any canadians? - tax related

gijoint · #1 07-17-2009, 09:22 PM

Hello,

I'm currently at Canada and I don't know quite sure how does the taxes for a musical instrument (bass) will apply..

does any one know? has anyone here ordered something from the states?

i have two options... order it from musiciansfriend.com and pay for whatever tax... or go to the states, buy it and then return to canada as a personal item, then i wouldnt have to pay... but who knows...

any suggestions?

thanks

Hugh Jass · #2 07-17-2009, 09:54 PM

Even if you go down and bring it back you will have to declare it and pay the tax/duties/brokerage fees at the border.

either way the government gets their pound of flesh

Where are you living? I am in Calgary and have found prices around here to be pretty good these days. By the time you factor in tax and the exchange rate (not to mention shipping and duties etc.) you get it for about the same price here.

What kind of gear are you thinking?

ruralhipster · #3 07-17-2009, 10:39 PM

Why not check out canadian online retailers to see if they have what you need, no duties and prices in canadian dollars, win-win.

A good selection is available at:

www.axemusic.com

Some more premium equipment can be found here:

www.clubbass.ca

I haven't used either of these services myself but both have reputable storefront businesses which I find encouraging.

Beej · #4 07-17-2009, 10:44 PM

I find ordering stuff from the states to be VERY expensive when everything is factored in. The shipping alone just might give you a heart attack. The only way around this is to have a friend who lives in the US purchase it directly and then ship it to you, and even then it still might be better to find a Canadian distributor.

Not that I'm a big fan of Long & McQuade, but they can literally get you anything, and usually for a lot less than it would be to order it direct from the US distributor. The only exception in my own experience has been with ordering little bits and pieces, tuners, pots, switches, etc...

gijoint · #5 07-17-2009, 11:15 PM

hey thanks to all

-im at nelson, bc... and the local music store have some ridiculously high prices...

-i searched in axemusic, tomleemusic, stevemusic and nothing.. this is the model i want

http://www.guitarcenter.com/MTD-King...43-i1445589.gc

- how does it work with L & M? .. i just look for the closer one and call them?

Hugh Jass · #6 07-18-2009, 12:20 AM

I can only think of Guitarworks off the top of my head for stocking MTD's and their prices seem to be pretty in line with everywhere else.

Give em a call.

yamaha · #7 07-18-2009, 12:32 AM

Italmelodie in Montreal is a MTD Dealer. Website isin't great, but the guys in the bass department are amazingly friendly and nice. E-mail or give them a call. Italmelodie's prices are usually pretty good, but always ask for a deal.

Jamsesh · #8 07-18-2009, 12:33 AM

Wow finally some Canadians (No offense)--

gijoint, i've definitely thought the same thing and through my own experience in the end it was a lot easier shopping locally (locally = in Canada)

Definitely try Long & Mcquade - If you are interested in buying a bass they will ship that specific model from any location across Canada to your location (Deposit required - no obligation to buy), at least that is what I was told.

or

I talked to Brandt at theperfectbass, and he said that he would give a fair discount if they were to ship internationally to help with shipping costs and duties etc. BUT I didn't follow through with the TPB purchase so I do not know how much the discount could have been, my guess nothing substantial but all in all a discount. Also look out for deals on the site they are usually pretty good, or call their toll free #.

--i should really get paid for advertising...

Hope that helps, good luck!

andrew · #9 07-18-2009, 12:45 AM

I believe that Long + McQuade in Vancouver has the exact bass you're after. 604-734-4886 is them. Ask for Jean in the bass department.

With Lime · #10 07-18-2009, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrew

I believe that Long + McQuade in Vancouver has the exact bass you're after. 604-734-4886 is them. Ask for Jean in the bass department.

Is that the one on Main and Terminal? I think the guy who sold me my jazz might have been named Jean, either way whoever he was, he was awesome, really knowledgeable and helpful.

Jamsesh · #11 07-20-2009, 04:50 PM

andrew · #12 07-20-2009, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by With Lime

Is that the one on Main and Terminal? I think the guy who sold me my jazz might have been named Jean, either way whoever he was, he was awesome, really knowledgeable and helpful.

That's the place and it sounds like you dealt with Jean. He's the only guy who works in the bass department. Jean is a good dude.

KPAX · #13 07-20-2009, 05:59 PM

What's the Canadian equivalent of Uncle Sam?
Whatever it is, screw him. Don't pay him a dime of taxes.
I think you're tax free buying it from musicians friend.

73 rickey · #14 07-20-2009, 06:03 PM

I just spent a week on vac in the US looking for a lefty mim pbass. I went to 5 Guitar Center locations & they did not have any mim lefty fender basses the righty's were priced $599. I just purchased a lefty jazz from Gilbert Guitars (north of Toronto) for $579.
L&M were selling the same bass for $680.

L&M are still the best in CA for my money, I ordered a lefty Gretsch 6122 (same model as George Harrison played on the Ed Sullivan Show) & it was priced very close to US pricing.

Ziltoid · #15 07-20-2009, 06:06 PM

I'm not sure but i think foreigns fee are 5 % +the applicable taxes (13%?) and maybe some other fee.

The thing that works the best is when you buy it and the seller ship it from the states as a "gift" u pay nothing on it.

**john turner** · #16 07-20-2009, 06:07 PM

please use the right forum when posting. basses[bg] is for instrument-specific discussion.

73 rickey · #17 07-20-2009, 06:07 PM

by the way I forgot to mention if you buy in the US & bring it back you will have pay the 13%.
But if you buy on line US it is 13% and $50. brokerage fees

Ziltoid · #18 07-20-2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73 rickey

by the way I forgot to mention if you buy in the US & bring it back you will have pay the 13%.
But if you buy on line US it is 13% and $50. brokerage fees

I think there's a 5% that they add over the taxes, not sure tho

iamlowsound · #19 07-20-2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ziltoid

The thing that works the best is when you buy it and the seller ship it from the states as a "gift" u pay nothing on it.

This is not true. I have been screwed on this one and ended up paying quite a bit of money.

lowsound

Ziltoid · #20 07-20-2009, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

This is not true. I have been screwed on this one and ended up paying quite a bit of money.

lowsound

thats a bummer for you

it worked quite well for me a few times