I just received Vital Reds via Canada Post, shipped from GundryMD.com by the USPS. I have only used Vital Reds one day so far, so this is not a review of the product, but rather of the purchasing and shipping to Canada process. Canadians beware of hidden costs!
I paid $9.95 US for "Standard International Shipping" with a promise of delivery within 5-9 business days. There was no other shipping method offered (why not?). I discovered the Tracking Number issued does not work once the package crosses into Canada - they failed to mention that detail. When the package did not arrive after 12 business days, I contacted a "Customer Wellness Agent" and was informed shipping to Canada actually takes 14-21 business days, so please wait longer! I finally received the package 17 business days (24 calendar days) from shipping date. Canada Post charged me C.O.D. charges (which resulted from charges by Canada Border Services Agency of 13% HST tax plus $9.95 "handling fee").
I am very disappointed with the GundryMD.com ordering and shipping process. After negotiating through persistent, annoying, and aggressive marketing strategies that would embarrass a "snake oil" salesperson, I placed an order, expecting "free shipping" like the front order page says, only to discover there are additional costs for shipping to Canada. My experience with other USA businesses such as Amy Myers, MD, Amazon, eBay, etc. has been far superior and GundryMD.com would benefit by emulating them.
Canadian, be aware of the final cost of ordering product from GundryMD.com. In addition to the exchange rate "penalty" due to our lower dollar, add shipping, HST tax, plus Canada Border Services Agency "handling charges," and your cost will be very high. If you pay $69.95 US per jar of Vital Reds, it equals to approximately $107 Canadian for a 4 oz. jar, which equals to $26.75 Canadian per ounce, so this stuff is truly "gold" and is extremely expensive per oz even if purchased at 1/2 price. I sure hope it works miracles for that price!
Note that the "snake oil" part is the very aggressive marketing. For example, different customers pay different prices at different times, and prices always keep changing, even as you are placing an order (I received a "Black Friday discounted" price of $35 US per jar). This marketing strategy must be working for them, but it sure detracts from their legitimacy (and makes me feel like the site is risky to leave a credit card number with for payment).
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Company Response from Gundry MD
Dec 27, 2017
Hi Randy, I'm Aria from Gundry MD. Thank you so much for taking the time to let us know about your ordering experience. I am so sorry to hear about the frustration you experienced with the customs charges. Unfortunately, as is E-Commerce standard, we are not responsible for customs charges incurred by the customer. Typically, customs charges are randomly incurred on only about 10% of all orders coming into the country. We have no way of knowing how much the charge will be, as it varies. I can go ahead and refund your customs charges because of the miscommunication we caused.
Please keep in mind that in the future that we are unable to refund customs charges if an order acquires them. In regards to the ordering process, we want to make sure that each customer is receiving the best deal available, which is why we offer multiple deals upon checkout. I truly apologize that it does not come off this way. I have taken note of this though because we always want to improve our customer's ordering experience. Please email me at Aria@Gundrymd.com so that I can issue you a refund right away! Again, I am so sorry for the miscommunication that we caused but I look forward to making this right by you!
