WhyWhyZed From Canada, joined Jan 2005, 914 posts, RR: 18 Posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 2507 times:
Ok, For the past couple of monthes, I have had my eyes on to lenses. The 17-40mm L f/4 and the 100mm f/2.8 macro. Now with the Henry's digital imaging show going on this weekend, i've been doing my research in case I find a great find on either of the two, or a L telephoto. Henry's being a large camera shop in southern Ontario, I checked out their prices first...
17-40L f/4 = $949.99 CAD
100mm f/2.8 = $799.99 CAD
... and of course, add our great PST and GST (15%)
Then, I called up Bell Arte, a fairly large family owned store about 10 minutes away from my house, and got some quotes from them...
17-40L F/4 = $990.00 CAD
100mm F/2.8 = $693.00 CAD
...and of course, once again, add our great GST and PST (15%)
After all that, I checked into B&H. I was expecting it to be a bit more after conversions, and shipping, etc. But look at the difference...
17-40L f/4 = $699.95 USD + $30.25 USD (Shipping) = Approx $865.46 CAD
100mm f/2.8 = $469.95 USD + $26 USD (Shipping) = Approx $587.81 CAD
...even if I'm forced to pay taxes at the border, I save a hell of a lot!
This actually has me quite urked at the moment, I don't understand how they can just so much more. I should bring B&H price quotes to the Henry's show... and see if they match them !!
Does anyone really know why however? And does anyone in the Buffalo area wanna help me smuggle lens across the border? lol
Bubbles From Canada, joined Apr 2005, 1193 posts, RR: 52 Reply 1, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 1 day ago) and read 2482 times:
Hi Jason,
What I say here might be totally wrong - I overheard that when buying a Canon lens outside Canada, you cannot use the warranty if sending it to Canada Canon service center to repair. Maybe this is a rumor! I'm not quite sure.
MartinairYYZ From Canada, joined Nov 2003, 1209 posts, RR: 7 Reply 2, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 23 hours ago) and read 2471 times:
Quoting Bubbles (Reply 1): I overheard that when buying a Canon lens outside Canada, you cannot use the warranty if sending it to Canada Canon service center to repair
I guess I would be bursting your bubble when saying it is incorrect Canon lenses purchased in USA/Canada are warrenty-valid in both entities.
Quoting WhyWhyZed (Thread starter): Does anyone really know why however? And does anyone in the Buffalo area wanna help me smuggle lens across the border? lol
1. It is so bloody expensive due to lack of competition. Go to NY, you'll find 1 camera store per block. This is the same reason that flying from YYZ-LHR is more expensive than JFK-LHR! Competition! I know it sucks, but that's how it is.
2. Lets compare to B&H Photo prices! 17-40L: $699US ~$805 CAN
100mm macro: $449~$520CAN
3. Smuggle..? Just put it in your camera bag, throw out the box, and mail yourself the reciept! Simple!
P.S. In my life, I have never bought anything from Hernry's, or any other Canadian shop. I buy only form B&H, or Dixon's in the UK if i need something a little rare.
Bubbles From Canada, joined Apr 2005, 1193 posts, RR: 52 Reply 4, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 22 hours ago) and read 2446 times:
Quoting MartinairYYZ (Reply 2): I guess I would be bursting your bubble when saying it is incorrect
Hi Martin,
Actually I have been waiting for someone bursting my bubble on this for quite a long time. It is a good news for me. I also feel the price is a bit too high here.
If declaring everything, will I eventually save a little money than directly buying it from Toronto's Henry's? This question sounds stupid. But I really want to know.
Cruiser From Canada, joined Apr 2005, 998 posts, RR: 8 Reply 5, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 21 hours ago) and read 2428 times:
Personally, I have found the best prices in Toronto at Aden Camera. The place seems to be a little bit hsady, so I get them to write down their price on a business card, and take it down to Downtown Camera. Downtown Camera is probably one of the best camera stores in Toronto and are a pleasure to deal with. Give Aden a call, and they will quote you over the phone (their website is not up date), and it is only a 5 minute walk between the two stores.
This way, there is nothing to bring across the border, and the warranty issue is null and void.
James
Leahy on Per Seat Costs: "Have you seen the B-2 fly-by at almost US$1bn a copy? It has only 2 seats!"
WhyWhyZed From Canada, joined Jan 2005, 914 posts, RR: 18 Reply 6, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 21 hours ago) and read 2429 times:
Quoting MartinairYYZ (Reply 2): 1. It is so bloody expensive due to lack of competition. Go to NY, you'll find 1 camera store per block. This is the same reason that flying from YYZ-LHR is more expensive than JFK-LHR! Competition! I know it sucks, but that's how it is.
We got a couple camera shops in Hamilton, not very large but they are there.
Quoting MartinairYYZ (Reply 2): 3. Smuggle..? Just put it in your camera bag, throw out the box, and mail yourself the reciept! Simple!
Why bother mailing the reciept. Just shove it in your pocket, or in between the car seats...heheheh
Quoting MartinairYYZ (Reply 2): P.S. In my life, I have never bought anything from Hernry's, or any other Canadian shop. I buy only form B&H, or Dixon's in the UK if i need something a little rare.
Yeah, my opinion has changed alot about the Canadian camera shops. I never really did the calculations until today. I knew it ended up a bit cheaper in the states, but I figured it would be the conversion and the shipping costs. Obviously, it isn't.
I'm actually considering hitting this to some Henry's employee tomorrow to see what they say. "Shipping Costs"... I included shipping costs! "Taxes" GST is refundable, maybe PST... GRRRRRRRR... just thought is really getting me hyped up again!
DavidYYC From Canada, joined Sep 2004, 238 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 21 hours ago) and read 2423 times:
An interesting paost as I have been doing this price watching for the last few months. I eventually went and bought a 20d and 17-85mmIS at The Camera Store (thecamerastore.com) here in Calgary. They beat eveyone in towns price ie the 100mm2.8 is 699 + only the 7% GST. I checked with CCRA and there is no duty on imported, lenses sent to you by mail, just the GST. The difference in price here (buying it locally) or from B & H was not worth the anguish of worrying about that expense purchase travelling across North America. The Camera Store also provide good advice and service!
WhyWhyZed From Canada, joined Jan 2005, 914 posts, RR: 18 Reply 9, posted (7 years 7 months 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 2349 times:
Well, a little update. I was at the camera show today, and actually took the plunge for two items.... oh my...
I got a 17-40L f/4 AND the 70-200L f/4 each for $875 + Tax
After the guy got my sale, I got the hell out of there...lol... however, I'm enjoying my 17-40L alot already (I haven't really had a chance to try the 70-200)
MarkJBeckwith From Canada, joined Jul 2005, 156 posts, RR: 3 Reply 10, posted (7 years 7 months 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 2319 times:
Quoting MartinairYYZ (Reply 2): P.S. In my life, I have never bought anything from Hernry's, or any other Canadian shop. I buy only form B&H, or Dixon's in the UK if i need something a little rare.
Thanks for the tip Martin.
I just ordered my 70-200L f/4 from B&H for $735.00CAD (approx), including shipping. I'll let you all know if it makes it through the border without the attentions of CCRA...
MarkJbeckwith From Canada, joined Jul 2005, 156 posts, RR: 3 Reply 12, posted (7 years 7 months 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 2284 times:
Quoting Cruiser (Reply 11): If you order from B&H, do both the US & Canadian taxes apply?
i.e. Do you pay any taxes to the US before it crosses the border?
US taxes are not applied because it is being shipped out of the US. In Canada, the most taxed nation in the G8, GST is applicable if CCRA decides to check the package - only happened once to me on more than ten shipments over the years. Amazingly, there is no customs duty payable on lenses.
MartinairYYZ From Canada, joined Nov 2003, 1209 posts, RR: 7 Reply 13, posted (7 years 7 months 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 2266 times:
Hello Mark!
Just to follow up, If you ordered it in-store, of shipped to NJ to avoid tax, then drive it back, there is a 1% chance they'll discover it. Otherwise, if you selected USPS shipping your chance of getting taxed is maybe 10%. UPS though, it is guaranteed.
Please let me know the outcome since i'm interested in knowing!
Cruiser From Canada, joined Apr 2005, 998 posts, RR: 8 Reply 14, posted (7 years 7 months 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 2239 times:
Well, I just finished doing a comparison on the 100-400F4.0-5.6 L IS USM Lens, and it appears that with the exchange rate, B&H is $200 cheaper than any store in Toronto. Even with shipping, the lens and a 2GB Sandisk card is about the same price as buying just the lens in Toronto.
If I get unlucky and it is taxed at the border, then oh well, I would certainly have to pay tax if I bought it in Toronto anyways!
I will probably order it in the next couple of weeks....hopefully!!!!
James
Leahy on Per Seat Costs: "Have you seen the B-2 fly-by at almost US$1bn a copy? It has only 2 seats!"
MarkJbeckwith From Canada, joined Jul 2005, 156 posts, RR: 3 Reply 15, posted (7 years 7 months 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 2213 times:
Quoting MartinairYYZ (Reply 13): Please let me know the outcome since I'm interested in knowing!
Martin
Hi Martin (and others interested);
My lens arrived yesterday via UPS (Quick!) and as you predicted I was nailed by CCRA for tax. So, my landed cost was $835.00CAD which is still about $130.00CAD better off than the best I could have done in Canada. Next time I'll use USPS instead of UPS too.
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From Canada, joined Jan 2005, 914 posts, 
!!
It is a good news for me. I also feel the price is a bit too high here.
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