Canadians buying on airstream.com store

[Mackhopp]

Originally Posted by adore

For the information of Canadians buying from airstream.com (store). Here is the message I have received from the store regarding their use of UPS as their carrier for shipping:
"We do offer US Postal Service as an option for shipping. There is a comment box on the order form where you can request USPS. Other wise we automatically ship UPS as that is our authorized distributor. We are working with UPS to see if we can’t do something different for our Canadian friends. We are sorry for the confusion all this as caused we are aware and are looking in to solving the problem. Sincerely, Jean"

You know - I like straight shooting when it comes to dealing with people. And this isn't the case. They do not offer United States Postal Service as an option for shipping to Canada. So the above canned response is a classic scramble.

I just did a fake order on their website and took a screen shot. I'm not sure if it'll show up, but in the Shipping Method section it very plainly states: "This is currently the only shipping method available to use on this order." Then it gives various UPS options, ranging from $13.98 to $114.63 for ONE t-shirt.

So based on what I see as a consumer, I simply won't assume that I can add some comments for them to use USPS - I have to choose one of the supplied UPS selections, or else my order process won't continue.

In my opinion, there's nothing wrong in saying "I didn't know", then adapting and changing tactics to rectify something, if you want it fixed. But I don't like blurring of facts to avoid saying that something could have been done better.

[ArtStream]

Just to follow-up.
I just sent 3 tee shirt's "Priority Mail" USPS from AZ, to Ontario, CN for $9.00, US.

First class would have been less.

Michael

[love vintage]

We have '61 Chevy and a '75 Argosy. For several years, ordered products from the States, via USPS and Canada Post - never a problem.

In future, will not purchase products from those who do not offer this method of shipping.

[pdq1203]

Like many of you, I too learned the hard way - I will never buy something from an American vendor that uses UPS.

UPS makes a significant dollar from their services - so good for them. I do not need to support them. (you cannot change anyone but yourself)

Some vendors do offer an alternative(s). I will but from such vendors. My experience is that the United States Postal Service is EXCELLENT and very reasonable. I have had the same experience with the Canadian Postal Service.

And like Sergei notes; "UPS thinks their customer is AIRSTREAM, not you. They won’t even know they are losing business until their customers start to tell them." I say; Let Airstream know. As well, challenge any company on whether or not they offer an alternative.

Like so many things in life, we learn from our "mistakes". For me; I will never buy something from a vendor that uses UPS.

regards, peter

[briandg]

I ordered from airstream a small amount of goods to be sent to Alaska. In the comment box I stated that I wanted them to use USPO to save me money on shipping. I Know that they say on the shipping page that they only use UPS but guess what, They said fine we will ship to you by the post office and refund what was overcharged on you credit card when we have the Post Office shipping. They ask that I come and visit them when I have time and thanks for the order. They shipped by the USPO.

[Mackhopp]

Originally Posted by briandg

I ordered from airstream a small amount of goods to be sent to Alaska. In the comment box I stated that I wanted them to use USPO to save me money on shipping. I Know that they say on the shipping page that they only use UPS but guess what, They said fine we will ship to you by the post office and refund what was overcharged on you credit card when we have the Post Office shipping. They ask that I come and visit them when I have time and thanks for the order. They shipped by the USPO.

Good news!

Now they should change their checkout process to clearly indicate the choices available for shipping.

Guess they didn't like me as much 'cause I didn't get an invitation for a visit!!

[SmokelessJoe]

As I learned when importing my SPRINTER tow vehicle from the USA, things like the Auto Pact or NAFTA are really not about open and free trade so much as they are mechanisms used by major industries and the governments that serve them to REGULATE TRADE.

You can fairly easily import a vehicle from the USA but the government tries to make it look more difficult than it is, hoping to dissuade you.

In the age of the internet, the brokerage business, once serving mainly commercial importers, has found the individual consumer a very lucrative opportunity.

Governments like it too. They get their PST/GST while citizens are persuaded to go back to buying in Canada.

(When you end up with brokerage fees that eat up all the money you thought you saved by buying in the USA, you think twice about it the next time).

That unfair slap on the wrist is bad enough but it’s worse when you want to buy things not available in Canada, like from the Airstream Store.

In that or any other case, use the postal service.

Sergei

[briandg]

My last post on this. When my stuff from Airstream got here, Here being Alaska, on a island, it got here by the USPO for a bit over ten dollars. The ups cost was 48 dollars. Thank-you airstream store for using the USPO when we ask for it.

[cameront120]

Originally Posted by briandg

My last post on this. When my stuff from Airstream got here, Here being Alaska, on a island, it got here by the USPO for a bit over ten dollars. The ups cost was 48 dollars. Thank-you airstream store for using the USPO when we ask for it.

Does this mean that UPS is charging a brokerage fee for deliveries to Alaska?

[SmokelessJoe]

I received Baby Moon hubcaps and wheel trim from Hubcap Mike in California today.

Besides the expected Federal and Provincial sales taxes there was a duty charge of only $5.35.

The Canada Post handling fee was only $8.00.

In the process of ordering I happened to speak to Mike personally. He was very aware of the exorbitant “brokerage” rates charged by the courier companies and didn’t need any prompting from me to ship USPS.

As a matter of fact his web site spells out that shipments to Canada go USPS/ Canada Post.

Hubcap Mike Return Policy


Sergei

[cameront120]

I ordered my Atwood water heater on ebay and the seller was very obliging in shipping USPS. I only payed provincial sales tax and GST when it arrived.