As everyone knows, UPS likes to charge you up the ying yang for brokerage fees when shipping a package from the United States. Well things are about to change, when you follow the "How to stick it to UPS" guide. You'll need a UPS warehouse depot, to find the nearest one phone UPS(the number is in Step 2) The address for the Calgary UPS warehouse depot is 3650 12th St. NE. And you'll need a Customs office in your city unless you're willing to drive to the nearest city with them. Here's how you do it:

*DISCLAIMER* I take no responsibility for any problems you may encounter using this guide. I'm just tell you how i do it and it's worked for the past 5 times i've done it(everytime).

Step 1. When buying online, whether through Ebay/forum/online store, and the seller will only ship through UPS. Ask the seller when shipping the package to state that the buyer(you) will clear customs for the package.

Step 2. Ask the buyer to get a tracking number to you asap. Without this number, you run the risk of paying UPS their bogus fees. Once you get the number, phone UPS(1-800-PICK-UPS) and tell them that you want the package to be held at your local UPS depot and that you'll be clearing customs yourself.

Step 3. When the package arrives at UPS they'll either phone you or deliver a yellow delivery tag to your door. If UPS shows up at your door with the package tell them that you arranged to pick up the package at the warehouse. If they refuse and tell you that you need to take it now, they're full of it.

Step 4. Go to the UPS warehouse depot office, in Winnipeg it's on the other side of the building than the shipping/receiving doors. Go inside and tell the receptionist that you arranged to clear the customs fees on your package. She'll then ask for ID, the price of the item, proof of purchase(auction/paypal receipt or an email from seller stating the cost and origin), and for you to sign some papers. Then she'll give you the customs papers.

Step 5. Take the papers to your Customs office, hand them over to the agent and tell him/her that you're there to clear your package. Be nice, because they have the power to make this whole experience a living hell. They'll tell you how much you owe, then you pay the cashier, and they'll give you back your papers.

Step 6. Go back to UPS but to the shipping/receiving doors and hand them the customs papers. They'll go and get your package.

Step 7. Take your package home and make sweet sweet love to it!

What about FedEx?
There is no FedEx warehouse in Winnipeg but i have friends that have done this through FedEx as well. The only difference is FedEx will send you a bill and you take that bill(with proof of purchase) to customs. Pay the government their share and phone FedEx that you cleared the package yourself. They then will ask you to fax the receipt.