Fun with shipping from the UK

[newmexTR3]

I ordered a new wiring harness from the Rimmer Bros recently. While I was filling out the order online the form had a pull-down menu for titles. Besides the normal Mr.,Mrs, Ms, Dr, etc, they had some ones I had never seen. So I decided to have a little fun...

I forgot about it until my package showed up today. After cracking up, I told my wife she was free to address me by my new title:

 

[TR4]

And you wife's response was.......?

 

[newmexTR3]

And you wife's response was.......?

I'll let you know when my head wound heals.

 

[JodyFKerr]

And you wife's response was.......?

I'll let you know when my head wound heals.

Haven't learned to duck yet? How long have you been married? (*grin*)

 

[tomgt6]

My wife would be ok with that because she would then think she should be called Dutches. What would cause the real issue is the just buying something.

 

[angelfj1]

My wife would be ok with that because she would then think she should be called Dutches. What would cause the real issue is the just buying something.

Actually the correct title would be "Lady Rhodes". However, though not likely, a member of the House of Lords could also be a 'duke' and thus his wife a 'duchess', if he had the proper pedigree.

 

[tomgt6]

Oh, I never have understood all that stuff.

 

[angelfj1]

Oh, I never have understood all that stuff.

agree it gets very complicated!

 

[Geo Hahn]

I guess you thought selecting 'HRH' would be pushing it just a tad to far.

 

[guzzul]

No big deal, I have that title already.

My wife just rolls her eyes and says "oh good lord, Ross" to me all the time. Particularly when I start mumbling about getting yet another LBC....

 

[Tabcon]

I received a package from the UK yesterday and for the first time ever, the UPS guy made me write out a check to UPS for 25 bucks and change. He said it was a brokerage fee. I don't mind paying it, but it seems it should be included in the shipping charges or something.

Is this common?

 

[RobT]

Love it! I have to try that one.

I did gear the story of this British Earl who was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE). So he was an EarlOBE.

Rob.

 

[TR4nut]

I received a package from the UK yesterday and for the first time ever, the UPS guy made me write out a check to UPS for 25 bucks and change. He said it was a brokerage fee. I don't mind paying it, but it seems it should be included in the shipping charges or something.

I've bought quite a bit from the UK, and never had that one happen.

 

[14dna]

In Canada, there is an unwritten rule about using UPS.
This is because they charge brokerage fees for anything coming across the border. The cost of this service is very expensive.
I think this may be unique to UPS.

Dave

 

[HerronScott]

I just purchased some Triumph motorcycle badges and they shipped it via Royal Air Mail. Came amazingly fast (3 days) and no additional fees.

Scott

 

[guzzul]

I received a package from the UK yesterday and for the first time ever, the UPS guy made me write out a check to UPS for 25 bucks and change. He said it was a brokerage fee. I don't mind paying it, but it seems it should be included in the shipping charges or something.

Is this common?

Very common. I agree with Dave above. This happens to us also on shipments from the US (or UK) through UPS. The shipper usually is not aware there is an additional 'brokerage fee' paid at the destination. The thing is, with the NAFTA agreement in place more than 10 years now, there really aren't any customs duties on US shipments to Canada any more. UPS is paying itself $25 to print off a form of 'zeroes'.

One exception is shipments from BPNW in Oregon. BPNW understands this issue and has made some arrangement with UPS so we do NOT get additional charges at this end.

Other than with BPNW, I ask for shipment via USPS or Royal Mail.

 

[DNK]

Never had to pay that. UPS guy must have been short of lunch money