formica Posted September 9, 2003 Share Posted September 9, 2003 This may seem like a dumb question, but does anyone know why there is such a large price discrepancy for Klipsch parts purchased in the US versus Canada? I was just looking for a set of std copper logo's to put on my heresys (they should be the pie logos... but I wasn't able to get any) which retail for 2.26$US each. I called the Canadian distributor (referred to me by Klipsch US parts dept as they don't ship internationally) and I was quoted 12$cnd each with shipping... 12$cnd is about 8.75$US each !!! It's not really the price that bugs me, but the principal. I usually expect a small premium on all parts purchased domestically but with my experience in replacement-car-parts, I would have put them about 5$cnd... and not 12$. This isn't the first time either, as when I was looking into getting a set of replacement K-22 (K-24 now?) woofers... I was quoted almost 200$cnd each. I guess that Klipsch doesn't have a direct control on what mark-up the Canadian distributor charges... but customers may think it's just the MSRP. I guess there is always Ebay... *Gets off soap box*... Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael hurd Posted September 10, 2003 Share Posted September 10, 2003 Formica: Dale walker said the same thing when he tried to order grilles for his lascalla's or k-horns ( I don't remember which ). I think jim cornell helped him out. If you get in touch with someone, then maybe they can send you them in an envelope, taped into a card, so they don't get bent. Just a suggestion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
formica Posted September 11, 2003 Author Share Posted September 11, 2003 Not a bad idea... although these aren't as expensive as grilles. Shipping would be a breeze... Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dflip Posted September 12, 2003 Share Posted September 12, 2003 Rob: You forgot the duty at customs, GST and whatever, plus the fee for brokerage from UPS or whoever, and the shipment from Hamilton to Frederiction/Monton to go through customs and then back to the Hamilton airport. For our US friends that would be Cleveland to Washington to clear customs and then sent back to Cleveland. Wouldn't want those Taliban to get their hands on a 40-50 year old tube amp. When all is said and done, you are talking $15 for two tubes to $200 for an amp from the folks at UPS or Canada Post. Higher prices in Canada can actually be cheaper if you calculate the extra charges. As usual, be a smart consumer and comparision shop for the best deal. Yes it is a pain in the rear! Does this make sense? Tax cuts pay for themselves, isn't that what Ronald Regan said years ago, Ernie Eves is saying the same thing in Ontario in 2003. A former U.S. Supreme Court Justice stated, "I pay taxes to live in a civilized society." Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
formica Posted September 13, 2003 Author Share Posted September 13, 2003 Actually I buy quite a few OEM and repro parts for my cars in the US... so I am actually familiar with the taxes, duty and brokerage involved. Micron's prices are well beyond that... I can go on and on ranting about my dislike for UPS... having done business with suppliers who ship exclusively with them. To cut to the point, they charge astronomical and unpredictable brokerage fees for cross border shipping (I have had 25%+), miss calculate duty and taxes, and are truly lacking in Canadian customer support. USPS (United States Parcel Service) on the other hand are conveniently located, will charge a flat rate 5$ brokerage, and have not err once on duty or taxes. One of the things I learnt was to avoid UPS at all costs... even if it means taking my business elsewhere. If I average out my purchases, I have come to a rule of thumb to quickly predict the final cost of an item shipped to my door in $cnd (including taxes, duty, shipping, exchange but excluding a "oversized" shipping) from the original amount of about: 2 x $US = $cnd which will cover about 1.45$ exchange rate... or if you prefer, the rest is about 55¢ to the dollar US. Some companies will overcharge for packaging and shipping and UPS always overcharges for brokerage. If you buy in the US, try USPS and let me know... And then some things are just cheaper in Canada... look at Paradigm, PSB, most CDs, etc... or even Adire Audio who are from the US. Later... Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dflip Posted September 13, 2003 Share Posted September 13, 2003 I would agree. USPS was cheaper and easier to deal with. It arrived quickly and without hassle, and I could pick it up at the local postal outlet. UPS is a last resort when goods are being shipped to Canada. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael hurd Posted September 13, 2003 Share Posted September 13, 2003 I ship most items to a store located on the U.S. side of the border and then drive down and pick them up. That way, I don't have to pay ludicrous amounts of taxes and shipping plus brokerage fees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dflip Posted September 18, 2003 Share Posted September 18, 2003 I ship most items to a store located on the U.S. side of the border and then drive down and pick them up. That way, I don't have to pay ludicrous amounts of taxes and shipping plus brokerage fees. ------------------ An hour and a half drive to Niagra Falls, N.Y. each way from the east end of Toronto kind of makes that option not so attractive. Maybe if I was picking up something that is fairly expensive and escorting it across the border. Otherwise, I guess we just live with the extra expenses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
formica Posted September 18, 2003 Author Share Posted September 18, 2003 I'm a little off-topic but since we are on the subject of shipping from the US to Canada... I'm looking to buy some (difficult to find) parts in the US from a supplier who deals exclusively with FedEX. I have never shipped cross border with them, so I don't know what to expect... I emailed FedEx, and the representative said that the brokerage fees are included in the shipping cost (which I don't know yet) with exceptions in their service fees legal document. Its a long boring read... so I thought I'd cut to the chase... Anyone have any experience with them? Thanks... Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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