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What do I do if I'm billed for a service I didn't ask for?
Oct 25, 2016 @ 18:42

About a year ago I ordered some contact lenses online, and the website that I bought these products from decided to ship through DHL.


The products were delivered directly to my door in May 2015, and in November 2015, I suddenly got an invoice from the shipping company about a customs fee that they had fronted without my consent or knowledge. The invoice was detailed with:


1. Customs fee (16chf)


2. Provision for cash advancement (3chf)


3. Account management fee (19chf)


I wrote them an e-mail in December 2015 that while I will be reimbursing them for the customs fee that they paid, I will not pay the remaining items unless they can prove that they are entitled to them. They were not my choice of provider, and they went ahead with advancing the cash without informing me. If they had any "account management fee" to collect, it should have been charged to whoever who had chosen the service, not me.


DHL wrote back with no other answer than "pay up", then forwarded my personal details to a debt collector, who has now escalated the fees up to nearly 150chf for a service that I did not contract. When I wrote to the debt collector stating the situation, they replied with the same demeanor, "just pay up". 


So far the debt collector hasn't done much, other than sending a letter of harrassment once every few months with a bit of accrued interests added on. However, I did read about the consequences of non-payment in Switzerland, plus it is quite an annoyance. I would like to solve the problem once and for all, is there anyone who can help with this? Much thanks in advance!

The text you are quoting:

About a year ago I ordered some contact lenses online, and the website that I bought these products from decided to ship through DHL.


The products were delivered directly to my door in May 2015, and in November 2015, I suddenly got an invoice from the shipping company about a customs fee that they had fronted without my consent or knowledge. The invoice was detailed with:


1. Customs fee (16chf)


2. Provision for cash advancement (3chf)


3. Account management fee (19chf)


I wrote them an e-mail in December 2015 that while I will be reimbursing them for the customs fee that they paid, I will not pay the remaining items unless they can prove that they are entitled to them. They were not my choice of provider, and they went ahead with advancing the cash without informing me. If they had any "account management fee" to collect, it should have been charged to whoever who had chosen the service, not me.


DHL wrote back with no other answer than "pay up", then forwarded my personal details to a debt collector, who has now escalated the fees up to nearly 150chf for a service that I did not contract. When I wrote to the debt collector stating the situation, they replied with the same demeanor, "just pay up". 


So far the debt collector hasn't done much, other than sending a letter of harrassment once every few months with a bit of accrued interests added on. However, I did read about the consequences of non-payment in Switzerland, plus it is quite an annoyance. I would like to solve the problem once and for all, is there anyone who can help with this? Much thanks in advance!


Kay HOct 25, 2016 @ 18:42
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Re: What do I do if I'm billed for a service I didn't ask for?
Post 1
Oct 25, 2016 @ 18:46

Legal insurance would probably help if you have it?

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Legal insurance would probably help if you have it?


Olga K, Oct 25, 2016 @ 18:46
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Re: What do I do if I'm billed for a service I didn't ask for?
Post 2
Oct 25, 2016 @ 22:53

About a year ago I ordered some contact lenses online, and the website that I bought these products from decided to ship through DHL.

The products were delivered directly to my door in May 2015, and in November 2015, I suddenly got an invoice from the shipping company about a customs fee that they had fronted without my consent or knowledge. The invoice was detailed with:

1. Customs fee (16chf)

2. Provision for cash advancement (3chf)

3. Account management fee (19chf)

I wrote them an e-mail in December 2015 that while I will be reimbursing them for the customs fee that they paid, I will not pay the remaining items unless they can prove that they are entitled to them. They were not my choice of provider, and they went ahead with advancing the cash without informing me. If they had any "account management fee" to collect, it should have been charged to whoever who had chosen the service, not me.

DHL wrote back with no other answer than "pay up", then forwarded my personal details to a debt collector, who has now escalated the fees up to nearly 150chf for a service that I did not contract. When I wrote to the debt collector stating the situation, they replied with the same demeanor, "just pay up". 

So far the debt collector hasn't done much, other than sending a letter of harrassment once every few months with a bit of accrued interests added on. However, I did read about the consequences of non-payment in Switzerland, plus it is quite an annoyance. I would like to solve the problem once and for all, is there anyone who can help with this? Much thanks in advance!


Oct 25, 16 18:42

I think if you order something from outside of CH, you should realize that there will be an import.


For the record, some suppliers send the product in a way that I get a PoA from the Post Office for customs clearance and it is at least CHF 20 to pay as an extra....and the goods usually at that time are for example at Zurich Airport customs zone....


I guess you did not want to go as far as Zurich about CHF38?


 

The text you are quoting:

I think if you order something from outside of CH, you should realize that there will be an import.


For the record, some suppliers send the product in a way that I get a PoA from the Post Office for customs clearance and it is at least CHF 20 to pay as an extra....and the goods usually at that time are for example at Zurich Airport customs zone....


I guess you did not want to go as far as Zurich about CHF38?


 


Reka Y, Oct 25, 2016 @ 22:53
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Re: What do I do if I'm billed for a service I didn't ask for?
Post 3
Oct 26, 2016 @ 14:21

DHL is required , if the Douanne has spotted an import over a certain value, you will get several charges including VAT/TVA & Admin charges


Beleive me, you have virtually no chance to dispute this. You imported idems from outside Switzerland, and there is Customs duties and associated cost you must pay. Its like going to Intermarche or Champion and buying food, when you cross the boarder and the frontalier stops you, if your value is exceeding the legal limits, you pay heavily in VAT, admin and penalty. So always declare imports. 


Because of this DHL has no choice its a Swiss federal charge that they are rebuilling you.

The text you are quoting:

DHL is required , if the Douanne has spotted an import over a certain value, you will get several charges including VAT/TVA & Admin charges


Beleive me, you have virtually no chance to dispute this. You imported idems from outside Switzerland, and there is Customs duties and associated cost you must pay. Its like going to Intermarche or Champion and buying food, when you cross the boarder and the frontalier stops you, if your value is exceeding the legal limits, you pay heavily in VAT, admin and penalty. So always declare imports. 


Because of this DHL has no choice its a Swiss federal charge that they are rebuilling you.


Dave G, Oct 26, 2016 @ 14:21
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Re: What do I do if I'm billed for a service I didn't ask for?
Post 4
Oct 28, 2016 @ 10:31

You will not win this battle.. Pay the bill and move on.


 


It might hurt, but will hurt less than than ending up with a poursuit against you and trying to clear your name of that and additional costs etc.


 

The text you are quoting:

You will not win this battle.. Pay the bill and move on.


 


It might hurt, but will hurt less than than ending up with a poursuit against you and trying to clear your name of that and additional costs etc.


 


John H, Oct 28, 2016 @ 10:31
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Re: What do I do if I'm billed for a service I didn't ask for?
Post 5
Oct 28, 2016 @ 11:05

About a year ago I ordered some contact lenses online, and the website that I bought these products from decided to ship through DHL.

The products were delivered directly to my door in May 2015, and in November 2015, I suddenly got an invoice from the shipping company about a customs fee that they had fronted without my consent or knowledge. The invoice was detailed with:

1. Customs fee (16chf)

2. Provision for cash advancement (3chf)

3. Account management fee (19chf)

I wrote them an e-mail in December 2015 that while I will be reimbursing them for the customs fee that they paid, I will not pay the remaining items unless they can prove that they are entitled to them. They were not my choice of provider, and they went ahead with advancing the cash without informing me. If they had any "account management fee" to collect, it should have been charged to whoever who had chosen the service, not me.

DHL wrote back with no other answer than "pay up", then forwarded my personal details to a debt collector, who has now escalated the fees up to nearly 150chf for a service that I did not contract. When I wrote to the debt collector stating the situation, they replied with the same demeanor, "just pay up". 

So far the debt collector hasn't done much, other than sending a letter of harrassment once every few months with a bit of accrued interests added on. However, I did read about the consequences of non-payment in Switzerland, plus it is quite an annoyance. I would like to solve the problem once and for all, is there anyone who can help with this? Much thanks in advance!


Oct 25, 16 18:42

In switzerland, it is better to pay and then complain later. Because you can always be reimbursed if you did not need to pay. What most people do not realise is that the reminders and eventually the debt collection office puts you in a "bad payers" list. So just ask yourself is 38chf really worth the future of being considered a bad payer? And it keeps going up and whether you win the case eventually you will only be refunded the 38 chf. the reminder fees will not be refunded.

The text you are quoting:

In switzerland, it is better to pay and then complain later. Because you can always be reimbursed if you did not need to pay. What most people do not realise is that the reminders and eventually the debt collection office puts you in a "bad payers" list. So just ask yourself is 38chf really worth the future of being considered a bad payer? And it keeps going up and whether you win the case eventually you will only be refunded the 38 chf. the reminder fees will not be refunded.


Marcy S, Oct 28, 2016 @ 11:05
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Re: What do I do if I'm billed for a service I didn't ask for?
Post 6
Nov 4, 2016 @ 01:39

Oh, just so you know, the Douanne / boarder police can follow you if you cross the boarder into Switzerland. They have the right to enter your home or stop your car, they dont need a court order/authorization, They just need to suspect you are importing something and not declaring it. Infact they can stop anyone randomly without any cause. And that also if the case for any police, if they are on side of road, they can randomly wave you off the road for inspections.

The text you are quoting:

Oh, just so you know, the Douanne / boarder police can follow you if you cross the boarder into Switzerland. They have the right to enter your home or stop your car, they dont need a court order/authorization, They just need to suspect you are importing something and not declaring it. Infact they can stop anyone randomly without any cause. And that also if the case for any police, if they are on side of road, they can randomly wave you off the road for inspections.


Dave G, Nov 4, 2016 @ 01:39
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Re: What do I do if I'm billed for a service I didn't ask for?
Post 7
Nov 7, 2016 @ 11:30

okay, well that's good to know. I've always paid my customs upon arrival of the purchase, which is the case for most retailers. What really shocked me was the way that DHL entitled themselves to double my bill when it was the seller who have chosen their service. If they're allowed to charge the recipient for this, then I'll know next time to ask specifically what carrier the retailer is using. 


Thanks for the input though everyone.


Dave: sounds like someone had a bad experience with the police?... 

The text you are quoting:

okay, well that's good to know. I've always paid my customs upon arrival of the purchase, which is the case for most retailers. What really shocked me was the way that DHL entitled themselves to double my bill when it was the seller who have chosen their service. If they're allowed to charge the recipient for this, then I'll know next time to ask specifically what carrier the retailer is using. 


Thanks for the input though everyone.


Dave: sounds like someone had a bad experience with the police?... 


Kay H, Nov 7, 2016 @ 11:30
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