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New Canadian Online Strings Retailer - ProSpec Strings

#21
michael_t said:
Best place to buy strings if you live in the US, but they're not the most Canadian-friendly, unfortunately...
Click to expand...

As a note to our American cousins, BSO is a fantastic strings retailer but I live in Quebec. Importing strings from California takes about a couple weeks in transit plus I have to deal with the exchange rate between the US Dollar and the Canadian Dollar and, if I place an order for more than $100 CAD, the Canadian Government slams a tariff on top of that to punish Me for buying online from a US retailer.

That is why having a Canadian retailer selling strings is a great option for us.

When I order from BSO, I am always trying to optimize buying in bulk to optimize the shipping costs versus not buying too much so that I don't have the Canadian Government import tariff.
 
#22
michael_t said:
Best place to buy strings if you live in the US, but they're not the most Canadian-friendly, unfortunately...
Click to expand...

LoTone said:
As a note to our American cousins, BSO is a fantastic strings retailer but I live in Quebec. Importing strings from California takes about a couple weeks in transit plus I have to deal with the exchange rate between the US Dollar and the Canadian Dollar and, if I place an order for more than $100 CAD, the Canadian Government slams a tariff on top of that to punish Me for buying online from a US retailer.

That is why having a Canadian retailer selling strings is a great option for us.

When I order from BSO, I am always trying to optimize buying in bulk to optimize the shipping costs versus not buying too much so that I don't have the Canadian Government import tariff.
Click to expand...

I try to stay out of other dealers threads... But I am always happy to work something out just reach out. I'm looking into other shipping methods again. Last international broker really messed me up. I'd even be interested with working with this seller through my wholesale programs. If there is a price or shipping rate you don't like, please reach out.
 
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#23
SLaPiNFuNK said:
I try to stay out of other dealers threads... But I am always happy to work something out just reach out. I'm looking into other shipping methods again. Last international broker really messed me up. I'd even be interested with working with this seller through my wholesale programs. If there is a price or shipping rate you don't like, please reach out.
Click to expand...

SLaPiNFuNK,
Is there not a USPS service which could provide a shipping option to Canada? I've had items ordered from the U.S. through USPS which generally come through without customs charges, whereas I've had other items come via a shipping company (FedEx or UPS) that go through Customs and dings us Canadians at a whole new level! I'm sure customers can live with a bit of tardiness on the delivery side if a) we know how long it should take allowing us to order accordingly and b) we have a certain degree of price certainty.
 
#24
michael_t said:
Best place to buy strings if you live in the US, but they're not the most Canadian-friendly, unfortunately...
Click to expand...
Really? I've ordered from BSO many times and have never had any issues.

Edit: I just realized I wrote "JustStrings" instead of "BassStrings". Funny mistake to make since I've never actually ordered anything from JustStrings.
 
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#25
eriky4003 said:
SLaPiNFuNK,
Is there not a USPS service which could provide a shipping option to Canada? I've had items ordered from the U.S. through USPS which generally come through without customs charges, whereas I've had other items come via a shipping company (FedEx or UPS) that go through Customs and dings us Canadians at a whole new level! I'm sure customers can live with a bit of tardiness on the delivery side if a) we know how long it should take allowing us to order accordingly and b) we have a certain degree of price certainty.
Click to expand...

I can not speak for other vendors but I only ship via USPS.

Rates via USPS are made clear on their website for all to see... USPS.com

They have had many price increases over the last couple of years...

USPS is usually pretty quick and reliable. I see the majority of my international deliveries to Canada get delivered within a week, but they can take longer. It is always best to include the full address information on the shipping label.
 
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#27
SLaPiNFuNK said:
I can not speak for other vendors but I only ship via USPS.

Rates via USPS are made clear on their website for all to see... USPS.com

They have had many price increases over the last couple of years...

USPS is usually pretty quick and reliable. I see the majority of my international deliveries to Canada get delivered within a week, but they can take longer. It is always best to include the full address information on the shipping label.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. Thanks, Slapinfunk!

Sorry for the derail, folks.
 
#29
eriky4003 said:
SLaPiNFuNK,
Is there not a USPS service which could provide a shipping option to Canada? I've had items ordered from the U.S. through USPS which generally come through without customs charges, whereas I've had other items come via a shipping company (FedEx or UPS) that go through Customs and dings us Canadians at a whole new level! I'm sure customers can live with a bit of tardiness on the delivery side if a) we know how long it should take allowing us to order accordingly and b) we have a certain degree of price certainty.
Click to expand...

Eriky4003,

If you're in Ottawa why wouldn't you consider buying from a Canadian dealer in Canadian funds?
 
#30
ProSpecStrings said:
If you could order from a dealer in Montreal, wouldn't that be a better option for you?
Click to expand...
Not necessarily. It would depend on various factors. I've always gotten good deals from Jason at BSO and it would take some really great service (or some really bad service on Jason's part) to get me to switch. Nothing against you or any other business owners personally - but Jason has been a very positive presence on TB for a long time and I tend to remain loyal to people who I respect and who have provided me with great service.
 
#31
bass12 said:
Not necessarily. It would depend on various factors. I've always gotten good deals from Jason at BSO and it would take some really great service (or some really bad service on Jason's part) to get me to switch. Nothing against you or any other business owners personally - but Jason has been a very positive presence on TB for a long time and I tend to remain loyal to people who I respect and who have provided me with great service.
Click to expand...

If you're ever in a bind and you need something fast, look me up.
 
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#33
michael_t said:
Best place to buy strings if you live in the US, but they're not the most Canadian-friendly, unfortunately...
Click to expand...

I am another Canuck who purchases from BSO exclusively, because of the great selection of strings, and the great service from them. I have never had a problem with BSO.

Good luck to the OP and his venture, but for the foreseeable future I will continue to do my string purchasing with BSO.
 
#35
If I order anything from Canada I get hit with shipping charges plus an extra 15% on top. That would be the HST.
If I order North American made strings from Guitar Strings and Beyond (they're somewhere in the US) I get free USPS shipping and no tax/duty charges. Pretty hard to beat that.
 
#36
ProSpecStrings said:
Thanks to all, looks like there is no place for me here. Over and out.
Click to expand...
There's a place for all of us, even those who are voicing their concerns and the problems with taxes and shipping.

Having any kind of legitimate online store based in Canada for Canadians is really really really tough, especially since there are no Canadian string manufacturers, and being a young business, it's tough. If you still lurk from time to time, some of us do genuinely wish you great luck in getting your business off and running, and successful.

Quickfix has indicated one of the problems most Canadian customers have to contend with. However, depending on which province you live in, even those small purchases are going to be subject to HST/TVQ soon - which sadly will level the playing field.
 

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