VAT charges to EU states

[exxos]

Yeah UPS have been a real pain in my arse recently. They love taking money from you, but to get it back from them even when they admit fault is a nightmare. I've stopped using them myself for posting out.

Don't blame you. The shippers said they was using DHL!! No way I would use UPS for anything outside of the UK any more. It took them three months to deliver a Falcon to someone in Germany.

[PaulJ_2.0]

You can phone UPS up on any number and the person answering the call can process a payment from you.
A refund? It seems nobody can and they cannot even put you through to someone that can. They just point you to an email address that seems to answer with the speed of continental drifts.

[exxos]

You can phone UPS up on any number and the person answering the call can process a payment from you.
A refund? It seems nobody can and they cannot even put you through to someone that can. They just point you to an email address that seems to answer with the speed of continental drifts.

I emailed them, I have not actually paid it yet.

Problem is companies generally get away with stuff like this. Operating badly etc. I have had that many bad experiences with companies ripping me off, it would turn off into a full-time job in sorting it all out.. And I just do not have the time so I end up just paying stuff even know I should not be used to get the problem out of the way.. Its just frustrating that companies are allowed to operate in this manner. And don't even get me started on evilbay..

[PaulJ_2.0]

Its just frustrating that companies are allowed to operate in this manner. And don't even get me started on evilbay..

Yes, they ensure if you have any value on your time, it's futile chasing them as it will end up costing you much more in time than the value of the refund.
This kind of shit should be illegal. Companies should have a simplified refund system by law. Anyone found to not answer an email within a working day should automatically have the refund payable doubled each day until the matter is solved.

[exxos]

Why am I not suprised. They totally missed the point of my email..

.Dear Chris,

Good day and thank you for your e-mail.

Your concern for the parcel is highly understandable. I am sorry to know that this situation got you worried. Upon reviewing the events related to the tracking number 1Z30AV566764262913, our records indicate that the import charges are yet to be paid. If you could at least provide a payment reference number, it would be appreciated.

Once I receive your reply, I will be more than happy to help out. Your understanding and patience are highly appreciated.

Kind Regards,

Romica M.
UPS Customer Support

[cmorley]

If the UPS charges are VAT only (not duty) then maybe open a complaint with UPS - definitely stick to your guns. Complaints departments IMO are better at handling customer service than CS departments. If the import attracts duty then you're going to have to pay. :/

[stephen_usher]

From our experience (at work) sending stuff to researchers around the EU, the French customs are the "worst" (as in most efficient at charging). We've had equipment which was bought pre-Brexit (and hence all EU duty paid) and moving to France with an academic being charged a very large duty and VAT.

[exxos]

If the UPS charges are VAT only (not duty) then maybe open a complaint with UPS - definitely stick to your guns. Complaints departments IMO are better at handling customer service than CS departments. If the import attracts duty then you're going to have to pay. :/

Yeah dealing with companies is a total joke these days. Sticking to my guns , that's the problem, it will just eat up a lot of my time and the problem won't get resolved. It will drag on for weeks and I won't get my package. So companies yet again get away with useless support.

[exxos]

Reply from Aliexpress seller.

Dear friend,
sorry. let you get trouble.
the order have not include the import duty (tax). different city have different tax.
hope understand.
Amice

So I am paying tax buying the item and receiving it now then I thought the whole point of Aliexpress charging VAT was to prevent customs charges like this from happening

[Badwolf]

So I am paying tax buying the item and receiving it now then

I'm sure if the BBC were reporting this issue, there'd be five or six reasons why this is now happening and none of them would begin with B...

BW