A Way for Canadians to Save Money.

[Ray]

Knowing that this is a hangout for Canadian growers, several of whom are my customers, I wanted to share something:

Today I packed a roughly $50 repeat order from a customer, and was dismayed to see that the cheapest shipping (USPS) to Canada I could arrange was $53!!!

That is an unfortunately common situation, so I have a suggestion that many of you can take advantage of:

Use one of those on-the-border shipping services! A great many folks from Toronto, for example, use CBI in Niagara Falls, and I know there are similar firms pretty much anywhere there is a border crossing. The restrictions on bringing stuff back is apparently not that stringent, and it saves a bundle.

Yeah, it may be 90 minutes in each direction, and that may burn some fuel, but if you make a substantial order, it definitely works in your favor.

In the case of this order, if I could ship it via FedEx Ground to a business address (such as CBI) in the US, instead of $53, the cost would have been $7.26.

One can buy a lot of gas for $46!!!

[ALToronto]

Originally Posted by Ray

One can buy a lot of gas for $46!!!

Not in Canada. A trip from Toronto to the border is about 130 km, so that's 260 round-trip. A tank of gas that costs $65 does just under 500 km. So that's at least $35 in gas alone, and what's my time worth?

Ray, if you haven't shipped my order yet, perhaps a few other Ontarians would like to add to it, and we might make it worthwhile to ship FedEx Freight. We can pro-rate the shipping costs according to the relative weights of our items.

I live near 401/Allen Rd., and my business is in Concord, Keele St. north of Hwy 7. So if you'd like to piggy-back on my order, hurry up and let me know! You will have to pay Ray directly for the actual items you buy.

[silken]

Ya, our gas is not cheap in Canada. Unfortunately I'm a good 3 hrs. from a border crossing so it doesn't help me. But for some it is a viable option. If they are doing business for other goods as well, then one trip to pick up different items would be worthwhile.

[Wild Orchid]

Good advice but unfortunately.... we we just warned about upcoming border services cuts.....
Canadians should expect delays at borders, airports due to U.S. budget cuts, officials warn

[Ray]

Alla,

No argument about the fuel costs - I've been up there a couple times in the last several months, once for a speaking engagement, others to visit my aunts in Mississauga. Nonetheless, many of my Canadian customers utilize those services, and "make a day of it", shopping in the US, with the package pickup becoming a side trip.

Even better-spend a weekend down on Niagara-on-the-Lake, enjoy some great food and wine (who knew they made good wine there?), do the local economy some good, have a mini-vacation, and recover the package while you're there!

Concerning alternate shipping, remember that First Rays is a Non Resident Importer to Canada, so if I ship via FedEx, I have to collect duty, taxes, and a brokerage fee, in addition to the cost of goods and freight.

I always take that into account when selecting shipping to Canada. Sometimes it's cheaper one way, sometimes the other.

One last thought: I made this post in hopes that some folks who had not thought of it might take advantage. It never occurred to me that I would catch flak for it.


Ray Barkalow
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[ALToronto]

No, no, Ray - no flak was ever intended, and I'm sure that people who would enjoy such a day trip would take advantage of this shipping service. I'm just not one of them, and I don't have the time to spare.

As for collecting duty, I have my own customs broker, so they walk the shipment across the border and charge me accordingly. Let me know by email if it would be cheaper to ship FedEx.

[silken]

Not flak. Just comments/feedback. Sadly my south of the border which is 3 hrs away has absolutely nothing to encourage a stay for a day or weekend. There is no major city for many miles.

[Ray]

Sorry Alla, it has already been picked up.

The cost for FedEx Intl Ground would have been $2 less, but you would have to add the other costs.


Ray Barkalow
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[FairyInTheFlowers]

Being a Canadian, I don't think it was necessarily flak, but just a venting of the frustration over the lack of good vendors that sell supplies within Canada.

[ezil]

I agree with all the above Canadians. It's too bad regulations are what they are. It's sometimes very frustrating to not be able to try out new products. Most of the people who have posted their comments just live too far away from the border.