Purchasing Parts

[roorunner]

With so few parts in central Canada I have been looking at purchasing from south of the border. Would anyone have suggestions on what an individual needs to be aware of? I have found some great opportunities on this site but find myself worried about trust in regards to payment and shipping. Any advise would be appreciated.

 

[mach123]

Yes be aware and get names on here and see what the others know about them first.

 

[Xp29h]

Always beware! We'll help all we can! Jus post up the names, etc

 

[Cranky]

We also have a 'Trader Score' that shows up in the side bar where the avatar is but not that many use it....

 

[shag766]

i have bought and sold on here over the years and had no problems. that doesn't mean something can't happen but you will find most of the older guys on here are straight shooters and the bad ones usually get weeded out. just be aware and don't be shy to ask around.

 

[Bruzilla]

Welcome to the forum. Payment is usually pretty easy. The bigger problem is shipping. Right now it is stupid expensive even for us who are south of the border. Shipping small/light parts aren't a problem, but anything big or heavy is killing us right now. Gas prices may have come down, but shipping prices haven't. And when you look at international shipping, the matter gets even worse.

I've been helping a guy in Finland who needs parts, and he wants a 73 AM/FM radio I have. I was asking $25 for the radio, which is a good price, but the cost to ship it to him is $68!!! Imagine trying to get someone a fender or a center section out of an 8.75 rear.

 

[roorunner]

Thank you all for the feedback. I suspect there is always a risk or gamble unless playing in your own back yard. Perhaps in the future there will be an online mediator for certain transactions who will release funds when product arrives, or will not authorize shipping unless funds received. This however would likely at a couple of % to overall cost but would bring peace of mind.

Thanks folk.

 

[Xp29h]

PayPal will do that. But there is always a small fee to use PayPal for the seller. Usually a small percentage of the purchase price. I usually offer to cover that as well for the safety and convenience of using the PayPal system. Some have issues with PayPal, but when you're uneasy about a purchase, makes sense to me. I've never had an issue with them.

 

[Bruzilla]

The other issue, and the one that makes me reluctant to do anything but face-to-face sales/trades, is that there is often an unrealistic expectation on the parts of a lot of people out there. You describe a part, you send them pictures of it, they understand that it is used, and then they get it and start bitching that because it's not up to their expectations. Then they want you to take it back, pay of the return shipping, etc., like you're some retail business.

That's why I prefer selling/swapping locally with someone who can come see the part, decide if they want it, and we make the deal.

 

[66Satellite47]

Buying/selling parts locally is generally best, but it has it's issues too. I've had very good luck with selling & buying parts on this site. But always try to get as much info as possible, pics etc. Shipping North of the border is incredibly expensive. I've sold a couple of parts to Canadians who had them drop shipped to points just south of the border. I have had very good luck with PayPal. There is at least some protection for both buyer & seller. A 3% charge for that seems fair. Good luck.

 

[Yatzee]

I have quit buying south of the border as have many others. There is no value in buying with a 30% markup due to the difference in the dollar. You'd have to be pretty desperate to tolerate that difference. If I'm going to get hosed it will be at the hands of Canadian retailers who also have to pay the difference of the dollar. With some research and imagination it's surprising what you can accomplish within your own boundaries. Long have we forgot the days when the internet and e-commerce didn't exist. As has been said in the past " A fool and his money are soon parted " Don't be a fool!

 

[Glenwood]

I'm wondering if anyone near the boarder ever takes some 'free-USA only' deliveries for a small fee and then let's them be picked up. The rates vary a lot with different shippers.
eg.
I wanted to order a cowl patch from Classic Industries-$40US plus $180US for shipping...wtf? They only use fedex and I think the brokerage charges are very high.

Sherman has them for $95US I think but found Jegs selling the same Sherman piece for $75US. Ordered it from Jegs along with a windshield gasket.
shipping through Jegs $10 + $16 +$25HST for both items.... crazy!

 

[Rick@Laysons]

There are package holding places close to the Canadian border that we ship to for our Canadian customers. We often ship to places in Blaine, Sumas, or Oroville, WA, then our customers would come to the border and pick them up. Saves them a bundle in costs.

We also ship direct to those out-of-country customers using USPS Postal mail when possible. UPS and FedEx "brokerage fees" are outrageous and leave our customers "broker" than they were in order to receive the shipments....hence the term "brokerage".

 

[Glenwood]

There are package holding places close to the Canadian border that we ship to for our Canadian customers. We often ship to places in Blaine, Sumas, or Oroville, WA, then our customers would come to the border and pick them up. Saves them a bundle in costs.

We also ship direct to those out-of-country customers using USPS Postal mail when possible. UPS and FedEx "brokerage fees" are outrageous and leave our customers "broker" than they were in order to receive the shipments....hence the term "brokerage".

Thanks Rick. Anything you know of closer to the southern Ontario border? Buffalo area?
It's bad enough our dollar is tanking along with the additional 13% taxes we're nailed with. Can't imagine what the duty would be on a full floor pan.

 

[Rick@Laysons]

I'm not personally aware of any places in your local area, but I'd bet you could search your local yellow pages or google search "Package Forwarding Buffalo New York"....

Here's two that came up on a google search.......

http://shippingtobuffalo.com

http://shiptotheborder.com/buffalo-new-york-peace-bridge-crossing

 

[Lionized]

If you can, have all that you order shipped USPS.
UPS charges a "brokerage" fee outside of the actual shipping costs.

 

[flypaper]

If you can, have all that you order shipped USPS.
UPS charges a "brokerage" fee outside of the actual shipping costs.

that goes both ways also!
i just got hosed 50 bucks from a purchase from canada from ups...

 

[Glenwood]

it sucks! Should be a no fee mopar zone! lol

Makes me wish my family stayed in CT during the revolution...

 

[kiwigtx]

We also have a 'Trader Score' that shows up in the side bar where the avatar is but not that many use it....

Yeah, tell me about it.

 

[pentahead]

If you dont mind a drive, Port Huron MI and Detroit have all kinds of outlets that charge $5 US a box (restrictions apply) and some give you 30 days to pickup without additional charges.
I use SCC in Port Huron once a month and load up.