Why does Amazon com not ship to Canada?

[buco]

Here is item on Amazon com (USA) Klein awl $9.82 free shipping


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000302W2/?tag=atomicindus08-20






Same item on Amazon Canada $29.79 plus $9.16 shipping $38.95


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000302W2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[canuckian]

i've purchased through amazon.com..... though some of their vendors won't ship north of the border so it's hit or miss on what you can purchase sometimes.

 

[mailpup]

It works both ways. A lot of Canadian vendors don't ship to the USA either. I realize there are good reasons. Just saying.

 

[KPSquared]

Canada = retail ****. . .no lube, no dinner after.

I hate it. I'm sick of it. I avoid Canadian retail price at all cost. Its ludicrous.

 

[jamesc]

we get screwed in canada, it is hit and miss what can be shipped from amazon.com. and amazon.ca has way less selection and the prices are typical over inflated canadain prices.

 

[Roland-5.0]

Yes it *****. I'm not even gonna rant cause I'll have a hard time sleeping.

 

[sgrammel]

taxes..

 

[2oolhound]

Here you go (not as great a deal but a little better than that 2nd choice):

http://www.blackrocktools.com/shop-...lein-screwdrivers-nut-drivers/klein-awls.html

 

[cheechi]

They're not even a real country, anyway.

 

[Jose G]

we always pay double in Canada. that's why i order all my parts (cars, tractor) from US and asked the seller to ship USPS, sometime its free in the US so i just pass the border, go to freeportfowarding and i pay the taxes when i get back since i live ~ 40 miles from the border (UPS is rapping us..)

it's a shame amazon.ca is mostly selling books...
i would like to buy HF stuff also... by chance we have princess auto but its not the samething.

 

[Dustin Echoes]

They're not even a real country, anyway.

Watch it...

 

[sgrammel]

Watch it...

They got oil..so I think we need to free them and bring them some democracy!

 

[Gregger Rod & Custom]

I use a shipping depot on the border in the US.

I ship everything to the "Montana Shopping Outlet" in Sweetgrass MT.

Boxes arrive, they tag it, shelf it, notify me and then there it sits.... till I decide to go get it. This is important! Many depots will charge a storage fee, or worse yet, require you to pick it up quickly (resulting in lots of trips to the border). My depot gives me a full year to pick them up (Unless they are HUGE).

I try to plan ahead, shop continuously for deals and they pile up there. Then when I'm on a trip that has me closer to the border, or I need something that is there, I cross the border, pick the packages up and cross back over. I usually pick them up twice a year.

Paperwork is minimal since it is all for personal use. Pay 5% GST (sometimes) and I'm on my way. If I happen to pick them up on the way home from a vacation, then I apply my personal exemption towards them, and pay no tax.

This also puts an end to the Courier charges, handling charges, brokerage fees.... all the while basking in the warm glow of the cheaper original purchase prices & lower or free shipping!

I believe it is the only way to go... So much so I barely shop at home at all anymore. (Sad, but it is the retailers own fault)

 

[Ray916MN]

Import duties.

I was doing a joint project with a company in Ottawa. At the end of the project we sent commemorative coffee mugs, and shirts from the states to Ottawa for a celebration dinner we had planned. They got held up in customs and never made it to the celebration. Our partner in Canada ended up paying over $300 in import duties for 20 shirts and mugs and finally got them two weeks later.

So much for NAFTA.....

 

[Jrican]

Here is item on Amazon com (USA) Klein awl $9.82 free shipping


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000302W2/?tag=atomicindus08-20






Same item on Amazon Canada $29.79 plus $9.16 shipping $38.95



http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000302W2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Yeah, but that's Canadian dollars, so there really about the same price.

 

[ejkuhl]

Wow and I always heard Canada was so much better for everything Guess you will have to move south...... or far east for the really good tool deals.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

Blame Canada,Blame Canada

 

[96snma]

I use a shipping depot on the border in the US.

I ship everything to the "Montana Shopping Outlet" in Sweetgrass MT.

Boxes arrive, they tag it, shelf it, notify me and then there it sits.... till I decide to go get it. This is important! Many depots will charge a storage fee, or worse yet, require you to pick it up quickly (resulting in lots of trips to the border). My depot gives me a full year to pick them up (Unless they are HUGE).

I try to plan ahead, shop continuously for deals and they pile up there. Then when I'm on a trip that has me closer to the border, or I need something that is there, I cross the border, pick the packages up and cross back over. I usually pick them up twice a year.

Paperwork is minimal since it is all for personal use. Pay 5% GST (sometimes) and I'm on my way. If I happen to pick them up on the way home from a vacation, then I apply my personal exemption towards them, and pay no tax.

This also puts an end to the Courier charges, handling charges, brokerage fees.... all the while basking in the warm glow of the cheaper original purchase prices & lower or free shipping!

I believe it is the only way to go... So much so I barely shop at home at all anymore. (Sad, but it is the retailers own fault)

My parents place in whitefish has literally saved me THOUSANDS over the years. Pretty much only buy here when it's needed right away. Someone's down probably every month so never to long of a wait. I've heard of those places but never knew of one. What do they charge

 

[PCO6]

Here is item on Amazon com (USA) Klein awl $9.82 free shipping


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000302W2/?tag=atomicindus08-20






Same item on Amazon Canada $29.79 plus $9.16 shipping $38.95


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000302W2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

First, Amazon USA requires a minimum order of $25 for free shipping so you're not getting it for under $10.

Second, forget Amazon Canada. Who in their right mind would pay $30 plus shipping for an awl? If you really need a Klein awl get in touch with Black Rock Tools as suggested by 2oolhound. KMS Tools carries Klein - try them. If you can "get by" with a Dasco awl (made in the U.S.A. if that's important to you) you can pick one up at Lowe's for about $8 when they're on sale. I have 5 or 6 awls and I doubt I spent $38.95 on the bunch of them.

 

[Gregger Rod & Custom]

My parents place in whitefish has literally saved me THOUSANDS over the years. Pretty much only buy here when it's needed right away. Someone's down probably every month so never to long of a wait. I've heard of those places but never knew of one. What do they charge

It's extremely reasonable.

Check out their website for a more details:

http://www.montanashipping.com/

Gregger

 

[Beaumont67]

I cross at Sarnia, Ontario into Port Huron MI.

Most boxes are $5 each...drop warehouse is 10 minutes from bridge.
- I just had a mint 8 piece set of PING i20 golf irons, received their today (with free usa shiping)
- my brother driving down in a few weeks, and will pick them up / I went last time
- if order 2 or more items, have them packed in one box (save $$)
- take invoices with you for Customs & pay the 13% HST at border crossing
Still save lots...Boxing day a week ago, drove an hour into MI with adult son for his suit & Italian leather shoes, dress shirts, pants, sweater, etc....London Ontario would have been $2500 and he paid $1000 (with the 40% off Sale day)...$1500 gain, in one day road trip.
- ate at ON THE BOARDER (Mexican Grill & Cantina) / awesome food & cold drinks...$40 with good tip

Register your Visa card with a second address (USA one) for payment processing and ship parcels to:

John Doe
2126 Lapeer Ave Port Huron Mi. 48060

*******************************************

www.bluewatershippingdepot.com
New hours are as follows:
M-F 9am-8pm
Sat 9am-6pm
Sun 10am-3pm

 

[Greatbear]

It's those beady eyes and floppy heads.

 

[kythri]

I'm curious:

With the assumption that import goods are killing the US manufacturing industry and the US economy, and calls to place protective tariffs on import goods from countries that aren't playing by the same rules our industries do:

Is this what's happened in Canada? Is this why things appear to be so cost prohibitive and Canadian citizens are having to figure out a way to self-import stuff across the border?

I'm not looking to start yet another hugely inflammatory political debate, I'm just curious on the Canadian situation - the currency is at parity (actually, a Canadian dollar is worth just a tiny bit more than a US dollar), and it's not as if there's any huge extra cost to truck something across that border then it is to truck it cross-country.

It really seems that there's larger forces at play than jerkwad Canadian retailers jacking up the price, or butthead American sellers refusing to ship across the border, causing an artificial scarcity.

 

[warmpancakes]

you canadians get screwed, a member here gets some packages shipped to my house and I rebox and ship to him and its completely random as to what boxes get opened and hit with custom fees and what boxes dont, I think they throw darts at the piles of boxes

 

[Zrexxer]

It's kind of funny that a large number of posts here by Canadians are bitching about how U.S. companies won't provide for their every need...

 

[96snma]

I'm curious:

With the assumption that import goods are killing the US manufacturing industry and the US economy, and calls to place protective tariffs on import goods from countries that aren't playing by the same rules our industries do:

Is this what's happened in Canada? Is this why things appear to be so cost prohibitive and Canadian citizens are having to figure out a way to self-import stuff across the border?

I'm not looking to start yet another hugely inflammatory political debate, I'm just curious on the Canadian situation - the currency is at parity (actually, a Canadian dollar is worth just a tiny bit more than a US dollar), and it's not as if there's any huge extra cost to truck something across that border then it is to truck it cross-country.

It really seems that there's larger forces at play than jerkwad Canadian retailers jacking up the price, or butthead American sellers refusing to ship across the border, causing an artificial scarcity.

I'm not entirely sure but I think it starts at the manufacturer so they could make equal profit to US goods when the dollar was at about $.60 exchange for the longest time. I saw plenty of merchandise tags with CAN msrp of $100 and right above it a US msrp of about $60 for example. When the dollar became par again some companies started accepting the US price for items but many didn't. Oddly books were one of the first things to use US msrp

 

[PCO6]

^^^ - I agree with Zrexxer. No offence to U.S. suppliers but there's not much that we can't get here. Price can be an issue on some items but that's the way it is when your land mass is about the same as the U.S but your population is 1/10 th. Does it cost money to ship things? Yes ... that's the way it is. A lot of Americans here say "buy American". That makes sense to me. I say "buy Canadian" if you can. If it's an American product - fine. If it's Canadian, even better.

Regarding the original post ... $10 for an awl from the U.S. or $13 for the same U.S. awl from a Canadian supplier. I'll support the Canadian supplier and the American manufacturer. If I can find a Canadian awl I like I'll buy it.

 

[03protege]

They got oil..so I think we need to free them and bring them some democracy!

AMEN, clearly they are being oppressed with these high retail prices.

They may even have WMD..

Wait Nevermind..

 

[KPSquared]

They got oil..so I think we need to free them and bring them some democracy!

You'll have to fight the commies for the oil. Our gov't is busy taking it in the rear from China.

 

[Outlander]

They're not even a real country, anyway.

Troll

 

[kc-steve]

Maybe other suppliers have the same problem I do. My website's shipping software is based on the USPS prices and they won't ship outside the US, unless I reset the software.

And my prices don't really have much wiggle room in case my shipping estimate is undervalued. Having integrity, I wouldn't pass the extra cost on to someone expecting a lower shipping cost. So I just avoid "guessing" at shipping costs by staying within the continental US. But there have been cases when I refunded someone's money because USPS overvalued shipping for some reason.

Steve

 

[carcajou]

IMO "Freight costs" are the reason most quoted, whether from the vendor, retailer, supplier etc. This can be true but in most cases it is complete ********. I import heavy steel bale spears from the U.S. south to northern Alberta. As i said they are big, heavy and awkward to ship BUT they cost next to nothing to get here. I have paid nearly as much to get the odd wrench set from closer. Our fuel prices at the pumps are 20% more than they are 300 miles south of us but the "Extra" shipping costs are really only about 5 %.
I buy from U.S. suppliers all the time and for the most part i'm happy with the shipping costs and esp the service. ( service is poor but improving up here). That being said if the supplier feels he can lowball the price and make up for it with excessive shipping charges i Just go elsewhere. There are great and not so great vendors on both sides of the border.

 

[pcos]

A little off topic from OP but relevant I feel for our friends south of the border.

Here is a picture (attached) of the single main highway that spans Canada coast to coast - the Trans Canada Highway. That's as good as it gets. It takes two (2) eight hour days of driving just to get out of Southern Ontario (Toronto) heading west to Manitoba. A transportation nightmare.

Amazon style on-line retailers place their depot in either Toronto, ON or Vancouver, BC (population centers) and either drive or fly all goods to the rest of Canada. Canada has some of the highest airport landing fees IN THE WORLD. Rail is not a viable choice as we have allowed our rail infrastructure to be decimated.

The final straw is the simple fact that any manufacturer's rep can IN ONE DAY physically visit retailers and sell more goods in one California city than they could in the whole of Canada for a whole season. (as related to me by a SCUBA Manufacturer's rep when I was involved in that business).

The natural flow for trade is North-South, not East West (simple geography).

To end this wordy rant . . . that is why we Canadians always gripe about prices/availabilty of goods and are continually looking to our souther neigbours for great prices.

EDIT to ad: For fellow Canadians I should add that the economic center of Canada is now Alberta - Calgary, Edmonton right through to Fort McMurray (Tar Sands Central) - Snap-on has moved operations west from Toronto as have many more "tool" companies. Ontario is a has-been manufacturing centre and hence not a focus for suppliers any longer (goes to availability and price of goods).

 

[kc-steve]

. . . The natural flow for trade is North-South, not East West (simple geography). . . .

I've heard something similar in economics, where a "worker" in western Canada has more in common with a worker in the western US, than an eastern Canadian worker. And likewise for an eastern Canadian worker having more in common with eastern USA workers. The point was about migration of workers at the beginning of the EU.

Steve

 

[pcos]

Yes, back in the day (Geography 101 at university) there was a lecture about NAFTA and the more geographically "natural" trade zones in North America.

1. Coastal Area - Pacific Ocean to the Coastal and Rocky Mountains with BC

2. Great Plains - Rocky mountains east to the Mississippi river with Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba

3. Great Lakes / Rust Belt - Chicago to New York with Ontario / Quebec

4. Maritime Area - Maine, NH, Vermont and all of Eastern Canada

This is how things are supposed to pan out after the dust settles . . .

 

[kythri]

I'm not entirely sure but I think it starts at the manufacturer so they could make equal profit to US goods when the dollar was at about $.60 exchange for the longest time. I saw plenty of merchandise tags with CAN msrp of $100 and right above it a US msrp of about $60 for example. When the dollar became par again some companies started accepting the US price for items but many didn't. Oddly books were one of the first things to use US msrp

Yeah, I've got plenty of books that are priced like that - just grabbed one - $16 US/$24 CAN.

My understanding from some folks is there's still a lot of folks in the publishing industry maintaining that odd pricing disparity.

 

[kythri]

The final straw is the simple fact that any manufacturer's rep can IN ONE DAY physically visit retailers and sell more goods in one California city than they could in the whole of Canada for a whole season. (as related to me by a SCUBA Manufacturer's rep when I was involved in that business).

I have no experience with sales in Canada, but, your SCUBA gear representative's example? I can't say that I'm surprised - I mean, the population of California is more than the entire population of Canada, and there's surely a lot more spots to SCUBA and a lot better weather to do it in...

 

[dirttracker18]

Yeah, but that's Canadian dollars, so there really about the same price.

Actually our dollar is worth more than yours

We also have a much stronger economy and I live no where near the oil.

 

[Gregger Rod & Custom]

On the related topic: Why are "US Made goods more expensive in a Canadian store, than the US one, when we have "free trade"...

My buddy ran a Canadian clothing store and I could not believe the tax he had to pay to import clothing "made in the USA". With 'free' trade, he should only pay 5% GST at the border (and perhaps get that back? Can't remember that part)...BUT....

At the border a business importing goods for resale gets treated differently that you or I would when crossing with the same items (we only pay the 5% tax)

As a business importing goods, they would inspect the clothing and discover the silk screened t-shirt, that was silk screened in California.... was done on a t-shirt from Taiwan. So what is the 'real' country of origin? ...... According to the border people: Taiwan. So a t-shirt the guys in California bought for $3.00 (or less), silk screened in California and sold to my buddy for $20, got charged a HUGE 'double digit' tax on the full $20 price as though it all came from Taiwan.

Add to that the shipping fee to the border, and cost for him to import it (his gas and labour going to get them, or paying a broker to do it for him) I now understand why these shirts were so much cheaper in the US.


Unfortunately, in a global economy where cross border shopping is so easy for so many of us (many live next to a US border) and on line shopping is taking over.... The consumer cannot be blamed for buying in the US.

It seems our government tax policies are designed to put these Canadian stores out of business.

 

[Provincial]

Gregger Rod and Custom, you have discovered the real reason for the price differences. By that I mean hidden taxes. The Value Added Tax (VAT) that is so popular with governments these days is mostly a hidden tax because it levies the tax at many levels (each time value is added to the product, and for the value added) and the only tax visible to the consumer is the amount added at the time of the sale.

The only way to fight this type of tax is to require the total accrued tax to be shown at the time of the final sale. I think the average Canadian consumer would be shocked at the amount of hidden tax they pay.

The shorthand way to estimate this is to compare the US price to the Canadian price, corrected for currency value.