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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: xenonrider on Mon, 04 April 2011, 22:44:07

Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: xenonrider on Mon, 04 April 2011, 22:44:07
Just wondering if there is anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold from Elite Keyboards?  I'd like to get an estimate of the final price and not be surprised with any additional costs before I place my order.  

Thanks.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: BucklingSpring on Tue, 05 April 2011, 09:53:53
If I recall right. 40$ Shipping + 20% (duty & broker fees)
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: .XL on Tue, 05 April 2011, 10:02:26
Quote from: BucklingSpring;324959
If I recall right. 40$ Shipping + 20% (duty & broker fees)


Wow...>.< might as well order from Armygroup and get them to mark it as a gift at that point!
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: K5Doom on Tue, 05 April 2011, 10:06:51
uh i will get charged by brokerage fees? Does he ships via Ups? I am considering canceling...
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: .XL on Tue, 05 April 2011, 10:09:04
Quote from: K5Doom;324968
uh i will get charged by brokerage fees? Does he ships via Ups? I am considering canceling...


Yes, unless the item was marked as a gift or used. If you did not ask Elitekeyboards to do either, you will have to pay brokerage fees.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: NormaJean on Tue, 05 April 2011, 11:10:41
I bought a realforce from elitekeyboards recently, it shipped by usps. I did not mention to send it as a gift or used and did not have to pay brokerage fees.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: K5Doom on Tue, 05 April 2011, 11:59:16
Quote from: .XL;324970
Yes, unless the item was marked as a gift or used. If you did not ask Elitekeyboards to do either, you will have to pay brokerage fees.


If they shipped by USPS, there is no brokerage fees. Brokerage fees are only applied if shipped through FedEX or UPS and only using the Cheapest ground shipping.

Taxes are different though.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: hcry4 on Tue, 05 April 2011, 12:07:21
Quote from: ripster;325047
I herd Universal Health Care is not cheap.


I heard people usually herd cattle.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: Surly73 on Tue, 05 April 2011, 12:26:56
Quote from: ripster;325057
As the Canadians say.

"A"?


Yes, and I don't recommend MX blues or BS keyboards since they keep my sled dogs awake, eh?
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: Keylamity on Thu, 07 April 2011, 20:59:57
Quote from: xenonrider;324735
Just wondering if there is anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold from Elite Keyboards?  I'd like to get an estimate of the final price and not be surprised with any additional costs before I place my order.  

Thanks.


Yes, for a Leopold Tenkeyless to BC it was $99 USD per their website, $39.97 USD "Postage and Fees", and then I had a $19.60 Customs charge.  

Shipped March 30 and arrived April 5.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: Lpb45 on Thu, 07 April 2011, 21:09:52
Quote from: Keylamity;326455
Yes, for a Leopold Tenkeyless to BC it was $99 USD per their website, $39.97 USD "Postage and Fees", and then I had a $19.60 Customs charge.  

Shipped March 30 and arrived April 5.


20% duties is beyond insane, I export stuff to Europe, Asia, Africa and pretty much nobody has duties that high unless its a product the country produces on a massive scale kind of like importing electronics into Asia or Cars into Germany.  Sad
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: xenonrider on Thu, 07 April 2011, 21:23:20
Quote from: Keylamity;326455
Yes, for a Leopold Tenkeyless to BC it was $99 USD per their website, $39.97 USD "Postage and Fees", and then I had a $19.60 Customs charge.  

Shipped March 30 and arrived April 5.



Dear God, this just sickens and infuriates me.  I almost want to snap a keyboard in half right now or possibly homerow someone.   One Hundred and Sixty dollars compared to the $112 the Americans are paying.  I think I'll pass. It's a good keyboard, but it's not worth $160.  

Thanks for your reply, though.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: keyboardlover on Thu, 07 April 2011, 21:26:20
Why not just order it to the USA and hop over the border and pick it up here, ay?
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: xenonrider on Thu, 07 April 2011, 21:26:51
Quote from: Lpb45;326465
20% duties is beyond insane, I export stuff to Europe, Asia, Africa and pretty much nobody has duties that high unless its a product the country produces on a massive scale kind of like importing electronics into Asia or Cars into Germany.  Sad


I think the $20 is a combination of the GST, PST and duty.  So $12 of that would have been for tax and the other $8 likely the duties.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: xenonrider on Thu, 07 April 2011, 21:28:47
Quote from: keyboardlover;326478
Why not just order it to the USA and hop over the border and pick it up here, ay?


Driving for a couple of hours, crossing the border, declaring it just isn't worth the $30 you would be saving.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: keyboardlover on Thu, 07 April 2011, 21:32:29
You're only a couple hours away, eh? Seems worth it to me...
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: xenonrider on Thu, 07 April 2011, 21:37:52
Quote from: keyboardlover;326485
You're only a couple hours away, eh? Seems worth it to me...


:) Not to me.  I've got a NIB Model M and BlackWidow to tie me over for now, but I really wanted this keyboard.  But, on principle alone, I'm not going to pay a $50 premium for it.  Hopefully, it'll eventually show up on AliExpress or some other asian shop.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: BucklingSpring on Thu, 07 April 2011, 21:50:20
Quote from: Lpb45;326465
20% duties is beyond insane


Welcome to my world... 60% income taxes, then you pay 14% taxes on everything and even more on gas and alchool.

I was in Atlanta last summer and purchased a bottle of
Ennessy Paradis Extra - Rare Cognac for 300$... Looks like the price went up since:
Paradis Extra - USA (http://www.planetofwine.com/sku16688.html)
VS
Paradis Extra - Home (http://www.saq.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=57045&langId=-2&parent_category_rn=&top_category=)
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: toast on Fri, 08 April 2011, 00:14:56
That's odd.  I got my tenkeyless without any customs charges added.

Had it shipped to Vancouver, BC.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: BucklingSpring on Fri, 08 April 2011, 00:17:55
Quote from: toast;326556
That's odd.  I got my tenkeyless without any customs charges added.

Had it shipped to Vancouver, BC.


Depends where it's made. Made in usa is free trade.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Fri, 08 April 2011, 08:28:20
Quote from: harrison;326511
there is no duty on keyboards, or any computer/technology equipment which are declared as category 5 items.

there would have been tax (HST/GST), and brokerage which is a handling fee paid to the courier service that carried it across the boarder for you.


Yes, there is no duty on keyboards just regular taxes. At least that's what I was told when I call Canada Border Services Agency. On items which cost less than $100 it's a hit and miss. USPS does not charge a lot for custom broker fee.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: BucklingSpring on Fri, 08 April 2011, 11:22:45
Quote from: keyboardlover;326478
Why not just order it to the USA and hop over the border and pick it up here, ay?


I've done it couples of time but the quotas for hopping back and forth are rather small. You need a very good deal to make it worth.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: cbf123 on Fri, 08 April 2011, 11:24:59
Quote from: Lpb45;326465
20% duties is beyond insane, I export stuff to Europe, Asia, Africa and pretty much nobody has duties that high unless its a product the country produces on a massive scale kind of like importing electronics into Asia or Cars into Germany.  Sad


It's almost certainly not a Canadian customs charge...rather, its Fedex and (especially) UPS taking advantage of people.

Whenever possible, the best way to ship from the USA to Canada is via USPS.  The brokerage fee to bring it through customs is $5.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: Surly73 on Fri, 08 April 2011, 12:12:14
Quote from: Lpb45;326465
20% duties is beyond insane, I export stuff to Europe, Asia, Africa and pretty much nobody has duties that high unless its a product the country produces on a massive scale kind of like importing electronics into Asia or Cars into Germany.  Sad

I've written this many times.

It's not duty - if it were duty that would be on TOP of the fees already present.

The fees we pay on import:

- customs brokerage
- provincial tax
- federal tax (or combined, harmonized tax)
- duty

"Brokerage" is the biggest wildcard that we can control by carefully choosing the shipping method.  UPS has the highest charges out there.  Postal service (i.e. USPS from the US) has the lowest ($5 flat, $8 for EMS).  Most couriers offer shipping tiers that include brokerage in the shipping charges as well.  It removes the "surprise" and lets you get your package faster but it's still not as cheap as the postal service.

Customs can legally collect taxes (13% harmonized in my area) on any non-gift package valued over $19.99 and any gift package valued over $49.99.  It's selectively enforced and sometimes you get lucky.  I haven't had anything over $25 come through in the clear from the US, but my Filco tenkeyless came through with no extra charges from PCHome.  Go figure.

Duty is charged on top of all of this, if it applies, which it usually doesn't.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: ColdStorm on Mon, 11 April 2011, 14:32:59
No idea what you guys are talking about? I paid 130$ US shipping it USPS which is ~125 Canadian at the time of purchase as we have a stronger dollar. Hoping to arrives today.

I will update this post if there are more fees when it does arrive but I will be extremely mad if there are.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: .XL on Mon, 11 April 2011, 14:45:48
Quote from: ColdStorm;328710
No idea what you guys are talking about? I paid 130$ US shipping it USPS which is ~125 Canadian at the time of purchase as we have a stronger dollar. Hoping to arrives today.

I will update this post if there are more fees when it does arrive but I will be extremely mad if there are.


From what I understand, you receive the bills when you receive the package or some days after. Also, it all depends on whether your postal service actually checks the package.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: Surly73 on Mon, 11 April 2011, 16:33:07
Quote from: .XL;328715
From what I understand, you receive the bills when you receive the package or some days after. Also, it all depends on whether your postal service actually checks the package.

If it's any non-EMS service class, you'll usually get a tag and need to go to your post office to pay before picking up the item.  On EMS items I have seen them go ahead and deliver it but mail you an invoice later.  The only recent (within a couple of years) EMS package I've received was from PCHome and not from the US - it came straight through with no extra fees.

Coldstorm: Make no mistake, customs has every right to charge you $5 brokerage and all taxes on that keyboard.  Since it's coming from the US, you will be VERY lucky if it's let through without a bill at that kind of declared value.  Prepare to "be mad" and be pleasantly surprised if somehow it comes through free of charge.   If EK marked it as a $10 value gift, that's another matter.  Of course I've also seen the case where a sender did that, but included a copy of the invoice for the real value.  It was opened for whatever reason and customs charged the real value declared on the (hidden) invoice.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: MrSneis on Mon, 11 April 2011, 16:40:55
Wow I thought we had it bad.  PS who is in coldstorm's avatar!?
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: ColdStorm on Mon, 11 April 2011, 17:55:59
Quote from: Surly73;328763
If it's any non-EMS service class, you'll usually get a tag and need to go to your post office to pay before picking up the item.  On EMS items I have seen them go ahead and deliver it but mail you an invoice later.  The only recent (within a couple of years) EMS package I've received was from PCHome and not from the US - it came straight through with no extra fees.

Coldstorm: Make no mistake, customs has every right to charge you $5 brokerage and all taxes on that keyboard.  Since it's coming from the US, you will be VERY lucky if it's let through without a bill at that kind of declared value.  Prepare to "be mad" and be pleasantly surprised if somehow it comes through free of charge.   If EK marked it as a $10 value gift, that's another matter.  Of course I've also seen the case where a sender did that, but included a copy of the invoice for the real value.  It was opened for whatever reason and customs charged the real value declared on the (hidden) invoice.


Nasty... I live in university residence and it gets delivered to a central place and then I pick it up from them...hope my keyboard doesn't get bounced around a bunch if they refuse to pay the extra charges....I move out at the end of the month too...could be some issues....

Quote from: MrSneis;328766
PS who is in coldstorm's avatar!?


Megan Fox
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: Exoverture on Mon, 11 April 2011, 18:08:07
I orderd my Filco from ArmyGroup about 2 months ago... no brokerage or duties fees at all. I'd order it from there if it's going to cost you $160 for a Leopold from EliteKeyboards. Plus, the EMS shipping is super fast and I got my keyboard within 2 business days. Super quick.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: xenonrider on Mon, 11 April 2011, 20:21:01
Quote from: ColdStorm;328710
No idea what you guys are talking about? I paid 130$ US shipping it USPS which is ~125 Canadian at the time of purchase as we have a stronger dollar. Hoping to arrives today.

I will update this post if there are more fees when it does arrive but I will be extremely mad if there are.


You must have diplomatic immunity.  But, if you don't then be prepared to pay and extra $15-$20 on top of that.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: xenonrider on Mon, 11 April 2011, 20:34:17
Quote from: ripster;326713
My avatar says Ugly American for a reason so it's time for a patriotic break.


Nice one, but I thought you would have gone for the obvious :biggrin:

Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: Surly73 on Tue, 12 April 2011, 07:03:42
Quote from: Exoverture;328805
I orderd my Filco from ArmyGroup about 2 months ago... no brokerage or duties fees at all. I'd order it from there if it's going to cost you $160 for a Leopold from EliteKeyboards. Plus, the EMS shipping is super fast and I got my keyboard within 2 business days. Super quick.


Indeed.  I'm not sure why these EMS packages from the far East are coming through without additional fees via EMS.  There may be a certain amount of "selective enforcement" going on and maybe at this time there aren't enough resources to bother assessing fees at the individual retail sale level on EMS parcels coming from that region?  I have no idea.  When has the government ever decided that it's too "busy" to bother collecting taxes? I wish they'd not bother with my income taxes one time - even for just one year.

I can 99% guarantee, however, that you won't get away with it on packages received from the US.  I don't think I've ever had anything over $30 waved through with no fees and even that isn't consistent.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: NormaJean on Tue, 12 April 2011, 16:06:09
^^^^Funny thing I ordered a Realforce from EK about 2 months ago and didnt pay anything at the reception of the item, no gift mention etc.

I ordered a 3 leopolds and had to pay around 60$ at the reception.

Guess I should order more Realforces :p
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: Nautilus on Tue, 12 April 2011, 16:34:06
I just received my Leopold here and didn't have to pay a thing at the post office.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: ColdStorm on Tue, 12 April 2011, 21:27:10
Quote from: Nautilus;329510
I just received my Leopold here and didn't have to pay a thing at the post office.


My status says delivered this morning on tracking but my school hasn't given me a package pick up slip (which is required to pick it up from them even if they have it....). I am wondering if its still at Canada post and USPS says delivered because its out of theirs hands now? Hope I get it tomorrow....gladly pay 20$ to just get it at this point.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: Keylamity on Tue, 12 April 2011, 21:52:02
Quote from: Nautilus;329510
I just received my Leopold here and didn't have to pay a thing at the post office.


Sometimes you have to pay, other times you don't.  Mail lady said one person who picks up the same US-based delivery every month (a drug they buy from the US) sometimes pays customs, sometimes they don't.  

I had to pay for my Unicomp and Leo and 103U-UW and Model M, but not for my 86U.  It's a crapshoot.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: Nautilus on Tue, 12 April 2011, 22:25:06
I guess that I get lucky. Of the last 6 or so expensive items I have ordered from the US (shipped through the mail, not couriered), I have had to pay only once. I don't get them marked as gifts, either. Perhaps I have a relaxed post office... Maybe move to Kelowna? :P
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: Vittra on Wed, 13 April 2011, 16:45:45
Quote from: Keylamity;329796
Sometimes you have to pay, other times you don't.  Mail lady said one person who picks up the same US-based delivery every month (a drug they buy from the US) sometimes pays customs, sometimes they don't.  

I had to pay for my Unicomp and Leo and 103U-UW and Model M, but not for my 86U.  It's a crapshoot.


Yep. Just received a Filco with Blues (Remaining stock sold here on Geekhack) from EliteKeyboards and had no customs/taxes.

I did however when I bought my MX blacks from them around ~8 months ago.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: MrSneis on Wed, 13 April 2011, 18:05:40
How was the buying process from majestouch off the classifieds?  I'd like the otaku tenkeyless blues that are there but he said two people are in front of me... Not sure if that basically just means I'm screwed.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: ColdStorm on Wed, 13 April 2011, 19:24:38
Quote from: Surly73;328763
Coldstorm: Make no mistake, customs has every right to charge you $5 brokerage and all taxes on that keyboard.  Since it's coming from the US, you will be VERY lucky if it's let through without a bill at that kind of declared value.  Prepare to "be mad" and be pleasantly surprised if somehow it comes through free of charge.   If EK marked it as a $10 value gift, that's another matter.  Of course I've also seen the case where a sender did that, but included a copy of the invoice for the real value.  It was opened for whatever reason and customs charged the real value declared on the (hidden) invoice.

No brokerage or taxes for me it seems. Thank god for that diplomatic immunity :D Backspace is a bit squeaky but other than that I love it!
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: marvkip on Wed, 13 April 2011, 20:40:24
Just got my keyboard today. I didn't have to pay anything extra, just what I payed when I preordered it online.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: Vittra on Wed, 13 April 2011, 23:28:29
Quote from: MrSneis;330239
How was the buying process from majestouch off the classifieds?  I'd like the otaku tenkeyless blues that are there but he said two people are in front of me... Not sure if that basically just means I'm screwed.


Just sent him a message to confirm availbility and add a few other things to my order (Clickclak Blue Skull, etc), sent payment over and that was about it.

There's a good chance if two people are ahead of you one might nab it, yes.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: MadPharmacist on Thu, 14 April 2011, 08:18:52
Just got my Leopold yesterday in Canada by USPS in the USA, then by Xpress Post.

It passed custom/border without any upcharges  and no bill. I never have any charges with USPS. I don't know why. They like me. :)

The only ''problem'' I have is that the WASD keys, red ESCkeys and the key puller that I also ordered with the keyboard are missing. :( Disappointing, particularly after waiting 12 days for USPS to finally deliver my keyboard in Canada. It's like they are still using horses courier. :)

I'm waiting for EliteKeyboards to answer. :( Another 2 weeks of waiting.
Title: Anyone from Canada ordering a Leopold?
Post by: Noregrebt on Thu, 14 April 2011, 17:07:49
I also just picked up my board. Didnt pay a dime at the post office