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Buying a bass in Canada

#21
DrSpunkwater said:
I'm an American, but I'd move to Canada without many regrets so long as the taxes are reasonable.
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Depends on what province you move to, and ultimately your POV. In Quebec we have the highest income tax for middle income earners (50-70k) at some 24%, while Alberta has a flat-rate on income of 10% (regardless of earnings) if I'm not mistaken. Compared to the US, these are high percentages I think, and that's where your POV/personal relevance comes in, because Healthcare in Canada in covered by taxes and education is maybe a quarter or a fifth the price of US institutions.

If you live far outside cities like Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver, be prepared to pay more and have less access to goods.

Also, weird accents, eh?
 
#22
iriegnome said:
I would go to Canada to buy a Dingwall.. Squire's you can get everywhere?? What would be so special about this one in Canada?? Just saying, might even be cheaper to ship it to yourself. Im not sure
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I live 5 minutes from the shop and it isn't any cheaper for me to buy a Dingwall than it is for you in the states or for the people in Ontario where the OP is headed. Dingwall sells basses for retail if you don't have a dealer close enough but they don't deal with the public out of respect for their dealers. Dingwall also isn't as common as you might think up here, my L&M (Canadian GC)is down the street from Dingwall and they maybe have 4 Dingwall's in, 1 or 2 are combustions but I don't play those since they don't make them here. We do however get Dingwall prototypes once in a while at my L&M.

OP, let me tell you as a Canadian you are not making a smart financial decision. You will be able to find budget basses much easier and have the assurance of being able to take it in for warranty if need be. If you were getting a used one I suppose it is alright but odds are you can find the better deal with shipping included within the CONUS.

It is your money but I suggest you throw it away elsewhere, if you are going to get a budget bass get a Godin as somebody else mentioned or something you won't see back home. I am personally not a big Godin fan.
 
#23
1) Take an empty gig bag on the way...put the new guitar in the gig bag and if asked just say you brought it with you.

2) Buy a box of Cuban cigars from a smoke shop and throw them in the case as well.

3) Stop by Duluth on the way back and give me some of the Cubans
 
#24
Fenwick said:
Depends on what province you move to, and ultimately your POV. In Quebec we have the highest income tax for middle income earners (50-70k) at some 24%, while Alberta has a flat-rate on income of 10% (regardless of earnings) if I'm not mistaken. Compared to the US, these are high percentages I think, and that's where your POV/personal relevance comes in, because Healthcare in Canada in covered by taxes and education is maybe a quarter or a fifth the price of US institutions.

If you live far outside cities like Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver, be prepared to pay more and have less access to goods.

Also, weird accents, eh?
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Haha, the accents aren't so bad. Most of the time I don't notice the "Canadian" accent, but I did in Alberta. In Ontario? Not so much.

10% is reasonable. Right now I pay nearly 20% in taxes. If good healthcare and good schools were included in that, it wouldn't bother me much. I feel like I should be getting those things already. God knows I'm needlessly hemorrhaging crazy amounts of money on health insurance.
 
#25
mizzou541 said:
1) Take an empty gig bag on the way...put the new guitar in the gig bag and if asked just say you brought it with you.

2) Buy a box of Cuban cigars from a smoke shop and throw them in the case as well.

3) Stop by Duluth on the way back and give me some of the Cubans
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Might want to include a humidor for the cigars just in case you're detained in customs. :D
 
#26
SemiDriven said:
Might want to include a humidor for the cigars just in case you're detained in customs. :D
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^ Very good point...I don't want my free cigars all dried out!

True story though: I went to Mexico several years ago and bought a small box of Cuban cigars. I guess I didn't realize I couldn't bring them back (I read the customs form and it said you could bring back cigars for personal use...obviously it meant cigars that are legal in this country) so I just put them in my suitcase and brought them back with me. AND I claimed them on my customs form and nobody said a word...nobody hassled me at all so I didn't even realize it was a big deal. So I am an experienced smuggler.
 
#28
I believe there is a form that allows you to get reimbursed for the federal portion (at least) of the HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) in Ontario. When you're coming into the country check or ask for a brochure for sales tax redemption for non-residents.
I agree with other posts here though, I don't believe you're going to find your product cheaper in Canada. Know your prices and also know that Canadian $ is very close to parity with the U.S. $.
 
#29
mizzou541 said:
^ Very good point...I don't want my free cigars all dried out!

True story though: I went to Mexico several years ago and bought a small box of Cuban cigars. I guess I didn't realize I couldn't bring them back (I read the customs form and it said you could bring back cigars for personal use...obviously it meant cigars that are legal in this country) so I just put them in my suitcase and brought them back with me. AND I claimed them on my customs form and nobody said a word...nobody hassled me at all so I didn't even realize it was a big deal. So I am an experienced smuggler.
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Pssh, legal schmegal. :rolleyes:
 
#30
DrSpunkwater said:
Haha, the accents aren't so bad. Most of the time I don't notice the "Canadian" accent, but I did in Alberta. In Ontario? Not so much.
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Really!?? Ontarians are noticeable to my ears, actually West of Quebec everybody sounds like a variant of Minnesota to me. Quebec you get the French thing, but not in the sexy way like the real French do it....more like the equivalent of Texan English. East of Quebec (NS, PEI & NFLD) you get this whole semi-Irish/Scottish accent going, which I personally find more tolerable than West of Quebec (but not living there).

Sorry to derail a bit, hopefully I haven't ruined anyone's day and made them contemplate suicide.
 
#31
I agree with lomo 100% above. Unless you are exclusively looking for used instruments and just happen to be interested in the choices around, there is literally no advantage to purchasing in Canada and returning to the US. For us Canadians though, the difference doing the opposite is palpable. In some cases for me, it's cheaper to hop a ferry over to Seattle to purchase something I could pick up at L&M locally. The duty and cost of the trip added onto the bass is still less than I'd pay locally.

And Dr. Spunkwater, love to have you as a neighbour on my street, but you will definitely be paying more taxes up here. In fact, outside of the US, you guys will pay more taxes going to literally any other westernized country with the exception of Switzerland - and if you're thinking of Switzerland, check out the cost of living first.

Canada's great, but we have just as much crap and horrible cultural problems as any other country...
 
#32
Beej said:
I agree with lomo 100% above. Unless you are exclusively looking for used instruments and just happen to be interested in the choices around, there is literally no advantage to purchasing in Canada and returning to the US. For us Canadians though, the difference doing the opposite is palpable. In some cases for me, it's cheaper to hop a ferry over to Seattle to purchase something I could pick up at L&M locally. The duty and cost of the trip added onto the bass is still less than I'd pay locally.
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Outside of major cities this is the case, but I do want to note that pricing on instruments is on par with US retailers here in Montreal, from USA Fenders to the Japanese Yamahas.

Beej said:
Canada's great, but we have just as much crap and horrible cultural problems as any other country...
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While we are certainly not bereft of cultural problems, 'just as much' is not fair to Americans. I don't remember the last time we had a crazed gunman shoot up a school. Or a movie theater. Or peaceful demonstrators. Gotta give credit where it's due!
 
#33
Fenwick said:
Outside of major cities this is the case, but I do want to note that pricing on instruments is on par with US retailers here in Montreal, from USA Fenders to the Japanese Yamahas.



While we are certainly not bereft of cultural problems, 'just as much' is not fair to Americans. I don't remember the last time we had a crazed gunman shoot up a school. Or a movie theater. Or peaceful demonstrators. Gotta give credit where it's due!
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That would be Dawson College. :hiding: But you have a good point.
 
#35
Other than coming across a used piece of gear that you might not have found locally, I don't think there's any reason to shop for a bass while in Canada... You can get everything & more from the big online retailers Stateside (with free shipping)...

If you've got your eye on a custom order F-Bass (stopping by their Hamilton shop to place your order or pick-up a finished instrument - is tres cool!)... They have some pre-owned instruments, but not in the $500.00 range... & definitely contact Fbass before stopping by...

If you have mobile internet access, google map "musical instruments" on your travels to find local stores...

If you cross the border @ Detroit / Windsor (you'll be travelling south to Canada - ***?) stop by The Economy Exchange Pawn Shop (apparently the owner loves guitars)...
Drop by any Long & Mcquade that you pass - there are 2 in London... & lots along the 401 (but you'll have to stray off-path & could waste travel time) - there are shops in Guelph, Kitchener & Cambridge - walk in with a "good morning" (or afternoon - whatever the case) & you'll likely get some friendly Canadian hospitality... While in the Toronto area, you'll likely get a slightly different attitude :) & in Montreal, you'll be greeted in French first (it's the law)...

While in the big smoke (Toronto) - I'd visit any area L&M, Steve's Music (on Queen St West), Capsule Music (also on Queen), maybe stop into MOOG audio (since it's on Queen too)... Club Bass is a great place (on the Queensway), but not for the $500.00 budget & not too much in the way of used gear... Also, Paul's Boutique (in Kensington Market - near Chinatown), the 12th fret (on Danforth, not far from Greektown) & Just west of Toronto (on Lakeshore Rd East - in Mississauga) L.A. Music & the Guitar Shop are just across the street from each other...
Just north of Toronto, there's Cosmo Music (maybe the largest one location music shop in Canada - but I could be wrong)...

If you get to Ottawa (you likely won't, it's a few hours out of the way, between Toronto & Montreal) - Check out Spaceman Music, they also have L&M & Steve's...

In Montreal, Steve's & Jack's Musique are quite close together on Rue Saint Antoine Ouest (near Old Montreal)... Italmélodie & maybe Archambault (not so much gear, but lots of French Canadian CD's)...


Some of the shops mentioned will be a waste of time - but ya never know...

Enjoy your stay in Canada & make sure to try some local delicacies - Great German food /beer in the Kitchener area - Lots to eat in Toronto (look for some authentic Neapolitan pizza, Italian, Greek or Chinese - depending on the neighbourhood)... Definitely try the Poutine and smoked meat in Montreal...
 
#36
Needenaneden said:
A lot of the stores I go to in Ontario have the same pricing as US online sites. I figure we're doing ok up here. :)
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+1 I just came back from Fla & the prices there, GC & a couple of other local stores are exactly the same as Long & Mcquades are here!

That being said though, In Apr I bought a brand new lefty 2011 US Fender p bass here3 col sunburst with tortois pickguard for $999.
 
#37
Before you take any guitar or bass through US Customs you may want to check out the Lacey Act. There have been stories going around claiming that instruments have been seized at the boarder because they may contain restricted types of wood. I remember a story about someone losing a Gibson, possibly a Les Paul, for this reason. May all be rumours, but something to consider. 9/10ths of boarder agents are decent people, but there's always one on a power trip. Always be honest and courteous with them. Otherwise they can make your life miserable.

Here's an article from Fox News... [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Terri
 
#39
I spent a week in Montreal last summer. Spent an hour in a local music store while I was there. The best part about it was getting to play all the Canadian made Godin basses. Something I couldn't do at any of the stores near me in America.

Keep an eye out for good deals, but the real value (IMHO) about bass shopping outside the US is getting to play stuff from companies that usually aren't stocked in the US.
 

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