I hate UPS / Who is Best Hop supplier to Canada

[ChickenSoop]

Who is the best hop supplier to Canada, that does NOT ship UPS? Local Canadian supply is a waste of time if you want a good selection when it's time.

I just bought a bunch of hops from the USA and UPS charged me an equal additional amount in 'secret' fees. I paid $60 in hops and then I paid $56 in UPS special hidden fees.

I hate UPS. I feel like they just robbed me every time I deal with them.

 

[Bokonon]

I believe that Austin Homebrew will ship via USPS even though it isn't listed as an option on their website.

 

[gtg644w]

you are in luck. there is a new seller only selling to Canada, he posted in the Vender Showcase. People say he has good hop prices.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f41/expertbrewers-com-new-online-canadian-store-73693/

David

 

[bradsul]

you are in luck. there is a new seller only selling to Canada, he posted in the Vender Showcase. People say he has good hop prices.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f41/expertbrewers-com-new-online-canadian-store-73693/

David

I would read through the thread before I ordered from them. They don't seem to be in business anymore. +1 to Austin Homebrew, just set the order for pickup in store, then put in the comments you want it shipped by USPS instead.

 

[albannach]

Who is the best hop supplier to Canada, that does NOT ship UPS? Local Canadian supply is a waste of time if you want a good selection when it's time.

I just bought a bunch of hops from the USA and UPS charged me an equal additional amount in 'secret' fees. I paid $60 in hops and then I paid $56 in UPS special hidden fees.

I hate UPS. I feel like they just robbed me every time I deal with them.

What fees did they invent to charge you $56? Did the package label list the correct weight, was it in cardboard, and what was the length, width, and height of the package?

I work at UPS in what they call "revenue recovery", (more like revenue creation) I might be able figure out why they charged so much, usually they bill the shipper not the destination.

 

[BeerCanuck]

There is homebrewersretail that is based in Whitby, Ontario. There is a older thread in the Canadian Homebrewers of HBT group Online and LHBS - Lets start a list! as well.

Cheers
BeerCanuck

 

[ChickenSoop]

What fees did they invent to charge you $56? Did the package label list the correct weight, was it in cardboard, and what was the length, width, and height of the package?

I work at UPS in what they call "revenue recovery", (more like revenue creation) I might be able figure out why they charged so much, usually they bill the shipper not the destination.

It's supposed to be duty free, but they UPs charged me $1.05 duty, then charged me $45.55 for a brokerage fee, plus add $8.94 GSt on the goods, plus $2.28 GST on the brokerage fee. ($1.05 duty was on the $5.32 malt in the shipment)

$57.87 total to UPS 'special' fees for a declared value of $73.43.
Total craziness.

This is not the first time UPS has hit me with these special fees.
UPS does not like Canada.

 

[ChickenSoop]

Anyways thanks all for the links to potential suppliers. Maybe I'll try the USPS approach too.

Sorry for the ramble on UPS.

Not to rag on UPS, but I hate dealing with them.
UPS Canaidian service stinks...

 

[albannach]

Those are just ridiculously overpriced customs brokerage fees, you'd think UPS had a lawyer get your stuff through customs. If you try USPS make sure you pay for the insurance since it's not included.

 

[Austinhomebrew]

I would read through the thread before I ordered from them. They don't seem to be in business anymore. +1 to Austin Homebrew, just set the order for pickup in store, then put in the comments you want it shipped by USPS instead.

Actually don't set the order to be picked up in store. It will sit on a shelf waiting for you to walk in if you do that. Just mention USPS in the comments section.

Forrest

 

[ChickenSoop]

Thanks.

I use USPS all the time where I can, probably 100x a year. Perfect service, nothing ever lost or broken. I trust them such that I don't bother with insurance any more. I'd rather see a tracking number than insurance.

 

[Jeffro]

I'm mostly here to take a big swig off that jug of UPS Hatorade.

I live about 20 miles south of Seattle and about 140 miles north of Portland. I wonder WHY my pakage from Northern Brewer was in Seattle last Wed... and now it's in Portland. AND it's been sitting in Portland since Thurs night!

I ALWAYS pick USPS if it's an option.

BTW... Freshops.com ships USPS... I can order from them on Sunday and have my stuff by Thurs.

 

[ChickenSoop]

Actually don't set the order to be picked up in store. It will sit on a shelf waiting for you to walk in if you do that. Just mention USPS in the comments section.

Forrest

Thanks for your help. I am stocked up for my next 2 receipes, but I'll give you guys at Austin a shout for my next order. I was originally considering Austin HomeBrewers, but ended up buying closer, and then wound up with that UPS Canadian extortion fee.

 

[bradsul]

Actually don't set the order to be picked up in store. It will sit on a shelf waiting for you to walk in if you do that. Just mention USPS in the comments section.

Forrest

Good to know, I was just going by your original instructions back when you offered it as an option.

 

[Brewer_Steve]

I can't contribute anything to help you find suppliers in Canada, but I also wanted to say that I hate UPS more than Coors Light. Shipping from the US to Canada via UPS has more than doubled the cost of many items due to their ridiculous brokerage fees. I can't tell you how mad they've made me in the past.

I have found a solution though. I'm not sure if it'll work for you ChickenSoop...
I live close to the US border and actually go there frequently. Instead of getting something from the US shipped to my house in Canada, I ship it to a UPS store just on the other side of the border. UPS is actually reasonable for shipping within the US, so I don't get hit with their silly brokerage and other fees. It takes me about an hour, it costs me about $5 in bridge toll fees and the UPS store charges me $5 to pick up the package, but it's well worth it to not have to deal with the retardation of shipping UPS to my house.

 

[ChickenSoop]

I have found a solution though. I'm not sure if it'll work for you ChickenSoop...

I live close to the US border and actually go there frequently. Instead of getting something from the US shipped to my house in Canada, I ship it to a UPS store just on the other side of the border.

I think if USPS/Canada Post can deliver to my door, I'll be far ahead instead of using UPS. That is premium service.

If I want to be robbed, I will go downtown and find a hoodlem to rob me, rather than volunterally handing my money over to UPS, so I can obtain something I already paid for.

 

[bradsul]

I think if USPS/Canada Post can deliver to my door, I'll be far ahead instead of using UPS. That is premium service.

If I want to be robbed, I will go downtown and find a hoodlem to rob me, rather than volunterally handing my money over to UPS, so I can obtain something I already paid for.

USPS worked great for me from Austin Homebrew. It only took about 3 days longer than UPS (so 7 business days instead of 4). But the kicker was that customs was only ~$5.00 on a ~$75 order (paid at the postoffice at time of pickup). The first time I ordered from them was only ~$33 (USD) via UPS and UPS charged me an additional ~$24 (CAD) extortion fee at my front door (this was on top of the $9 (USD) shipping charge).

 

[ChickenSoop]

USPS worked great for me from Austin Homebrew. It only took about 3 days longer than UPS (so 7 business days instead of 4). But the kicker was that customs was only ~$5.00 on a ~$75 order (paid at the postoffice at time of pickup). The first time I ordered from them was only ~$33 (USD) via UPS and UPS charged me an additional ~$24 (CAD) extortion fee at my front door (this was on top of the $9 (USD) shipping charge).

I agree. I will pay what is fair - taxes, duty.... But I will not use UPS again and pay their extortion fee. I wish our USA suppliers could understand our pain in dealing with UPS.

My guess is that UPS is so successful in the USA, they can use their weight to bully Canada into paying these rediculus fees.

And the USA will not investigate UPS criminal activity in Canada, and here in Canada, its, 'ohhh wellll'.

 

[blue800]

I moved to Vancouver about 3 years ago from Illinois, and it is my understanding that Canadians prefer to pay more for everything. Cars, books, shipping, flying, gas, cheese, beer (12 pack costs $25...you have no excuses to buy BMC because microbrews cost the same), etc...

sorry for the hijack.

 

[ChickenSoop]

I moved to Vancouver about 3 years ago from Illinois, and it is my understanding that Canadians prefer to pay more for everything. Cars, books, shipping, flying, gas, cheese, beer (12 pack costs $25...you have no excuses to buy BMC because microbrews cost the same), etc...

sorry for the hijack.

ha - healthcare is free...... if you don't mind the 3 month wait to check your tumors out, or the 12 hour wait in emergency while supporting your busted arm .....

 

[Brewer_Steve]

I think if USPS/Canada Post can deliver to my door, I'll be far ahead instead of using UPS. That is premium service.

If I want to be robbed, I will go downtown and find a hoodlem to rob me, rather than volunterally handing my money over to UPS, so I can obtain something I already paid for.

USPS is also my preference, but unfortunately many vendors will only ship UPS. Oh well.

 

[TJ-Bill]

I'm my expirence anything shipped by UPS thats under $100 is normally double by the time it gets to your Door...

I have had pretty good luck with USPS, and won't order anything from the US unless it's shipped using them.

I have a friend that works for UPS here in Canada and he once told me that it's actually cheaper to ship AIR with UPS then it is Ground. I think he said they waive the Brokerage fees when you ship Air.. I'll have to ask him again..

 

[shaundesjardins]

ha - healthcare is free...... if you don't mind the 3 month wait to check your tumors out, or the 12 hour wait in emergency while supporting your busted arm .....

Let's try and keep this on topic.
I'm not in the mood for the typical US/Canada healthcare debate.

Thanks.

 

[FlyGuy]

Don't get me going on a UPS rant. My WORST story is that UPS once shipped a replacement part from Cabelas (a $19 hand pump for an inflatable boat) and charged me $30 in brokerage. I had already told my wife not to pay anything when they showed up, because it is UPS POLICY to not charge brokerage for items under $20 nor is their any brokerage effort required for warranty replacement items. I got home to find out the UPS guy was so belligerent about the charge that she paid it just to get their pitbull off our doorstep. Of course, I was pissed and called to get a refund, and they just refused to even hear my complaint (they apparently get TONS of complaints about their hidden and ridiculous brokerage fees).

Anyways, I have learned to ONLY buy from the US if it can be shipped USPS or pre-brokered (e.g., "border-free" shopping). Good shops (not necessarily for hops though) are Morebeer.com, Austin Homebrew, Homebrew Adventures/Alternative Beverage, Freshops, and Hops Direct.

 

[ChickenSoop]

Let's try and keep this on topic.
I'm not in the mood for the typical US/Canada healthcare debate.

Thanks.

No prob, no insult intended ... I was not playing up the free service, but being sarcastic on our free, but crappy service.

 

[Homercidal]

Wow, that really sucks. I have shipped automotive parts to Canada via UPS and skids of that stuff hardly cost less than that in brokerage fees. Someone should investigate why they can charge so much for small items.

 

[FlyGuy]

Wow, that really sucks. I have shipped automotive parts to Canada via UPS and skids of that stuff hardly cost less than that in brokerage fees. Someone should investigate why they can charge so much for small items.

This topic has come up before, and I would swear that someone previously mentioned a class action lawsuit against UPS for these unjustified brokerage fees. Does that ring a bell with anyone? It really is almost criminal what they charge, especially since it is essentially a hidden fee.

 

[ChickenSoop]

Lots of lawyer talk, the UPS-Canada problem is ugly and widespread, but looks like no action so far. UPS will continue to rip everyone off until they are forced to stop and account for their criminal action.

google : ups class action
UPS/FedEx National Class Actions
Poyner Baxter - Class Action Lawyers in Vancouver British Columbia Canada
United Parcel Service Canada | Class Action Toronto

The simplest way to fix this is just to try to avoid UPS.

 

[Helms]

Are the quoted UPS shipping rates on the Austin Homebrew Supplies checkout page, the same rates that will be charged when Canadians have orders shipped via USPS? I was playing around with it and it seems that there is a minumum fee of $16.35 no matter how small the item is (one airlock, or one pack of 60 bottle caps).

 

[Philip1993]

As a seller who gets burned by this as well, I can shed a little light.

First, some of that is ripoff "brokerage" fees and some is duty/taxes. I'd say about 85/15 in general. And it does appear that USPS gets a significant break on duty/taxes charges for small consumer goods. So even if you remove the ripoff fee's it's more advantageous to use USPS.

Second, the seller has no way to know what those fees are until the customer calls complaining. I can guesstimate that one average they will be $25-30 USD (plus duty/tax) but that doesn't include exchange rates, which vary widely.

Also, the seller can elect to be billed for the "brokerage" fees. Presumably this is to allow shippers to charge those fees before the sale, but why would you ever do that without knowing the amount due upon completion.

So why ship UPS at all? For starters, USPS tracking SUCKS ROCKS. About 35% of domestic tracking has zero data, and 100% of international has no data. UPS on the other hand tracks 100% door-to-door.

To make it worse, USPS shipments are not insured and even if you pay extra for insurance they do not pay out until AFTER they have determined it is lost forever. Which can take months on an international shipment. UPS, on the other hand checks tracking info, runs a tracer, pays the claim.

Also, USPS flip-flops between picking up international and requiring it to go to a post office to be accepted. Some days it goes just fine, others it sits around for a few days before being returned to you with a note. Whether or not it goes out or not depends on the carrier, their supervisor, the local postmaster, the local airport office, and homeland security. If any one of those changes (or has a substitute) your packages may be returned to you.

Finally, USPS will not carry any material labeled as ORM-D. This includes any aerosol product, combustibles (like pump hair spray or nailpolish), etc. Which means that a large portion of consumer goods must travel via UPS or not at all. For us, it affects about 30% of our product catalog.

That said, I agree that UPS to Canada sucks for sellers and buyers. But USPS isn't any joy for sellers either. If anyone can come up with an good alternative that solves the above problems, please PM me.