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Old 02-20-2014, 09:15 PM   #1
transforminator
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Group Buy vs. Individual Shipping

Hey guys,

Quick question, does buying multiple of one item (i.e. group buy) help save on shipping when compared to shipping one individual item. I am asking in reference to BigBadToyStore. Thought I could get some expert advice from some of you
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Old 02-20-2014, 09:18 PM   #2
xueyue2
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Re: Group Buy vs. Individual Shipping

I usually do 2 or 3 items, try to keep the price not too high to avoid customs fee.
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Old 02-20-2014, 11:35 PM   #3
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Re: Group Buy vs. Individual Shipping

If the total value of the shipment is greater than $100 there's a greater chance of getting hit by customs. Last time I got hit, it was $30, pretty much negating any benefit.
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Old 02-21-2014, 08:45 AM   #4
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Re: Group Buy vs. Individual Shipping

Quote:
Originally Posted by xueyue2 View Post
try to keep the price not too high to avoid customs fee.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sun Swipe Prime View Post
If the total value of the shipment is greater than $100 there's a greater chance of getting hit by customs.
I must admit my personal experience has proved that price has no bearing on the chances of getting hit by customs/duties. I've purchased (things in general, not just TF) over 100 separate instances in the past few years and prices vary between $2 and $3000. Most were in the $100-$300 range. Of course, I'm referring to packages coming from international sources, not local to Canada. And I've only been hit for purchases below $50. Twice it was for a shipment of less than $30 and once for a shipment of $48. So either I'm the luckiest online shopper or those speculations are based on rumors and fear rather than facts.
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Old 02-21-2014, 09:35 AM   #5
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Re: Group Buy vs. Individual Shipping

If the value is under $20, you shouldn't get hit by any customs/taxes at all. The amount is so low it's not in their interest to spend the time doing the paperwork.
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Old 02-21-2014, 10:08 AM   #6
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Re: Group Buy vs. Individual Shipping

Group buy is always the best way to go.
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Old 02-21-2014, 10:32 AM   #7
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Re: Group Buy vs. Individual Shipping

A buddy of mine worked at the customs office in Montreal (Ville Saint-Laurent) many years ago. He confirmed with me that the selection process about which packages get pulled out and evaluated is ABSOLUTELY RANDOM. Which is why you sometimes have packaged at $40 getting hit, and sometimes have packages at $100-200 slipping through. The method of shipment is irrelevant, contrary to what some people would say.

That being said, the customs regulations says that anything under $20 (I believe it was $30 many years ago) is exempt from getting hit, though I'm pretty sure I was hit by customs on a ~$30 package a long time ago as well. They also seem to have raised their handling costs from something like $5-6 to $10.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/po...roits-eng.html

On the topic to BBTS, the last time I ordered anything from them was in 2009, because the last dozen or so packages from them ALWAYS got nailed by customs, because they can't label the item as a gift, and the fact that they have their store name/url (ie, bigbadtoySTORE) plastered all over the box/tape/etc.

Back to your real question: a group buy should always save on shipping, but your savings may be negated by customs charges, IF you get hit by them.
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Old 02-21-2014, 01:53 PM   #8
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Re: Group Buy vs. Individual Shipping

Quote:
Originally Posted by rid View Post
So either I'm the luckiest online shopper or those speculations are based on rumors and fear rather than facts.
This is based on personal experience. I've never been hit by customs for anything less than $100, so how is that rumor? Since Christmas I've had five packages from BBTS and only one was under $100, and guess what, it was the only package that wasn't hit with customs.

This is a pattern that's been following me for years. Can it be coincidence? Sure. But it's a very consistent coincidence fro me.
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Old 02-21-2014, 02:47 PM   #9
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Re: Group Buy vs. Individual Shipping

You have to look @ which carrier you picked.

For couriers like UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc. you will always get hit by GST/HST (for item(s) above $20~30?) because they always file the import declaration on your behalves (for a heavy fees with the cheapest courier shipping option).

For package shipped by postal service (e.g. Priority EMS USPS/CanadaPost for USA) my understanding is that you are betting on custom official don't pick on your shipment & file the declaration (hence the $9 custom declaration fees + GST/HST). So far for me any shipment worth less than or equal to ~$100 fell through the crack with postal service. I have had shipments with various items well over $100 that I didn't have to pay GST/HST but that were pretty rare.

BTW, there is no duty for toys.
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Old 02-21-2014, 03:46 PM   #10
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Re: Group Buy vs. Individual Shipping

my co-worker got hit with a customs fee of 20 cents the other day lol.
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