Canadian members, questions.

#61
Fender_Bender said:
The areas you’re talking about are on the short,short list of marijuana capitals of the world. It probably has something to do with that.
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Thanks for the extra info there Fender_Bender. I never realised that...i'm a long way away from there here in Oz, but did find it quite interesting...after the tv show I got a google map up and checked it out...quite a unique part of the USA. Thanks again.
 
#62
Paulabass said:
Who here from Canada has made a private purchase from a TB member in the United States?
Did it go smoothly? Were you charged HST? Does anyone know if CITES is going to be a problem if the bass has an Indian rosewood board? Was the whole thing a poopie-show, and would you and the seller do it again?
Just for the record, it would be a U.S.A. made bass, so there should not be any duties, or tariffs.
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I once had a bass seized by Ebays Global distribution. They were citing CITES but I have purchased many more from the US and overseas. No problems otherwise.
 
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#63
Unless the bass is rare, not available in Canada or the price ridiculously low, I no longer find any value shopping in the US. But this did not used to be the case. Now CITES is an issue, the exchange rate sucks and yes, you have to pay taxes (and duty if non-NAFTA) From experience, I have discovered that sometimes customs ignores the declared value and charges tax on a value that they decide the bass is worth. On one occasion I paid $550 for a bass and was charged $400 tax. The box was never opened and was just described as "used bass guitar" so I have no idea where they came up with the valuation. I got a refund months later but these are the type of headaches that make me only buy from the US as a last resort, although I have had nothing but great experiences with US private sellers and stores.
 
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#64
Well, until Canada starts manufacturing high-quality bass guitar hardware and electronics, "the last resort" is still the only resort! (actually I know another resort in the Maldives, but it's so nice I'm not sharing it with anyone ...) :)
 
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#65
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i did it the other direction. A fellow with a flappy head sold me this
 
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#67
Paulabass said:
Who here from Canada has made a private purchase from a TB member in the United States?
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Hi Paula: hope I’m not hijacking this thread, and let me know if I should open a new one (I’ve been lurking for awhile, but new to posting). I’m in the Toronto area, and have read through the responses which deal with private sellers. I’m thinking of ordering a new build bass from the US (Shortbass from Birdsong)... no CITES issues as they can’t ship rosewood so it’s not an option for me to order.

But in terms of costs for getting a new artisanal product from US to Canada, wondering how Canada Customs deals with that issue in terms of duties, HST, etc. The shipper would be FedEx from the US. I can manage the product price and shipping costs, but not sure about the duties and taxes that would be levied on this end. (My only experience with this is from the EU ... I got a cousin to buy me a Greek instrument ... she labelled it as a “gift” and I lucked out paying no taxes, duties, etc.)

Again, don’t want to sidetrack this thread if that’s not cool. As a lurker on this board, I’m not quite sure of the etiquette (explanation, not excuse.)

As an aside, apparently today is “World Compliment Day”, as I learned at my work.World Compliment Day - Press Information So, I’d like to pay a compliment to all the wise people in this forum... while lurking, I’ve gleaned lots of tips and tricks that have improved my playing. And I feel this is more of less a non-judgmental space (which is not always the case in listserves im on for my day job). So.,.thanks to you all for creating a welcoming space, and I’ll stop rambling now.
 
#72
XinaBrou said:
Hi Paula: hope I’m not hijacking this thread, and let me know if I should open a new one (I’ve been lurking for awhile, but new to posting). I’m in the Toronto area, and have read through the responses which deal with private sellers. I’m thinking of ordering a new build bass from the US (Shortbass from Birdsong)... no CITES issues as they can’t ship rosewood so it’s not an option for me to order.

But in terms of costs for getting a new artisanal product from US to Canada, wondering how Canada Customs deals with that issue in terms of duties, HST, etc. The shipper would be FedEx from the US. I can manage the product price and shipping costs, but not sure about the duties and taxes that would be levied on this end. (My only experience with this is from the EU ... I got a cousin to buy me a Greek instrument ... she labelled it as a “gift” and I lucked out paying no taxes, duties, etc.)
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Typically you'll be charged HST and the shipper will add on brokerage fees - as others have noted if you go with USPS that may or may not happen.

The other option which I use is to have it sent to a pickup service in Niagara Falls - i go pick it up and pay the taxes when I come back across the border. That way there are no brokerage costs - but one way or the other expect to pay the HST.
 
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#73
Thanks for raising the question Paula. Lots of good responses. I've only bought new from the USA and avoid shipping UPS at all costs. There has been some basses I have been interested in purchasing from fellow TBers but have been stopped by the "shipping to CONUS only" in their posts.
For new, Dave at Club Bass is excellent. He is a Roscoe dealer.
 
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#78
Bass Viking said:
You might think our stores would be well-stocked with Dingwalls and F Basses but nothing could be further from the truth! :(
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Oddly enough, my tiny local music store ( small hamlet in the middle of nowhere, west coast! ) has about nine Dingwalls hanging on the wall. Annoyingly, they don't seem to like stocking BASS STRINGS and have only one set of flats in the whole store (Fender)...
 
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