Customs delays

[Mike Arman]

>From: "Ben Swann" <benswann at comcast.net>
>Subject: re. [urq] Cannot recommend Stebro
>To: <a.j.gaidos at comcast.net>
>Cc: urq at audifans.com, quattro at audifans.com
>
>
>Anton,
>
>I'm not trying to stick up for Stebro or anyone else for that matter, only 
>that I was advised recently that there have been holdups/backlogs at 
>customs (unrelated shipments) between US and CANADA for as much as 4 
>weeks.  I think similar delays are occurring to/from other countries as 
>well, as some things I've sent seem to be taking weeks instead of days.


Oddly enough, I was just reading the current issue of "American Shipper" 
which is a logistics/transport/import/export magazine which addresses 
customs issues, shipping law, etc.

The three worst countries for customs clearance are Nigeria (surprise), 
Cameroon and Ethiopia, with "time in customs" of 18, 20 and 30 days 
respectively. Between the US and Canada, the usual "time in customs" is ONE 
DAY.

So if anyone tells you your shipment to/from Canada to/from the US is "tied 
up in customs for a month", they are quite simply lying to you.

The article is on page 72 of the November 2004 issue. It is quoting the 
World Bank's "World Trade Report 2004".

I seem to recall this issue arising with Stebro exhausts previously - it 
sounds like they just plain don't have any stock and are trying to deflect 
the blame for their incompetence to someone else. I'm also not impressed 
with their charging your credit card $700 for something they KNOW they are 
not going to be shipping for a month - I think I'd be calling my credit 
card company and screaming CHARGEBACK!!!!!

If this is Stebro's normal way of doing business, we need to use alternate 
vendors - this is inexcusable and unethical, no matter how good their 
product may or may not be.

Best Regards,

Mike Arman