Buying on line what to expect for duties, fees and taxes

[johnsmit]

I just recently tried bying on line .
I thought they had great prices so I ordered . It was say a total cost of $59 cn.
Waiting for order.
But I now I am wondering what will I be paying in additional cost when it arrives.
Been hearing some about some very high charges.

What if I think that with the extra charges it is too much to pay and I dont want to pay or accept the package.

The other thing i ran into on an order from just last night was . The jacket was advertised at 0 cost just pay shipping.
That came to $52cn.
They charged my credit card right away.
But I did not get any email shipping invoice.
Then my bank calls me this morning about suspicious transaction . Same company tried to take $191 and $97 with out my authorization. Bank frozen my card.

Has any one got info and advice for buying on line so not to get hit by these other fees

 

[johnsmit]

The one think that I have learned to do when using my debit /Visa card on line , whether paying on some dating site or shopping sit , is not to have very much balance in your account . Having a low avalable balances usually will stop any other charges that someone might try to do . It either wont go through because there is not enough to cover it , and with my bank CIBC they seem to very quick to contact me if i do new transaction from some one I never dealt with before and there is some suspicious attempts after
But the big thing if there not much money in the account you use for on line purchases then any attempt to take more by fraud or illegal use of card number will not go through and send up a red flag.
in my case I max out my overdraft so there is,no possisblity the bank will accept the charge if i have not deposited money to cover it

 

[Pantherdash]

Has any one got info and advice for buying on line so not to get hit by these other fees

Only buy from a reputable merchant. Make sure you see all the charges that will be made to your credit card before you agree to it and read the fine print. If it looks too good to be real it usually is. Sounds like that jacket was a lot more than just the price of shipping.

The one think that I have learned to do when using my debit /Visa card on line , whether paying on some dating site or shopping sit , is not to have very much balance in your account . Having a low avalable balances usually will stop any other charges that someone might try to do . It either wont go through because there is not enough to cover it , and with my bank CIBC they seem to very quick to contact me if i do new transaction from some one I never dealt with before and there is some suspicious attempts after
But the big thing if there not much money in the account you use for on line purchases then any attempt to take more by fraud or illegal use of card number will not go through and send up a red flag.
in my case I max out my overdraft so there is,no possisblity the bank will accept the charge if i have not deposited money to cover it

Very simple solution. DON'T use a debit card...EVER! Every time you use a debit card you risk compromising it and all the funds in the account. It's actually very foolish to use a debit card for all your purchases. I realize that some people don't have a choice because of bad credit, a recent bankruptcy or consumer proposal but with all the scams and scammers out there, it's not a good idea. If your credit is bad, use a pre-paid credit card like Capitol One.

If you use a credit card and it's compromised, you don't owe the bank a thing. Conversely if your debit card is compromised, your funds are gone and will only be recovered if and when the investigation by the bank is concluded (they usually take a couple of months) and the bank has very little incentive to recover your funds. Many credit cards also have buyer and price protection, so there's additional incentive to use a credit card plus any points or cash back you may be earning. And they do add up.

Seriously, leave your debit card at home. Make all your purchases with credit and pay the bill before interest is applied. It'll save you a HUGE headache.

Panther

 

[johnsmit]

I can still see with a credit card that they could max out your card befor the bank realized it. I know your protected from fraud, but like you said it might take. A while to get sorted and in the mean time ou owe on that card.

What I did find put at the bank as I was getti a new card is they suggest a pre loaded Visa card that you can refill from your account. That way you limit the amount the can steal. Some thing like what I acctually did by not having much over draft left on my bank card.
But having a throwaway Visa would definitely would save me the trouble of getting new card and then change the card number for some of the sites that auto bill my account. Luckily I only had one . I try not to have automatic billing that another place there there is problem of them takes money before the time.

 

[johnsmit]

I don't know who is reputable on line I would assume Amazon Canada is. It seem that I can find most of the items from others sites on there too. Usually cost more but it is stated canadain fund , and if there is no high shipping charges, or duties i would know my cost better and it might just cost less. I'll have to check them out and find out if they can tell you all the charges up front.

I know the first thing I bought on line early in the week. I got a detailed invoice and a confermation of my payment and when to expect it.
But again this was coming from the US and I have no idea what the other charges will be at this end.

I never here people talk about what it acctual cost them in the end ,to get those great prices on line.
Any one else with some experiances from shopping on line

 

[PerazziDave]

If the price seems to good to be true it's 99% that is the case. If you order from someone online try calling and talking to them, it may help. At least you know someone is answering that phone number.

PD

 

[PuntMeister]

I try really really hard to avoid buying from a company that has to ship from the USA! Especially if they ship UPS, I have seen high shipping costs, brokerage fees, taxes, etc! Big sticker shock and a hard lesson on international logistics. Thank Jeff for Amazon.ca! Free shipping over $35 and a much better selection and pricing than years past. That being said, I now favour buying from Canadian companies that ship from Canada. That $30 cdn pair of blue jeans might end up costing you $35. But that $19.99 US same pair might end up costing you $47.63 cdn all in. So unless covid ends and the borders re-open, we can’t ship to a Blaine parcel depot and pick it up on a gas/booze run.

By Canadian my friends.

 

[Amerix]

You won't get extra taxes or fees unless you order from outside the country. Buying stuff from US merchants in particular always ends up with the shipper having to collect GST and import duties and customs brokerage fees. Sometimes you don't have a choice, but expect to pay 20-30% or more.

And yeah never use a debit card anywhere. You have much less risk exposure with a credit card.

 

[sensualsixty]

You won't get extra taxes or fees unless you order from outside the country. Buying stuff from US merchants in particular always ends up with the shipper having to collect GST and import duties and customs brokerage fees. Sometimes you don't have a choice, but expect to pay 20-30% or more.

And yeah never use a debit card anywhere. You have much less risk exposure with a credit card.

Need to get the facts. As noted above, UPS is notorious for extra charges, in particular customs brokerage fees to the brokerage firm owned by UPS. Talk about a racket!!! If buying from the U.S. I tend to request shipping by USPS - it might be a bit slower - but no rip off.

 

[sexpanther69]

Why not just get a pre paid credit card and use that for online shopping.... Anytime u wanna shop, load up the card with the funds you'll be charging


Also, u mentioned the jacket u bought was $0 upfront... Where u shoppin for jackets that onlybcost u shipping?

 

[Bridge]

I guess I'd say buy from locally based stores. While products will be more expensive, the service you can demand will be better, it does keep money circulating in and around BC, and the environmental footprint will be less with less transport involved. I'm not sure about this but you could try the line, "Well if I buy it online I can get this low price, but I'd far rather buy it from you. Can you lower your price or match theirs?"

 

[johnsmit]

Why not just get a pre paid credit card and use that for online shopping.... Anytime u wanna shop, load up the card with the funds you'll be charging


Also, u mentioned the jacket u bought was $0 upfront... Where u shoppin for jackets that onlybcost u shipping?

No I was not looking for $0 cost sales.
It just seemed right jacket right prices for what I had to spend lol.
And probably got bit for being gulable
But there are a number of retailers closing and they are tring to liquidate so they give some for free and hope you by more at the higher prices,still alot lower on line then in our stores.

This site said it was AG leather , but it looks like it was a clone site to scam your money , at least that what it looks,like do far. Wont know for until I dont see my package. Of course now I might just be happy to let the $52 go to the cost of experience . Not going to pay some out ragious fees or duties for what might not even be what I ordered,
Yah some times all this internet stuff is to convenient for you to give your money away

Yes I am going to get a pre paid Visa that is the only way I'll ever buy on line again. And never have much more money on there then what the item cost .

 

[johnsmit]

I guess I'd say buy from locally based stores. While products will be more expensive, the service you can demand will be better, it does keep money circulating in and around BC, and the environmental footprint will be less with less transport involved. I'm not sure about this but you could try the line, "Well if I buy it online I can get this low price, but I'd far rather buy it from you. Can you lower your price or match theirs?"

It very hard for local retailers to match prices for leather bomber jackels that are at 25% to 30% the cost of buying in Canada. I am talking $80 go $100 compaired to $400 or more in Canada.
I use to buy my jackets at Daniier when they had sale. Then they were about $250
Allthough I have found some good prices on Amazon.ca , but I think they still have to be shipped from the US or probably made somewhere else

Also when you think you are buying g leather ,you need to check the description . A lot of site use pictures of top line produces but there fakes and usually will say PU leather or a number if other terms for plastic

Some of my older leather jackets I got 25... 30 yrs ago. And still In very good shape . Just need some refreshing up any touch up on skufed edges .
And I never played more then 250 for them .
I can't even think of paying 1000 or more .or 5000. Like I have seen prices for.

 

[johnsmit]

Any one notice the coralation between the cost of leather jackets and How much we pay for escorts????

 

[westwoody]

UPS, FedEx and DHL all clear their own packages and do their own brokerage. The fees are a revenue stream for them and can be absurdly high. Some charge 20% of the item declared value.
Canada Post often lets items pass without duty. Private carriers will never do that.

 

[Real Sonny Burnett]

Also, u mentioned the jacket u bought was $0 upfront... Where u shoppin for jackets that onlybcost u shipping?

This. How did 0 cost for a jacket but you have to pay for the shipping not be a red flag?

 

[Pantherdash]

But having a throwaway Visa would definitely would save me the trouble of getting new card and then change the card number for some of the sites that auto bill my account. Luckily I only had one . I try not to have automatic billing that another place there there is problem of them takes money before the time.

...the fuck does THAT say!?!??

I don't think the charges stay on your credit card while they investigate a fraudulent charge and they have every incentive to investigate it as soon as possible whereas with your debit card, since the money in the account is yours they take their sweet ass time.

Maybe get a credit card with a very low limit, like $500 and use it ONLY for online purchases. Read the fine print and try to get one that gives you purchase and theft protection, so if you see the product being sold at a cheaper price within 60 days, they'll refund you the difference. And if the item gets stolen, they'll get you a new one at no charge. American Express is great for this and they even extend the warranty by a year. If you use one of those prepaid Visa cards you buy at the store, you get none of this kind of insurance and they charge you a per-transaction fee PLUS a percentage of the card's value is deducted right off the top.

Panther

 

[Real Sonny Burnett]

johnsmit, did you get a leather jacket like this?

 

[hedgeman]

if you order from the states, insist it ships USPS, even though it takes a bit longer these days, odds are on the small side you'll get charged anyting, whereas UPS and Fedex to lesser extent will nail your balls to the wall for $

 

[johnsmit]

johnsmit, did you get a leather jacket like this?

It might be , it is a bomber style. Hopefully a little bigger fit.
I am not expecting to see it ?