Ordering from Ultimarc and I'm from Canada

[mathdufort]

Hi all,

I've been lurking the forum for the past weeks and 3 of my friends and I are starting an arcade cabinet project.  We are ready to order our joysticks, controllers, pushbuttons, and everything.  I found all we need on ultimarc but since we live in Canada I'm afraid to get slapped by a big duties bill.

Anyone from Canada can tell me if I can expect to get a bill or not? (I've searched the other threads and read it was random...).  If I get a bill how much can I expect to pay (we are 4 people ordering for a rough amount of 800$).

Thank you for your insight!

EDIT: I know there's a store in Canada https://www.theplaydiumstore.com/ which carries most of ultimarc's products (like the iPac) but they cost a little bit much.  But if it can save me a lot of duties fees I would buy from them.

Mathieu P.

[Hoopz]

Here is what another member here has said about shipping to Canada.  He's bound to see this thread so may have more info for you. 

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=post;quote=861042;topic=82507.0;last_msg=861758

First, and most importantly, Belrain -- where are you located, exactly ? Next, most likely you will be nailed for duty (not so much) and taxes (GST, anyway).

As far as Happ stuff goes, Starburst (now known as Playdium) is the official distributor for Happ in Canada. You can disregard the online catalog as they provide most of what Happ has, even if it isn't shown in the catalog.

If you want to choose between Groovy Game Gear and Ultimarc, make your choice based on technical specifications -- I order from Ultimarc fairly regularly and there really isn't any penalty for ordering from the UK over ordering from the USA. In fact, I prefer to order from Ultimarc -- shipping is lightening fast (faster than when I order stuff from the USA) and I never get dinged for excessive brokerage charges.

jan25th is right with respect to UPS (and, say, Fedex ground) ... bad brokerage charges (taxes and duty should be independent of the carrier).

If you are looking for specific things, or perhaps just a cabinet to plant a PC in for MAME, check the forums at cgcc.ca (Coin-Op Corner) or maaca.org.

Both sites have members in the East end of the country and a number of members may have the stuff that you are looking for (they may not want to sell it, but it doesn't hurt to ask).

Here is a must-read guide for folks looking to import coin-op-related stuff into Canada:

http://www.cgcc.ca/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7594&sid=8a8afefbc24b3c1652e717e87e355041

I am a big fan of USPS/Canada Post for shipping stuff -- relatively fast and very fair brokerage fees.

 

EDIT: It is not uncommon to receive an invoice for brokerage fees/duty/taxes several months after the order actually arrives (I got a bill for a monitor 14 months after I received the monitor), so be careful believing folks who say that they didn't get dinged ... although that does happen.

EDIT2: In case it sounds like I am saying to avoid ponyboy or divemaster, that is not the case. Just check with SB first -- for some items, they are better on price and for some they are not, particularly when you factor in shipping. I have had folks ask me to pick up an order from SB (the old location was about 16 blocks from my house) and then ship it from there.

Good luck with your order and your build(s)!   

[brad808]

Done the shipping thing from ultimarc, trust me you want to go to playdium. Especially with that large of an order. You will get slammed, i can't remember the exact amount i did but i remember it was enough to embed in my head never again. Prices seemed higher at playdium at first but i eventually realized i could drive there and the total+ gas money was still cheaper and I'm an hour away. I'm sure my order was under 200.

Sent from my Desire HD

[bleargh]

I had quite the opposite experience when I've ordered from Ultimarc in the past...

Package arrived super-fast (within 3 days IIRC), and I didn't get dinged a cent for extra duties or customs.

If "getting it fast" was important, I'd order from him direct; I can get parts shipped from Ultimarc that arrive at my door faster than any order I can make in Canada or the US.

[CheffoJeffo]

I've never been hit with a duty/tax bill when ordering directly from Ultimarc, but Andy uses DHL and they have been known to forget and then send that bill after the fact (I have only had it happen once out of a dozen or so orders and that was for some monitors I ordered from Happ).

Today, if I need something from Ultimarc, I would run over Playdium -- in part due to convenience (I live 10 minutes away) and in part to make it worth their while to stock Andy's gear (although Andy would probably have it here before I got off of my butt and headed over to Playdium).

[mathdufort]

Great inputs all!

I want to go with the J-stick ball-top and GoldLeaf pushbuttons and Playdium does not sell those items...

I had some bad experience with DHL and duties, my wife ordered a dress from lightinthebox : 100$ for the dress, 60$ duties fees...ouch.  I juste hope if I get hit with custom fees it won't be the same ratio...

You think if I order directly from Andy he could write "GIFT" on the box? 

[brad808]

Make sure you update once you get the order so we can see what the outcome is. Good luck.

Sent from my Desire HD

[mathdufort]

I sure will!  I should order next week so I'll keep the forum updated!

[menace]

for me small orders came through fine--bigger orders got dinged and yes even received invoices months later.  For an order that size, I would assume you are going to get dinged and would head over (figuratively speaking) to starburst instead.

[mamefreak2]

I've ordered from Ultimarc before, they were great. Not sure what the financial implications would be with a large order but I can tell you they give top notch service.

[mathdufort]

I'm really not worried about the quality of service.  For what I've read about Andy I'm sure to get quality parts and fast shipping.  It's really just the Canadian custom fees I'm worried about.  But since playdium doesn't carry everything I need I think I'm ready to pay an extra and order from Ultimarc.

[menace]

On an 800$ order budget $120 extra--border will charge full HST plus $5-$15 handling.  Hopefully there aren't brokerage fees on top of that...

[mathdufort]

Thank you menace for the details.  We are all ready to pay an extra for ultimarc parts so I'll place my order monday and we'll see what happens!  Have a nice week-end!

[BobA]

My experience is that small orders get charged nothing extra but DHL adds its charges for brokerage on larger orders.  This may not come when the order is received but could be received in the mail up to a month later.

[mathdufort]

Hi all,

I'm updating my thread since I received my order.  I ordered monday afternoon, total: 690$.  My order was shipped on wednesday night (london time).  It arrived friday afternoon here (quebec, canada).  The good news is that so far there are no custom fees or taxes to pay.  If I ever receive a receipt from DHL for taxes to pay I'll update that thread again.

Thanks to all who replied!

Now for the fun part of building the cabinets.  I'll start a new thread when we are ready to show our work.

[Darscot]

I ordered from Ultimarc very fast delivery great service.  Small order just around $100 and I did get hit with $13 in duty.  Actually only $3 in duty and a $10 customs handling fee. 

[BobA]

Gotta love Canadian Cutoms.   They once charged me 10 dollars to collect 1.50.   Really gets here fast from the UK.   Alot faster than alot of US stores that I have ordered from.   Canada UK customs seems to be alot faster then Canada US customs.  Thats where the biggest hold up seems to be.   Once it makes it to Canada Customs from the US your guess is as good as any when it will finally clear.

[mathdufort]

One thing for sure is that I will order from Ultimarc without fear of Canadian customs next time.  Gotta love Andy and his top notch service and lightning fast shipping!