Canadian Pricing

There are duties and brokerage fees, oh the brookerage fees.

About a year ago I got a dvc30 from the US (I was in Ottawa at the time) and when all was said and done with taxes(why do we have to pay taxes on the net when the US doesn't?) brokerage fees and duties, I didn't save anything, hell I might have even overpaid!

And this from buying from B&H.

I was so pissed off about it I sold the camera about 2 weeks later.

Canada as a country doesn't care enough about the policies and practices that big companies do when they come here and if the country doesn't care, the huge companies won't bother batting an eyelash at us as customers. So panasonic doesn't give us the courtesty they give the US. And a smaller population is a stupid reason for not providing people with proper service.

If they're gonna dissmiss us like this they should just combine panasonic US and Canada that way whatever happens down there applies to us automatically, that'd be way less hassle for them and us.

And I'm not saying panasonic is a bad company just that we're not a priority to them as a market so we're stuck buying things with overinflated prices and no incentive to buy. So if people are buying anyways why change? We've got to show them that that isn't right and vote with our wallets.

If you need to get an HVX get it through an American friend, go down to the States and get it yourself, or if they IS a reasonable way to ship it to Canada do that. Let panasonic canada know that they're not doing us right and if they want us to buy their products they need to restructure their business model.

That's my suggestion.
 
Maybe it's worth it, to bootleg it through customs (claiming it's not a new purchase).

Anyone have tips ? :beer:

It's a sad day, when electronics are like contraband.


Cheers.
 
Angrius said:
The name of the company is called Applied Electronics..if anybody is in the Toronto area their contact number is 905.625.4321.



I picked up my dvx100a from Trevor at Applied. Was able to match US pricing after calculating in shipping costs. And their service since then has been absolutely stunning.
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I just called Canada Customs at 18004619999 and the say that all video equipment regardless of where it was made has NO duty! If anyone did pay duty and fees other than tax it was a mistake and need to make a claim.

v
 
nice vuzz... guess that settles it ;)

gotta love the automated phone system's monotone-mountie voice,
"if you have information about suspicious cross-border activity...."
 
So, if you're purchasing in N.Y, you just pay whatever the tax is for the state ? Damn, cutting out the PST &GST would save you $ 1500.00 CAN. So save the dough, and have to drive to N.Y for repairs, or get a right routing up here, with poor service ? Choices, choices... :beer:
vuzz said:
I just called Canada Customs at 18004619999 and the say that all video equipment regardless of where it was made has NO duty! If anyone did pay duty and fees other than tax it was a mistake and need to make a claim.

v
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Got to be carful, say you go to NY and buy it and pay NY tax, then you hit the border and they find it, they you will be paying a fine for not declaring and PST/GST. You don't want to pay taxes twice.

Not paying duty does not mean not paying tax. You order in from Canada and the store charges you no tax but customs will. And thats OK. If your a company and declaring your tax every quarter and expenses you will save big time.
 
At the current exchange where 1 USD = 1.17972 CAD the price of a new HVX runs 5,499.00 USD which equals 6,487.27 CAD

Add in shipping, GST and PST and you're still saving at least $1500+ CAD from the MSRP of $7999 CAD + tax.

Panasonic Canada needs an enema.
 
There is no duty on electronic equipment - thanks vuzz. I have legally imported a lot of stuff from the states, and the only thing I've ever paid were the GSTs and PSTs.

If you are bringing it across the border yourself (probably not a good idea, because that usually means unnecessarily paying the sales tax wherever you bought it), make sure you claim your personal exemption (depending on the length of your stay in the US). That can be as much as $400 (???) - not sure about the exact figure, but if you stay over a week, it's in that range.

If you do have a company, you can claim the portion of GST that is corresponding with company use, AND you can depreciate the cost of the equipment over a number of years (I think it's five, but I am not an accountant).

I've purchased items from EVS, and before that from other outlets, and in every single instance I saved at least 10% as compared to buying from a Canadian retail store (in some cases as much as 20%), even after factoring in all taxes, extra shipping and insurance, and yes - brokerage fees.

Go figure.
 
vuzz said:
Got to be carful, say you go to NY and buy it and pay NY tax, then you hit the border and they find it, they you will be paying a fine for not declaring and PST/GST. You don't want to pay taxes twice.
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Actually, they'll probably just seize it. Have seen it myself.

In fact, once they had mess in their papers, and they claimed I didn't declare my laptop (which by that time was already a year old), and they just took it, even though I had the 'temporary export permit' card. The ***** at customs said that card didn't mean I paid taxes on it (I later confirmed she was just bullshitting me - you won't get one if you don't present a proof of purchase, and if bought outside of Canada, a proof of tax remittance, so it's all you need. It's a little green card that has the equipment description and serial number - never leave Canada without it accompanying your camera!)

It took a lot of screaming to get my laptop back. Every time I see that woman at the airport, I have an urge to throw a hand grenade.
 
Does anyone know the rules and specs on support equipment like tripods etc? I've been thinking of order a set of baby legs that aren't available in Toronto and am having a hardtime even ordering one (supplier backorder, etc)....
 
I've just heard that Panasonic Canada has not finalized their price yet. That goes for the package prize with the P2 cards too. Until then, Terry from DVshop does not have the their selling price.
 
Actually, they'll probably just seize it. Have seen it myself.
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I guess I'm more of a rum runner. I've taken equipment back and forth, with no problems (luckily), but oddly enough, had a case of Single Malt held for a few hours, until I paid the tax + fine.

It pisses me off that our borders are practically porous to guns and drugs, but try and bring some personal electronics thru and watch the f out.

I suppose distressing the HVX to look old won't work? Claiming tourist ignorance? If I have to rent a cigarette boat, this is going to get turned up a notch. I can't tell you how much I despise this tax happy mofo government. You guys had the right idea about dumping tea. :beer:

Alright, so I guess no one here is as criminally inclined as I. I shall endeavour too hatch a fool proof plan :) Or just pay the damn tax...


Cheers.
 
One could always do the immigration thing??? you move here? you guys gotta admit it'd be like going to mexico for us?

Growing up on the Detroit/Windsor border was the best times I can remember....(at least getting out of Detroit and scoring with Up country girls) This is all due to the drinking @ 19 laws of course, having an american dollar...& better smokes.

And everywhere I go in the U.S. is all football, football, where's a real mans sport? who fights in football?
 
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