Buying from Canada a hassle for you too?

I've had several successful experiences purchasing from Canadian members - both here and on eBay. Postal charges are higher for LP shipments (or so it seems to me), and the Canadian postal system is a bit slow - at least to Texas - but these are small nits and in no way the fault of Canadian sellers.

I have been a member since 2001. Being Canadian myself, my feedbak is amost 100% US transactions, all with great A-gon members. Never an Issue. Same with transactions on canuckaudiomart.com, mostly with canadians.

You have all of something like 26 month's of experience and you dare put up such an accusing and arrogant statement in your title line. Most of the times, ''nightmare'' transactions, as you call them, are the result of inexperience and just not doing your homework. And for those bad transactions, we only have your version of it - not that you did anything wrong, but the way you are going about this suggest that you have been frustrated in some way, which probably has nothing to do with canadians. This is not a banana republic here. Just like everywhere else, get your info and procedures straight before bashing on a certain group of people.

And to set the record straight - if the buyer (make that a canadian buyer) sends you an international postal money order IN US FUNDS via FedEx next day delivery, it basically means that you are getting cash the next day. No 10 day wait because the order is PREPAID meaning if you loose the slip, you lost the cash (no big deal since you still have the equipment) but a big deal for the buyer who will probably get his money back in 3-4 months or so. All of the risk is on the shoulders of the buyer, as his bank account has already been debited, while your amp (or whatever it is you are selling) waits patiently in it's box (or in your audio rack) in your living room. I have done this myself a number of times - pay with an international order, NEVER an issue.

Last time I checked, Audiogon was still a friendly group of people with a passion for music and toys, open to both US and Canada, and more.

I also feel that many canadians contributed to discussion forums and the like in a constructive manner.

I hope your remarks do not discourage other fellow canucks from enjoying this Audiogon experience, as this is a most enjoyable and exceptionnal site.

Fortunately, you seem to be pretty much the only one in accordance with yourself on this. Someone suggested you shop locally, maybe not a bad idea.

Thanks for the warning Darealjaydee. A real class act.

Ya well it takes time to hitch up the dog team and pack up provisions enough to get to a post office. After all our egloo's are far from large population centre's like you have down there.
Please what a silly comment!!

Ticked off Canadian.

I'm a Canuck. I don't think it's the weak dollar that provokes anger. Instead I think the weak dollar provokes acquisitiveness in many Canadians these days. But if I had felt myself to be tarred with the OP's brush (Canadians are slow, casual, self-centred shippers), I would be a little miffed. Fortunately my feedback bears witness to a different attitude on my part.

As Mang53 says, cheap shipping gets you extra fees and border delays. FedEx and UPS give you tracking for your dollar but they claw it back in fees. To repeat: anything shipped by ground transport with FedEx or UPS will generate a processing fee. If it is not made in a NAFTA country it may generate duty. One more thing: border fees will be billed automatically to the SELLER in many cases, even if the "bill the receiver" box is checked! Please get this straight with your buyer and make the necessary arrangements before you close your deal.

2nd day air is the way to go if you must have tracking. If not, both postal services can do a great job, especially if you pack like a maniac. And if you live anywhere close to the border, consider taking the item through customs yourself and shipping from the country of destination, like Brianhutch.

Every country has its own import/export twirks. Zenieth, thanks for talking about friends up north. In return, I might mention our much-admired neighbours south of the border.

In a vaguely related issue, in August of 2007 I sent payment to a supplier via first class mail from western New York to Montreal, Quebec.

It took 16 business days from departure to arrival.

Good thing it wasn't sent bulk or 4th class.