An education on how Fedex does business - a little off topic

[Gerard]

Gerard, if you order from ESM, they use TNT for overseas shipments. I've received Moggie parts in as little as 72 hrs. Keep each chunk under 2K$ and avoid duty hassles. They have everything Bull Motif has with better shipping.

Hi Glen,

ESM is where I ordered. They have been migrating from Parcel Force to TNT because, accorded to one of my contacts, PF back bills them at higher rates than they have been quoted. I once received a package via TNT and they not only add duty, they tack on several "handling charges". Long story short, the additional charges from TNT exceed the quoted shipping cost, essentially doubling the cost for shipping. Duty should not be charged on these auto parts, and they know it. How do I know? When I called them, they agreed it was in error and canceled the charges. However, other people I know who I have advised of this fact inform me that TNT continues to charge duty, and will no longer reverse the charges if they are called on it. After this incident, and because I have done so much business with ESM, they have always accommodated me and used Parcel Force instead, but this time they would not. They referred me to the shipper I used, and they were using FedEx at the time as their carrier to the US. I suspect since FedEx located my box, and that it was transported to the "repacking department" to then be overnight express shipped to me -(they opened my box to ID it) I suspect that when they observed the value of the contents (packing list invoice), someone decided to "bury it" and was probably stolen by an employee. I don't know how it could be lost twice at the same location!?!?

Packaging considerations were made by ESM to put all that stuff in one box.

FedEx continues to stall by claiming it is "still being investigated". They deny the damage claim on the other items, stating the (manufacturer's) packing is at fault. Last time I ordered the same item, the boxes arrived undamaged.

Shipper refuses to reimburse me until FedEx reimburses them.

I may have to resort to disputing the charges vis my credit card company, but I'm certain that will burn ALL the bridges, so trying to give it a little more time.

 

[Glen Byrns]

Lesley and I went to ESM this fall on our last England/Scotland trip. Met the staff, talked cars, fingered the parts. Very cool and memorable