I got a new laptop for work. For whatever reason, PCMCIA/CardBus adapters are no longer in vogue, so my CardBus ethernet card is no good anymore.
To provide a little context here: when I need to do some diagnostics with networks, sniffing or whatever, I like to do it from a VM. I also like to do it from an interface that my base OS doesn't use. That way I can remain connected to the working part of the network, hopefully, so I can use the internet to help me figure out what is going on. Therefore I need a third (after the built-in RJ45 and wireless) interface for the VMs.
So OK, I do my research and discover that I do have a ExpressCard slot on the new computer. And I'll admit it took me a half hour to figure out how to get it open. And after a bit of research I find a card at TigerDirect.ca which fits my needs.
So on 20 December 2010, I order it.
On 29 December it arrives, along with a UPS delivery dude who wants 40% of the card's value in COD charges for customs brokerage fees.
And I go, WTF? I ordered from a .ca company, why is it coming from a US address? But I pay the man because I want the card.
And I do see that it was shipped from someplace in Naperville Illinois.
Anyways, this is the email I sent to the Tiger Direct feedback email, the same day:
Greetings(Tiger Direct people playing along at home can see order D0894185.)
With regards to the above order, it apparently shipped from a US location and the UPS agent required COD for customs brokerage services.
My expectation, in dealing with a .ca website, that the product would have been shipped from Canada. It was for this reason I selected tigerdirect to perform this transaction.
While I am happy with the device, had the possibility of further shipping fees (which approach 40% of the post-tax value of the transaction), it would have changed the value proposition of the transaction.
Can you show me where in the order process I would have been instructed to consider the possibility of additional costs due to shipping from the US?
Thank you for any insight you may be able to offer.
In fact, shortly after sending this, I ran through the order process again, and find this buried in the fine print:
Their two shipping options available to me were "UPS WorldShip CA" for $7, and "UPS WorldShip Express" for $22.
I consider this borderline dishonest, even if they could argue they are not responsible for charges incurred by the shipping company. At this point I would not order from them again.
I'll update if/when I get a response.
