RP
Rosemarie P

1 reviews | Active since Jun 2012

30 Sept 2020, 09:43

Fabricated additional "surprise" fees, delivery delays and poor communication...DHL *******.

I am utterly disgusted at the manner in which DHL fabricated storage fees for 9 days even though the delay on delivery was entirely their fault - either negligently or deliberate but either way it was completely unjustified based on non existing customs fees. On 14 September I received a SMS from DHL stating my parcel from South Africa would arrive at my home in Hungary on 22 September. On 23 September I received another SMS asking me to e-mail DHL, I did so immediately and DHL e-mailed back requesting that I confirm my address, the content of the packet and provide proof of payment for customs duties and fees. As I knew the value of the parcel was too low for customs duties and NO INVOICE WAS RECEIVED I called DHL who confirmed that there were in fact no fees required. I e-mailed DHL on 24 September providing all the information they already had (my address and the content of the parcel) and even stated in the event that there were any fees I would pay these cash on delivery as I assumed this might just have been administrative requirements. On 24 September another e-mail from DHL requesting that I confirm and acknowledge that I would have to pay fees (still no actual invoice or amount required was received). Again I responded immediately saying that I acknowledge and confirm that in the event that there were any customs duties or other fees I would pay these cash. DHL did not respond, instead I received an automated response saying they would attend to my request. On 25 September I once again wrote an e-mail stating that I would be willing to pay any fees required cash even though it has now been repeatedly confirmed via telephone that there were no fees required from me. Again I received an automated response stating they would attend to my request. On 28 September another sms from DHL stating that I needed to pay fees. I e-mailed asking what these fees they kept asking me to pay was since to the best of my knowledge there were non and I had already told them I would pay cash if there was . An automated response form DHL saying they would attend to my request. On 28 September my parcel arrived with a 9 day storage fee charged which I paid cash as I had been forced over a period of five days to repeatedly confirm and acknowledge I would pay any fees. I called DHL and was told by them that they had been in possession of my parcel since 17 September and they had emailed me on 17 September already which was a blatant lie as they only received my email address after requesting it via sms on 23 September *(one day after my package was set to arrive as confirmed by DHL themselves so even if they did receive it early charging me for this is ridiculous) I tried explain to the lady that there must be some system error on their side and was told to email the same address as I used for communication with DHL before. I e-mailed DHL and once again received an automated response stating that they would attend to my request. In my opinion this amounts to ***** because DHL deliberately held my parcel back based on non existing customs fees required and then charged me for the time they took to realise that there were no customs fees and then to add insult to injury they fabricated justifications for this based on non existing e-mails they claim to have sent me saying they had my parcel FIVE DAYS before the date they confirmed it would be arriving. Any and all e-mail response I have received from them to date has either requested I pay money or been automated saying they will respond but they never do. I do not know who is running the show at DHL but it is a circus where fees are made up and the rules do not matter. I strongly advise anyone looking to courier a parcel do so through a more reputable firm.

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Replies (4)
RP
Rosemarie P's update30 Sept 2020, 15:23
Reviewer Update
Dear Bushisiwe

Thank you for your timely response to my grievance.

I would be extremely grateful if you could clarify what exactly the reason for the delay and storage charge were as I am double the value of my parcel out of pocket through no fault of mine and any attempts at clarification have only proved frustrating.

Kind regards
DHL Express
DHL Express's reply30 Sept 2020, 16:44
Official

Dear Rosemary 

Hope this Email finds you well 

Please be advised your complaint has ben sent to Customs department to assist and advise 

They will contact you and our Customer Care Executive Akhona will also update you tomorrow

Kind Regards
Busisiwe Sithole


RP
Rosemarie P's update30 Sept 2020, 21:39
Reviewer Update
Thank you.
RP
Rosemarie P's update06 Oct 2020, 14:07
Reviewer Update
Hats off to Busisiwe Sithole with DHL customer care for getting the Hungarian DHL team to finally respond. Busisiwe, you have redeemed a multitude of sins and I am relieved to know that DHL employees people who not only care but also clearly know how to get the job done. I am more inclined to want to give DHL another try in future because of you. Much appreciated.