Lenses shipped to Canada - DPChallenge Forums

10/07/2003 03:06:13 PM · #1

After buying the Digital Rebel, I am now looking at buying some lenses. Here in Montreal, prices are high, so I am looking at buying online. Most places are in the U.S., so shipping (and customs) might be a problem. Even with the exchange rate, it is more beneficial buying down south.

Anybody have any input or experience in this matter? Can you reccommend a good place to buy from online?

Message edited by author 2003-10-07 15:06:52.

carsten

Tokina AF 12-24mm f/4.0 AT-X Pro DX

10/07/2003 03:15:10 PM · #2

I have bought some lenses from Anthony. He is very reliable, cheap and fast. You can email him and tell him what you want and he gives you a price. I can really recommend him.

Beagleboy

Canon EOS-30D

10/07/2003 03:16:09 PM · #3

I don't have a digital SLR. I only have a prosumer camera. I was looking to buy online from a US site, but I was worried that the warranty accompanying the camera would only be valid in the USA, and not in Canada.

I called Fuji Canada and they told me that the US warranty would not be valid in Canada and that I would most likely have to ship it out to the States to get it repaired and that it would be a major pain in the A$$ when they would look at my Canadian address.

I opted to buy it in Canada (off Ebay.ca - still saved close to $200 CAN) to make sure that my warranty would be valid.

Make sure you get a statement (email, letter, whatever) that the guarantee for the lens will be covered in Canada as well as the USA. If not you could get BURNED! Buying cheap abroad without warranty can be more expensive than buying in Canada.

Good luck

Jacko

Tokina AF 12-24mm f/4.0 AT-X Pro DX

10/07/2003 03:29:41 PM · #4

My experience ... and I checked with Canada Customs and Revenue before: There are no duties on digital cameras. I bought 4 lenses from US sellers on E-Bay and had no duty charges either. However, you will pay your provincial taxes on the Canadian equivalent.

One other thing to consider. If you go through Fed EX or UPS, you will likely pay a 'brokerage fee' ... these cost me between $40 and $60 on $500=$700 purchases. I think US Post charges a lot lower brokerage fees. This brokerage fee is charged to handle the paper work to go cross border ... not collected by the government.

I'd like to say buy Canadian, but it might make economical sense to buy from the States. I bought a CAnon 550EX flash from //www.bhphoto.com for approx $500 dollars delivered by UPS + 60 dollars provincial tax. The same flash would have cost me $650 at //www.henrys.com + shipping + provincial taxes. The only issue you need to consider is if you feel you need a warranty on your products ... you should check with Canon Canada if they'll repair products bought in the States.

Good luck. Happy shopping. To be on the safe side, call Canada Customs and Revenue to see the tax and duty treatment of the products you want to buy.

Beagleboy

Canon EOS-30D

10/07/2003 03:36:39 PM · #5

That Jacko my bro

Him smart guy of family

LOL. Atta way to do yer homework little bro!

10/07/2003 03:51:39 PM · #6

I knew Jacko would come back with some info. Thanks for the tips. I'll make a few calls.

To Beagleboy: We expect great things from you, being part of the Doucette family. LOL!

BTW...Congratulations on the very cute little boy. Welcome to TEAM SLEEPLESS.

tommy_t

Canon EOS-60D

Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS

10/07/2003 03:54:55 PM · #7

Check out //www.digitalliquidators.com

Never shopped there before but prices are great

ursula

Fujifilm X-T2

10/07/2003 04:27:59 PM · #8

Originally posted by Jacko:

I'd like to say buy Canadian, but it might make economical sense to buy from the States. I bought a CAnon 550EX flash from //www.bhphoto.com for approx $500 dollars delivered by UPS + 60 dollars provincial tax. The same flash would have cost me $650 at //www.henrys.com + shipping + provincial taxes. The only issue you need to consider is if you feel you need a warranty on your products ... you should check with Canon Canada if they'll repair products bought in the States.

Getting equipment repaired in Canada through Henrys isn't all that easy either. My experience with them hasn't been all that good.

Ursula

10/07/2003 04:30:10 PM · #9

I am not too sure that I agree with the logic of purchasing items outside of the country. There are many factors to consider - brokerage, foreign exchange rates, duties, taxes, shipping costs, handling costs, time delays, and of course, warranty.

Besides, if you shop well here in Canada, you will find that base prices are actually lower in cost. PM me and I will offer you a few reliable Canadian contacts to investigate.

jimmythefish

Canon EOS-10D

10/07/2003 05:04:41 PM · #10

My 70-200 F4L was $579 US from adorama.com (about $870 CDN), and I got a US version out of it. The only shop here in Victoria is selling it for $1100. I would have been less than smart to buy from the shop here in Victoria, considering I have to pay GST and PST regardless. If I bought from somewhere like Henry's ($1049), I would still have to pay shipping, GST and PST on top of that, just like if I bought it in the US. In many cases it's cheaper to buy from the States.

10/07/2003 06:22:37 PM · #11

Another couple of canadian sites to check out are
Camera Canada

or McBains. I too have looked at the us prices and wondered even with shipping, and exchange rates if I could not do better buying from the us. I am about to try it with a 1.8 50MM Canon lens to test the waters. Eventually I am looking at purchasing a 70-200 and the difference of 20% becomes substantial.

A couple of US companies have good reputations and well, money makes a difference in how soon I can start using these nice shiny toys.

Message edited by author 2003-10-07 18:32:09.

10/08/2003 10:32:48 AM · #12

One of the lenses I am looking at is the Sigma 70-300mm 4-5.6 APO. I can get it locally for CAN$460 (tax in) or through BH photo at U$209, plus shipping, brokerage, exchange rate and provincial tax (CAN$405). I called Sigma, and the US version would have only a 1 year warranty in Canada as opposed to 7 years on a Canadian bought lens.

6 extra years of warranty for $55? Probably worth the extra bucks.

Does anybody know of any really good online prices in Canada?

10/08/2003 11:16:29 AM · #13

Originally posted by mariomel:

Canada Camera has the lens you are looking for 359.99 Canadian, now have to add sales tax and shipping but still it is has the valid Canadian warrenty. With any luck you have a local store which will honour any advertised (Canadian) price and will not have to pay the shipping.

Message edited by author 2003-10-08 11:17:07.

10/08/2003 11:22:28 AM · #14

Camera Canada does offer very good Canadian pricing. In every case so far, other dealers will match or better there prices too.

10/08/2003 11:25:18 AM · #15

Memo to Canadians:

When purchasing outside of your home province, the retailer - online or in-store, is not required to collect the local PST. It is your obligation to pay the PST of your local province.

Alternately, if you purchase from an Alberta-based retailer where there is no PST, then there is no real issue. This adds to the overall value and maintains the warranties. Food for thought...

10/08/2003 02:03:02 PM · #16

Thanks for everybody's replies. I just came back from Simon's Cameras, here in Montreal, with the lens in question. With all the info I was given, I was able to get them to drop down to CAN$350. Now that's a STEAL! and I didn't have to wait for it to arrive in the mail!

I can't wait to finish work to go out and test it. I'll post some samples later.

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

10/08/2003 02:34:00 PM · #17

Your welcome, glad to be of help.

Pedro

Nikon D200

10/08/2003 03:19:22 PM · #18

Originally posted by Morgan:

and we should ALL want to support Alberta. just cuz. :)

Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS

10/08/2003 03:38:15 PM · #19

Originally posted by Pedro:

Originally posted by Morgan:
Memo to Canadians:

When purchasing outside of your home province, the retailer - online or in-store, is not required to collect the local PST. It is your obligation to pay the PST of your local province.

Alternately, if you purchase from an Alberta-based retailer where there is no PST, then there is no real issue. This adds to the overall value and maintains the warranties. Food for thought...

and we should ALL want to support Alberta. just cuz. :)

Just because they support our camera purchases with their rich oil reserves - thank you Alberta.

ursula

Fujifilm X-T2

10/08/2003 03:39:05 PM · #20

Unrelated question - but, what are the taxes in BC?

Ursula

jimmythefish

Canon EOS-10D

Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS

10/08/2003 03:40:12 PM · #21

PST is 6% in BC.

ursula

Fujifilm X-T2

10/08/2003 03:42:15 PM · #22

Originally posted by jimmythefish:

PST is 6% in BC.

Thank you!