buying question for canadians - DPChallenge Forums

Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS

09/28/2007 01:44:39 AM · #1

Alrighty,

Sold my rebel and 70-300mm lens.... looking at getting a couple of lenses (a macro and semi-telephoto)... one is 200 dollars cheaper in the US and the other is 400 dollars cheaper.

The two lenses are the 70-200mm F4.0L USM (non IS) and macro 100mm 2.8 usm. I don't mind paying slighty more to avoid the border... but 600 dollar plus saving is just crazy. (henry's and vistek are the sites i checked out for canadian suppliers... most other places usually offer same or slighty higher i find then them). I have good experience with henry's but comes down to price diff being way too big...never bought from vistek so can't say either way on them.

Obviously duty has to be factored in and I am hoping someone has some experience or knows how i could estimate the approximate duty that might/will be placed on it. Shipping costs vary of course between store to store so thats another factor along with slight currency conversion rate.

I'm open to suggestions for canadian stores... like i said.. don't mind paying a little bit of premium but i can almost get 2 round trip tickets to west palm beach, FL for that savings lol.

if someone knows a really good store in Seattle, WA area that has decent prices i'd be interested in that too... could always do a little road trip but i think by the time i pay for ferry and gas any savings would be pretty negated...never mind that 3-4 hour border wait :/

Ty in advance :)

ursula

Fujifilm X-T2

09/28/2007 01:55:21 AM · #2

I've bought in the US, and when crossing I pay PST and GST, but no duties, on photographic equipment. If you're in Alberta (no PST) then you tell the store in the states that you are tax free, and they will not charge state tax. Remember that when buying in the states you're paying 3 taxes, PST, GST, and the local state tax (unless you go to Montana, they're tax free).

If you stay out of Canada for 24 hrs or more, you have a $50.00 personal exception. I can't remember if there's an excemption for 48 hrs. If you stay in the states more than a week, the personal excemption goes up to $750.00. Or something like that.

sea2c

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8

09/28/2007 02:07:30 AM · #3

And on another note, if at all possible DO NOT have your stuff shipped UPS or FedEx. They charge pretty steep brokerage.

At any rate, you're saving a pretty good chunk of change. Save even more, buy used at fredmiranda.com or digitalgrin.com. I've bought both places (waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too often) and no problems. Good people, good deals. Almost like it is here!

09/28/2007 02:13:44 AM · #4

Originally posted by ursula:

Thanks for the info, wasn't sure how the whole taxing/duty thing worked... I had a 2 month contract in nashville a few years back so got to use that $750 exception :)

PS... stating that i had to use a ferry should give ya a hint i'm not in AB :P lol we live in same prov.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

09/28/2007 02:17:23 AM · #5

Originally posted by sea2c:

Buying new long distance I don't mind depending on where i'm buying from, but buying used long distance for something like a lenses scares me a little. I will definitely check them out and do a little research.

RayEthier

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

09/28/2007 02:40:10 AM · #6

I have purchased all of my equipment in the USA, and have purchased other items like a lawn tractor, chain saw and a host of other things.

There is no duty on items manufactured in the USA, but you do get to pay the PST and GST.

I live close enough to the border that I get all my purchases sent to the UPS Store in Ogdensburg, NY, thereby saving the brokerage fees. It is also much quicker that waiting for things to clear Customs.

I simply make certain I keep all my receipts, declare my purchases when I get to the border and pay the taxes owed... and voila mucho savings.

PM me if you need any other information.

Ray

BeeCee

Nikon D40

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

09/28/2007 03:35:41 AM · #7

Originally posted by EyeTrap:

PS... stating that i had to use a ferry should give ya a hint i'm not in AB :P lol we live in same prov.

And I do believe WE live in the same city :)

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

09/28/2007 03:58:51 AM · #8

Originally posted by BeeCee:

Originally posted by EyeTrap:

PS... stating that i had to use a ferry should give ya a hint i'm not in AB :P lol we live in same prov.

And I do believe WE live in the same city :)

Lol... that we do... i recognize one or two shots from your portfolio :P

ralph

Nikon Z9

09/28/2007 08:12:34 AM · #9

i'll swear by B&H photo +USPS expedited shipping (NOT UPS)
twice last year i've had items show up at canadapost & not charged any tax/brokerage by (500$ shipments !!)
nothing lately but next year maybe a D3 ;)
to the UPS store like Ray mentioned ...

jeger

Canon EOS-5D

09/28/2007 09:05:36 AM · #10

If you order from www.simonscamera.com or www.thecamerastore.com, you don't pay PST on your purchases. The shipping is usually free/cheap if you buy a high priced item. I have purchased online from both these stores and would highly recommend them.

I saved about $315 for my 70-200mm F4.0L IS USM by purchasing from the camera store.

eschelar

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

09/28/2007 09:53:53 AM · #11

isn't there also some sort of deal with rebates and buying multiple Canon products and getting mulitpliers on the rebates? or was that just a limited time deal?

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