Shipping to Canada

[Wang Foolio]

Good afternoon everybody,

As anyone from Canada will tell you, ordering electronics here can really suck some times. The dollar is trading around $0.995 right now, but prices are terrible for Canadian retailers. I have been looking at upgrading my aging harman/kardon AVR340, and the Pioneer VSX 1120K has caught my eye.

However.

I'm having a hard time finding a good place to pick one up here. Most places don't even have it. And then there's the price... Best Buy is asking $800 for the 1020K (again they don't even list the 1120K on their site). Amazon.com has the 1120K new for $500. I know which price I'd rather pay.

The big question mark with ordering off something like Amazon is the potential for shipping/duty charges. Companies like UPS like to screw us over big time when shipments cross the border. $20 shipping on a website can easily net you a good $80 in extra fees by the time it gets to your door. Not that long ago I ordered an airbrush/compressor/paintbrushes, it was delivered FedEx for like $20, and then "SURPRISE!" I had to pay an extra $100 or so 3 months later for all the duty and brokerage fees.

The Amazon site says like $13 for expedited shipping to Canada for electronics, and has some mention of a Global Program where you can put a deposit on duty/taxes. They say your cost won't ever exceed that deposit. Has anyone used this? Any idea on what to expect for a total shipping cost?

Or, better yet, is there anyone shipping within Canada that can come close to the prices on American online retailers?

There's some disclaimer on Amazon about warranties when they ship outside the US as well. No idea how that would work with Pioneer.

Many, many thanks.

 

[Doc.]

I don't believe Amazom.com will ship most electronics to Canada, Especially receivers. If you live near the border there are places like package express that you can ship to then go pick it up yourself. I believe most receivers will incur a 6.5% duty which if still way cheaper than buying in canada.

 

[Wang Foolio]

After doing a second round of digging, I think you're right on that one. They have an International Shipping Available category that has little to no useful products in it for home theater.

I really hope I don't end up having to pay double what this or any other receiver's actually worth. If there's no way to get a significant discount north of the border, I probably won't be looking at a significant upgrade until tax return season. And by then the 2011 stuff will be rolling out and virtually full MSRP everywhere.

 

[3db]

We Canadians are screwed when it comes to this sort of thing. Its a "cash cow " for the provincial and federal governement(s).

 

[Wang Foolio]

I think I might be writing a letter to Tony Clement (Industry Canada Minister) just to see what he has to say on the subject on importing electronics. I'm sure it would take a month and it wouldn't actually answer the question directly, but I'm curious about what sort of tariffs/whatever they are charging.

 

[billy p]

After doing a second round of digging, I think you're right on that one. They have an International Shipping Available category that has little to no useful products in it for home theater.

I really hope I don't end up having to pay double what this or any other receiver's actually worth. If there's no way to get a significant discount north of the border, I probably won't be looking at a significant upgrade until tax return season. And by then the 2011 stuff will be rolling out and virtually full MSRP everywhere.

Yeah... buying from Amazon dot com will likely not ship because of our Canadian version of Amazon which is nothing more than a online bookstore or cd shop.

 

[Davemcc]

I haven't found a good way to get cheap electronics into Canada except to go to the States and bring it home with you.

 

[Wang Foolio]

I hate eBay, but are there any reputable names on there for international electronics?

 

[hewhoisbill]

Hey there,

Speaking as a fellow Canuck that has imported almost his entire home theater set up, I share your pain in getting any kind of electronics across the border. For some quick vendor suggestions, in the past I have dealt with Emotiva successfully (albeit not cheaply), the Audioholics web store, and B&H Photo and Video. I can't speak to any retailer on Ebay, but I would verify if the store is a certified reseller by checking the manufacturers website prior to purchasing anything.

My method of shipping has always been FedEx International Ground, and I have never had to pay additional duty fees beyond what FedEx charged me upfront. Admittedly, the rate they charge feels like extortion, but it has made the transaction smooth after that initial payment.

My understanding related to the tariffs is that some electronics aren't manufactured in the United States... well, more like almost all except a select few speaker/sub companies... and thus aren't included under NAFTA. If the item is substantially completed in the US (or however they word it) then it is exempt from everything except for GST/HST and the basic duty of 6.5%.

Another option is to check out used items from Audiogon or the like and see what kind of sense of humor the sellers have about shipping internationally.

Cheers,

Bill

 

[Wang Foolio]

Many thanks Bill, looks like some very good tips in there

Just wanted to quickly note that the Pioneer 1020K will be on sale at Best Buy for $499, marked down from $799. Hooray for the expanded internet flyer. 14+ per store allegedly. Depending on what I can dig up online, I might just camp out at the Best Buy this weekend

 

[billy p]

Many thanks Bill, looks like some very good tips in there

Just wanted to quickly note that the Pioneer 1020K will be on sale at Best Buy for $499, marked down from $799. Hooray for the expanded internet flyer. 14+ per store allegedly. Depending on what I can dig up online, I might just camp out at the Best Buy this weekend

Better check out future shop flyers while your at it. I picked up my Yamaha htr 6190(same as the rxv 1800, less zone 2 remote) for 699.99 and it retailed for double with last years midnight online sale.

Good luck...Bill...