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Made in Canada conundrum

We all know that some of the very best audio equipment is made in Canada. Some of these legendary companies don't have service facilities in the USA, so if it breaks,like mine did, you send it back to Canada. I just experienced this: Promised about 2 weeks turn-around time, but we're going on 2 months and it's still at Customs in Canada, who are waiting to clear it, having charged me tax, duty, broker fees (FedEx) and a fourth charge for some technicality that I've forgotten. What do US purchasers feel about paying tax, duty and broker fees when they buy Canadian and then pay the same fees again to have the original repaired? Annoyed, like I am, or did you know that? And would you have bought Canadian if you knew this before-hand - like I didn't, because nobody told me. Should I have known this? Opinions, please. (I will keep the Manufacturer's name confidential while I wait for resolution)
springbok10
magfan
1,583 posts
 
How many of the PARTS involved in any electronic device do either Canada or the US actually make? Probably not many. I work for a company that makes power devices...power supply or power output. We even make our own class 'd' amplifier module. But, we make (mainly) 1 part, the power transistors / FREDs (Fast Recovery Epitaxial Diode) and some other minor stuff. The boards have dozens of components, most Asian and some European.
For that matter, how much of ANYthing is made in only 1 country. I'll bet that even the glass needed for a vacuum tube's envelope is imported by most of the countries that still make tubes, let alone the specialty wire/ feedthru.

No single country actually makes or fabricates anything, but rather ASSEMBLES others parts.

I agree with Peterayer.........what ever happened to NAFTA??? Yet another bill of political goods?
aljordan
46 posts
 
Bryston, a Canadian company, has a repair facility in Vermont. When I stupidly blew up the output transistors on my old 4B-ST due to a speaker wiring short, I sent the amp out to them on a Monday and received it back on Thursday of the same week - no charge. Bryston has the best customer service of any audio manufacture I've experienced, so prospective buyers should not avoid them because of their Canadian location.

Alan
madfloyd
411 posts
 
Getting stuff INTO Canada is a pain. Getting stuff from there to the USA is simple.
springbok10 OP
711 posts
 
Alan, I can say exactly the same about Magnum Dynalab, a Canadian company that has a repair facility somewhere south of the border. 4 day turn-around, superb service.
springbok10 OP
711 posts
 
Trelja wrote:

>>I think the percentage of foreign companies without a US repair facility is well over 50%. Based on the experiences I've had in the past few years, I've more or less come to the conclusion that a company not based in North America that is unable/unwilling to pay someone in the USA to support their margue and all that's involved in doing so is a company not worth patronizing.<<

I, for one, will never ever again buy a foreign product that does not have a US-based repair/support facility.
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