Canadians: Amazon.com adds "Import Fees Deposit" ?

[Jimbo976]

Originally Posted by space2001

so I wonder what will happen to pre-orders, that where done before the 15,

I have to orders that are coming later this year. Am I going to get screwed?

None of my pre-orders made before oct. 15 have been changed (I have 10 of them). If they try changing them i'll flip out on them.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by Jimbo976

None of my pre-orders made before oct. 15 have been changed (I have 10 of them). If they try changing them i'll flip out on them.

And if they change nothing and the carrier instead demands it COD (as, for example, UPS will)?

Gary

[Jimbo976]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

And if they change nothing and the carrier instead demands it COD (as, for example, UPS will)?

Gary

Well I guess i'll flip out on the delivery guy then

My next order is coming next week. I guess we'll see. You guys think they are changing from Canada Post? They just show up in my mail box now. For example I just got The Matrix today and it was the same packaging and in my mail box. It did ship on Oct. 13 though.

I'll have to calculate if it is worth it I guess. Since they are all in 3 for 2 sale groups it may still be worth it for these orders.

[Majestyk]

This sucks for getting the original english only covers.

[BLUmbGUY]

Originally Posted by Majestyk

This sucks for getting the original english only covers.

+1

[bajor27]

I noticed this last week when I was ordering a videogame but figured it was just related to videogames as they never even shipped those to Canada before. Very disappointed to see it's being applied to movies now. This will greatly reduce my Amazon orders, or will definitely get me to start using a US address.

Anyway, I'm still a bit cursious as to whether it's supposed to be applying to Standard Shipping. The two quotes mentioned in the forum so far are:

Which products does the Import Fees Deposit apply to?

Eligible items sent via Priority International Shipping will have an estimated Import Fees Deposit applied to the order. Orders for some types of products may only be sent via Priority International Shipping and to certain eligible countries. Orders for books, music, videos, or DVDs that are shipped via Standard International or Expedited International Shipping will not include an estimated Import Fees Deposit.

Which products does the Import Fees Deposit apply to?

Items sent to eligible countries via Priority International Shipping and in certain cases via Standard or Expedited International Shipping will have an estimated Import Fees Deposit applied to the order. The payment of import fees is the responsibility of the importer and is levied based on the laws of the country into which the products are being shipped.

One quote specifically says what won't have the fees, the other quote says certain items will have the fees (which also means certain items won't). It would seem likely to me that it would be the same certain items that wouldn't have the fees added.

Hopefully it's just a bug that the fee is being added to Blus with Standard Shipping.

[Zman2k2]

Originally Posted by BLUmbGUY

Got it from amazon.com. I guess they fixed it.

I too have Band of Brothers on pre-order. I looked at amazon.ca and its $124.

Futureshop has it for $93.
Here's the link.
I didn't feel like taking any chances. With the value of the dollar and the risk of getting hit with this new price, I cancelled my .com order. I went with the Futureshop one, and will pay $99.45 total. Reason I did this is because there is a great possibility that .com will charge the import fee because they haven't yet billed anyone for pre-orders, and in the FAQ about the fees, they state they can add them at any time. Too much of a chance for surprise billing. No thanks.

[silversnake]

Originally Posted by Majestyk

This sucks for getting the original english only covers.

+2. This sucks. Definitely won't be ordering from amazon as much or just have it shipped to my mom and than have it shipped to me.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by Zman2k2

Futureshop has it for $93.
Here's the link.
I didn't feel like taking any chances. With the value of the dollar and the risk of getting hit with this new price, I cancelled my .com order. I went with the Futureshop one, and will pay $99.45 total. Reason I did this is because there is a great possibility that .com will charge the import fee because they haven't yet billed anyone for pre-orders, and in the FAQ about the fees, they state they can add them at any time. Too much of a chance for surprise billing. No thanks.

Current result for BoB:

Items:  $58.99  
Shipping & Handling:  $7.98  
Pre-order Guarantee  -$0.00  
    
Total Before Tax:  $66.97  
Estimated Tax:  $0.00  
Import Fees Deposit  $7.84  
 
Order Total: $74.81

That's a 13.3% fee on the item (in other words actually greater than the insane sales taxes [GST+PST] we pay here in Ontario), and 11.7% on the total.

Using the .84 dollar and adding in the traditional credit card rip-off of an additional 4 cents per dollar for the exchange fee, we're looking at something in the $92 - $93 from Amazon.com.

Why not simply say it:

"Amazon.com, Amazon's carrier, and the credit card companies issued a joint statement today saying 'We don't need no stinking Canadian business, you can all get stuffed'"

Brilliant plan in a sinking economy: Kill business.

Exec bonuses all around.

Gary

[dvd_mazter]

With the dollar low and this new fee, amazon will not be getting my money unless it is a super sale. I used to get most from them but now I guess it will be local stores that get my cash. Great job Amazon!

[Jimbo976]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

Why not simply say it:

"Amazon.com, Amazon's carrier, and the credit card companies issued a joint statement today saying 'We don't need no stinking Canadian business, you can all get stuffed'"

Brilliant plan in a sinking economy: Kill business.

Exec bonuses all around.

Gary

Yep that's pretty much the full story. I don't know what kind of percentage it will be but surely they will lose a lot of business over this. As an Amazon shareholder I should complain at the next annual meeting

You've got me a little concerned now that the DHL guy is going to be showing up at my house every week now till the end of the year to demand more and more cash just to get my stinkin' movies. It now does say DHL is the shipper to Canada on the Amazon help pages. It is interesting that it works out to about 13% in my tests too. Maybe it is pretty much just PST/GST. I guess we would need someone from Alberta to see if it's lower for them.

I guess i'll find out next thursday or friday when my bond sets and the gangster gift set should arrive.

[Zman2k2]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

Current result for BoB:

Items:  $58.99  
Shipping & Handling:  $7.98  
Pre-order Guarantee  -$0.00  
    
Total Before Tax:  $66.97  
Estimated Tax:  $0.00  
Import Fees Deposit  $7.84  
 
Order Total: $74.81

That's a 13.3% fee on the item (in other words actually greater than the insane sales taxes [GST+PST] we pay here in Ontario), and 11.7% on the total.

Using the .84 dollar and adding in the traditional credit card rip-off of an additional 4 cents per dollar for the exchange fee, we're looking at something in the $92 - $93 from Amazon.com.

Why not simply say it:

"Amazon.com, Amazon's carrier, and the credit card companies issued a joint statement today saying 'We don't need no stinking Canadian business, you can all get stuffed'"

Brilliant plan in a sinking economy: Kill business.

Exec bonuses all around.

Gary

That's pretty much what I saw. So I decided to pay the extra $5 and give a Canadian company my money. Yeah, I know, Futureshop is owned by BestBuy, but it's still Canadian.

[Branden]

Originally Posted by Jimbo976

Maybe it is pretty much just PST/GST. I guess we would need someone from Alberta to see if it's lower for them.

no. 13%.

[Jimbo976]

Originally Posted by Branden

no. 13%.

Hmm - I wonder if they'll now want taxes at the door as well then. This gets worse by the minute.

At least some prices in Canada are more reasonable now. The Bond sets are actually cheaper at Best Buy here than at amazon.com.

[roopster77]

Well I had never paid duty or taxes or fees prior to the upset at Amazon.com, but I did get ticked off by their delays in getting things to me. I found my best bet was to place a larger order that I was not in a rush for in order to save a fair bit of money.

With their changes, it seems no longer cost effective to purchase via Amazon.com - also the lower cdn dollar sure doesn't help!

I have also noticed that Best Buy, Future Shop & London Drugs (I think only in the West) are becoming more competitive. The problem with Future Shop and Best Buy is their inventories are not consistent (we have 3 in my area) and Future Shop is the same (4 in the area). London Drugs in my area often has Blu-ray discs on for lower than the two sisters,,, but you have to go and look through the rack...

[Original-6ix]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

Current result for BoB:

Items:  $58.99  
Shipping & Handling:  $7.98  
Pre-order Guarantee  -$0.00  
    
Total Before Tax:  $66.97  
Estimated Tax:  $0.00  
Import Fees Deposit  $7.84  
 
Order Total: $74.81

That's a 13.3% fee on the item (in other words actually greater than the insane sales taxes [GST+PST] we pay here in Ontario), and 11.7% on the total.

Using the .84 dollar and adding in the traditional credit card rip-off of an additional 4 cents per dollar for the exchange fee, we're looking at something in the $92 - $93 from Amazon.com.

Why not simply say it:

"Amazon.com, Amazon's carrier, and the credit card companies issued a joint statement today saying 'We don't need no stinking Canadian business, you can all get stuffed'"

Brilliant plan in a sinking economy: Kill business.

Exec bonuses all around.

Gary

Gary you could not have said it any better, hopefully we can find good blu deals here and not even give amazon.ca our business as the .com and .ca are the same company, i know im not giving them a penny more.

[dialog_gvf]

You notice what happens when you use Priority International Courier?

Items:  $58.99  
Shipping & Handling:  $22.98  
Pre-order Guarantee  -$0.00  
    
Total Before Tax:  $81.97  
Estimated Tax:*  $0.00  
Import Fees Deposit  $8.89  
 
Order Total: $90.86

Yep, you get to pay $1 more for the import fees, if you pay $15 more for shipping.

[dialog_gvf]

International Shipping Policies

International Shipping Policies
See both International Shipping Restrictions and Customs Information for more details.

Why am I being charged import fees now when I never was before?

The payment of duties and taxes is the responsibility of the importer. Previously, Amazon was unable to provide customers an import fees estimate for all shipping options. A system enhancement now allows us to provide an import fees estimate and facilitate the import clearance process through the shipment carrier.

When did this change go into effect?

This change is in effect for orders placed beginning October 15, 2008.

How will I know what was actually paid to Revenue Canada and who do I contact for documentation?

Canadian customs clearance for most retail purchases from Amazon.com is done through the Low Value Shipment (LVS) process. Information regarding duties and taxes paid to Revenue Canada is available from the carrier. Please contact the carrier directly with the Amazon order number and carrier tracking ID which is available on the shipping label or in Your Account.

Priority Shipping:

UPS
800-PICK UPS (800-742-5877)
www.ups.com


DHL
800-225-5345 (inside Canada)
905-452-5900 (outside Canada)
www.dhl.com


Standard and Expedited Shipping:

DHL Global Mail
800-805-9306 (inside the United States or Canada)

Shipping to a destination in Canada? You can save time and money shopping at Amazon.ca!

So, from that, the carrier didn't change, it's still DHL GlobalMail. They simply added a previously non-existent fee.

Gary

[Jimbo976]

I'm just looking at my order for next week.

Bond Set 1 $58.95
Bond Set 2 $61.95
Gangster Gift Set $0

Item(s) Subtotal: $120.90
Shipping & Handling: $13.96
-----
Total Before Tax: $134.86

So adding 20% for the exchange on my VISA adds:

Exchange +$26.97

and if DHL charages 13% for importing (matching the new amazon fee) and then they charge me GST/PST at the door:

Import +$18.86
Taxes +$18.86

Total = $134.96 + 26.97 + 18.86 + 18.86 = $199.64 Cdn to my door

That's insane!!!!

48% extra

Even with me getting the gangster gift set for free I am still no better off than buying it all at Best Buy here.

[jw]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

Current result for BoB:

Items:  $58.99  
Shipping & Handling:  $7.98  
Pre-order Guarantee  -$0.00  
    
Total Before Tax:  $66.97  
Estimated Tax:  $0.00  
Import Fees Deposit  $7.84  
 
Order Total: $74.81

That's a 13.3% fee on the item (in other words actually greater than the insane sales taxes [GST+PST] we pay here in Ontario), and 11.7% on the total.

Using the .84 dollar and adding in the traditional credit card rip-off of an additional 4 cents per dollar for the exchange fee, we're looking at something in the $92 - $93 from Amazon.com.

Why not simply say it:

"Amazon.com, Amazon's carrier, and the credit card companies issued a joint statement today saying 'We don't need no stinking Canadian business, you can all get stuffed'"

Brilliant plan in a sinking economy: Kill business.

Exec bonuses all around.

Gary

gonna have to have one of us USA residents forward your mail. Its cheaper that way