Shopping in Montreal--Watch Out!
Sep 25th, 2003, 03:29 AM
#24
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You were obviously misinformed by the sales people at Holt's; but as a U.S. citizen you should be the one being informed as to what you are allowed to bring into your country, declared at customs or mailed afterwards, whatever.
I would never rely on a sales person in any country to guarantee to me that I would not be charged additional custom fees on my purchases upon delivery.
I don't think this has anything to do with the store being Holt's or Ogilvy's or whatever other boutique you would have shopped at;
you're alloted a certain amount of $ duty free when you travel outside the U.S.
You were honest in declaring your purchases; most travellers rip off the tags and stick the clothes in their suitcases and don't declare them.
I would venture to say that less then 10% of what is sold in Holt's is made in Canada; I don't see that fedex in the U.S. would be aware of a particular problem with such a small store, given the size of your country but the point is that you were misinformed by Holt's and that is frustrating.
I would never rely on a sales person in any country to guarantee to me that I would not be charged additional custom fees on my purchases upon delivery.
I don't think this has anything to do with the store being Holt's or Ogilvy's or whatever other boutique you would have shopped at;
you're alloted a certain amount of $ duty free when you travel outside the U.S.
You were honest in declaring your purchases; most travellers rip off the tags and stick the clothes in their suitcases and don't declare them.
I would venture to say that less then 10% of what is sold in Holt's is made in Canada; I don't see that fedex in the U.S. would be aware of a particular problem with such a small store, given the size of your country but the point is that you were misinformed by Holt's and that is frustrating.
Sep 25th, 2003, 07:57 AM
#25
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Hopefully, some people will benefit from learning about my experience. Again, this had nothing to do with allotments or my being uninformed about the US Customs laws. The Fed Ex agent I dealt with is aware of the problem with Holts because she has to call people who must pay duty over $100 and there are so many who have shopped at Holts. My story is not unique, but routine for her. This is probably because Holts private label clothes which are marked made in Canada are made with imported fabrics and are therefore not allowed under NAFTA as duty free. Surely the sales force who sell the store's private label clothes are responsable to know this since customers must rely on them as to the origins of their own private label clothes! I asked this question and was told that the clothes were "completely" Canadian! Under our treaty this would have made them duty free. Even Holts recognizes that they are indeed at fault in this matter and are accepting the return of all of the purchases. And, the same would be true for Canadians shopping in the US. The US store cannot misrepresent the origins of the goods for duty purposes even if the label said made in the USA. Legally, the store is responsable in cases like this one and other customers do need to be aware that this can happen with the Holts private label made in Canada clothes.
Sep 25th, 2003, 09:34 AM
#27
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Not true and not relevant here. There is a problem with Canadian wood imports to the US, and personally I feel it is not fair. The US position on this has even harmed US producers so I hope it's worked out between our governments soon!
Sep 26th, 2003, 10:00 PM
#29
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Hi Dreamybeach! Thank you for your post, it was an excellent warning--I know because the exact same thing happened to me last month when I shopped at Holt Renfrew in Montreal. I bought suits under their private label which also said made in Canada and was repeatedly assured by the sales girl that there would be no US duty. When FedEx called me a week after delivery and told me I owed $750 in duty I was shocked and called the store. The sales girl then said she had told me about the duty! I admire the way you handled it; I just paid FedEx and felt swindled. Don't let the little gang of rude people--who've been insulting you in yiddish no less--drive you away. You are not complaining but patiently explaining what happened; they just don't get it. Your information is important to US shoppers at that store. Maybe management will correct the problem since you returned your purchases. Thank you again.
Sep 27th, 2003, 06:34 AM
#30
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Re>Maybe management will correct the problem since you returned your purchases.<
I wonder if management knows yet that this situation is being viewed by several -- dozens -- hundreds -- thousands of people, worldwide, on the internet, of if it just thinks this is one unhappy customer?
I do know that the topic will be on the agenda of a conference in Johannesburg in October.
BAK
I wonder if management knows yet that this situation is being viewed by several -- dozens -- hundreds -- thousands of people, worldwide, on the internet, of if it just thinks this is one unhappy customer?
I do know that the topic will be on the agenda of a conference in Johannesburg in October.
BAK
Sep 27th, 2003, 01:51 PM
#33
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LOL, torontopm,if that was supposed to be LolA, I am afraid I don't get it. Green slip?
Perhaps I was being too subtle-if you misunderstood my comment. I think dreamybeach is posting under other screen names (puckawhatever)to support her whine.
There, does that still require a Green Slip?
Perhaps I was being too subtle-if you misunderstood my comment. I think dreamybeach is posting under other screen names (puckawhatever)to support her whine.
There, does that still require a Green Slip?
Sep 27th, 2003, 02:22 PM
#34
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Lola sorry about mispelling your name. I just think that dreamybeach did her homework. She has a right to complain. (whine/kvetch as some has called it)
As for the green slip. I wonder if she would have gotten this treatment if she had complained about purchases made in a lower end store that's all.
As for the green slip. I wonder if she would have gotten this treatment if she had complained about purchases made in a lower end store that's all.
Sep 28th, 2003, 09:32 PM
#36
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Well, BAK, "I guess understanding the laws of one's own country would be too much to expect, but store clerks are expected to understand laws of countries other than their own." would perfectly decribe the situation here.
The question is whether said clerks DELIBERATELY pretend to understand the "laws of countries other than their own" when encouraging shoppers from same to make considerable purchases with the PROMISE that they do, indeed, understand same.
The question is whether said clerks DELIBERATELY pretend to understand the "laws of countries other than their own" when encouraging shoppers from same to make considerable purchases with the PROMISE that they do, indeed, understand same.
Sep 29th, 2003, 04:32 AM
#37
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<font color=blue>
Wow,dkjbooks, did this happen to you too! I shop at Holt Renfrew every time we are in Montreal, which makes it about twice a year now for years! and this has never happened! Am I the lucky one or are you and dreamybeach not so lucky
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Wow,dkjbooks, did this happen to you too! I shop at Holt Renfrew every time we are in Montreal, which makes it about twice a year now for years! and this has never happened! Am I the lucky one or are you and dreamybeach not so lucky
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Sep 29th, 2003, 05:33 AM
#38
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Hi Scarlett
I noticed that you usually drive and carry your goods with you accross the border? This happens when the clerk tells you one thing about duty but the shipping department tells US customs something entirely different.
I noticed that you usually drive and carry your goods with you accross the border? This happens when the clerk tells you one thing about duty but the shipping department tells US customs something entirely different.
