C2 Parts Price Rant

67HEAVEN · 03-31-04, 11:47 PM

During the rebuild of my 67's glovebox door, I realized that the brushed aluminum insert had too many marks to fit inside the shrine that I'm building, so time to take the door apart and get it painted and ready. I realize that the glovebox Corvette emblem will have to be replaced too, so I ordered the part on the phone yesterday from Long Island Corvette.

LIC answers, "Why yes sir, we have that in stock....$33.00"

"I'll take it", says I.

"$33.00 plus $2.00 packaging." Says he.

Big Brown arrives at my door today and already I know why he's here. I forgot to tell the LIC guys NOT to ship with UPS.

I've learned, over the years, that most everything travelling from south of the US/Canada border costs me twice as much in the long run.

SO.........$US33 glovebox emblem + $US2 packaging charge + $CA14.25 shipping + $CA28.53 brokerage fee (at the border) + $7:00GS Tax +$8.00 PS Tax = $CA108.53, (for a $33 emblem}.

But the glovebox door does look cherry.

studiog · 04-01-04, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67HEAVEN

During the rebuild of my 67's globebox door, I realized that the brushed almuninum insert had too many marks toi fit inside the shrine that I'm building =, so take the door apart and get this painted and ready. I realize that glovebox Corvette emblem will have to be replaced too, so I just on the phone yesterday to Long Island Corvette,

so, here is what this tiny little transaction amounted to in a day where people around the world murdered and died and generally acted like complete f***-ups.

LIC answers, "Why yes sir, we have that in stock....$33.00"

"Ill take it", says I. "$33.00 plus $2.00 packaging." Says he. *****(important point here)

Big Brown arrives at my door today and already I knwo why he's here. I forgot to tell the LIC guys NOT to ship with UPS.

I've learned, over the years, that most everything travelling from south of the US/Canada border costs me twice as much in the long rung.

SO.........$US33 glovebox emblem + $US2 packaging charge + $CA14.25 shipping + $CA28.53 brokerage fee (at the border) + $7:00GS Tax +$8.00 PS Tax = $108.53, (for a $33 emblem} But the glovebox door looks cherry.

I know that brokerage crap and and crazy fees go on when I get stuff from a customer in China but I never knew it was the same for Canada. Isn't DHL or Fed X better with those types of international shipments?

Mac · 04-01-04, 12:52 AM

I don't understand why brokerage would be so expensive; that's outrageous. Maybe you should get a post office box just south of the border where you can ship stuff and then pick up at your convenience or suchlike. One of my coworkers set himself up that way because he's often buy car parts. It's much cheaper to present yourself (and yer parts) at a border crossing than to pay such fees.

-Mac

jerrybramlett · 04-01-04, 08:12 AM

I just had the same experience from the other direction last week.

I bought a jack on eBay from a Canadian seller. I paid premium. During the auction I e-mailed him and asked about about potential high shipping costs. He said it was not going to be unreasonable because UPS had a counter near him and he was also near the border.

After the auction ended the seller charged me $23 for what he called "standard UPS shipping". Then a week after delivery, UPS billed me directly for "shipping prep" brokerage fees for $21. When I questioned the seller about the high $44 total shipping cost for a 10 pound package, he said it "wasn't his problem". Evidently warning me about it wasn't his problem either.

Bottom line: I was a sucker to believe a seller sales pitch during an auction without doing my own research. Now I know. In the future I'll consider shipping across that border as expensive as buying from Europe. And, of course, I'll not buy anything from Mr. "No Problem". I'm sure he can live just fine without any of my parts too.

maxphunn · 04-01-04, 02:01 PM

For cross border shipping, courriers like FedEx, UPS, etc are very expensive. Quick but expensive.

When ordering parts from the USA for shipment to Canada, always ask for US Postal Service, air if possible. Insure it of course. At our end the Canadian post office only charges a small (approx $5 ) fee to process orders valued up to $1100.00 from the USA. It takes a little longer but the savings are worth it.

If you are buying items in Canada for shipping to the USA, it is the Post Office again that usually has the best parcel rates. In the last 2 years I have shipped several hundred items to the USA (I sell on eBay) and non of my customers have been hit with any extra charges. A midyear jack should be only about $20 USD to anywhere in the lower US. It would take about 10 to 14 days.

If you have to use courrier to Canada, remember to tell them when they call for your credit card number that the shippment contains DUTY FREE PARTS FOR ANTIQUE AUTO or you might even get charged more.

John Mcgraw · 04-01-04, 05:27 PM

Like Jerry, I had the same problem in reverse. I bought a Bader spacesaver belt grinder on Ebay out of Canada and thought that I got a great buy on it at $700 ! By the time they got the brokers fees, shipping and customs fees the total cost had balloned to over $1500!!!!! This the only time that I have ever backed out of a deal on Ebay, and is the last time I bid on a Canadian auction.

Regards, John McGraw

67HEAVEN · 04-01-04, 06:10 PM

The common element here appears to be the courier companies who are making out like bandits.

In my case, it was double what it cost me for delivery just for them to complete a one page customs form with information from their computer that is in there for delivery purposes anyway. What a rip-off.

One problem I find is the reluctance of some companies to ship USPS.....like Al Knoch who refused my request (courier only). There have been others.

Like I said, the courier companies are making out like bandits.

I could have bought a small-block midyear with the fees I've paid on this project.

00fxd · 04-02-04, 12:32 AM

Hey Bob;
For those needs, I'm lucky enough to live 20 min from the Canada/US border. Just on the other side is a small "Quick Stop" gas bar that also does trade in allowing folks to ship to their operation. You then go by when it arrives and pick it up for a $3 charge. They are well organised, have a 1-800 # and deal in Canadian funds.

Ronald · 04-02-04, 09:36 AM

I have been burned the same way. It's the brokerage fee that is the killer. Usually the product is entering duty free under NAFTA, so all you really need to pay is the GST & PST. Have you ever used Corvette Plus? They are based in Montreal. They are Canadian distributors of Corvette America products. So, basically you look at the Corvette America catalogue product prices convert it to Canadian dollars and that is what they charge, plus a little bit of a mark up, but it is not ridiculous. You avoid the brokerage fee. It is a good route to go if you are just buying a small item. You need to do the math if it is a larger order. After all, if one is restoring a gem like yours, you need to watch your shekels! Another good point, if you need to return something, you avoid the hassle of having to apply for your GST & PST rebate from Revenue Canada. I found them good to deal with. I returned one item they promptly made a refund, no hassle. They have a toll free # (877) 955-3419 or (514) 955-3419 if the toll free does not work in your area.

I am enjoying following your project. Nice to see the snow going away, and we're ready for the summer finally!!!

Best wishes,

Ron

maxphunn · 04-02-04, 05:18 PM

"Have you ever used Corvette Plus? They are based in Montreal. They are Canadian distributors of Corvette America products."

Hi Ron. Do they or Corvette America have a web site? I haven't used either but that sounds like a great tip. Thanks.

69_Dream · 04-02-04, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxphunn

"Have you ever used Corvette Plus? They are based in Montreal. They are Canadian distributors of Corvette America products."

Hi Ron. Do they or Corvette America have a web site? I haven't used either but that sounds like a great tip. Thanks.

Here's the site for Corvette Plus http://www.corvetteplus.com/

I've used them but they can be more expensive then the catalog boys, so take everything into account before using either. Factor taxes, customs, shipping, everything.

Corvette Plus used to have used stuff too, I remember buying some rotors from them about 5 years back. Killer price on that stuff, and who wants to ship Rotors? Ouch.

Sly

Ronald · 04-08-04, 08:30 AM

Exactly, you need to do the math, but it will work out cheaper on a small item as you save the $30.00 brokerage fee. The other site you wanted (where they get their stock from) is corvetteamerica.com

69_Dream · 04-08-04, 09:10 AM

Exactly, but the problem is Corvette America is expensive to start with, so if you order with The Last Detail for instance, chances are you save some cash.

Best bet is still usually eBay, as you have control over shipping fees and you get to chat with the guy who sends the parts so you can ask for reduced value to be marked on the package, and have him write "Gift" and "Used" to reduce brokerage fees.

Sly