Hagen’s of Blaine

I drove down to the US today to pick up a package from Hagen’s of Blaine on the only weekday that they’re open late (past 5:30pm). As I turn my car around to park directly in front I see two employees staring/​looking out the front windows (they have two separate entrances areas to pick up packages) of both entrances. As I’m about to step out of my car, the one closes the blinds and turns off the open sign, the other one promptly turns off the second open sign and makes her way to the back out of sight. Now I was under the impression that they were open until 9pm, I got out of the car at 7:59 not realizing they were only open until 8pm. I knocked on the door but got no response. While I am not without blame, It just seems like a crappy way of dealing with customers that you know come from across the border (we spent 1 ½ hours driving back and forth). Needless to say after about 10 years of picking up packages from there, these ones will be the last ones I retrieve from Hagen’s of Blaine.
There are plenty of other pickup options with much better hours (5dpackages for example: 10−9pm weekly + 8pm on weekends) and much better rates + no yearly fee. I’ve been with Hagen’s for so long that I just hadn’t bothered switching, but this latest dealing forced my hand. I’d recommend anyone looking to not waste your time with them, go for a business willing to cater towards your needs, not the other way around!

I really like this place, I ordered something and let it sit for a month and it was still so cheap to receive packages here. Nice friendly staff since it was my first time here! Way more professional and organized than the previous place I used. If only they had later weekday hours and longer weekend hours, saturdays at the border are a nightmare.

I’m so disappointed — I went down to Hagen’s yesterday to pick up 3 packages. 2 of them had arrived earlier and 1 of them arrived yesterday morning at 10 am according to my Fedex Tracking updates. I came there at 630 pm.
Usually when a package arrives the day of and when I’m already there they asked me for the tracking number to get my package. They’ve done that for me a few times before. Yesterday however she told me they were backlogged and that they wouldn’t give me my package because it wasn’t logged in yet. I understand that it’s the holiday season and that they are busy but if this is the kind of service that they deem as acceptable for increased traffic and clientele then I think in the new year I will probably use the new ²⁴⁄₇ place — they assign you a locker and you can come whenever to retrieve your stuff! Hagen’s hours are not that great and the fact that she didn’t consider how I would have to make another drive down to pick up a package that was already physically there and just «not logged in» yet is ridiculous to say the least!!! I’m pretty sure the customer in front of me had the same situation and she told him «oh that just came in just hold on and she’ll go look for it». If she picked and chose who to do this for it makes the situation even worse.
Again, I wrote them a great review before because I have been using them for years but now with all the other options in Blaine I am not impressed or inclined to give them my business when they clearly don’t have the same customer service approach as they used to. I guess that’s the unfortunate result of getting more business

Hagen’s used to be the go to place in Blaine for us, up to a few years ago when they implemented an annual fee to use their services. The annual fee was in addition to the the pickup charge.
While service and hours have generally been good (with some issues), they are no longer a viable option. They also added a secondary area to pick up your parcels. You would enter from the main door, check-​in, and then you had to go outside to go next door and pick up your item. How ridiculous that is.
They also have a lot of refuse containers where people open up their packages and (presumably) don’t declare the items when they bring them back across the border. CBSA usually wants to see the entire contents so it’s not a good thing to throw away the box et al until you get back to Canada.
There are so, so, so many other receiving and shipping places in Blaine that are substantially cheaper, have better hours, and almost all of them have no annual fee.

Notice that every negative review is ‘not recommended’ and every positive ‘recommended’. A perfect example how corrupt Unilocal really is!

Although I have numerous bad experiences with Hagen’s and I am a legitimate longstanding reviewer, this review will be put into the ‘not recommended’ category just like the 30+ other negative reviews that ‘somehow’ don’t stay on the front page.

So far so good! Ive used them twice now.
You need to pay an annual fee of $ 12USD and 2.50 per package. I love the email reminder system to let you know your package has arrived.
Pretty easy online sign up. Conveniently located 2 minutes from the border, open 6 days.

They’re a solid, reliable, efficient shipping/​receiving company which I used for years. Its no wonder they’re busy. They extend their hours for the Christmas season. Like that they had a mirror for trying on clothing, shoes, etc. Didn’t like the extra fee they charged for shipping a package or the yearly fee.
I ended up converting to Pulse Packages because they have more attractive overall pricing, generous package holding time, and you can prepay for your packages online with Canadian funds!

If I could sing, I would write a song about how great Hagen’s is: «Fa-​aa – aast like a cheetah, relia-​aa-​aable like a swiss clock, e-​e-​e-​easy like a… easy thing.» Yeah, this is why I don’t write lyrics or sing.
Nonetheless, the point is that Hagen’s is all those things. The fees are worth it if you order frequently. Sure, the line-​up at opening time can be out the door, but it’s moves fast. Perhaps even, like a cheetah. Rawr!
Downsides? Staff sometimes seem a little grumpy at opening time, but hey — I’m not a morning person either and my idea of a fun time doesn’t include working at 9am on Saturday morning either. There haven’t been any screw-​ups, so I’m happy!
Bonus customer service points for helping me on the phone with what turned out to be a major screw up with the post-​office, checking their paper records and promptly returning my call.
On behalf of Canada, I thank you! Rock-​on Hagen’s!
Oh. and also on behalf of Canada, I apologize for the folks giving low ratings because they were charged for leaving a package beyond the 2 week grace period. It’s a clearly stated policy, one that we all agree to when signing up, and it’s a totally reasonable thing.
So, again. I’m deeply sorry, and I thank you, thank you, thank you! (I feel a song coming on to express my gratitude.)

Very efficient system! Easy to sign up online.
They will email you once your package arrives.
They are very easy to deal with and the price per package is $ 5 and they will hold it for free for 2 weeks.
If you order from the US a lot, pay the annual $ 12 fee and your package costs $ 2.50.
You can unpackage all your packing materials there after you pick up your package and save you looking for the garbage going back home to Canada
They have 2 warehouse side by side, one is for posts from the US Postal Service, the other is for everything else, regardless whichever warehouse you walk into, the staff is very friendly and courteous and point you to the right direction.

Great service, always well staffed. But they don’t let you contact them by phone or email but you can fax them. HELLO!
Sorry, but since the majority of their customers aren’t local this makes it hard to do business with them.

I have been a client for years and I love the convenience Hagen’s provides so I can shop online for so many things and then pop over the border for pickup. Thanks Hagen’s!

Ridiculous! I’ve been a customer of Hagen’s for a few years now. Went to pick up 2 packages and when I arrived realized I’d forgotten my wallet. They refused to put on my record that I owed them $ 5, even after I said I’d be back in one week to pick up a third package. I spent 1.5 hours driving to get there (wasting a total of 3 hours, and $ 10 on gas).
It was some of the rudest and most thoughtless customer service I’ve experienced in a long time. Lets think about it: do you want my $ 5 NOW, or do you want my $ 5 in a week plus my +$ 100 – 200 dollars over the coming years? Because I CERTAINLY won’t be using Hagen’s services ever again.
By the way, I think the main culprits are the female manager and a guy named Brian — whoever the owners are, get some new management that has manners and a hint of customer-​centered thinking.

I finally got a US address. I had my package sent here from Amazon. The sign up process is simple and quick. All you have to do is register on line and get a customer number. And use that customer number when you order stuff online. Voila!
It’s as easy as that.
The guy working there was friendly and efficient. $ 2.50 for a package under 44lbs. if you pay annual fee or $ 5.00 if you don’t pay annual fee.

I went to Hagen’s of Blaine to pick up my package and they shut the door down of my face! I am very disappointed and unhappy with your services.
I found another place for those who doesn’t know there is another place called Blaine Postal Center just a few blocks away from your address. I now have my mail box there, they open everyday including Sunday until 5pm and what I liked most they do not charge any ANNUAL FEE! for those who would like to change your mail box here is the address
2390 Peace Portal Drive

I’ve been a client now for about 2 years, I have been very happy with their service. Many an order from
has been shipped here.
I love the fact that I get a text and an email when my packages arrive. With Nexus I’m over and back to Burnaby in an hour most days mid-​week, including filling up with gas. (Avoid the Chevron on Peace Portal Drive, instead go up on D street and it’s usually 20 – 30 cents a gallon cheaper.)
They’re recycling friendly, very nice of them to have tables for you to open your packages and bins to put the boxes, etc. for recycling.
Be prepared for long border lineups, border guard questions, and have your merchandise on the front seat (if you can).

Things are way different now.
I love have the option of buying online and avoiding the high and unpredictable cross-​border shipping costs. I’ve tried The Letter Carrier in Point Roberts, but after a few bad experiences, and watching the mayhem of them not finding my packages in a mountain of boxes during the busy season, I decided to direct all my packages to Hagens of Blaine. The Point Roberts border crossing is also another reason for not going the other route. They seem to exist only to collect duties.
Hagens of Blaine offered a great service. I’ve been raving to friends for years about the benefits of using a Blaine-​based receiving depot. Simply ship to their address, using your name, and pay a small fee to pickup the package when you go stateside. Those were the good old days. These guys are now too big for their britches, and have become money grabbers. The $ 2.50 pickup fee (was $ 2) still exists, but there is now an additional $ 12 annual fee. If you don’t want to pay the fee, item pickup is an extra $ 2.50 per item. So the minimum fee would be $ 5. The annual fee is apparently there to give you access to an online system that seems to be made in 1996. If you’re like me, and already use tracking on your packages, it has no additional benefit. The shop is expanding to the space next door, and it seems obvious that the going is good, but it all comes at a price, and in some cases, a screeching halt, for small-​time online shoppers like myself.
A word of warning. There used to be a lot of lenience on packages left there for a week or three. I buy several things online around at the same time so as to cut down on trips across the border. Unfortunately, different shipping methods and US delivery schedules don’t always sync up, and I’d find myself waiting for packages to arrive while others are already sitting at Hagens.
Most recently, I took an extra 2 weeks to pick up my packages and was hit with an $ 8.50 storage charge on an LP record. ONE record. Sure they have a policy which states that late fees will be charged, but this was never a problem on small items before. I’m glad to abide by the rules, but if they are inconsistent with it, people will consider it a lax policy, and will not enjoy the sudden strictness.
I mentioned to them that I may have to try a different shipping depot, and their only response was «You don’t have to use us.» This is terrible customer service. The smiles and niceties of the past in their office have turned sour. I only hope I can find another option. In the meantime I will be thinking twice about shipping here and will not be renewing this useless annual fee.

I have been using Hagen’s for at least 7 or 8 years now. Each package used to cost $ 2. Now there’s a $ 12 annual fee, plus $ 2.50 per package. The price increase is not so bad, because I love dealing with Cathy and Steve (and Stephanie before she retired).
So why the 3-​star? Two reasons.
Reason one:
Ever since they hired Brian, I dread going there. I swear the guy is bipolar. One day he’ll be Mr. Most Friendly, and the next time you go he’ll be Mr. Biggest Asshole. But most of the time, if you had a question about something, he’ll talk to you like you are stupid. For example, if you don’t remember your member number, watch out! Brian is going to state out loud so everyone can hear, Oh, how could you not remember your own member number? Weren’t you just here last week and I looked up your number for you?
Seriously, Brian, get a life. I can see you spend a lot of time in the gym working on those biceps so you can peck on the keyboard and look up a member number for a customer.
Reason two:
The new e-​mail system sucks, in my opinion. I never receive the notification, and yet I still have to pay $ 12/​year for it. They tell me it’s a problem with Hotmail. Well, then, fix it!

Hello over-​the-​knee rainbow striped socks that I can’t find in Canada!
Hagen’s of Blaine just opened up a new world of e-​commerce and shipping for me. So much of the stuff I love can only be found state-​side (or after horrendous international shipping fees, if they ship to Canada at all) and finding this place was great.
The annual fee of $ 12 + $ 2.50 per package is a bit steep, but I gotta say that the service is worth it. Emailed me when my package (s) were in, came with my customer number, they found the packages, had me sign, and I was in and out in under 5 min. I think that is a win!

Hagen’s is the other package receiving service I use when I want to take advantage of the great US shopping deals that aren’t in Canada.
I typically use TSB Shipping (
) since Point Roberts is more convenient than Blaine for me, but these guys are also great.
They charge about $ 2.50 for most packages but they call you instead of e-​mailing you, so you get a phone call fee tagged on when you pick up so it ends up being similar to TSB in Point Roberts for me. I believe you can opt out of this but since I don’t use them as often, I’ve never bothered to look into it.
I also like this place — safe and reliable storage of your US purchases and friendly service. Just past the border crossing off the main Interstate. Opens Mon to Sat, closed Sun and holidays.