I'm in Montreal, and no, there is no problems with customs. I've bought and sold all kinds of gear without any problems at all, so if there's anyone unwilling to sell to Canada, it's likely a case of being unfamiliar with how easy it really is. Happy listening, Jeff |
The problem is that they are extra fees shipping to Canada and more paperwork to fill out. Going to the post office here in the States and saying that you want to send something to Canada, boom! It's like you're trying to send something to Saddam himself. It's a pain. And here's the kicker. If the person in Canada refuses the shipment, you are likely to never receive your parcel back to you. Sent something in Jan 2000 and still trying to get it back. Luckily I won't lose much money. Refused parcels get put in a giant black hole and who knows what happens after that. The US post office had me fill out a form in Feb and said ok, they'll send it in. It's August now and no word at all from anyone yet. This is why people stay away from shipping to Canada. |
I've bought and sold many items north of the border. And not had any problems. The key is this: I've always prepaid when I was purchasing something, and had them prepay me when they were purchasing from me. Some will argue this takes any control out of one party's hands, but I think a certain level of trust is already a necessity. I probably wouldn't do this with a high ticket item like an amp or something like that, but for cables etc. . . it's worked perfectly for me. Also, I think when a lot of folks mark 'usa only', they'd probably sell to Canada if you ask them to. Many don't think of Canada as 'foreign' territory. |
I too am Canadian but have had good results doing cross-border business - selling & buying. Remember, never us UPS as they will add in $40 for brokerage fees. Fedex includes this in their prices. While I agree that it can be a little more paperwork for the US seller (usually just one extra form), I think its worth it if you can seal the deal quickly. At present there is no cross-border COD so there has to be a level of trust between both parties. To date, my purchases/sales have never exceeded $700 US so the risk has been minimal (although $700 US to the average bloke like me is still a few bucks and would hurt to be lost). With the now reduced cost of long distance phone charges a few calls between the interested parties would probably minimize the fears of a deal going sour. With the high exchange rate ($1 US = $1.5 $Cdn) us Canucks have to shop carefully but its my opinion that when we decide to make the purchase we are going to do so sincerely. Just my 2 cents worth.... |
Even on prepaid items, shipping UPS requires that the item be accompanied by several copies of an invoice. Then canada adds PST, GST and brokerage fees. My canadian buyer was really upset after paying an extra $90 (canadian?) to canada on a US$215 deal for a used Japanese unit. Like it was my fault. Then to top it all off, my bank later clipped me with a $3 fee for processing a canadian postal money order payable in US$. It's a shame but you friendly canadians are never going to see another piece of my equipment. |
Thanks for the input and advice guys. I really appreciate it. |
Add the following other reasons: PAYPAL doesn't serve Canada, in other words no good way to verify the transaction. Your legal remedies, if get's to that level, are extremely limited. After almost 30 transactions on the web, my only sour one was a Canadian. Not to say Canadians are untrustworthy, but are would surely like to do something to that guy who stuffed me! |
Kleetch - as for PST/GST between private parties on used gear I believe there are exceptions. I purchased a used passive preamp from the US and as the value was in excess of $200 ($US) I had to pay GST (no PST as I live in Alberta)on that amount as well as a $5 handling fee from Canada Post. Possibly had the shipment gone FedEx this may have been negated. Its a hard call to make when considering shipping - FedEx (including their built in brokerage) vs Postal Service with the chance of paying GST/PST. PS Jorge - sorry that you got stiffed - I guess we all take a chance whether or not the item has to cross the border or not. |
I have had two successful purchases from Canada but I must say that Canada Post was positively glacial. Getting $C at Post Office not much of a problem. One seller was private, one a dealer. Both were OK |
Highend, guess yo mamma didn't tell ya soon enuf that excessive alcohol comsumption will rot your brain. |
Boy,you guys have scared the heck out of me.When I first read the title of this thread,I was thinking;China,Japan Korea.I have heard storys of long time to deliver.But most all the responses from Canadians,contradicting each other. Of course all threads, on all subjects,usually go that way. WOW, and Mr Highend,COLLAGE,means medley, montage. It does not refer to a place of higher education.But in your case it probably refers to anything past the second grade,as your response indicates.Hey,I got some fire retardant right beside the browser,lets see what you got!! Only a very narrow mind thinks in terms of "all Canadians',All Americans',all Frenchmen" Smart people have figured this out them "selfs" You know I was joking about the second grade before,now I'm sure.You know,a person can walk into a room,all the narrow minded people are thinking,because of his apperance,"boy is this guy dumb! The intelligent folk wait for the person to say something,thus removing ALL doubt. I probably have to explain this to you;but Mr Highend, you just walked into our room. |
My sell ads also contain the restriction "sell to USA Buyer only". That is because my payment terms are COD via certified funds. These payment terms are both difficult to apply to overseas transactions simply because it takes way to long to get paid. I also don't want to have the deal hung up by customs or duties or anything like that. However - I have and will sell to non-USA buyers IF they agree to prepay via wire transfer. In fact I have sold items to buyers in both Europe and Asia on this basis. I admit that I'm not sure I would agree to these terms if the circumstances were reversed but I do have a good audiogon feedback record (+48) so I guess buyers are a liitle more inclined to trust me. In fact, my last auctions closed on July 10. One was for cables from a european buyer the other was for a preamp to an instate (California) buyer. I got paid on the cables via wire in about a week after the auction and then shipped them to The Netherlands via 2-3 Global priority. Everything went fine. Shipping cost was about $65 for about 11 pounds. I shipped the preamp to Sacramento (about 400 miles away) via UPS - COD and got paid yesterday (a little more than 2 weeks after delivery). When selling overseas I complete the customs declaration form and its up to my buyer to deal with customs abd duties from his end. I've already been paid in full so at that point it's not my problem. Still think all Americans are dumb Highend? Oh well - I do have two post graduate degrees in addition to my "collage" education - BUT - I did play football. |
Glad to hear someone else has had similar experiences to mine in selling outside our borders. I too have a 'collage' education, from Emory U. As much as I've tried, I just can't come up with a better way to put things than avguygeorge already has; he stated things quite eloquently. Would also like to state this: I have two very good Canadian friends who are nothing like mr. highend, so don't let him form your opinion of all Canadians. |
The Collage went over your American heads.I guess those COLLAGE grads who cant read and write but can play football,basketball.They would spell it COLLAGE get it. |
