Canada and US shopping

Hi all !

I've been out of the parts purchase loop for some time now, and I'm wondering what might be the favorite spots these days.

I live in Canada and was wondering if any of you Canadian Commanderos do any cross border mail shopping, with the duty and taxes and all?

Thnx

I do, I just ordered a set of rims and spokes from Bucchanan's, a front brake from Disco Volante and other parts from e-bay. With the current exchange rate, it is well worth it and most parts arrive at the door without any add on fees, at the worse, you may have to pay taxes (GST + PST or HST) and sometimes a small brokerage fee on expensive items sent through the postal system. Avoid UPS, they are the worse for fees, I was charged a $30 brokerage fee on a $30 item, Fed Ex charged $10 on my brake from the UK, a $600+ item. The best deals are on e-bay, but you must be patient and open to change in your plans. Most suppliers will send by the postal system if you ask them not to use UPS.

If Tom Hanks had been working for UPS, he would still be on his lonely island :wink:

Jean

I live in the western US bought and have bought quite a few parts from Mike Partridge in southern Ontario as well as British Cycle in Nova Scotia. I have had great service from both places. A few years ago, prices from CDN vendors were often quite a bit lower than US sources, even when I factored in shipping. That was when the CDN dollar was much lower relative to the US than it is now!! Most of my Commando parts have come from Old Britts near Seattle, WA. Great service and wonderful people to deal with. Other US suppliers I have dealt with are Colorado Norton Works, Domiracer, MAP Cycle, and Rocky Point Cycle. All are great vendors and no problem shipping to Canada as far as I know. You might even consider UK sources for parts like Norvil, Mick Hemmings, RGM, Burlen Fuel Systems (Amal parts) etc., again depending on exchange rate and shipping. Shipping from the UK can be very pricey, especially on larger items. There are also a of Commando parts on US and UK eBay but you have to pay careful attention to shipping costs. When I was buying more parts on eBay, I was spending big $$$$ on the shipping of individual items from different eBay vendors which often negated the price advantage. I find it is usually more cost-effective to buy as many parts as possible from one vendor and have them shipped at the same time.

When I have customers send me carbs for repair from the US I ask them to use US air mail and whenever possible to have a declared value of $30 -$40 and they go right through.If you use UPS or Purolator they charge a brokrage fee at the border.Any US supplier should at least use US air mail for you.
Bruce

I have been ordering quite a bit of stuff from UK. Don't know if UK dealers have to charge the 17% VAT for CDN customers, but they don't for the US customers. I find the UK prices about 1/2 the US prices, especially if it is not large items, the shipping is a bit dear, but I always come out ahead of the US dealers. Not to talk bad about Walridge, FairSpairs, and especially OldBrits. I have gotten some pretty good deals from Hemmings, RGM and Norvil. Commando Specialties have some nice values, but I have never bought anything from them yet. Hemmings is the only one you have to call for up to date prices, the others are pretty much search-able on the web.

You just have to check prices around, especially if it is an expensive item. I got a real good deal from Norvil on a bottom end rebuild kit, £150, or $230USD for all gaskets, new timing chain, crank nuts/bolts, con rod nuts/bolts, con rod shells, etc. Would have been over $500 here in the US. They had real good prices on complete GPM piston sets too compared to US prices.

Dave
69S

DogT said:

Don't know if UK dealers have to charge the 17% VAT for CDN customers, but they don't for the US customers.

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VAT is only chargeable within the EU as far as I know, so Canadian customers shouldn't have to pay it either.

Thanks for the great info guys ! ! !

So if I were to order complete exhaust from Commando Specialties, and have it shipped to Canada, it's best to get them to send it air mail or US post? Wonder what the charge would be for shipping, and are there any brokerage fees?

Blue noser said:

So if I were to order complete exhaust from Commando Specialties, and have it shipped to Canada, it's best to get them to send it air mail or US post? Wonder what the charge would be for shipping, and are there any brokerage fees?

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No, NOT air mail, it will be way too expensive. Regular parcel post is the way to go, you won't get it tomorrow, so plan ahead.

Jean