"The Letter Carrier" questions

[ziegs2020]

removed.


/* edited title /*   tonyzz

[ekoo]

I did a search, but there are a few more questions I need to ask but their damn phone has been busy for the past hour Is shipping to TLC a "PO Box" or an actual US address? I want to get some items from ebay, but of course they won't ship to po boxes. Secondly how big is their drawer (http://www.thelettercarrier.com/pricing.htm) I'm ordering the grill and taillights, and I'm not sure if I'll need a 3x3, or if they'll just be nice and hold it in one larger area for parcels. And last, what do I tell the customs officers about why I'm visiting without looking too suspicious, and what's the usual claim process, unless you just claim you bought some' milk (There isn't much else to do in Point Roberts I imagine, and I've never been there. What's their border like?)

Any help?

TLC is an actual post office that will do receiving. it is an actual address.
tell the person shipping to ship to (as if you live there at that address):

<your name>
145 Tyee Dr.
Point Roberts, WA
98281
USA

use the tracking number to see if it really arrived. (TLC doesn't really answer phones)
size doesn't matter. they have a large area just to hold stuff. people have shipped tire/wheel packages there with no problems.

as for customs, make sure your package comes with a purchase order, invoice, etc etc......something with a price on it. else they will not let you bring it over the border. if EGAY, use the EGAY winning-bid confirmation with price. thats good enough to be a sales confirmation. never try to sneak anything across the border. they will search you as they know most canadians go down for shipping/receiving purpose. just declare everything.

when you pick up the item from TLC, just tell them there's a package for <your name> and they'll just look for it. i've picked up stuff for my buddies as well with no problems. they will charge you USD$X.xx for each package (listed under "Package Handling fee")

[ziegs2020]

Thanks that's really helpful. So I don't need to buy a mailbox, or is a standard mailbox ok for any size parcel.

[ekoo]

Thanks that's really helpful. So I don't need to buy a mailbox, or is a standard mailbox ok for any size parcel.

no need to buy mailbox. just ship it, then go down and pick it up.

[tonyzoomzoom]

No mailbox needed.  No need to sign up for an account.

Just ship it there with your name on the package and you're good to go.  Very simple (which I like)!

[silvia_s14a]

The customs know about TLC. They know all too well that people are sneaking car parts through Points Roberts. And as a law abiding citizen, I do not encourage you to lie to the authorities.

If UPS brokerage fee is all you are trying to avoid, then I suggest you to have your parcel shipped through USPS. If your seller only ships through UPS, then choose the more expensive Express, Express Plus, or Expediated UPS service. The more expensive services have brokerage fees waived and only charges you taxes and duty.

[rancid]

the letter carrier is just a location to ship things.  So as stated above, put your name on there and get it shipped there.  Make sure you get a tracking number for all of your packages so you know when they arrive.

As for customs, don't lie about things.  Bring your paypal reciept and show them when you cross.  Very simple and straight forward and there are no hassles.  I was down there the other day and paid like 20CDN in taxes for an hid kit...still made it worth while as I would have been dinged the taxes by USPS (if they do it).  Also was cheaper to ship down there for me.  So in essence, I look at the 20 bucks as a shipping fee...as shipping was free for that item down there. 

The letter carrier does charge a fee for the parcels.  it's listed on their website. 

www.thelettercarrier.com

I've been down there numerous times and things have been smooth.  As said by silvia, don't lie about it.  Sometimes you'll get dinged taxes and sometimes you won't.  But it's only over a certain set amount that they start to collect the taxes. 

[M Speed]

and drive down for some cheaper gas......

[ZoomZoom]

Shipping it there is great... you usually save on shipping, cause lots of ebay sellers tend to jack up the shipping costs to Canada...

If you ship USPS, you pay tax, duty if applicable and a brokerage fee.  The USPS brokerage is only $5.00 I think, unlike the $$$ that UPS charges... but it's still five bucks.

If you pick it up, you pay the tax and duty... but you save the extra shipping costs, plus the brokerage fee.  I got almost all my car audio stuff sent there... it was super easy, and saved me lots of money.  When I bought my sub, the online store I bought from wanted like $30 to ship within the US, and $69 to ship to canada !!!  It was a no-brainer.

[UnknownAce]

We bought our air compressor off Campbell Hausfeld online site and had it shipped to point roberts.

Drove down to pick it up and had my minivan with only the compressor in the back. Declared it and they had us pull over to take a look at it. Actually customs guy's got the first look at the compressor even before we did.

Like ppl say above it's just cheaper with shipping to send to point roberts. Save on shipping and brokerage fees. Just cough it up and pay for the duty's and taxes. Better than being caught trying to sneak stuff over.

The UnknownAce

[derrick]

Lots of places have free shipping in the US or they charge an arm and a leg to ship to Canada, so picking up is sometimes a viable option even if you aren't trying to avoid certain charges.

[M Speed]

Hell those Americans think Canada is as far as Australia

[ziegs2020]

Bought something from ebay, member is powerimports. Payment went through, and it was shipped, but I didn't get a tracking number. OH GREAT. I'll just call TLC in 2 weeks, and leave negative feedback 

[melonvitara]

i dont think all sellers leave tracking number?
well maybe coz the stuff that i bought isnt that exp

[ziegs2020]

They should, even if it's only a grill.

[melonvitara]

i bought a few things b4 without a tracking #
like led lights, pedals, cell phone case
but yeh those r really cheap items

[tonyzoomzoom]

So no tracking number was available or they haven't given it to you?

For ebay stuff, unless the seller wants to chance it, it always good to provide tracking number and signature receipt.  Otherwise there is little proof to show that the goods were actually shipped and arrived...

In any case, yeah, just call the TLC and they will let you know when it comes in (a small service charge)...

[Username]

One more quick question:

Do I have to register The Letter Carrier's address with my credit card provider or can I pay with Paypal using my bank funds and send the seller my address info.

  Kev

[M Speed]

Word of advice.....use Credit Card for all internet transactions. Wire up your bank account to Paypal is like sending a money order to a seller hoping for the best. IMO a big NO NO.

You should verify the TLC address with your cc company so they know you will admit stuffs sending there. Or else it's like "I didn't send anything there.....that was not my address. So now don't charge me for $XXX....."

[ziegs2020]

Turns out there was a shipping number, and it already arrived there. Now I'm too sick to cross over, go figure Anyone know how long TLC will hold a package without complaining? It arrived dec 4th.