Problems with FEDEX: I apologize if this is a little long, but it's a little complicated. My wife and I traveled to Israel a month ago, and it was our first time overseas. When we...

cwp3420

I apologize if this is a little long, but it's a little complicated.

My wife and I traveled to Israel a month ago, and it was our first time overseas. When we arrived, I realized I had forgotten my battery charger at home. (My wife said I was an idiot, and I for once agreed.) I called B & H Photo, where I purchase all of my equipment, and ordered a new charger for my Fujifilm for $80.00. I asked them how fast they could get it to Israel, and they said three days by FEDEX, but informed me that the shipping would be an additional $23.00. That was fine with me, as I needed the charger. We were scheduled to spend 4 days in Jerusalem at the end of the tour, so I had them ship it there to my hotel. They were on the ball and it arrived three days later.

On the day we checked into our hotel, I received a text from FEDEX Israel saying that I had to send them a copy of my passport and agree to pay the VAT tax before they could deliver it to me. The clerk had included their phone number and his email address in the text. I tried calling him multiple times, but no one answered, so I sent him an email and readily agreed to pay any tax they wanted just to get the charger. I knew what the VAT tax was but had never dealt with it. I heard nothing from them, so I had the hotel scan my passport and send it to them by email.

The next day, I tried again repeatedly to contact FEDEX Israel, but once again no one answered the telephone. I also sent several emails telling them that I would pay the tax, but they needed to let me know how to go about that. I heard nothing from them that day.

On the third day, I couldn't reach anyone again. I noticed though that the FEDEX web site said my charger was out for delivery to my hotel. However, when we got back to the hotel late that evening there was not a package there.

The next day was our last day in Jerusalem, and we were flying out of the country that evening. We went out all day again, and about 2:00 pm I finally received an email from the same clerk, and he at last gave me a number to call at FEDEX. He stated he had received my emails but had not had time to contact me. He said if I had to leave the country without getting the package that FEDEX would go ahead and return the package to New York. I called the number and a lady said I could pay the tax through her, but that they could not deliver the charger that day because it was late in the afternoon. I explained that we were leaving Israel within 6 hours, and told her that since I would not be able to receive it, I wouldn't pay the tax. She said they would go ahead and ship it back to the shipper and said they could refund my money, less the shipping costs. So, we flew back to the U.S. without the charger.

We spent 6 days in New York after we returned to the U.S., and we went to B & H that afternoon and bought the charger. I spoke with customer service there and they said the package would be returned to them and they would credit my charge card.

After we returned home, I had not heard from anyone so I called FEDEX in New York. They checked the shipping number and said the package had been destroyed on May 26th in Israel. They said they had contacted B & H about the package and told them they would have to pay $85.00 to have it returned to them. Of course, B & H said no, so they destroyed it. According to FEDEX, B & H could file a claim for what happened and possibly FEDEX would then reimburse them for the package and I could get my refund. I explained to the lady that what happened was not the fault of B & H. They did everything I asked them to do. The fault lies with FEDEX Israel for not providing me with the information I needed in a timely manner to pay the VAT tax.

I believe that now I'm just out the money for the charger. I wanted to ask and see if this has happened to any fellow hoggers and see if they had any ideas on how to hold FEDEX accountable. Thank you for your time. I appreciate it.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Forgetfulness going to a foreign country definitely caused you a big headache. On you next trip I bet that charger will be packed first.

MtnMan Loc: ID

What a mess.

Israel doesn't have camera stores?

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Really?

TucsonCoyote Loc: Tucson AZ

MtnMan wrote:

What a mess.

Israel doesn't have camera stores?

I think the wife was right.....twice !

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

MtnMan wrote:

What a mess.

Israel doesn't have camera stores?

At least three major stores in Jerusalem.

Heather Iles Loc: UK, Somerset

cwp3420 wrote:

I apologize if this is a little long, but it's a little complicated.

My wife and I traveled to Israel a month ago, and it was our first time overseas. When we arrived, I realized I had forgotten my battery charger at home. (My wife said I was an idiot, and I for once agreed.) I called B & H Photo, where I purchase all of my equipment, and ordered a new charger for my Fujifilm for $80.00. I asked them how fast they could get it to Israel, and they said three days by FEDEX, but informed me that the shipping would be an additional $23.00. That was fine with me, as I needed the charger. We were scheduled to spend 4 days in Jerusalem at the end of the tour, so I had them ship it there to my hotel. They were on the ball and it arrived three days later.

On the day we checked into our hotel, I received a text from FEDEX Israel saying that I had to send them a copy of my passport and agree to pay the VAT tax before they could deliver it to me. The clerk had included their phone number and his email address in the text. I tried calling him multiple times, but no one answered, so I sent him an email and readily agreed to pay any tax they wanted just to get the charger. I knew what the VAT tax was but had never dealt with it. I heard nothing from them, so I had the hotel scan my passport and send it to them by email.

The next day, I tried again repeatedly to contact FEDEX Israel, but once again no one answered the telephone. I also sent several emails telling them that I would pay the tax, but they needed to let me know how to go about that. I heard nothing from them that day.

On the third day, I couldn't reach anyone again. I noticed though that the FEDEX web site said my charger was out for delivery to my hotel. However, when we got back to the hotel late that evening there was not a package there.

The next day was our last day in Jerusalem, and we were flying out of the country that evening. We went out all day again, and about 2:00 pm I finally received an email from the same clerk, and he at last gave me a number to call at FEDEX. He stated he had received my emails but had not had time to contact me. He said if I had to leave the country without getting the package that FEDEX would go ahead and return the package to New York. I called the number and a lady said I could pay the tax through her, but that they could not deliver the charger that day because it was late in the afternoon. I explained that we were leaving Israel within 6 hours, and told her that since I would not be able to receive it, I wouldn't pay the tax. She said they would go ahead and ship it back to the shipper and said they could refund my money, less the shipping costs. So, we flew back to the U.S. without the charger.

We spent 6 days in New York after we returned to the U.S., and we went to B & H that afternoon and bought the charger. I spoke with customer service there and they said the package would be returned to them and they would credit my charge card.

After we returned home, I had not heard from anyone so I called FEDEX in New York. They checked the shipping number and said the package had been destroyed on May 26th in Israel. They said they had contacted B & H about the package and told them they would have to pay $85.00 to have it returned to them. Of course, B & H said no, so they destroyed it. According to FEDEX, B & H could file a claim for what happened and possibly FEDEX would then reimburse them for the package and I could get my refund. I explained to the lady that what happened was not the fault of B & H. They did everything I asked them to do. The fault lies with FEDEX Israel for not providing me with the information I needed in a timely manner to pay the VAT tax.

I believe that now I'm just out the money for the charger. I wanted to ask and see if this has happened to any fellow hoggers and see if they had any ideas on how to hold FEDEX accountable. Thank you for your time. I appreciate it.

I apologize if this is a little long, but it's a l... (show quote)

In the UK you could claim from the company whose card you used to pay for the Charger and we are encouraged to used Credit Cards for such purchases. Also PayPal is marvellous and would would have been covered too, but I realise that PayPal couldn't be used in this instance. Hopefully, you will be refunded one way or the other and thanks for sharing this with us, as it helps us to learn from other people's mistakes. I am sure that in normal circumstances that you would have done things differently. I hope that it all works out well for you,

It's all in hindsight and we are all thinking that surely there are camera shops all over the world, which was confirmed by a member here.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Different strokes for different people. I would have gone to a local camera store or have the hotel (Conceige) have one delivered for you at the hotel.

cwp3420 wrote:

I apologize if this is a little long, but it's a little complicated.

My wife and I traveled to Israel a month ago, and it was our first time overseas. When we arrived, I realized I had forgotten my battery charger at home. (My wife said I was an idiot, and I for once agreed.) I called B & H Photo, where I purchase all of my equipment, and ordered a new charger for my Fujifilm for $80.00. I asked them how fast they could get it to Israel, and they said three days by FEDEX, but informed me that the shipping would be an additional $23.00. That was fine with me, as I needed the charger. We were scheduled to spend 4 days in Jerusalem at the end of the tour, so I had them ship it there to my hotel. They were on the ball and it arrived three days later.

On the day we checked into our hotel, I received a text from FEDEX Israel saying that I had to send them a copy of my passport and agree to pay the VAT tax before they could deliver it to me. The clerk had included their phone number and his email address in the text. I tried calling him multiple times, but no one answered, so I sent him an email and readily agreed to pay any tax they wanted just to get the charger. I knew what the VAT tax was but had never dealt with it. I heard nothing from them, so I had the hotel scan my passport and send it to them by email.

The next day, I tried again repeatedly to contact FEDEX Israel, but once again no one answered the telephone. I also sent several emails telling them that I would pay the tax, but they needed to let me know how to go about that. I heard nothing from them that day.

On the third day, I couldn't reach anyone again. I noticed though that the FEDEX web site said my charger was out for delivery to my hotel. However, when we got back to the hotel late that evening there was not a package there.

The next day was our last day in Jerusalem, and we were flying out of the country that evening. We went out all day again, and about 2:00 pm I finally received an email from the same clerk, and he at last gave me a number to call at FEDEX. He stated he had received my emails but had not had time to contact me. He said if I had to leave the country without getting the package that FEDEX would go ahead and return the package to New York. I called the number and a lady said I could pay the tax through her, but that they could not deliver the charger that day because it was late in the afternoon. I explained that we were leaving Israel within 6 hours, and told her that since I would not be able to receive it, I wouldn't pay the tax. She said they would go ahead and ship it back to the shipper and said they could refund my money, less the shipping costs. So, we flew back to the U.S. without the charger.

We spent 6 days in New York after we returned to the U.S., and we went to B & H that afternoon and bought the charger. I spoke with customer service there and they said the package would be returned to them and they would credit my charge card.

After we returned home, I had not heard from anyone so I called FEDEX in New York. They checked the shipping number and said the package had been destroyed on May 26th in Israel. They said they had contacted B & H about the package and told them they would have to pay $85.00 to have it returned to them. Of course, B & H said no, so they destroyed it. According to FEDEX, B & H could file a claim for what happened and possibly FEDEX would then reimburse them for the package and I could get my refund. I explained to the lady that what happened was not the fault of B & H. They did everything I asked them to do. The fault lies with FEDEX Israel for not providing me with the information I needed in a timely manner to pay the VAT tax.

I believe that now I'm just out the money for the charger. I wanted to ask and see if this has happened to any fellow hoggers and see if they had any ideas on how to hold FEDEX accountable. Thank you for your time. I appreciate it.

I apologize if this is a little long, but it's a l... (show quote)

Leitz Loc: Solms

cwp3420 wrote:

I apologize if this is a little long, but it's a little complicated.

My wife and I traveled to Israel a month ago, and it was our first time overseas. When we arrived, I realized I had forgotten my battery charger at home. (My wife said I was an idiot, and I for once agreed.) I called B & H Photo, where I purchase all of my equipment, and ordered a new charger for my Fujifilm for $80.00. I asked them how fast they could get it to Israel, and they said three days by FEDEX, but informed me that the shipping would be an additional $23.00. That was fine with me, as I needed the charger. We were scheduled to spend 4 days in Jerusalem at the end of the tour, so I had them ship it there to my hotel. They were on the ball and it arrived three days later.

On the day we checked into our hotel, I received a text from FEDEX Israel saying that I had to send them a copy of my passport and agree to pay the VAT tax before they could deliver it to me. The clerk had included their phone number and his email address in the text. I tried calling him multiple times, but no one answered, so I sent him an email and readily agreed to pay any tax they wanted just to get the charger. I knew what the VAT tax was but had never dealt with it. I heard nothing from them, so I had the hotel scan my passport and send it to them by email.

The next day, I tried again repeatedly to contact FEDEX Israel, but once again no one answered the telephone. I also sent several emails telling them that I would pay the tax, but they needed to let me know how to go about that. I heard nothing from them that day.

On the third day, I couldn't reach anyone again. I noticed though that the FEDEX web site said my charger was out for delivery to my hotel. However, when we got back to the hotel late that evening there was not a package there.

The next day was our last day in Jerusalem, and we were flying out of the country that evening. We went out all day again, and about 2:00 pm I finally received an email from the same clerk, and he at last gave me a number to call at FEDEX. He stated he had received my emails but had not had time to contact me. He said if I had to leave the country without getting the package that FEDEX would go ahead and return the package to New York. I called the number and a lady said I could pay the tax through her, but that they could not deliver the charger that day because it was late in the afternoon. I explained that we were leaving Israel within 6 hours, and told her that since I would not be able to receive it, I wouldn't pay the tax. She said they would go ahead and ship it back to the shipper and said they could refund my money, less the shipping costs. So, we flew back to the U.S. without the charger.

We spent 6 days in New York after we returned to the U.S., and we went to B & H that afternoon and bought the charger. I spoke with customer service there and they said the package would be returned to them and they would credit my charge card.

After we returned home, I had not heard from anyone so I called FEDEX in New York. They checked the shipping number and said the package had been destroyed on May 26th in Israel. They said they had contacted B & H about the package and told them they would have to pay $85.00 to have it returned to them. Of course, B & H said no, so they destroyed it. According to FEDEX, B & H could file a claim for what happened and possibly FEDEX would then reimburse them for the package and I could get my refund. I explained to the lady that what happened was not the fault of B & H. They did everything I asked them to do. The fault lies with FEDEX Israel for not providing me with the information I needed in a timely manner to pay the VAT tax.

I believe that now I'm just out the money for the charger. I wanted to ask and see if this has happened to any fellow hoggers and see if they had any ideas on how to hold FEDEX accountable. Thank you for your time. I appreciate it.

I apologize if this is a little long, but it's a l... (show quote)

So where do we send the crying towels?

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Just glad I shoot cameras that don't rely on batteries :)

cwp3420

They do, but we traveled around in a large tour bus. We would also start out at 7 a.m. and usually end about 6 p.m. At 6:30 we would have dinner, and by then the stores would be closed. That's why I thought of B & H. I have found that hindsight is really good though.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

rpavich wrote:

Just glad I shoot cameras that don't rely on batteries :)

I have a few like that. A 4x5" wooden field camera, a 4x5" studio view camera, a Pentax K1000, a Pentax Spotmatic, an old German Kodak 35mm camera, and a vintage Certo 35mm "USSR Occupied Germany" labelled camera. But dang it, the hand held light meters use batteries!

Zone-System-Grandpa Loc: Springfield, Ohio

That which happened to you is most unfortunate and I feel sorry about your having to go through what you did. Although I have never experienced the same situation, many times I've experienced how places of business and agencies that are relied upon will drop the ball or add confusion to a problem. As an example, recently, when searching for a product that was really needed, I had emailed a message to a company asking about the product's availability. A representative of the company that I had contacted ended up replying to me two days later giving me his telephone number and suggested that I call him to place my order. Immediately, I called him to place my order and I was still calling him three days later attempting to place an order. Finally, nearing the end of the third day, he answered the phone and when I asked him why he hadn't responded to the voice mail messages that I had left him, he told me that he had been so busy that he just didn't get around to returning messages that had been left for him.

It seems as though the problems that we both have experienced are examples of an epidemic that flourishes in our society today and sometimes, we just have to get used to it ?

drivered Loc: Capital District, NY

do not use FedEx, UPS is the way to go.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

rpavich wrote:

Just glad I shoot cameras that don't rely on batteries :)

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