Importing 2378FVU to Canada

[PinaColada]

Hello, I'm a student in Ontario, Canada thinking of getting a 2378FVU. IBM Canada doesn't offer a comparable model with SXGA+ resolution at a price anywhere near what IBM USA offers, so I'm thinking the way I am going to go is order direct from America and import my Thinkpad into Canada.

Using the Visa/Mastercard discount I'm getting a price of around $1670 in Canadian dollars, not bad at all considering the other model I am looking at, the 2378RAU (only offered in Canada), is $1599 CAD but only has XGA resolution and a Radeon 7500. I am still a bit undecided about the whole XGA vs. SXGA+ issue, and it would be so much easier to just get the lower rez machine from here, but I would like a better quality screen with as little large, visible pixelation as possible and so that's why I'm even considering doing an import.

My question is, what duties or taxes will I have to pay to import into Ontario? I've read there are no duties on computers coming into Canada, is that true? Also, is it possible to order direct from IBM USA and use their credit card discounts, if I'm in Canada?

What would be the best way to get this machine into the country as well? A friend of my dad's lives in New York, and I think he could keep it for us until we can pick it up, but then I would have to pay NY state tax, right?

Last question, if I want to return the machine within the 30 day period, would it have to go all the way back to the US factory/warehouse it came from? I couldn't just return it to the Toronto warehouse, right?

Thanks so much! This would be my very first purchase of a Thinkpad, and I hope it all goes well! I'm just so frustrated w/ IBM Canada, is it so hard for them to try to match the variety and prices of IBM USA? >.<

[ehsu]

One of the better things you can do is to have your friend order the laptop there and pay the state tax. Ask if your friend can bring your laptop to you or ship to you. That way, absolutely zero or very little duty tax to pay.

Or I've heard there is a rental postal box near Niagara Falls. You pay as little as $5 -$10, and have the laptop shipped to that address. Drive down to Niagara Falls/Buffalo and pick it up; however, you might get charged with duty/custom fee.

There will be custom/duty charged to any computer stuff coming into Canada though. And no, IBM USA won't take order from Canada, either.

[syhead]

I paid 7%, importing from NY to SK. There is no point in buying a Thinkpad here... I would not get good deals and would have to pay 13% PST+GST.

[mickles]

7% is all the customs you paid to Saskatchewan?

If so, I may order from the states. I am also in Ontario.

[mickles]

I'm just so frustrated w/ IBM Canada, is it so hard for them to try to match the variety and prices of IBM USA? >.<

I hear ya buddy. The deals south of the border are so much better, it's rather silly to even think to deal here. Have you tried going through your school to get a deal? This is what my school offers (though for faculty only, so you'd have to work your magic on a professor):

Brand: IBM ThinkPad T42 (23739UU)
Processor: Intel Pentium M 745 (1.8Ghz) Centrino
RAM: 512 Mb (1x512MB, 1 free)
Weight: 2.3 Kg
Video Ram: 64 Mb (ATI Mobility Radeon 9600)
Hard Drive: 80 GB
3.5" floppy disk: N/A
Slots/Bays (free): PCMCIA Type II (2) or Type III (1)
CD-ROM: COMBO Drive DVD 8x CDRW (burner) 24x24x24
Ethernet Card: Gigabit Ethernet on systemboard - Intel 82540EP
Ports: 2 USB, 1 Parallel
Warranty: 3 Year on-site
Sound Card: built-in speaker
Display: 14'' TFT XGA 1400x1050
Battery: Lithium ION (5 hours)
Modem: Integrated 56K v.90
Wireless: Intel Pro Wireless 802.11b - Infrared port - Bluetooth

Judging by the 1400x1050 resolution, it looks like it is an SXGA+ type resolution? Or am I wrong? It looks to be an FVU with bluetooth, 40 extra gigs, 256 extra ram, a slightly better processor, possibly a 9-cell battery (based on the 5 hours run time) and 3 years on-site. All this for $2450 + 15% tax. NOT BAD, but once tax is added, we are at $2818, assuming the school pays for the shipping.

What do you think? U.S. still a better approach?

[VC15]

You can also try emailing Bill. I'm from Ontario and I got my 3UU from Bill with no problems and ended up saving a lot of money.

[mickles]

You can also try emailing Bill. I'm from Ontario and I got my 3UU from Bill with no problems and ended up saving a lot of money.

Yes. I've been in contact with Bill. Can you give an idea how much customs costed?

[JHEM]

Yes. I've been in contact with Bill. Can you give an idea how much customs costed?

There is NO customs fees or duty on a laptop imported into CA from the USA, only GST, and PST where required.

Calculate the GST on the purchase price from Bill in Loonies, that's what you'll have to pay to release the laptop from "Customs", in reality Canada Post if Bill ships it via the Postal service. If you prefer receiving it via Fedex, then you'll be billed by them for both the sales taxes AND a Customs processing fee. If you live in a Province with PST, that will be added to the total. The cheapest and easiest delivery option is via the Postal services.

Beware of UPS as a delivery option, their fees are onerous!

Bill doesn't collect sales tax for purchases unless you live in Florida.

Regards,

James

[PinaColada]

Yes, I have considered buying from Bill, especially since I could waive that state tax, but I do need the comfort of knowing that I have 30 days to return it if I can't get used to the high resolution screen (better to be safe than sorry). This is only possible by ordering through IBM Direct, I assume.

Also, I think the prices are really good on this model right now on the IBM website.

[mickles]

Thanks JHEM!

Now I see why I was charged so much for 60 dollar headphones when delivered by UPS.

[JHEM]

Yes, I have considered buying from Bill, especially since I could waive that state tax, but I do need the comfort of knowing that I have 30 days to return it if I can't get used to the high resolution screen (better to be safe than sorry). This is only possible by ordering through IBM Direct, I assume.

If you're under 50 and have reasonably good vision I don't think you need be concerned getting comfortable with the SXGA+ display will be a problem. It is incredibly sharp and clear and for many people is easier on the eyes than an XGA display. My commercial pilot son makes this contention constantly and his vision is 20/100 uncorrected.

I don't fit either of the above criteria (I'm ancient and only have one functioning eye), but even I can use a 14.1" SXGA+ display for several hours at a time without difficulty.

And if worse were to come to worst, carry the unit down to McGill and post a notice on the bulletin board offering it for sale at what you paid plus a little something for your trouble. You'd probably start a bidding war between the art dept. students and those from the architecture and engineering depts.

Regards,

James

[JHEM]

Now I see why I was charged so much for 60 dollar headphones when delivered by UPS.

You're welcome.

I believe UPS is up to some ridiculous amount for "fees" now (we recently had a discussion about this here in the forums) and without checking I seem to recall that it's now CA$35.

Regards,

James

[mickles]

What is the policy for DOA / Multiple dead pixels? I'm sorry to ask so many questions. Perhaps there is a thread with all these questions answered? I just have to make sure I cover all my bases. I think PinaColada has the same concerns.

[Leon]

http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.ws ... &loc=en_US

[mickles]

Thanks Leon,

Though I was more interested in Bill's policies.

[Leon]

For $100 (I think), Bill will "cherry pick" you a system with a perfect screen.....check with him, you usually do well even with this optional charge...

[JaneL]

http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.ws ... &loc=en_US

This is now item #22 in the FAQ.