Amazing service Chain Reaction Cycles & DHL

[RossW]

I only found out about that after placing an order from China.... My parcel has arrived at JHB Intl Mail Centre. Now I wait.......

 

This happened to me with the last strike which dragged on for a month, if I remember. Took 8 days for parcel to arrive from China, via Amsterdam and then 13 weeks to clear customs.

[Thermophage]

What really pi$$es me off with FedEx is that you PAY IN FULL for delivery online and then they add:

 

1. Processing Fee: ZAR175.86;

2. Disbursement: ZAR27.86; and

3. Release verification: ZAR2.36

 

That's an additional ZAR206 per delivery...over and above the full international delivery fee already paid.

 

Can anyone explain how they can get away with the above?

R200 extra for the ease and not having to deal with SARS yourself...worth it IMHO

[Bobbo_SA]

I only found out about that after placing an order from China.... My parcel has already arrived at JHB Intl Mail Centre. Now I wait.......

 

Edit: these okes are actually striking themselves out of a job. Postnet/Speedservices counter to counter is R99 and takes about 3 days. XOC is R114 door to door overnight..... #Justsaying

You may be able to call them and go collect it from there, if you're not in JhB get someone to collect for you and send it via aramex or any other local courier.

[The expat cyclist]

And in other news....

 

I wanted to buy a from a local online store. Online they had what I wanted.

I phoned to check if they had stock.

 

Guy ran around in the store, few minutes later confirmed what I wanted; yes we have stock.

 

Yesterday, 2 minutes before 4, I get a mail: Sorry, no stock. Only have the box of the part.

 

Pft.

[TheBritishTwit]

I only found out about that after placing an order from China.... My parcel has already arrived at JHB Intl Mail Centre. Now I wait.......

 

Edit: these okes are actually striking themselves out of a job. Postnet/Speedservices counter to counter is R99 and takes about 3 days. XOC is R114 door to door overnight..... #Justsaying

I had the same thing with Jerseys that I ordered from the states. though stuff waiting and went to the JHB Intl Mail centre and picked it up there. took 30 minutes max...

[Grebel]

You may be able to call them and go collect it from there, if you're not in JhB get someone to collect for you and send it via aramex or any other local courier.

 

 

I had the same thing with Jerseys that I ordered from the states. though stuff waiting and went to the JHB Intl Mail centre and picked it up there. took 30 minutes max...

 

Thanks chaps. I am in KZN. The tracking website shows: "JHB INT MAIL CENTRE (HUB), In transit " so I think I missed that opportunity. I will just play the waiting game... Get home every day and make a dash for the post box only to be disappointed by the barren expanse of nothing and then one day unexpectedly..... A parcel collection slip!!!!!!

[DJR]

DHL is the best value for money, especially with the post office talking about going on strike again. Worst mistake ever is to get something sent to you via snail mail, once it hits South Africa it becomes "dead snail mail"!

That's exactly why I chose DHL this time. Previously I had an order from CRC lost in the SA postal strike for almost 3 months. After I gave up on it, it arrived out of the blue, but I will not trust them again.

[DJR]

What really pi$$es me off with FedEx is that you PAY IN FULL for delivery online and then they add:

 

1. Processing Fee: ZAR175.86;

2. Disbursement: ZAR27.86; and

3. Release verification: ZAR2.36

 

That's an additional ZAR206 per delivery...over and above the full international delivery fee already paid.

 

Can anyone explain how they can get away with the above?

I paid that with a massive smile in stead of having to deal with customs & SARS. Basically, the way I understand it, is that DHL do all the customs and SARS stuff for that fee. All I have to do is an online VAT payment, easy as pie.

[Skylark]

What really pi$$es me off with FedEx is that you PAY IN FULL for delivery online and then they add:

 

1. Processing Fee: ZAR175.86;

2. Disbursement: ZAR27.86; and

3. Release verification: ZAR2.36

 

That's an additional ZAR206 per delivery...over and above the full international delivery fee already paid.

 

Can anyone explain how they can get away with the above?

Does DHL and other couriers also try a fast one like that?

[Karman de Lange]

Thanks chaps. I am in KZN. The tracking website shows: "JHB INT MAIL CENTRE (HUB), In transit " so I think I missed that opportunity. I will just play the waiting game... Get home every day and make a dash for the post box only to be disappointed by the barren expanse of nothing and then one day unexpectedly..... A parcel collection slip!!!!!!

 

Use the postoffice  local tracking service (https://www.postoffice.co.za/ContactUs/trackandtracedomestic.html) , for some reason the international dont' update after leaving jhb hub and the international tracking number work on local tracking (for the moment)

 

My package says left jhb on the international tracking,  but on local, at capemail this morning. (EMS priority)

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Does DHL and other couriers also try a fast one like that?

They all do it, its a standard and not unusual, they may just label it differently on your invoice, in general the processing fee is related to the cost to the company for someones time to cut the documents required, usually for customs and / airlines / delivery etc, the disbursement fee is the cost they charge you for any upfront fees they pay on your behalf, and the release is just that, the cost they incur to print customs docs for release.

 

These are local costs incurred locally, the cost of the international bit is covered in the transport charge. All countries will have different local costs so these are never included in the main fee.

[Eddy Gordo]

Seems as if DHL have lifted their game a bit. Have had nothing but torrid service interspersed with glimpses of mediocrity in my dealings with them

Yeah, me too. I have had nothing but poor service from them. Things must have changed in the past 6 or 8 months.

No the less CRC are awesome.

[Karman de Lange]

I only found out about that after placing an order from China.... My parcel has already arrived at JHB Intl Mail Centre. Now I wait.......

 

Edit: these okes are actually striking themselves out of a job. Postnet/Speedservices counter to counter is R99 and takes about 3 days. XOC is R114 door to door overnight..... #Justsaying

 

Sorry OT:

 

Fedex about R 70 - R 80 overnight door to door. (If you have account) , not sure how sapo still stays in business.

[Paul Ruinaard]

Hmm - I was a bit underwhelmed by DHL last time i used them from CRC. They had my id number registered to my old company. Do you think i could get them to change it without 20 forms and losing my rag twice.

 

then they delivered on a Sunday.

 

You have no option but to pay and get it over with...

 

 

[Grebel]

Sorry OT:

 

Fedex about R 70 - R 80 overnight door to door. (If you have account) , not sure how sapo still stays in business.

 

That's the kicker.....

 

No courier company wants to touch you unless you have an account. Fastmail used to sell bags but you had to buy like 20 bags at a time.

 

If anybody is looking for a once off courier go have a look at Xpress Online Couriers (XOC) They were a quarter of the price of Aramex....

[Guest dirkieuys]

I have had the same great service with Chain Reaction and DHL. Saved a bunch of money buying through them as well.

 

Would like to support local guys but with limited stock and pricing it was an easy decision.