Problems with shipping to Canada

John, why the hell would you accept a lowball offer period unless you are desperate to sell whatever it is you have?

In addition, I don't understand what kind of fool would want to use FedEx ground or UPS to get anything from the States to Canada. USPS express parcel post with tracking and insurance is much better. If the item is a heavy amp for example, use FedEx Air rather than ground. Yeah, it costs much more but the brokerage fees are all calculated into the charges AND you are guaranteed to receive it within 24 or 48 hours depending on the service you're paying for.

Well, maybe lowball offer wasn't a good term. It was a fair offer, but turned out to be a lowball offer when I got stuck with the brokerage fees. It was just a Shakti Stone. A Canadian with a modest amount of all positive feedback (I want to say around 10 + transactions with 0 - transactions) offered $120 including shipping. My ad was for $125 + shipping. So I accepted his offer, and looked for the cheapest possible shipping method, to maximize my net profit. Fed Ex Ground is the cheapest, it's not even close. Anyway, after you subtract the $35 duty fee, the $85 shipped price turned out to be a lowball offer, though it didn't seem like one originally. I wish I could remember his AudiogoN handle, I'd warn others. However, Fed Ex didn't send me the 'bill' until several months after the transaction. Unfortunately, I do so much volume, that I can't remember who it was.

Thank goodness I didn't ship something more expensive to a Canadian and get stiffed on a even higher duty tax.

Like I said, I still use Fed Ex Ground, for those buyers who want the lowest price w/ shipping included (USA ONLY NOW). I won't use this option for Canadian buyers again, they will have to pay more for the extra shipping costs. It sounds like Fed Ex Express or USPS are the way to go, both choices will double or triple the shipping rates though.

On a side note, I do get quite a chuckle out of international lowball offers. I recently sold a pair of speakers. I had someone in Belgium offer me 80% of my asking price...delivered. I told him that I'd sell for 85% if he came and picked them up. He went on about how it wouldn't be such a good deal for him if he had to fly over just to pick them up. LOL!
You have to laugh at some offers, because they're hilarious. There are plenty of lowballers in the US too, but to me the international lowballers are the funniest. Yeah, like if I'm gonna give something away I'm gonna ship it halfway around the world too. ROTFLMAO!

Not all international buyers are lowballers, most are decent folks, just like the rest at AudiogoN. I just can't imagine what goes through the international lowballers heads. Maybe I shouldn't laugh and just try it. Maybe someone in Europe will ship me a mint pair of Sonus Faber Stradivari for $10k delivered........

John

John, BTW, I'm Canadian, have used UPS once and had to pay the brokerage fees at the door or the guy would have left with my amp. I almost saved US$300 on shipping with FedEx Air but the guy showed up with the amps 5 minutes before the deadline. Bummer. These days, unless it's a big priced item, I request the express service with USPS. USPS is really not that expensive and, much like UPS, they will not leave the package unless payment is first made.

Keep in mind:
1) A 'certificate of origin' must be provided to take advantage of NAFTA rules (this can be provided from the equipment manufacturer, usually they'll send you one over e-mail, you can then print it- quickest and easiest method)
2)This certificate should be provided by the seller, as it must accompany the package at point of entry into the country. The exception being that the buyer may provide it, if the buyer wishes to clear customs themselves. If the latter is an option, you must clearly state so on the waybill at the time of being shipped. This will save hassles/confusions with your shipper.
3)If picking up or clearing yourself, printing off Audiogon communications between the buyer/seller is a good idea as this is the only real proof of the final selling price. Canada Customs has been this picky- a simple credit card statement has not always sufficed.
4)if you wish to generously donate more funds to our respective governments, ignore all the above and pay duty/taxes.