If you learn the custom/tariff rules you won't get burned. They are primarily set up to be fair about being applied to items only once in regardless how often it crosses the border. If an item was sourced from an American company originally and sent to Canada, it is assumed that the fee was paid then. When the same item is later sold across the border to the US, you declare that on a customs form and pay no fees. In case of Naim gear, which is produced in neither country, I don't know what the rule is because I have never had it come up. As for Paypal, Canada has its own service in that role. I don't blame them either for that. If I can't pay a Canadian brick and mortar dealer with my Visa card, I generally send a Western Union money order. My bank offers them free to good customers and for .99 for others. Most banks in the world treat these like cash and they usually process overnight.
Audio Eden & Lack of Response - Anyone Else?
I have tried since last weekend to get a response from the Canadian retailer, Audio Eden, who is offering a used Nait Naim UnitiServe. Calling them occasionally got a response to call back later. Their terms were onerous; quoting in Canadian dollars only, refusing to use PayPal and wanting to impose a 6 1/2% tariff to ship into the States. That one really steamed me. Since when were tariffs applied to used goods? Near the end of my frustration when I couldn't get any response to my emails I tried to call them. Apparently they are a 2 man shop. The fellow that I could get on the phone always deferred to the other guy. I tried for three days to reach him but never did. I'd beware of these people. All my other Audiogon experiences have been very positive. This is the lone exception. I'm now glad that I didn't buy from them. Had I had a problem I seriously doubt that it would have ever been resolved.