I Live in Calgary, Alberta Canada. I just ordered a Respironics REMStar M Series Auto CPAP w/A-Flex ONLINE and it cost me $770.00 including an Optilife Mask. It was shipped for $25.00 via US post.
The package got here on Dec 23 (delivered to my door on Sunday by Canada Post). No signature required, and they didn't charge me anything -- not even the regular $8.00 handling fee. or GST, or any other duties. I was even able to track the whole trip on the net. Very convenient. My group insurance plan from MANULIFE, covered 80% (our usual coverage) EXCEPT of the shipping. Appauling, because they were willing to cover 80% of the cost if I had bought it from CANADA (respiratory home care) and paid $2,400 for the exact same thing. I saved them over $1,300.... but cheap Manulife said NO to $25.00. I also ordered the software (EncoreViewer $125.00) and the smart card ($24.00 + 7 Shipping from HK), but Manulife also didn't cover this. Oh Well. I will never buy anything from Canada as long as I can buy cheaper online.
For those Canadians who are concerned about UPS and other brokerag fees.... and are affraid to order anythin online let me also say this:
I recenty ordered a $10,000 Patio set from LA for $3,000 (on-line cost) plus $700 shipping. Instead of paying brokerage fees, I asked the sender to mark that I (the customer) was going to do the clearing from Canada Customs. So when the goods arrived, the shipping company (a trucking co) called me and told me the paperwork was waiting at the Customs office (by the Calgary airport). I went over, paid the GST (no duties) and cleared the thing in 10 minutes. I then faxed the paper to the shipping company and they delivered the goods to my door the next day.
UPS will also do the same IF YOU ASK... Sometimes, they scare you and they say it is crossing the border in, say Vancouver, or Tornonto, or Winnipeg and tell you that you have to go to the border to clear it. It's not true. You can go to any local customs office. The Customs office will sometime ask to inspect the goods, in that case, the shipper MUST bring the goods to your local customs office within 24 hours of the request. No big deal... they should be able to do it.
Don't put up with BS... or unnecessary high prices.
DHT
Shipping Experience to CANADA
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GrizzlyBear
- Posts: 126
- Joined: Sat Dec 22, 2007 7:11 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
It's great that this works for you.
However, for those of us lucky enough to live in Australia (and, probably, anywhere other than North America) the postage and handling charges are immense. This is principally because the companies involved insist on using courier companies rather than postal services. The Encore reader you purchased from Hong Kong (as have I, recently) is a case of how these matters ought to be dealt with. They gave a choice of postal (around $US7) and courier (over $US30). Naturally, I chose the cheaper option. Why the heck can't the US suppliers give us this choice? For example, I was recently told the cost of sending a $US49 pillow would be $US80, and a $59 pillow (the same pillow, by the way, just different prices) would be around $US130 (and that was from CPAP.com!!!!) - no cheaper options were available. This represents nonsensical ripoff - especially as CPAP equipment is grossly overinflated in price here in Australia, making those of us who earn less than millionaires look to the internet to achieve proper medical treatment.
Regards,
GrizzlyBear
However, for those of us lucky enough to live in Australia (and, probably, anywhere other than North America) the postage and handling charges are immense. This is principally because the companies involved insist on using courier companies rather than postal services. The Encore reader you purchased from Hong Kong (as have I, recently) is a case of how these matters ought to be dealt with. They gave a choice of postal (around $US7) and courier (over $US30). Naturally, I chose the cheaper option. Why the heck can't the US suppliers give us this choice? For example, I was recently told the cost of sending a $US49 pillow would be $US80, and a $59 pillow (the same pillow, by the way, just different prices) would be around $US130 (and that was from CPAP.com!!!!) - no cheaper options were available. This represents nonsensical ripoff - especially as CPAP equipment is grossly overinflated in price here in Australia, making those of us who earn less than millionaires look to the internet to achieve proper medical treatment.
Regards,
GrizzlyBear
Same old saw - buyer beware. So many companies say that the buyer takes all responsibilities when it comes to international sales.
My brother in the States sent a gift of four loaves of bread to my father in Canada. UPS wanted $57 at his door, most of it a brokerage charge. The bread store did refund the money.
My experience with cpap.com was good. They like to ship by USPS, and Canada Post dropped the package at my door with no additional charges. It is key, though, that package be marked as prescription medical goods.
So we all like to save money, and postal service is the way to go in many situations, but not all. Now I just wish more of the vendors at the cpap auction site would ship to Canada (by way of USPS of course).
My brother in the States sent a gift of four loaves of bread to my father in Canada. UPS wanted $57 at his door, most of it a brokerage charge. The bread store did refund the money.
My experience with cpap.com was good. They like to ship by USPS, and Canada Post dropped the package at my door with no additional charges. It is key, though, that package be marked as prescription medical goods.
So we all like to save money, and postal service is the way to go in many situations, but not all. Now I just wish more of the vendors at the cpap auction site would ship to Canada (by way of USPS of course).
3 posts
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