ice_station_zebra
Well-known member
I often see stuff for sale stipulating "the lower 48" only? Buyer almost always seems to be on the hook for shipping so why the problem with shipping outside the "lower 48". What am I missing here?
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No argument there, but if I'm paying why would the seller care? BTW whenever someone has shipped to me I always ask that they use USPS...it's worked well...not that expensive and I have never had a problem with customs using USPS....couriers yes, but not USPS.It can be stupidly expensive to ship to Canada for normal everyday personal shipments (commercial vendors are usually different). Not to mention the potential of customs hassles.
Coming into Canada, USPS works better than UPS or other courier but can still be a pain in the ass. If I am buying from a commercial vendor, I tell them USPS only (or I deal with someone else). UPS makes a killing off their exorbitant shipping fees in Canada as well as fees for customs brokerage.The last time I shipped something to Canada (a used seat) there WAS the hassle of additional paperwork, customs value declaration, etc. And it WAS a PITA to try to get something shipped USPS. Never again!
I get all that, it just hasn't been my experience that USPS was a hassle at either end. I think the physical size of what you're shipping and the declared value can factor in here...ie the bigger and more expensive (declared value) the more likely to run into the pia described by rbentnail (above).Coming into Canada, USPS works better than UPS or other courier but can still be a pain in the ass. If I am buying from a commercial vendor, I tell them USPS only (or I deal with someone else). UPS makes a killing off their exorbitant shipping fees in Canada as well as fees for customs brokerage.
If shipping is a hassle, you don't have much motivation to ship to Canada (or AK and HI) if another buyer exists in the lower 48.
Because it is a major PIA to ship to CA. Like others said, they usually make arrangements to pick up in the US.No argument there, but if I'm paying why would the seller care? BTW whenever someone has shipped to me I always ask that they use USPS...it's worked well...not that expensive and I have never had a problem with customs using USPS....couriers yes, but not USPS.
The last time I shipped something to Canada (a used seat) there WAS the hassle of additional paperwork, customs value declaration, etc. And it WAS a PITA to try to get something shipped USPS. Never again!
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