Don't let him send it UPS declared as 'automotive parts'! UPS will screw you up the arse.

I talked to him on the phone and I expresseed my concern about sending it UPS and the brokerage fees. He assured me there would be no problems since he was declaring them automotive parts. Well for my $200 spent on the lifters I now have a bill from UPS for $75.76!

Using UPS the taxes ($40) are only nulled if declared 'warantee replacements'. And the $45 brokerage fee is only waved if sent by air and declared 'warantee replacements'. He sent it ground.

I really enjoy having a 38% after charge on my fracking lifters

I aready called up UPS and told them they can frack themselves with a milk truck before I'll ever use them again.

Dave was nice and dealing with him was great... so I'm sure this was just a case of ignorance on his part.

Maybe that's a bit harsh. If you do order it from him get him to send it regular USPS (snail mail). At least you'll save the $45 UPS brokerage fee since USPS brokerage fees are paid by tax payers.

Dealing with Dave was great otherwise so I still recommend him for anyone in the States... just outside of the States you should be aware of the above.

Does Dave work at a dealership or what? Where does he get his parts from? I suppose it doesn't really matter, just curious I guess.

Oh yeah, I guess I should ask the really important question: how are the lifters? Are they the "true" new style with the big hole on top?

It's not a dealership it's a jobber I think. I haven't seen my lifters yet since I wasn't home to accecpt them .

This link will answer all your questions: http://www.dsmtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?s=0e90e329068606c33080b281c0e7465b&threadid=42413

Sorry to hear that Mike, hopefully they will still be worth the price!

The real lesson here is never use UPS ground.

I learned this lesson the hard way as well, except that it was on about $2000 worth of parts from RRE (who was only willing to ship UPS Ground) so I got hit even worse.

The problem is that USPS seems more prone to "misplacing" things (happened to me twice) and doesn't come with any tracking / insurance unless specifically requested (which most people/vendors always seem to forget about)

There is some discussion about the brokerage issue and which shipping companies include it in the 1000qs for those that are interested.

Jeff, I'm interested in knowing how much brokerage were you charged on $2000 worth of parts. I recently had $2300 worth of parts sent from RRE via UPS Ground, and the brokerage fee was $50 (any brokerage charge sucks, but I didn't consider it too bad considering the value of the shipment). So why does Mike have to pay $45 brokerage on a $200 set of lifters...? I really don't understand how those fees are calculated.

UPS Brokeage flat fee is about $35 to $40 (don't remember exactly). That ain't too bad if you are buying a big part but it suck the big one if you are only getting a "Bag of Peanuts"...

I've been Buying/Selling online for the past four years and I still have to explain to the "Mericans" why I don't want them to ship stuff across the border using UPS. Some understand some don't...

UPS is a greath service for them but a few of these USA Dudes/Dudettes are or have dealth with us or understand XBorder shopping. Some are thick some aren't...

Some of these Sellers might also be dealing only with one Carrier because it is easyer/convenient for them... Remember we are only 10% of their polulation and don't have as much buying power as they do so we are a small part of their market... Some care some don't...

Having said that you still can tell them to not ship through UPS and specify shipping through USPS. Some will know the difference (UPS, USPS sounds alike) some won't... Some will care some won't... Just tell them when you order that you might refuse the parcel if they ship with UPS (I won't say it...).

Other carriers might also be available, just ask.

Hope this helps.

Ghislain.

Just make a friend in Buffalo or Detroit. Have all your stuff shipped to them, and use that as an excuse to take a road trip one weekend. Grab all your parts and smuggle them across yourself. In my experience, things are just way cheaper when bought in the US. Everything I have on my car, including my rims, was bought in the States.

Not really sure this should have been moved to this forum since I'm not really saying Dave McKinney is a bad guy. In fact he seemed cool and really nice (Texan). He was just ignorant of all this.

UPS, however, is the devil incarnate

UPS Girl "Is there anything else I can help you with today Mr Jackson?"
Me "Nope, not today, not tomorrow, and not fracking ever you stupid sh!t coloured scam artists!".

how is ups for shipping within canada?
would it be a good idea to ship my set of seats through them? (vancouver to winnipeg) anyone have a rough idea on the price??

thanks