Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Distaste: Cross border shopping taxes and Nordstrom sales people


I previously posted about my missed opportunity on the See by Chloe Rise & Shine cross body bag. Determined to find it, I picked up the phone and started calling Nordstroms in the Michigan area where I eventually stumbled across a seemingly helpful salesperson at Twelve Oaks Mall, who located one for me.

Since Diana and I have sorta become experts on cross border shopping, and on which shipping methods incur the least customs and duty taxes, I requested the bag be shipped a certain way.

Unfortunately, the Nordstrom sales person didn't listen.

A yellow UPS notice waited for me at the door the next day, with a Brokerage C.O.D charge of $165.71!!!!! What?! Was the decimal point put in the wrong place? How could this be? $165 is nearly $200! Why?

Well, there was no way I was paying $165.71 on customs and taxes! INSANITY!
I had to decline the package.

Annoyed at the sales person for not having listened, I called Nordstrom. Her manager nonchalantly told me they'd refund the bag and the shipping, upon receiving it back. Not much of a consolation for me, I really wanted this bag! (These sales people should know how women are with handbags. It's our lively hood.)

Well, I got my refund yesterday but I'm still pissed. While Nordstrom messed up, it's insane that Canadians are treated unfairly with absurd taxes. Our countries are so similar, and so close, I just don't see why it's necessary.

::: Nathalie

2 comments:

  1. I hate couriers. If the only option for shipping is by UPS/FedEx, most likely, I won't purchase the item OR ask specifically for the item to be sent via USPS.

    If the price tag was attached, the Canadian government will tax you on that amount!

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  2. Ugh I know. Mothereffing Canadian government!

    During the summer time Diana and I went shopping in Buffalo with our mums on a weekday. On our way back home, the officers asked how much we spent, which was probably $200-300 between all of us. Since they didn't believe that 4 women would go across the border and spend so little, they pulled us over and taxed us GST & PST on everything. ARGH!

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