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  #31  
Old 11-12-2020, 11:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Earl49 View Post
Honestly the $79 is not that big of a deal. It is the principle of the matter and the unexpected complication and delay that happened during a really bad week, just when a bright spot was especially needed.
What a pain. $79 is $79, in anyone’s money, and the fact that you had to get a cashier’s check to pay it seems downright bizarre.

It sounds like you’re on the right track to getting it sorted, though.
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  #32  
Old 11-12-2020, 11:38 AM
Earl49 Earl49 is offline
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Yeah David, the money does not change my life either way. It is a nuisance but I should not have to pay UPS a ransom to get my guitar when it isn't required. Actually, I lost more than that amount in billable engineering time running to the bank and back to the mailbox store during business hours. My business mail goes to a private mailbox in a UPS store.

Last edited by Earl49; 11-12-2020 at 12:56 PM. Reason: tpyo fixxed
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  #33  
Old 11-12-2020, 12:00 PM
Frettingflyer Frettingflyer is offline
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Sometimes we just need to spend time(and money) to right the wrong just to make us feel better. Sorry to hear this has happened to you Earl, wish we could learn why some do and some don’t get caught up in this stuff.
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  #34  
Old 11-12-2020, 12:59 PM
Earl49 Earl49 is offline
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Who knows, Dave? Maybe it is just dumb luck. This is the fifth time I've rolled the dice with Emerald orders, and maybe it was just my turn...... no rhyme nor reason. Getting a guitar across the pond and through Customs is a complex logistical process and sometimes [more likely often] huge bureaucracies screw up.
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  #35  
Old 01-03-2021, 02:51 PM
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A positive resolution, finally! It took a dozen emails back and forth to UPS and they promised NOV 18 and then DEC 02 as check cutting days. The refund check for $79 (dated DEC 23) finally arrived in yesterday's mail, just as I was getting ready to start another round of emails after the New Year. I appreciate others here pointing out their US deliveries without the duty and fees, as that added to my ammunition each time an email string started.

It is worth some persistence if US buyers get hit with this incorrect assessment. Given a choice between taking a little longer using AnPost and USPS versus fighting with UPS over mistakes, I'd opt for some extra delivery time.
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  #36  
Old 01-03-2021, 03:15 PM
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A positive resolution, finally! It took a dozen emails back and forth to UPS and they promised NOV 18 and then DEC 02 as check cutting days. The refund check for $79 (dated DEC 23) finally arrived in yesterday's mail, just as I was getting ready to start another round of emails after the New Year. I appreciate others here pointing out their US deliveries without the duty and fees, as that added to my ammunition each time an email string started.

It is worth some persistence if US buyers get hit with this incorrect assessment. Given a choice between taking a little longer using AnPost and USPS versus fighting with UPS over mistakes, I'd opt for some extra delivery time.
Congratulations - definitely worth the persistence!
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  #37  
Old 01-03-2021, 03:23 PM
Rashi63 Rashi63 is offline
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My X7 took the same path. I think they usually go through England, but they were pretty much locked down due to Covid, so I think they had to take a detour. Even with the circuitous route it only took a week for my guitar to get to Indiana.
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  #38  
Old 01-03-2021, 03:39 PM
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The whole reason that Emerald started using UPS instead of AnPost was some significant delays with US Customs in New York in spring 2020. UPS allegedly has a dedicated path through Customs to speed things along. I think my guitar went to a UPS hub in Germany before crossing the Pond. But the tracking did not show any progress after Sligo, Ireland until a "failed delivery" email occurred because of the unexpected duty. Maybe routing through Germany triggered the mistake?
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  #39  
Old 01-03-2021, 05:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Earl49 View Post
The whole reason that Emerald started using UPS instead of AnPost was some significant delays with US Customs in New York in spring 2020. UPS allegedly has a dedicated path through Customs to speed things along. I think my guitar went to a UPS hub in Germany before crossing the Pond. But the tracking did not show any progress after Sligo, Ireland until a "failed delivery" email occurred because of the unexpected duty. Maybe routing through Germany triggered the mistake?
One of my previous Emeralds was delivered through AnPost, and I got a $225 ransom note from USPS after the guitar was held up in US Customs for several weeks. Subsequent Emeralds have come via UPS much more quickly and without any ransom demands. Earl, I understand your being POed (as was I), but think that this is a US Customs issue, not a UPS/USPS issue....
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Last edited by RP; 01-03-2021 at 05:31 PM.
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  #40  
Old 01-14-2021, 01:45 PM
Earl49 Earl49 is offline
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....but think that this is a US Customs issue, not a UPS/USPS issue....
RP, I blame it on a UPS bureaucratic error as they refunded the amount - eventually. If it was a US Customs issue, there is no way that UPS would make the refund. I'd surely be out of luck.
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  #41  
Old 01-15-2021, 01:36 AM
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Here in the Netherlands the postal carrier handles the customs declarations, and also charges for that "service".

If it works the same way in the US I think both are to blame.
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  #42  
Old 01-15-2021, 04:58 AM
Silly Moustache Silly Moustache is offline
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I'm not a CF user, but have read through this saga with some bemusement.

Firstly regarding delays. I have purchased three guitars from a foreign country (the USA) two from private individuals and one from a dealer in Seattle. That was the only one with issues.
All arrived within a reasonable time... BUT none were in the time of plague!

All delivery facilities, including trucks and airports and aeroplanes are currently affected.

I ordered a pair of thermal gloves for my wife before Christmas and they arrived yesterday (15/1). Normally within 48 hours in the UK. We're still getting Christmas cards!

Many workers are ill or self isolating.

Anything shipped from a non free trade country is subject to the excise duties and local taxes (usually on value of item PLUS shipping costs).

Were I to order a guitar from the USA now (no plans) I would expect to pay the seller the cost of the item (minus local taxes) plus shipping costs. I'd pay by credit card.

On arrival I would expect to pay approx 3-4% excise duties on both item and shipping cost, plus a notional handling charge to the shipper for processing the tax payments, plus 20% VAT on all.

That's the way it is! (the shipper has to collect the taxes/excise on behalf of Customs and Excise).

Prior to this month - I could buy from another EU country, and pay their local VAT, with no extra charges.

Now it would be much the same as buying from the USA.

Payment is always made by phone using credit, debit card or direct bank transfer. - I have no idea what a cashier's cheque is - I don't know of any other country that uses cheques any more!

Lastly. Tracking software enables you to anticipate delivery times within a couple of hours.
However, due to the current situation, delivery drivers ARE NOT PERMITTED to hand items to the receiver - they MUST place them on your doorstep and ring/knock or both and wait a reasonable time.

This is unfortunate but it is a safety measure.

You can leave a note saying where else to leave it, such as a neighbour, behind your bins, or divert it to another address (like your office address, but that can increase delay of course).

Life is difficult, and dangerous for many right now. We need to understand that.

That's it, at ease, smoke if you got 'em.
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  #43  
Old 01-15-2021, 09:53 PM
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My X20 took a week to get to the US, spent two days in customs until I paid the $82.00 then showed up at the house the next day.
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  #44  
Old 01-16-2021, 07:45 AM
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My X20 took a week to get to the US, spent two days in customs until I paid the $82.00 then showed up at the house the next day.
So that was very recent, wasn’t it? If you don’t mind sharing for clarification, who did you pay the $82 to, and what was it for? There seem to be two varieties of this - one being a fee of some sort being collected by the carrier, and the other being collected by Customs.

Either way, it seems to be arbitrary.
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  #45  
Old 01-16-2021, 02:06 PM
Earl49 Earl49 is offline
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Mine arrived on day 8 but they refused to deliver because of an unforeseen $79.28 "taxes and duties" fee. That delayed delivery until day 9. I paid the ransom to get my guitar - UPS insisted on only a cashier's check or a postal money order - and then I immediately appealed the charge with UPS. It took two months and repeatedly stirring the pot but the refund check finally arrived. I can forward the email address for the "entry specialist" at UPS if you PM me your email address.

Five prior transactions with Emerald using AnPost and USPS had no issues at all, other than an extra day or two at Federal holidays. But that was in the "before times". Someone at UPS is making a bureaucratic mistake.
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