >:(.  Looks like this seller has all 3 items...sweet!  The shipping is UPS but I can't put all 3 items together to see what the combined shipping might cost.  Do you have access/time to check that out?

Thanks Tink!!
Title: Re: Brokerage fees &^%&#@
Post by: esi on October 30, 2009, 08:10:15 PM
I'll get a hold of a couple of distibutors that I use and see if they carry them. I think one of the distributors does, if its the same company that came out with the spider LED replacement bulbs that have withs that fold out when you put them into a lense a while back. If it is the same company, I can get them along with any crappy tire, national, and a few other places. Some places don't have a clue of all the products that they can actually get.


But I won't be able to get  a hold of them till monday :(
Title: Re: Brokerage fees &^%&#@
Post by: NUXJR on November 01, 2009, 01:32:26 AM
Thanks for the offers to help guys ;).  Just for giggles I'm gunna get on ebay to see what I can figure out but I'd still prefer to deal with someone in Canada.  Will let ya know how it goes.
Title: Re: Brokerage fees &^%&#@
Post by: NUXJR on November 01, 2009, 09:04:57 AM
Crazy!!  A item that costs $106 US will cost $98 US to have shipped up.  The ebay seller that has what I want only ships UPS(starting to make me think they all have shares in UPS or something).  Totally silly :o.

ESI...if you gots some connections, please share.  Will be much appreciated ;).
Title: Re: Brokerage fees &^%&#@
Post by: NUXJR on November 04, 2009, 08:25:22 AM
I'll get a hold of a couple of distibutors that I use and see if they carry them. I think one of the distributors does, if its the same company that came out with the spider LED replacement bulbs that have withs that fold out when you put them into a lense a while back. If it is the same company, I can get them along with any crappy tire, national, and a few other places. Some places don't have a clue of all the products that they can actually get.


But I won't be able to get  a hold of them till monday :(

You had any luck yet?  I'm still exploring possibilities too :-\.