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annoying Parcelforce

PostPosted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:17 am
by dsc
Hi everyone,

so I finally got my TMFR pump from the US, sent with Global Express it got here in less than 3 days which is impressive to say the least. The parcel has a tracking number which can be used both on the USPS website and the Parcelforce website to see what's going on with it. Currently it's sitting in Customs Office, awaiting charges apparently, even thought I'm pretty sure it's simply waiting for someone from Parcelforce to pick it up. Now I've heard different stories about Parcelforce, but personally never had a problem with them which looks like might change now. The parcel is sitting at the Customs Office for quite a while now, arrived there on the 30th August and it's still there even though it's already the 2nd of September. I called the Gatwick depot were it should arrive and they say it's still in Customs and there's nothing they can do. The things I'm worried about are:

- it will be sitting there for the next few days

- the guaranteed delivery date was 2nd of September and there's no way it will delivered today

- in the end I will have to pay the stupid 13.50£ fee to Parcelforce for delivering me the freakin' parcel even though it's late

Now what really annoys me is the fee and the fact the guaranteed date is worth nothing. I've found this thread:

http://www.moneysupermarket.com/communi ... ageIndex=1

which sort of says they have no right to hold the parcel if I refuse to pay the fee. I mean I can pay VAT, that's fine with me (well not really, but I was prepared for it), but the fee is a bit over the top, considering how long it takes for them to get the parcel delivered.

USPS states that the delivery date is guaranteed or your money back and I'm curious if this situation is covered by that. I mean they did deliver the parcel to the UK in time, but it doesn't really count as 'Delivered' until I have it in my hands right?

Regards,
dsc.

RE: annoying Parcelforce

PostPosted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 4:08 pm
by motoman
You think the Post Office is ripping you off, you should see how UPS do it. I had a parcel from the US by UPS. Not only do they charge for the US side if the business they also do the Customs VAT and Import Duty charge with their commission, they then add a bit more for the UK end of it. No wonder thay can afford to have those silly brown vans custom made.

USPS tracking is very good, my last parcel was in the UK within three days, it took the Post office another four days to notify me by post. I paid for it over the phone then had to wait another 2 days for it to get from Shrewsbury to Bridgnorth (13 miles). Do I feel sorry for the P.O's financial problems? Do I $&*%

I now only order items that can come by USPS or better still, if not in a hurry, by snail mail. I used to get my green coffee that way. Unfortunately less and less firms will post that way.

RE: annoying Parcelforce

PostPosted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 6:09 pm
by dsc
Hi Pete,

I was afraid UPS would be even more expensive that's why I choose USPS. I have nothing against the US Post Office, they usually deliver stuff very fast and their tracking is indeed very good. It's the UK side that can't get their act together.

The most annoying thing is that's it's no ones fault, Parcelforce will say they couldn't deliver the parcel faster as Customs was holding it, Customs will probably say they are understaffed and can't handle all the parcels very efficiently and USPS will say they delivered the parcel in 3 days and that it's the UK couriers fault. Of course none of changes the fact that I still haven't got the item and will still have to pay 13.5GBP to Parcelforce even though the package will get delivered after the guaranteed delivery date.

Regards,
dsc.

PostPosted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:13 pm
by JulieJayne
Heh, maybe it i not the fault of Parcelforce. I am in Holland, and packages from the US via USPS get to airport, fly across the pond, then stop dead in Schipol Customs, sometimes for weeks. Once they escape customs or, if as happens occassionally that, they miss Customs, then TNT (local version of Parcelforce) delivers within 48 hours.

I never trust Customs :evil:

PostPosted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:31 pm
by dsc
Hi Julie,

actually you might be right, although the last time I was charged by Customs it all went really fast. I'm guessing that was because the box had proper documents from Intelligentsia and this time it was my friend from the US sending something and there's only his value declaration. The annoying bit is that I'm going to Italy next week and I might not be here to pay the charges and receive the parcel (I'm worried that it will get sent back)

Regards,
dsc.

re

PostPosted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 1:33 pm
by dsc
Hi again,

unfortunately it happened again wrrr!! :evil: I'm seriously furious.

Ordered a pair of Mazzer burrs from the US, paid £38 for it incl. shipping by USPS, first class international post. Got a card today that said I have to pay £13 in order to get the freaking parcel. I thought that's a bit steep, it can't be VAT alone as that would only cost roughly £5. Started thinking and googling and the answer is simple: handling fee. RM charges £8 for everything that was stamped with VAT/import duty.

Daylight robbery:|

Regards,
dsc.

PostPosted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 4:32 pm
by motoman
So your total cost for the burrs was around £50.00

I got a set of genuine Mazzer factory burrs for £25.00 including postage from Coffee Hit. I saw them priced in the US for $40.00 before delivery cost and the Parcel Force hit must have left you groaning on the deck.

Re: re

PostPosted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 5:32 pm
by GreenBean
dsc wrote:Hi again,

unfortunately it happened again wrrr!! :evil: I'm seriously furious.

Ordered a pair of Mazzer burrs from the US, paid £38 for it incl. shipping by USPS, first class international post. Got a card today that said I have to pay £13 in order to get the freaking parcel. I thought that's a bit steep, it can't be VAT alone as that would only cost roughly £5. Started thinking and googling and the answer is simple: handling fee. RM charges £8 for everything that was stamped with VAT/import duty.

Daylight robbery:|

Regards,
dsc.

It seems to be a lottery. I have ordered many things, including new Mazzer burrs but have not been asked to pay duty/VAT or additional charges even though they are clearly due.

re

PostPosted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 8:17 pm
by dsc
Hi guys,

yeah I agree it is a lottery, I got packages before totally free of charges, it just seems like they are tightening up the checks and trying to get more money.

Pete were those Mazzer Major burrs? because they cost almost twice as much as normal Mazzer Mini burrs and quite a bit more than SJ burrs. Currently CH has only titanium coated ones for 150GBP:O

Regards,
dsc.

RE: re

PostPosted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 9:43 pm
by motoman
Just checked the invoice, they are genuine Mazzer Mini E factory burrs, around £20.00 plus a fiver postage. All plastic wrapped in Mazzer logo paper.

There are cheaper non factory ones knocking about but a review from the US does not consider them as well made.