Canadians Buying From the US and Shipping to Canada

[upscale]

Hi. Came across this little online app which lets you ballpark the cost of buying from the US and having the order shipped to Canada. I've found it to be quite useful.

http://www.thefinalcost.com/shipments/calculate/

 

[snowman996]

Thanks, great find!

 

[mouppe]

I keep getting the same result. I submit my purchase info, press submit, and it keeps saying "You're about to be ripped off!"

100% accurate every time!

Seriously though, it's very useful. Thanks for posting it.

 

[Offshoreman69]

If you live close to a border town check and see if there is a place on the other side that offers mailbox services. We've used one in the past from Vancouver, BC and with Amazon Prime and Festool free shipping, as examples, an overnight trip to the US can save a pile of cash in addition to the price differential between the same products in Canada and the US.

If your guilt is overwhelming you can always just cross over and back and pay the GST on your way back in and save the money on the price differential as it stands

 

[upscale]

If you live close to a border town check and see if there is a place on the other side that offers mailbox services.

Sure, there's always an easier way, but considering the size of Canada, it's not a viable option for a great many.

I live in Toronto. Driving to Buffalo and back is about five hours time and associated gas used. It would have to be a pretty big purchase for me to save any reasonable amount of money.

 

[Kevin D.]

If you live close to a border town check and see if there is a place on the other side that offers mailbox services.

Sure, there's always an easier way, but considering the size of Canada, it's not a viable option for a great many.

I live in Toronto. Driving to Buffalo and back is about five hours time and associated gas used. It would have to be a pretty big purchase for me to save any reasonable amount of money.

A lot of people who cross border shop to factor in those elements when they brag about how much money they save.  For me, the time factor is very important.  Unless I'm going to save at least $1,000, I'm just not interested.  The hassle or potential difficulties at the border is just is not worth it.

 

[Good77696e]

If you live close to a border town check and see if there is a place on the other side that offers mailbox services.

Sure, there's always an easier way, but considering the size of Canada, it's not a viable option for a great many.

I live in Toronto. Driving to Buffalo and back is about five hours time and associated gas used. It would have to be a pretty big purchase for me to save any reasonable amount of money.

A lot of people who cross border shop to factor in those elements when they brag about how much money they save.  For me, the time factor is very important.  Unless I'm going to save at least $1,000, I'm just not interested.  The hassle or potential difficulties at the border is just is not worth it.

You shouldn't have any difficulties at the border. I've purchased several items this way and have never had an issue. They've only searched my car one time, but he just took a quick peek and that was it. As long as you claim everything you'll be okay. As long as our dollar stays strong there is a potential for some good savings...

I use Kinek Point for a shipping address.

 

[zapdafish]

Hehe, you go cross border for tools and we go cross border for prescription drugs.

 

[mouppe]

You get a double bonus if you can tie it in with a Festool roadshow just over the border. Sheraton Hotel in Burlington, VT. September 27th anyone?

The demo will be the start to finish build of a farm table. Should be good.

 

[upscale]

You get a double bonus if you can tie it in with a Festool roadshow just over the border. Sheraton Hotel in Burlington, VT. September 27th anyone?

Speaking of road shows, I'm disappointed there hasn't yet been any up here in Canada or Ontario for that matter. With all the tool dealers (such as Atlas Machinery and Lee Valley Tools) selling Festool, I know there's the market and people willing to attend a Festool road show.

Festool powers that be ???

 

[upscale]

Hi. Came across this little online app which lets you ballpark the cost of buying from the US and having the order shipped to Canada. I've found it to be quite useful.

http://www.thefinalcost.com/shipments/calculate/

An interesting information update to this cross border information tool. Someone examined the percentages this estimator applied to costs and suggested they weren't very realistic averages.

Within the past month, I ordered $400.00 of computer parts from FrozenCPU in the US and had it shipped by USPS. With shipping costs, currency exchange and Ontario tax applied to the order, the total came out to $543.00. The online estimator suggested a price of $520.00. ~ Works out to approximately a 4% descrepancy. Not perfect, but not too bad either.

 

[ShawnRussell]

Don't feel bad. We have Highland Hardware, Rockler, Woodcraft, and one other Festool dealer and no Road show yet.

Now, we did get a new training center in Asheville which is 150 minutes away.