Our Canadian dollar is doing very well these days -- it's almost on par with the US dollar. And, the British Pound is incredibly low as well (i.e. affordable) for Canadians.
This is especially good for me as I mainly model in British 00 trains. At the moment, the British Pound is only about $1.53 CAD and I've never seen it so low! It's usually closer to $2.00 and I remember a few years ago when it was around $2.60.
As a result, I've been watching eBay a lot lately, as the deals there are better than ever. For example, instead of paying $100 CAD for a £50 loco, I can now get the same loco for about $75.
Just wondering if any of my fellow Canadian modelers have been noticing this ... and if they have been thinking of buying MRR products from the UK, US or other countries?
Thanks, Rob
Best to buy now, before the HST comes into effect.
Wayne
cn nutbar Wrote:Hi Rob---I have purchased items through the USA and even though our dollar is strong don't forget that Customs will be looking for their share when the item is shipped 
So far, when buying via eBay, I haven't had to pay any customs or duty (although I'm sure it will happen at some point).
I've ordered a few small parts from the US, one book, and several books and a few locos from the UK (all through eBay) & haven't had to pay any customs/duty yet!
We'll see how my "luck" goes.
Rob
doctorwayne Wrote:Best to buy now, before the HST comes into effect.
Wayne
Hi Wayne,
Will HST affect eBay sales? Maybe they've figured out a way to tax eBay as well.
Or, if I buy from (say) a British retailer, will I have to pay HST then?
Rob
Currently, Canada Customs doesn't seem to bother too much with actual duties, at least on most smaller purchases. However, they
do collect the GST on the Canadian value of the purchase. Once the harmonised (sounds so pleasant, doesn't it?) sales tax comes into effect, they'll also be collecting the equivalent of what is now the provincial sales tax. After July 1st, when returning from the U.S. with newly purchased train stuff, I plan to bend over and walk into the country backwards.
Wayne
doctorwayne Wrote:Currently, Canada Customs doesn't seem to bother too much with actual duties, at least on most smaller purchases. However, they do collect the GST on the Canadian value of the purchase. Once the harmonised (sounds so pleasant, doesn't it?) sales tax comes into effect, they'll also be collecting the equivalent of what is now the provincial sales tax. After July 1st, when returning from the U.S. with newly purchased train stuff, I plan to bend over and walk into the country backwards.
Wayne
Yeah, I don't like the HST either. It's bizarre (sort of) when the Federal Tories as well as the Provincial Liberals are in favour of it but -- as far as I know -- the Federal Liberals and Provincial Tories are against it. I know the NDP is against it but, if they were in power, I'd bet they'd be totally endorsing it!
At any rate, my family & I should be getting the $1,000 rebate. It should be interesting to see how this affects our pocket book and the economy.
Rob
Don't forget that the rebate is money which they've already taken from us, and it's only a temporary measure. The Canadian dollar is projected to reach $1.02 U.S. this summer, and I plan on spending as much of mine as I can in the States. Maybe I'll pick up a nice new toilet for Dalton, so he can flush away my dough even faster.
Wayne
What, you are telling me that your government gave you a rebate of $1000 taken from your tax dollars so you will have to pay more taxes so you can get another rebate.
Did some of our politicians cross the border and get involved there too?
Charlie
Thanks, Charlie, but we grow our own idiot politicians, more suited to these northern latitudes.
Commencing July 1st, all items on which we currently pay only the 5% Federal GST (Goods and Services Tax) will be taxed under the new HST (Harmonised Sales Tax), which is basically a combination of the GST and the 8% PST (Provincial Sales Tax). Similarly, items on which we currently pay only PST will be subject to the new HST.
In addition to most goods other than food, this tax will apply to almost everything, such as gasoline, home heating fuel, electricity, real estate fees, legal fees, haircuts, newspaper subscriptions, funerals, home and car insurance, train and airline fares, new and used cars, and new homes, too.
For homes under $400,000.00, we'll pay the tax but get a rebate. Homes up to $500,000.00 will get a smaller rebate and on homes over $500,000.00, the purchaser will pay the full 13%.
Wayne
doctorwayne Wrote:Thanks, Charlie, but we grow our own idiot politicians, more suited to these northern latitudes.
Commencing July 1st, all items on which we currently pay only the 5% Federal GST (Goods and Services Tax) will be taxed under the new HST (Harmonised Sales Tax), which is basically a combination of the GST and the 8% PST (Provincial Sales Tax). Similarly, items on which we currently pay only PST will be subject to the new HST.
In addition to most goods other than food, this tax will apply to almost everything, such as gasoline, home heating fuel, electricity, real estate fees, legal fees, haircuts, newspaper subscriptions, funerals, home and car insurance, train and airline fares, new and used cars, and new homes, too.
For homes under $400,000.00, we'll pay the tax but get a rebate. Homes up to $500,000.00 will get a smaller rebate and on homes over $500,000.00, the purchaser will pay the full 13%.
Wayne
Most states in the US have some kind of "use tax". For internet and catalog sales in which a person does not pay sales tax, they are supposed to report these purchases on their yearly income tax statement and pay the tax on them. Since there is no record on such purchases, I don't see how they can track you down. I doubt many people report small untraced items. Down here, people think they have found a loophole to sales tax by ordering online. The reality is, they are technically making unlawful purchases. And, then you add in the shipping costs, they would be better off buying locally and paying the sales taxes. So, before you think about buying from overseas because of the increased purchasing power of your currency, be sure to factor in shipping costs.
nachoman Wrote:... So, before you think about buying from overseas because of the increased purchasing power of your currency, be sure to factor in shipping costs.
As a German buying a lot from the US the shipping cost are a real problem. Each USPS parcels costs about $25-$35. With that cost I do never buy a single car or a single low priced Athearn RTR engine. To get the German/US price, the EURO/$ exchange rate and the shipping cost in an acceptable relation the value should be $150 in minimum. I assume you have similar problems buying in the OK.
Well, speaking of not paying sales taxes on internet items, until a little over two years ago, my wife and I had an internet store. Believe me, the Commonwealth of Virginia made doggone sure I collected/paid sales tax on everything I sold on-line!! And to be able to buy at wholesale prices I had to send my suppliers a copy of my resale/use license!! VA isn't as good natured about sales tax permmits as AZ. was. And here, even non-profit organizations have to charge/pay sales tax, churches being the only exceptions.
I'm curious. What did NAFTA do besides eliminate jobs in the States in favor of Mexico? I was under the impression when they passed NAFTA that it was going to create a three country free trade zone. Does Canada still charge import duties on products coming from the U.S.?
Russ Bellinis Wrote:I'm curious. What did NAFTA do besides eliminate jobs in the States in favor of Mexico? I was under the impression when they passed NAFTA that it was going to create a three country free trade zone. Does Canada still charge import duties on products coming from the U.S.?
We're not sure what happened. We thought that it took all our manufacturing and head office jobs and moved them to the States.
Duties? may have been eliminated but only for corporations.
When we returned last month we had $3000 worth of stuff to declare and our exemption was only $1500. (Good thng I didn't buy that $850 Beyer-Garrat). We got charged $150 "Sales Tax" on that extra. Don't know how they worked that out.