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Shipping From Usa To Canada?

Posts: 2713 Threads: 555

I don't get it...

Soap BoxSoap Box

For example:

I'm seeing a new Gretsch drum part for $48 at two major music outlets in the USA.....one is Free Shipping on this item to anywhere in the continental USA. I live just north of Washington State....near Vancouver BC. For this part to be shipped across the boarder......it's $49 extra! The $48 part is now $100!

Where is NAFTA in all this??

Just asking.......

One on my USA Forum members has offered to buy it and ship it to me.....I'm sure the shipping (Gift) would be no more than $15-$20. But why should I have to do that.......Must be something to do with the Gretsch part is made in Taiwan or China maybe......then there's duty on it. But the duty should only be $9 or so on that part......that leaves $40 to ship a item that costs $15 or so to ship.

I know - this is nickle&diming here.........but it's the principle of it.

I don't mind paying a fare price for good parts and service. I just don't like the idea of just because I live across the boarder it's going to cost me twice as much to get a drum part.

Also.....If I order this from my local drum store it's $140 - estimated. The item can be sold in the USA for $48 and it costs this in Canada! I would have been better off not even looking at the USA prices and just ordering from my drum retailer.....

I've got to go check my blood pressure now:)

Posted on 13 years ago
#1
Posts: 376 Threads: 88

Hey Gary....as a fellow Canuck I feel and understand your frustration. Most American member's have the fortune of an abundant selection of vintage drums, that are readily available to them at an extremely lower price than you or I normally would have to pay. When you add shipping into the equation, YIKES!!!! Most of time I have escaped customs, which is lucky but eventually your number will come up. Recently on this forum I purchased a SUPRA for $475. With shipping and customs(they got me this time), the extra cost was $125!!!!! I agree with you, this does SUCK, but I guess when you need and want something real bad you will pay for it.flower

Posted on 13 years ago
#2
Posts: 879 Threads: 74

Maybe a post office box or something in Blaine could work.

Posted on 13 years ago
#3
Posts: 2713 Threads: 555

No - some retailers (some items?) will NOT ship to a location other than your billing (visa/mc/amex etc.) address.

SOME DO...

A few years back I bought new drum hardware from Sam Ash for instance and used CANAMER Shipping And Receiving in Blaine Wa. to ship to...no problem. I just make a day of it - hop over the line - buy lunch - have a beer - look around and head back with my goods. I have to claim going through Customs but I only paid $43 duty on a Gibraltar Double Pedal and the very large Protection Racket hardware bag with wheels..........not a bad deal for me at the time.

However....often lately I'm seeing either "Will Not Ship To Canada" OR Shipping Address Must Be Same As Billing Address (where you get your Credit Card bills sent).

From atomicmorganic

Maybe a post office box or something in Blaine could work.

Posted on 13 years ago
#4
Posts: 1460 Threads: 87

Could the extra $$ be UPS or FEDEX broker fee? They will charge for cross border fee for "clearing customs". Will the shop ship using USPS? No broker fees. Customs slip marked "USED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT, NO COMMERCIAL VALUE" can also help with Customs fees.

Posted on 13 years ago
#5
Posts: 2713 Threads: 555

I deal with the "brokerage" fees on a regular basis. No - the "shipping" charge of $49 is just their (the retailer's) charge for shipping it to me. Any other charges I pay at my door - brokerage or Customs - is on top of that $49 shipping charge. I always ask - on eBay for instance - if the seller can ship USPS rather than UPS because I don't get the brokerage fee - like you mention here - with USPS. I may get a Customs fee though if Customs looks at the package. They don't look at everything - too much mail to look at it all - it's just random selection there.

From amosguy

Could the extra $$ be UPS or FEDEX broker fee? They will charge for cross border fee for "clearing customs". Will the shop ship using USPS? No broker fees. Customs slip marked "USED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT, NO COMMERCIAL VALUE" can also help with Customs fees.

Posted on 13 years ago
#6
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