[killclimbz]

'Ol carvingrimdog seems to have it figured out for Canadian purchases. You should chat with him whenever sb.com comes back. In the US it's only like a buck more to go ups vs usps. You get a tracking number and ability to make sure you stuff is delivered with ups so generally I go with them for the $1.

[Slaughterhouse]

Originally Posted by killclimbz

'Ol carvingrimdog seems to have it figured out for Canadian purchases. You should chat with him whenever sb.com comes back. In the US it's only like a buck more to go ups vs usps. You get a tracking number and ability to make sure you stuff is delivered with ups so generally I go with them for the $1.

The shipping cost with UPS is OK. What kills Canadians with having things delivered via UPS or FedEx are the near criminal brokerage fees. These brokerage fees nearly double the cost of the original item making a deal seem more like a soaking. For example, I bought a Tierney Rides board from the US some time ago. The board was sent FedEx. The brokerage fees alone on the board was $70 not to mention the duties, taxes, handling fees etc. I had originally thought I got a good deal on the board; in the end, I paid more than MFSP on it. Lessons learned. Now I won't buy anything from the States unless it is sent via USPS because they deliver at the border to Canada Post, which in turn only charge around $5 for the actual brokerage fees. I sent Steep & Cheap an email asking if they would send USPS (even if I paid extra for tracking and insurance) and they flat out refused, even after explaining the brokerage delimna. So it is really unfortunate!

[boarderaholic]

Eugh. I hear ya on that. A $40 book my bro bought from Amazon.com turned in an $80 adventure via UPS. *shudder*

[Slaughterhouse]

Originally Posted by boarderaholic

Eugh. I hear ya on that. A $40 book my bro bought from Amazon.com turned in an $80 adventure via UPS. *shudder*

Wow! Where is the justification?!!

[boarderaholic]

Originally Posted by Slaughterhouse

Wow! Where is the justification?!!

Customs fees, brokerage fees, border fees...and a whole pile of other stuff that probably shouldn't even have been charged.

[killclimbz]

Yeah, that sucks. Like I said, carvingrimdog seems to have it figured. Not sure exactly what he does, but he's quite happy with it.

[Slaughterhouse]

A good example of why I use USPS for shipping to Canada: I just recently bought a brand new Gnu Riders Choice for $280 US (that included $35 US shipping and handling via USPS). Converted to Canadian dollars it worked out to $302 Cdn. I had to pay $12 Cdn at the post office. I was afraid that they were originally going to send it through FedEx which would have nearly doubled the cost of the board and I would have only recieved it a few days earlier.

[alaric]

Slaughter, do you have any good friends in the states? I'm not sure this would be any less expensive, but you could ask them to order the product, have it shipped to them, then have them ship it to you via USPS/Cananda Post. I know it'll tack on more shipping fee's, but I doubt it would be +$70. Just a thought.

Back on track. I love sac. They save me lots of money =P

[T.J.]

i havnt seen anything good on sac in ages! its always womens clothes

[Slaughterhouse]

Originally Posted by alaric

Slaughter, do you have any good friends in the states? I'm not sure this would be any less expensive, but you could ask them to order the product, have it shipped to them, then have them ship it to you via USPS/Cananda Post. I know it'll tack on more shipping fee's, but I doubt it would be +$70. Just a thought.

Back on track. I love sac. They save me lots of money =P

I've lived in Canada all my life and have actually ventured out of these borders for the first time this summer (Washington State: Omak, Wenatchee (sp?), Brewster). Granted, not far, but still quite an eye opener of how different our cultures actually are (99% of what I perceived to be American culture I gleaned off various media (television, magazines, etc). Ok, off track there momentarily, but to summarize I don't "know" any Americans (save the ones we communicate to in various forums, etc). Regardless, I would not want to put the burden on a friend to purchase something on my behalf, or else I'd have a ton of Vegemite from some of my Aussie friends, lol. Good idea though, thanks!