Hi all,

I was looking at the PB12-ISD which is 599.00 and SVS gives a shipping rate of 68.25 to Canada.

My question is how much will this really cost me? Of course, I'm not talking about the conversion to CDN$. I'm sure I'll be hit with GST, I guess, but will I be hit with extra fees by the shipper (UPS, I think)?

Does UPS charge brokerage fees? I want to get an idea of what it will really cost. Is it still worth it?

Thanks.
Joe

Sorry folks, I should have put the "to Canada" part in the subject. Most of you probably have no idea.

Anyways, anyone from Canada purchase an SVS, maybe even HSU?

Any additional fees? I have not ordered anything from the US this way before, have always purchased while visiting.

Thanks again.

Hsu actually has a Canadian distributor now. That should help a bit with keeping costs down up there.

I have never purchased an SVS sub but in general I try not to buy anything heavy from the US unless I can use USPS (the US Postal Service aka mail) plus Cdn mail. Why, you ask ? UPS tends to run their "ground" shipments through a third party customs broker and IIRC you end up with something like a $45 charge just for clearing customs.

Shipping by UPS Air or FedEx etc.. includes the brokerage N/C so is often a better deal, but heavy things are $$$ via air.

Best option IMO is to find a friend/place near the border, have it shipped there, then drive down and pick it up.

If you can't use USPS (prob. not but check) and can live with the $45, you shouldn't get hit with any duty as long as SVS can stick a Certificate of Origin in the box (ie "this puppy is made in the US and is covered by the FTA, don't be charging my buddy ajb2001ca any duty on this".

Chances are if it's shipped UPS, they'll tag you with a $50-$100 customs brokering charge, and you should be prepared to pay duty (3%) and GST (7%) on the shipment.

Bren R.

Why not contact SVS or HSU?

I am sure they would know better than people here, they also may be able to give you a deal.

Thanks all. I did contact SVS and they game me a response similar to what you all said. There is definitely the brokerage fee - that's what I was trying to determine.

So, I'd be looking at approx. $150+ CDN more (fee, shipping, tax) to order that sub. It's not that attractive anymore, oh well. To be fair, I'll probably contact HSU as well. There's also the EP350.

Joe

Joe,

Best rule of thumb is to take the USD price of the sub and double it in CDN funds, landed to your door. Not so cheap now, huh? Hsu subs are now available in Canada at not unreasonable prices. Call 905-738-0737 for your nearest dealer. Cheers.

Dave.

Dave,

You're right, it's not that attractive anymore. I recently discovered that I can get an HSU from a Canadian distributor. They have the STF-3 for $799 and the website states that shipping is currently free. I am giving that serious consideration at the moment. I am still planning on ordering the Axiom mains and a centre. If don't get moving on this, I'll literally be getting this as a Xmas gift.

Joe

and what a good christmas it would be!!!

bigjohn

Where's the Canadian Distributor?

I originally called Hsu and they gave me a place local to Winnipeg that was supposed to be opening soon where I could buy one... I haven't been able to track the place down, now they suggest ordering from American Sound of Canada (wow, like the "of Canada" doesn't sound tacked on!) in Ontario.

Bren R.

Here's the place that I found in Ontario. I don't know if there are other distributors. I emailed them today but have not heard back from them as of yet.

http://www.homedigitalav.com/HSUSubs.html

Joe

Joe,

I bought my VTF3MK2 from Homedigitalav.com. Price was quite fair, service was excellent (delivered to my door in Toronto by the fella who runs the company). Best of luck, sir. I'm sure you'll love the STF-3. Say, what are the dimensions of your room? Cheers.

Dave.

Dave,

My HT is situated in the shorter leg of an "L" shaped area of the basement. It's about 13' x 29'; opens up to a larger area; the longer leg of the "L" shape. I'm suspecting I'll lose some significant LFE to the open area.

Joe

These guys are the actual distributor AFAIK. They can point you to a dealer or sell direct if you don't have a dealer nearby.

http://www.hi-fidelity.com/DVDCases.htm

*hugs his PB2-Plus... or uh... PB12-Plus/2 ? I think that's it's new model number*

Anyways depending on weight (my shipping weight was 160 lb's) they'll hit with you with PST and GST, Brokerage (Because custom touches it), but NOT duty. If you get duty they are IN ERROR, as SV Subwoofers is NAFTA approved so the duty should be waved.

I think your sub is smaller though. So I think you'll go through UPS and only get a $55 CDN Brokerage fee... not to bad.

Every time you wince at the price, just remember mine was twice as much as yours

Finally - I was worried about the whole "what if it breaks?" issue, they will call you on the phone and give you instructions if need be. They only ship the broken parts, so you never (ok VERY VERY VERY rarely) have to ship them the whole subwoofer....

Finally their service is OUTSTANDING... I've gotten replies to emails sent at 5PM at like 9PM the same night...crazy bastards never sleep!

If you have any questions, PM me... (or email me at the-smurph AT rogers DOT com)

- D

Here it is Bren:

http://www.americansound.com/
Angie the owner is great.

You may get better pricing with these guys. I got my HSU for a better deal here.
Replay Electronics
416-251-9096

1120 The Queensway,
Etobicoke, ON
M8Z 1P7


Although the VTF2 has had great reviews on here I still think it did not has good extension and depth as my Mirage Bipolar BPS150 with the 2 x 8 inch drivers. I am currently spec-ing a Reel 15 inch sub with goes down to 18 HZ and maybe get 2 of them for like $650 cdn(for 2). Or check out that new SVS sub that supposedly goes down to 16hz or 18hz. In all my sub searching the 2 best sub ever built has been the Paradigm Servo 15 Reference and a Velodyne 18 inch sub(forget which model). Although big drivers they are still great for music and they really shake without distortion (If thats possible).

Thanks Saturn... found them before... I think they were going to open up locally here - figure if it's got to travel from ON, it might as well travel from wherever Hsu is.

Starting to make the Axioms look more appealing. No hidden costs.

Bren R.

Bren,
I thought it was American Hi-Fi that was going to be selling SVS? Or was that HSU? I'm confused.

For anyone looking to get a ballpark # for duty/taxes, you can check out this website A&A Duty Calculator. Thanks to whomever pointed me towards this site in the first place.

Sid - not sure... just checked out their site, they seem to be on the "Dude, where's my electrons" side of the fence but would be worth a call to figure out whether or not they're local resellers.

Bren R.

i stopped in there one Saturday Bren, and I'd agree - they are most definitely on the "dude, where's my electrons" side of the fence. They've got some really high-end gear there, and actually have some decent used stuff as well. The gentleman running the store was quite friendly though, and gave me half an hour of his time when he knew I wasn't going to be buying anything. Probably worth checking out just for interests-sake.