Buying from the US(private sale)

[ed2000]

I'm considering buying an Asian made guitar from a private seller in PA. What is the most cost efficient way to get it across the border?

[Geek]

Hi,

Been that route. Use USPS postal service.... with insurance.

Cheers!

[Bubb]

yup, USPS hands down

[bagpipe]

Feels like a bit of a "dog pile" now, but I also always specify USPS shipping from the States, or no deal. I've been dinged a couple of times by that ridiculous brokers fee from UPS and its painful. Especially on low dollar items.

[Tawm!]

Everyone is right, USPS for sure. I've made multipe purchases from the across the border within the last six months and USPS seems to be the only way to avoid rediculous brokerage and duty fees. 2 amps that I bought were dinged with fees in excess of $110USD to get over the border - and I didn't receive one of those fines until almost 4 months after I received the product :mad: Oh and get shipping insurance :smile:

[ssdeluxe]

+1 on all above.

I'm in the midst of a usps/canada post problem: guitar was shipped dec.21, and its no where to be found, it will show eventually, but customs seems to have gotten more aggressive and they can hold things up for over 2 weeks sometimes.


based on this experience, I usually have no problems with usps/canada post, I would recommend the same mode but use fastest possible delivery and insurance !

[shoretyus]

Once it goes into Customs it is in total Limbo and all tracking numbers don't count. Customs won't tell you anything because the package is being inspected and you have no right to is their take on it.

I had a package in Washington state go into the system at 10 pm and by 1 am it was in Canada Customs. It showed up on my door just about the same time the tracking number came back on line 10 days later.

It works the other way to. I had a package show in the system that it was still in customs but the guy had it on his doorstep in Florida.



+1 on all above.

I'm in the midst of a usps/canada post problem: guitar was shipped dec.21, and its no where to be found, it will show eventually, but customs seems to have gotten more aggressive and they can hold things up for over 2 weeks sometimes.


based on this experience, I usually have no problems with usps/canada post, I would recommend the same mode but use fastest possible delivery and insurance !

[NB-SK]

I just received some stuff I ordered from the US. The value was about 80$. From shipping to delivery, 6 days. No surcharges, no brokerage fees, nothing...and I'm halfway around the world in South Korea (without a doubt one of the most protectionist countries in the world). Just serves to show how things have gotten out of hands with taxes and the poor quality of services provided in Canada.

[Geek]

Just serves to show how things have gotten out of hands with taxes and the poor quality of services provided in Canada.

A-MEN!!!

We small businesses have been screaming that for a couple of decades now.... :rolleyes:

[ssdeluxe]

very interesting.................guess they have not been listening to businesses......I wonder if they pander to the big players and have a much "faster response" with the big players. ...........hmmm

[Geek]

Big business use couriers pretty much exclusively with flat-rate (and very low, about 1/2 what we pay) brokerage fees. So they don't care and they're about the only lobby Ottawa will listen to :frown:

[Rick31797]

They are allllllllllll right.. USPS shipping.. But"" get a tracking number..
Also have the guy double box the guitar.. I have had two guitars shipped from the USA, and the last one wasn't double boxed and there was a hole through it..Lucky for me the styrofoam saved the day.

Rick

[ed2000]

Looks like the seller want to FedEx it because he has an account with them.

[Big White Tele]

Fedex will be pricey, the brokerage will most likely be about 30.00, and it will be subject to duty because it is not North American made. Might be cheaper to by a US guitar.

[Geek]

Looks like the seller want to FedEx it because he has an account with them.

Unless you're dead set on that one, IMO, there's more sellers out there. You're the customer, he should cater to your needs.