Customs

[TropicalBob]

Plastic pipe.

I kid you not. I got both the old and new invoices. "Plastic pipe". Geez.

[RatInDaHat]

i think that might make it harder to fight with them as well. Good luck in your crusade sir. Cross your fingers for me cause i just placed a decent sized order.

[EricD]

Jumpin jupiter. You're really getting the run around aren't ya TB. Ok, so... we're in good shape so far. That's good to know. I can relax now.

[leaford]

Hey, TB, what is the other forum you mentioned?

[TropicalBob]

http://ecigforum.com/index.php#1

I'm just a lurker on that one. This is my home.

[TropicalBob]

Ah, yet another update. FedEx sent me a large envelope by mail today (more than 50 cents postage to mail it), with 10 pages inside explaining that my order has 50 cents Customs fees due. "Sample of pipe", it explains, valued at $20, should have been assessed a 50-cent fee. THIS IS NOT AN INVOICE, the letter proclaims. I have no idea when I'll get an invoice -- probably delivered at a cost of to FedEx of $15 or so for gas and personnel.

The papers show that Customs opened my package and photographed the sample pack of cartridges. There was no 50ml E-Liquid that was ordered and paid for.

An invoice FedEx provided Customs said this is a "smoking cessation" tool. The E-Cig invoice said it's a pipe. The one I submitted detailed everything that should have been in the package, right down to the chemical composition of the liquids in the cartridges and (non-existant) bottle.

I placed another order two days ago with E-Eig. I think that will be my last.

[EricD]

Are you going to get your 50 ml of liquid from e-cig?

[TropicalBob]

I've sent E-Cig an email detailing the problem and copied over the FedEx correspondence on the absence of the 50ml. No surprise that I haven't heard from E-Cig yet. A Chinese holiday began today and lasts three days. I'll give them time to get to my email. I really want that bottle I paid for!

[TropicalBob]

I was poking around the Ruyan site this morning, since it's the Rolls-Royce of e-smoking products, and began reading their FAQs, when I came across this:

Q: Why do you mark each parcel as "gift" or "sample" and low value product?
A: Just to help you avoid the customs charge ( Tax ).

The prosecution rests, your honor.

[TropicalBob]

I am livid. E-Cig finally acknowledged my posts on their forum. I detailed my problem -- that the 50ml E-Liquid was never in the package -- and got this reply:

Please be informed that we are not responsible for the problem due to the shipping according to our company's policy. For any problem from the shipping, please contact your local shipping company.

Yes, I unloaded both barrels in reply. By the way, go read their entire page on Shipping. You won't find any such policy.

I WILL NEVER PAY ONE MORE CENT TO E-CIG FOR ANYTHING. Just take a look at the massive number of problems customers post on their forum. This is one lousy company.