My experience wasn't good either. I received a custom built Arthur Caygill frameset from UK a couple of years ago via DHL. This was one of the few times I've been charged duty on bike stuff from UK or Europe. Plus they paid the duty applicable to a complete bike, which was higher than that on a frameset. I did receive a refund for the duty overcharge, but I'm not a fan of DHL.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Big Spring, TX
oroboyz@aol.com wrote: I will add my 2 cents to this DHL discussion.
I tried them as a shipping source for my biz, cycles de ORO, and ended the relationship, after 3 months, with a stand off over charges run amuck.
My conclusions, also after having read the highly varied yet sincere reports from CR members, is that DHL as a company seems to be in disorder and a confused state. Someone might luck out and received a killer rate and super service, while others get "the shaft!"
The important thing is to NOT use your singular experience to judge the company's overall service, but note the whole range of performance. Then decide if you are willing to trust luck and deal with them to handle your prized vintage goods.......
Dale Brown cycles de ORO, Inc. 1410 Mill Street Greensboro, NC 27408 USA 336-274-5959 http://www.cyclesdeoro.com http://www.classicrendezvous.com Giant, Specialized, Orbea, Bianchi, Felt, Litespeed, Landshark, Colnago, Townie and other exotica. National Bicycle Dealers Association Board member
-----Original Message----- From: wheelman@nac.net To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Sent: Tue, 11 Apr 2006 10:51:00 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [CR]The wonderful DHL
For those of you who wrote me all of your wonderful stories about you positive experiences with DHL I offer the following.
Rubbish....
I still don't have my bike frame and maybe sometime this week after I pay the ransome it will be delivered, yes delivered, they finally told me that they can deliver it once I pay the invoice. How generous of them for the fees charged. Oh,and that invoice, well here is the tally for one bike frame alone from France and I will not add in the "Duty" charge as everyone expects that.
Container Station Fee $12 Breakbulk Airpt Svc Fee $37 Air freight dest fee $331 Cartage & Services $45 Entry fee $140 Disbursment fee $10 Security fee $7 Merchandise process $2
A whopping $584 for one bike frame and this still does not include the duty charge of $39. So tell me again how great DHL is and perhaps if you tell me over and over I will be hypnotized into believing you. I can only imagine what the cost would be to the west coast. I guess I should be thankful I am closer to France.
Ray Homiski
Elizabeth, NJ