Eastern Canada - Performance Bicycle Shipping - a Heads Up!

I love Performance Bicycle. As a Canadian though, I was caught unaware of their exorbiant brokerage fees charged by FedEx. As an example, FedEx charges $28 to broker a $100 order. This brings a $100 order to around $160 after shipping, tariffs and the darn BROKERAGE FEE.



I talked to the nice folks at Performance Bicylce and they said that the will ship USPS. Typically, when shipments from the post office are under the $100 range, the post office doesn't collect the tariffs and when the do collect the tariffs, they don't charge a BROKERAGE FEE. The initial shipping cost will be a bit more than FedEx and will take a bit longer, but the savings are worth it.



FEDEX BROKERAGE FEE = HIGHWAY ROBBERY



Canflyboy

I work for UPS in their brokerage division, and I can fully verify that you are being ripped off every single time. A lot of this stuff doesn't even warrant customs/tariff duties, yet you're charged just the same.

Even I can't get around having to pay it, and its my job.

Never buy anything in the US that is shipped to Canada that is shipped via Fedex, DHL or UPS. All in my experience are skimming off the "brokerage" fee. Shipping via USPS/Canada Post is the best plan -- if there is a brokerage fee from my experience it is a flat $4.50. If your supplier can't or won't ship USPS just don't buy.

UPS is just as bad.

I try to make sure I have my US orders shipped USPS. I'm thinking brokerage fees are how the courier companies make their gravy $$

Check out my post in this thread: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=176053. It's at the end.

My issue is not brokerage charges/FedEx (I know I would get them if I chose FedEx) but the fact that I specifically selected "US Mail" at checkout and got FedEx. I called PB yesterday and they said they can't do anything about it. I told them I'm refusing the shipment, and they said thats fine and once it goes back to them they will refund. So if I don't get my full refund I'll obviously be calling the credit card company. The other thing that pissed me off was customer service suggesting that after I place my online order I should be calling them to verify it's going to ship USPS.... in my mind that's just ********, basiclly they are saying I should assume they are a bunch of morons and will make mistakes. My package is due to be delivered today, so we'll see what happens in the next few days. In any case, never ordering from PB again. I will order from US though because prices in Canada are just as much a robbery as brokerage charges.

Never buy anything in the US that is shipped to Canada that is shipped via Fedex, DHL or UPS. All in my experience are skimming off the "brokerage" fee. Shipping via USPS/Canada Post is the best plan -- if there is a brokerage fee from my experience it is a flat $4.50. If your supplier can't or won't ship USPS just don't buy.

I 99% agree with this comment. There are very few exceptions such as a complete wheel set for you car and really really big items.

This deserves repeating: "If your supplier can't or won't ship USPS just don't buy."

If you really needed to use UPS for some insane reason; you can call them and ask ahead of time what all the extra fees are going to be. Just so there are less surprises.

"If your supplier can't or won't ship USPS just don't buy."


+1



If you really needed to use UPS for some insane reason; you can call them and ask ahead of time what all the extra fees are going to be.

They'll tell you brokerage is $40+. So not much help there.

I love Performance Bicycle. As a Canadian though, I was caught unaware of their exorbiant brokerage fees charged by FedEx. As an example, FedEx charges $28 to broker a $100 order. This brings a $100 order to around $160 after shipping, tariffs and the darn BROKERAGE FEE.



I talked to the nice folks at Performance Bicylce and they said that the will ship USPS. Typically, when shipments from the post office are under the $100 range, the post office doesn't collect the tariffs and when the do collect the tariffs, they don't charge a BROKERAGE FEE. The initial shipping cost will be a bit more than FedEx and will take a bit longer, but the savings are worth it.



FEDEX BROKERAGE FEE = HIGHWAY ROBBERY



Canflyboy

You've learned it the same way I did, ship USPS from U.S to canada, ONLY.

I believe that if you were to use a higher level/faster level of service such as Air then you'd avoid brokerage at UPS.

^^^^ Nope...that will increase the shipping rate, and the brokerage will be the same.

Trust me, we're con artists. No lie.

In my experience shipping via ground cost me big in brokerage fees where shipping it USPS 1st class, by air (I guess), did not. So even though it cost more, without the brokerage fee it ended up being faster and less expensive. My items were under 1 Kg small packages.

YMMV

Echoing the pro-USPS in this thread. On cheap stuff I pay nothing and even on expensive you only end up paying about the equivalent of tax. I only shop where I can get USPS shipping.

Buy local.

Actually, some services include brokerage (just not taxes) - for example UPS Expedited includes the brokerage fee in the shipping cost. In some cases I have found UPS Expedited to be cheaper than USPS, so it is worth comparing.

If you're a Canadian buying parts online, the UK is a better choice than US sites. The current exchange rate is more favourable & shipping charges are less. ProBikeKit has free shipping to Canada at the moment. Wait time is about the same. For under C$20, ChainReactionCycle will get your order to you in about a week with orders over C$275 shipping free.
Checking the LBS before going online is an option now as well. A lot of stock for Spring '09 was commited when the C$ was above par, the best deal to be had might be local plus you'll be supporting your hometown cycling community.

I believe that if you were to use a higher level/faster level of service such as Air then you'd avoid brokerage at UPS.

This is correct. If you choose an expedited service (faster than Standard UPS ground), brokerage is included in the cost of shipping. The only charge you will get when UPS delivers your package is the GST on your parts.

Everyone rags on UPS, and while yes I agree, the brokerage they do charge on standard ground is ridiculous, but if you avoid that, they are quite good. Every time I have used their faster services I have got all my packages on time, with no additional charges.

I have used this method from Universal Cycles, and Jenson (before they switched to FedEx). I have also confirmed with UPS employees. So if you try to save money with UPS ground, don't be surprised when you get hit with a $30 dollar brokerage.

In all other circumstances I just use USPS. Problem with USPS I find is their tracking system sucks, and once its in the hands of Canada Post, there is no telling when its going to come. I had a frame come from California, took 3 weeks, and 7 days of that was the package sitting in a Canada Post depot 10 minutes from my house waiting to clear customs.

Yup - I've asked some companies if they will ship to Canada via USPS. If the answer is no, we only ship UPS, I reply. OK thank you, I will be ordering from someone else.

So basically another +1 post.

just buy or order from your local bike shop and avoid the hassle.

FYI, the information pertaining to Jenson USA in this thread is incorrect.

Jenson ships to Canada using FedEx International Priority. This service includes all brokerage charges.

The price shown at checkout is the price you will pay, it includes all brokerage, import duty, and GST/PST. There is nothing due at delivery when you shop with Jenson USA for delivery to Canada.

If you have any questions, give us a call.

Thanks!

Justin Christopher
Jenson USA

FYI, the information pertaining to Jenson USA in this thread is incorrect.

Jenson ships to Canada using FedEx International Priority. This service includes all brokerage charges.

The price shown at checkout is the price you will pay, it includes all brokerage, import duty, and GST/PST. There is nothing due at delivery when you shop with Jenson USA for delivery to Canada.

If you have any questions, give us a call.

Thanks!

Justin Christopher
Jenson USA

FTR I said Jenson USED to ship with UPS. Jenson has a great system for shopping in Canada with the "to your door pricing" within the store. Unfortunately I find Jenson lacks the selection I need, but they are usually my first choice if they do have the stuff I am looking for.