Courier company doubling fee and chasing for the cash
Discussion
Hi all,
Just been reading the nursery thread and as I have a little time on my hands thought I'd offer for your scrutiny my own very minor predicament.
I use a reasonably large courier agent for a small business and recently sent a package to the continent via the agent using a three letter German courier.
They have asked for double the fee as they have said my measurements were wrong.
In response to the agent I have
- Indicated that I send the same size box consistently with them over several years
- Provided pictures of the box sent, including it's contents (a pedal cycle) prior to packaging
- Provided pictures of the box fully packaged with lables attached etc.
They are claiming that the box was double the size I measured - which is impossible - and demanding double the fee. The accounts department of the agent I use has stated they cannot dispute the charge with the German delivery company unless I have pictures of the box, including the labels and a tape measure showing it's exact sizing in the pictures. I do not have this, and cannot go back in time to get it, but my view is that any sensible person would agree that the shipment I have made is not double the size quoted.
What would you guys do in this situation? The agent seems to be in the don't care just pay camp - but it irks me that I am 100% sure I am not at fault.
The cost is around £100, so nothing major, but enough to be annoying.
Just been reading the nursery thread and as I have a little time on my hands thought I'd offer for your scrutiny my own very minor predicament.
I use a reasonably large courier agent for a small business and recently sent a package to the continent via the agent using a three letter German courier.
They have asked for double the fee as they have said my measurements were wrong.
In response to the agent I have
- Indicated that I send the same size box consistently with them over several years
- Provided pictures of the box sent, including it's contents (a pedal cycle) prior to packaging
- Provided pictures of the box fully packaged with lables attached etc.
They are claiming that the box was double the size I measured - which is impossible - and demanding double the fee. The accounts department of the agent I use has stated they cannot dispute the charge with the German delivery company unless I have pictures of the box, including the labels and a tape measure showing it's exact sizing in the pictures. I do not have this, and cannot go back in time to get it, but my view is that any sensible person would agree that the shipment I have made is not double the size quoted.
What would you guys do in this situation? The agent seems to be in the don't care just pay camp - but it irks me that I am 100% sure I am not at fault.
The cost is around £100, so nothing major, but enough to be annoying.
Joelonghair said:
Hi all,
Just been reading the nursery thread and as I have a little time on my hands thought I'd offer for your scrutiny my own very minor predicament.
I use a reasonably large courier agent for a small business and recently sent a package to the continent via the agent using a three letter German courier.
They have asked for double the fee as they have said my measurements were wrong.
In response to the agent I have
- Indicated that I send the same size box consistently with them over several years
- Provided pictures of the box sent, including it's contents (a pedal cycle) prior to packaging
- Provided pictures of the box fully packaged with lables attached etc.
They are claiming that the box was double the size I measured - which is impossible - and demanding double the fee. The accounts department of the agent I use has stated they cannot dispute the charge with the German delivery company unless I have pictures of the box, including the labels and a tape measure showing it's exact sizing in the pictures. I do not have this, and cannot go back in time to get it, but my view is that any sensible person would agree that the shipment I have made is not double the size quoted.
What would you guys do in this situation? The agent seems to be in the don't care just pay camp - but it irks me that I am 100% sure I am not at fault.
The cost is around £100, so nothing major, but enough to be annoying.
Ask them to provide the same evidence to prove their claim as they are asking of you. If true, it really shouldn't be difficult for them to do this. Just been reading the nursery thread and as I have a little time on my hands thought I'd offer for your scrutiny my own very minor predicament.
I use a reasonably large courier agent for a small business and recently sent a package to the continent via the agent using a three letter German courier.
They have asked for double the fee as they have said my measurements were wrong.
In response to the agent I have
- Indicated that I send the same size box consistently with them over several years
- Provided pictures of the box sent, including it's contents (a pedal cycle) prior to packaging
- Provided pictures of the box fully packaged with lables attached etc.
They are claiming that the box was double the size I measured - which is impossible - and demanding double the fee. The accounts department of the agent I use has stated they cannot dispute the charge with the German delivery company unless I have pictures of the box, including the labels and a tape measure showing it's exact sizing in the pictures. I do not have this, and cannot go back in time to get it, but my view is that any sensible person would agree that the shipment I have made is not double the size quoted.
What would you guys do in this situation? The agent seems to be in the don't care just pay camp - but it irks me that I am 100% sure I am not at fault.
The cost is around £100, so nothing major, but enough to be annoying.
I guess given you don't have the proof they are asking then the question is can you move your business elsewhere to another courier and is it w9rth the hassle to you to do that?
Whilst they would likely not pursue the fee legally they may well refuse your future business?
I've had it myself in the past with a courier as I reguarly Seend parcels out but my fee was significantly less and I honestly couldn't be sure so I just paid it and carried on.
Whilst they would likely not pursue the fee legally they may well refuse your future business?
I've had it myself in the past with a courier as I reguarly Seend parcels out but my fee was significantly less and I honestly couldn't be sure so I just paid it and carried on.
Exactly James - it would be inconvenient to move to another company but not too difficult.
Their service works well - until it doesn't - as they don't seem to have any flexibility regardless of how long or often I have used them.
I expect I'll have to suck it up, but it is very annoying and will be doing my best to spin it out as long as I can just to cause them the same.
Their service works well - until it doesn't - as they don't seem to have any flexibility regardless of how long or often I have used them.
I expect I'll have to suck it up, but it is very annoying and will be doing my best to spin it out as long as I can just to cause them the same.
I've had this exact same situation with a different company over a set of skis.
They claimed my box was shorter than the skis sent. I pointed out that this was impossible but they didn't accept that as evidence.
Have you thought about reprinting the label and sticking it on to the same size box you used in the first place?
You could take photos with the measuring tape then take screenshots of your photos so they cannot see the date the photo was taken in the image file data. Send them these photos and claim you were going through your old records and managed to find the exact evidence that they have been asking you for.
This worked for me, they stopped corresponding with me, I even messaged after 6 months for a confirmation that they were dropping their invoice against me but got no reply.
They claimed my box was shorter than the skis sent. I pointed out that this was impossible but they didn't accept that as evidence.
Have you thought about reprinting the label and sticking it on to the same size box you used in the first place?
You could take photos with the measuring tape then take screenshots of your photos so they cannot see the date the photo was taken in the image file data. Send them these photos and claim you were going through your old records and managed to find the exact evidence that they have been asking you for.
This worked for me, they stopped corresponding with me, I even messaged after 6 months for a confirmation that they were dropping their invoice against me but got no reply.
Joelonghair said:
Hi all, yes the item has been delivered - now just chasing for the overs.
From what I can gather the agent has already been charged - and now they are chasing me.
Unfortunately I'm on holiday for the next month on the other side of the world so can only deal with it remotely.
I’d be telling them to jog on.From what I can gather the agent has already been charged - and now they are chasing me.
Unfortunately I'm on holiday for the next month on the other side of the world so can only deal with it remotely.
Joelonghair said:
Hi all, yes the item has been delivered - now just chasing for the overs.
From what I can gather the agent has already been charged - and now they are chasing me.
Unfortunately I'm on holiday for the next month on the other side of the world so can only deal with it remotely.
Tell them you'll deal with it when you get back. If they don't like it - tough.From what I can gather the agent has already been charged - and now they are chasing me.
Unfortunately I'm on holiday for the next month on the other side of the world so can only deal with it remotely.
I've had this with parcel force worldwide. They think the automatic measuring machines mess up. I just sent measured pics of another identical package.
"Just ditching" Your courier is not always that easy. I send 1.4m long parcels globally and there are precious few companies that will ship those without hefty handling surcharges. Overall, PF have been great for my international shipping, but measuring errors do happen once or twice a year.
"Just ditching" Your courier is not always that easy. I send 1.4m long parcels globally and there are precious few companies that will ship those without hefty handling surcharges. Overall, PF have been great for my international shipping, but measuring errors do happen once or twice a year.
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