Made in Canada conundrum

I've not been in audio long enough to have several transactions made with the US in order a correct, full experience of the matter. I'll just say that the few times it happened, everything was perfect every time. So what gives ?

I've learned to value generalizations as what they are : generalizations ! I've heard comments such as :
- Krell have stopped repairing units more than 10 yrs old
- Levinson don't answer the phone anymore

To find out later on whole companies or institutions were put on the bench solely because one of their perfectly competent employees got up on the wrong foot a certain day. Even worse that the person who started the rumor was too limited to explain correctly his needs or concerns clearly.

Thank you Canada. I have never been eaten by a polar bear. I believe I have your vigilance to thank for that.

Unfortunately my experience with cross-border shipping suggests that delays are associated with cheaper transport, i.e. Ground service.

I have had no delays--none--when using 2 Day Air or, from the Postal Service, Express. (Oh, sometimes the routing showed on the carrier's tracking page seems rather odd, but perhaps better not to ask, as long as the package makes it on time.)

And the absolute easiest, fastest, cheapest method, if you live within reasonable driving distance of the border, is to take the units unsealed through Customs yourself and ship from the other side. Make sure you have the paperwork with you.

Hey guys , what about the new tax on Canadians entering your country by air or sea?

We used to have an almost open border, until some "fed's" felt that Canada was an Al Quida training ground.
Now anything in a box is suspect if it comes from Canada.

It's too bad the world is where it is today.
Canada is a small country that needs to export it's goods, but it buys more from the US than it exports.

Oh yeah, we've got wheat and oil sands and most of the world's fresh water.

Maybe we should start to add a tax to all the water that is shipped south, and add on a tax to all the cool fresh air you get from us for free.

We've always been known as a kind and gentler version of the US,the more polite cousin.
A country that takes care of it's sick and poor,but taxes it's citizens far more than than you would ever care to be taxed.

That such a small country has so many high end audio companies is amazing, but it wouldn't be if it were not for the acceptance from audiophiles south of the 49.

It's too bad that the fear that 9/11 instilled in the US has brought such fear and hatred to anything that isn't 100% made in the USA.

Where would you be today if Mr Nixon hadn't awakened the sleeping giant of China?

Where would WalMart find such cheap products?
Certainly not from Canada.

$5.50 a head is not much and it has already been applied to everyone else but Canadians anyway. Heck, everyone has a deficit to deal with these days. Glad I don't have to pay it every time I drive across to ship or receive gear, though.