Made in Canada conundrum


We all know that some of the very best audio equipment is made in Canada. Some of these legendary companies don't have service facilities in the USA, so if it breaks,like mine did, you send it back to Canada. I just experienced this: Promised about 2 weeks turn-around time, but we're going on 2 months and it's still at Customs in Canada, who are waiting to clear it, having charged me tax, duty, broker fees (FedEx) and a fourth charge for some technicality that I've forgotten. What do US purchasers feel about paying tax, duty and broker fees when they buy Canadian and then pay the same fees again to have the original repaired? Annoyed, like I am, or did you know that? And would you have bought Canadian if you knew this before-hand - like I didn't, because nobody told me. Should I have known this? Opinions, please. (I will keep the Manufacturer's name confidential while I wait for resolution)
springbok10
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.
I'm a Canadian living in Vancouver. I own American made equipment, British and Swiss made products, and a Canadian made SACD/CD player (EMM XDS1) I have had to send some pieces back to the US for service, and as far as I know, there was no problem on either side.

When I've travelled to the States, I've been treated rudely at the border by pompous US border agents, Once, when asked re my occupation, I replied physician - the fellow at US Customs went out his way to berate me and informed me that I certainly wasn't a physician nor qualified to be one in the States. Asshole - I'm Board Certified in the US, and I'm a physician by trade wherever I go. He didn't like hearing that, but didn't stop me from entering the US.

There are jerks on both sides of the border. As for service, I'm very impressed with the work I've had done in the States. Finally, to those who think all Canadians dislike Americans, get a life. You can't paint an entire country with the same brush - sweeping generalizations like that only serve to demonstrate what small, zenophobic minds some of you must have. See? Some of you - not an entire nation.

Sorry for ranting....
Rodman,

Unfriendly neighbors to the north?

In 1986, my wife and I honeymooned in Jamaica. A few days into our trip it came up in a conversation with the staff that we were Americans and they all were surprised by this. When we asked them why, they said we thought you were Canadiens because you're so friendly and polite. After talking to several other locals, this perception of Canadiens being friendlier and more polite than Americans was echoed. Not exactly a scientific poll but it got me thinking.