Club Obi Wan

UPS just came by and told me I had a C.O.D of $26.44. Just curious if this has happened to anyone lately because out of the 7 jackets I've ordered from them over the years this is the first I've ever been told I owe something. Just a side note: I ordered this EXACT same jacket with same specs about 2 months ago and there was no mention of UPS C.O.Ds. Gemma always charges me for custom specs, which is fine and I pay without question. But why would they 1) make the jacket if they think they haven't gotten their full amount and 2) try and collect more money via UPS? I mean, shipping fees are included in the total price of the jacket at checkout.

Any ideas as to why this is happening?

Kyle

Happened to me in June of this year as well. I actually had quite the ordeal getting the fee paid as well, since UPS lost my first money order that I hand delivered to them at their facility. They hounded me about it for over a month...wasn't happy, but it was my error to throw away the MO receipt.

But no, Knibs, I have no idea as to why they are collecting this fee this way.

My understanding is the COD is for import customs charges that UPS collects. Totally hit or miss if the charges are applied. In your case it looks like you dodged the bullet seven times.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff

I got hit with a similar charge from UPS in October of this year when I received my Wested. It was for duties and taxes imposed for importing the jacket into the US. I called UPS and paid over the phone.

Had the same COD issue this past summer.

At one time, Wested had a banner on their home page announcing the charge.

When I was receiving jackets from them by DHL, I don't think I was ever charged customs. Then I had a jacket get stuck in customs in New York at a private clearing firm, as they said they didn't have my phone number to contact me. I honestly don't remember how I got in contact with that firm, whether Gemma did it when I enquired about my order or if I was contacted by email, but I paid the duty with a card over the phone and it was shipped.

I've since been receiving my Wested orders from UPS, which, for me anyway, arrive in the US at the international hub in Louisville. Since then, the duty charge has been @ $30 for each jacket order.

The UPS charge is pretty standard these days and your fee is typical. Make sure you have a money order ready, because they will not accept cash at your door or at the UPS office for that matter. I'd like to see them go back to USPS for those reasons, import fees. Remember the good 'ol days when your Wested would arrive in a box and USPS would signature deliver on Sundays, even?

Just so none of you guys feel 'singled out' here, I got my UPS COD notice today for my 'Skyfall' jacket! Yikes! These guys are too much! Oh well, in the long run, I am sure it's worth it. W>

Just so none of you guys feel 'singled out' here, I got my UPS COD notice today for my 'Skyfall' jacket! Yikes! These guys are too much! Oh well, in the long run, I am sure it's worth it. W>

Sorry...didn't notice this had posted 'twice' ! Oops! W>

Keep in mind, this isn't Wested that's creating this cost, nor is it something they can charge you for up front - this is generated by a third party after it leaves Wested's hands. So don't blame Gemma or Wested...

LZeitgeist wrote:Keep in mind, this isn't Wested that's creating this cost, nor is it something they can charge you for up front - this is generated by a third party after it leaves Wested's hands. So don't blame Gemma or Wested...

Oh, I'm not! I am quite aware of this situation. It is just a shame that Wested doesn't review other 'shipping' options so that the shipping charge would show up with the purchase price, so that customers would know where they stood from day one. This is not the first time I have received this from UPS shipments from Wested, so I was expecting it -- my point is there are others out there who after receiving their goods, might just get a bit ticked when this billing from UPS arrives. Perhaps if Gemma and Peter would just add a disclaimer regarding the shipping fees at the close of the purchase page, this might solve this as an issue for their customers. Just my two cents, on this one . W>

Just a note - these fees are per Federal/International Regulations and based on the value of the item. I periodically have items shipped here from overseas and the gov. has been cracking down on UPS, Fedex and other shippers to collect. It's your govs. at work not the shippers. As a non-profit museum, I had to fill out a ton of forms several years ago with each shipper used to have the fees waived.

Curator Rick wrote:Just a note - these fees are per Federal/International Regulations and based on the value of the item. I periodically have items shipped here from overseas and the gov. has been cracking down on UPS, Fedex and other shippers to collect. It's your govs. at work not the shippers. As a non-profit museum, I had to fill out a ton of forms several years ago with each shipper used to have the fees waived.

Thanks for the back-story on this ! It's good to know where these fees are generating from! W>

Happened to me....Kind of annoying considering I paid for shipping and wasnt told about this extra charge before hand. So when the ups came I had to go search for a check to pay for it ....I mean I know the charge isnt from Wested but I'm sure they are aware of this charge, Would have been nice to know about it before hand and not be caught completely off guard. PlusI just bought a Bill Kelso which was also internationally shipped and didnt have a COD charge

Curator Rick wrote:Just a note - these fees are per Federal/International Regulations and based on the value of the item. I periodically have items shipped here from overseas and the gov. has been cracking down on UPS, Fedex and other shippers to collect. It's your govs. at work not the shippers.

To quote Rick (bold/underline is mine), Wested has nothing to do with these charges. It is completely domestic US Federal Government Customs. Wested doesn't know when they ship to you that you will be charged.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff

That's exactly it, the charge is a bit of a Russian Roulette, sometimes you get charged sometimes you don't. I'd much rather take the risk then get charged it anyway at source. (Which ebay seems to be pushing towards making US sellers charge their international buyers... sorry, that equals 'no sale' in my book.).

I don't think this is ### for tat, so much as it is the choice of shipping co. I don't remember even being charged an import fee with USPS.

Indiana Jeff wrote:My understanding is the COD is for import customs charges that UPS collects. Totally hit or miss if the charges are applied. In your case it looks like you dodged the bullet seven times.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Yep. First Wested I got I had to pay an extra amount - forget how much but around $120. I've imported at least 7 jackets since then and nothing.