If there were fees owning for clearances, Fed Ex should
not have released the package to him.
That's where shipping collect is a good idea.
GST (7%) on $170 ($212C) is about $15.
So Fed Ex is charging $40US for clearances? GOUGERS!
If the paperwork was in order (MA forms, triplicate
invoices, etc.) it should have been trivial to clear it.

And if the customer refuses to pay, he gets no warrantee
or support because GST and clearances are HIS responsibility
and having NOT paid them, you are still owner of the goods.

So much for the "Free Trade Agreement". Seems to only work
in one direction.

Robert

David Schmidt wrote:

> Just have to vent here.
> Customer in Canada bought an item from me back in dec of 2004 for $170.  I
> shipped per his request via Fedex Ground, $10.50 shipping, he receives item
> ~ a week later.
> 
> Yesterday I get a letter from Fedex saying that I am responsible for the GST
> and brokerage fees for that shipment because they couldn't collect from him
> and per their agreement 'the sender is responsible for these fees if they
> cannot collect from the recipient".
> 
> So now I may be stuck with a $50.00 charge!
> How the heck does one protect oneself from this?  Always ship USPS?  Never
> prepare shipping documents online or use your own pre-printed account labels
> so the shipper cannot come back at you?
> 
> This really ruined my day yesterday.  I emailed the customer but have yet to
> hear from him.
> 
> Dave
> 
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