Ordering M/C Gear from south of the border

[AndySh]

Hi all,

I'm trying to figure out if I want to risk buying stuff on the internet. Specifically, I'm looking for tires. It really appears that we Canadians get ripped of when we buy motorcycle tires!

But how much of a deal do we really get if we order online? Do we pay duty? brokerage fees? With all of that and the exchange rate, is it worth it?

I'm on a BB in the Ottawa area, and am getting mixed reviews. Seems the brokerage fees is a major sticking point.

Anyone have experience buying stuff via internet? I'd be particularly interested if anyone has bought tires.

Thanks

[BuzZz]

Hi all,

....... It really appears that we Canadians get ripped of when we buy motorcycle tires!

Your F'n right we do. After exchange rates, duty, brokerage fees, ect., plus the waiting and hassle of customs and shipping fees..... it just sucks.

I found the best way for me, is to deal with a shop that I know well and who will give me a good price. I am closing this and on my way to check on my own new tires.... Avon Azaro's AV45/46 that will cost me $400 installed and balanced. They list out at over $500, plus mounting and balanceing. Course there is always the hassle of them coming in when promised, but it is still faster than waiting for them to be shipped up from the States.

Just to make you feel real crappy about prices up here.... I have now put new rubber on 2 trucks and 1 bike this summer..... I have spent $3400 on rubber this year....... That's more than I paid for my bike this spring.....

[AndySh]

it just sucks.

Like fourteen vacuums

[old-n-slow]

I can't speak for the cost of M/C tires however I buy plenty of stuff off Ebay and I can tell you that it's usually worth the wait. I never get charged gst, or pst or duty. Even factoring in the exchange rate most things I buy turn out to be a better deal.

Bought a new in the box 80 gig hard drive for $61 dollars Canadian, including shipping. That was 6 months back. They have come down in price here but the best deal is still $89 dollars and on top of that I have to pay 14% taxes. I generally compare prices here with what I can get it for across the line and next consider whether I have the time to wait for the item/s to arrive.

That's about all I can contribute. I needed some parts for my Harley and ended up getting them locally for pretty much the same price. One part was a tire that I had mounted. I can't recall just what I paid but the price included mounting and balancing and I wanted it right now if ya know what I mean.

[djwintz]

Hi, i purchased a Riser and Tach combo for my bike on the internet for 130 can. I paid for the shipping in the price, when i went to pick it up at the local post office i was told i owe another $54.85. What was this for i asked the clerk, she informed me that it was a broker fee, which i had to pay to get my Risers. So be carefull

Don

[AndySh]

Thanks for the warning Don.

It's odd, though. I checked out some info from the CCRA (Canada Customs and Revenue Agency) website, and also gathered some info from other people. If you get your stuff through the mail (rather than courrier), you're not supposed to get dinged with brokerage fees.

Seems like a lot of the fees and duties are hit-and-miss.

How's a guy supposed to know? (rhetorical question)

**sigh**

[Gadjet]

you may get hit with brokerage fees if the item is shipped by priority mail - at the border it gets shunted over to Purolator for the rest of the trip to you, and they *might* ding you for brokerage fees.

If it is shipped out by a courier company (FedEx, UPS, DHL), they will bend you over with brokerage fees.

For tires, I'd just buy them from my local dealership, although I did get a new set of knobbies from JC Whitney for real cheap. Parents were travelling through the area and stopped off to pick them up, so there were no shipping/duty/customs fees to pay, just the dirt cheap cost of the tires (~$120CAD for the pair)

[old-n-slow]

Thanks for the warning Don.

It's odd, though. I checked out some info from the CCRA (Canada Customs and Revenue Agency) website, and also gathered some info from other people. If you get your stuff through the mail (rather than courrier), you're not supposed to get dinged with brokerage fees.

Seems like a lot of the fees and duties are hit-and-miss.

How's a guy supposed to know? (rhetorical question)

**sigh**

I have learned that Canada Post will rip you a new one. The only way is to have the vendor ship via ups and then no brokerage, no taxes no duty . Any of the others, ya takes yer chances. I wonder how long before the govt closes them down forcing them to hose us?

[AndySh]

Very strange.

All of the feedback I got until now says the exact opposite. I've been told to stay away from UPS. They're the ones that ding you with brokerage fees. In fact, I've been told UPS is the worst offender!

Seems that the only way to be sure is to buy domestically, and swallow the higher Cdn prices.

**sigh**

[xj899]

I have bought apparel and parts from the States and here are a couple of things to keep in mind.

Have the vendor ship USPS - United States Postal Service (Global Express Mail or GEM). This takes it through the post office where you pay duty(if applicable), taxes and a customs processing fee (usually $5 for me).

There is no duty on motorcycle parts. It must be marked MC parts though.
There is no duty on apparel that is made in the USA. I bought a jacket from Fox Creek Leather - no duty at all. Again, origin of the item should be clearly identified.

You still have to pay taxes on items coming into Canada, unless the vendor collects this and remits to the government (most don't do this)

If you buy stuff that is made in China or leather from anywhere other then made in the USA -(boots, jackets, etc.) be prepared to pay 35% duty plus! Some US leather vendors have stopped shipping into Canada because they are selling imported leathers that have high duty attached.

If you use a courier (FEDEX, UPS, Purolator, etc) they will charge a brokerage fee for clearing it across customs.