Path: utzoo!utgpu!lsuc!tmsoft!dptcdc!berner!ziebmef!mdfreed
From: mdfreed@ziebmef.uucp (Mark Freedman)
Newsgroups: tor.general
Subject: Ordering a computer from the USA
Message-ID: <1989Feb4.105359.25967@ziebmef.uucp>
Date: 4 Feb 89 15:53:55 GMT
Distribution: tor
Organization: Ziebmef Public Access Unix, Toronto, Canada
Lines: 31


   I'm tempted to order a discontinued NEC Multispeed (laptop computer)
from California Digital, but I'd like to know what problems / expenses
I might face. 
 
   I've never had a problem getting software from the USA when the
dealer agreed to send it by mail. I have had problems with Air Express,
and a friend had problems and extra costs with UPS (they charged him
"brokerage fees" and additional shipping from Windsor).
 
   Is there a reliable / reasonable shipping method for a computer,
which will allow me to do my own brokerage at Canada Customs in 
Toronto ??? (ideally, at a convenient location ... the Airport doesn't
qualify)
 
   I realize that there is exchange (25%), duty (3.9%), and federal 
sales tax (12%). Am I missing other costs ?? 
 
   Are there problems with CSA and / or Hydro approval ?? 
 
   Will there be problems if I have to send it back to the US for warranty
repairs ? Another friend returned a defective modem, and had to pay 
duty / FST a second time on the replacement unit (we don't HAVE 
to be fair ... we're the government :-)).
 
   Any other comments regarding computers bought from the USA are welcome.
I will attempt to distill relevant information and post to the net.
 
btw  Revenue Canada told me that computers of "US origin" are now 
   duty-free. How would this apply to the typical system assembled
   from Japanese and / or Chinese boards ?