I have just about had it with shipping over here.  Not only they are the slowest in the universe, but I might have to get a second job to pay for it.

 

They charged me 54$ for an order of 76.30$ (in US currency mind you; so add the exchange on that...).  I'm not a math wiz, but percentage wise, I'm am getting it up the a$$ real high.  The worst is that when I lived in Florida, I could have walked into any of the 15 parts store in the 5 miles radius around my house and buy all those for 50$.  I walked into a parts store over here recently (and a decent one I thought; Car Quest); well, turns out they don't really have stores; it's just a guy with a 1000 catalogs trying to order stuff for you.  And he didn't know what a caliper pin retaining clip was...  He said he couldn't help me without the make/model/year of my brakes...  That's when I walked out...

 

I'm asking again; where do you get C3 parts in Canada at a "reasonable price?"  It can be 3000 miles away in Vancouver, as long as my order doesn't cross the border.

 

You don't believe me?  Call UPS and get a quote on a 5 pounds box shipping from South FL to North California; it will run you about 10$ by air; delivered on 2dn or 3rd day.  Now, run a quote on that same box from Burlington to Montreal (3 hours drive).  They will quote you over 50$ and take 5 to 6 business day (and remember, no post on Saturday in Canada).  Same goes with flying; Montreal to Miami : 500$ (with a connection).  Burlington to Miami: about 150$.  It's only 30 minutes of flight time difference....

 

I'm sorry US citizens, that free trade agreement at the border that we have is not working for me.  Why would a North American union be better? (I'm getting off track here).

 

I placed an order on Zip Products monday this week.  They did their part right; they didn't charge me for customs, taxes, shipping and handling.  They left it to UPS to figure it out.  Which is what most US companies shipping to Canada do.  Some try to give you an estimate (which I would have appreciate from ZIP, because at 54$ for shipping, I would have not place an order).

 

So, getting parts from the US is always a guessing game, there's no way to know the actual shipping & customs charges ahead of time.  They hit you with a surprise bill either at the pickup (since they have my card #) or at your door.  At least, when at the door, they get to see how red in the face you can get...

 

 

I have recently heard of a Marina in Alexandria Bay NY that will allow you to ship parts to there facility and then pick them up. Obviously you have would have to cross the border, pay the taxes and duty on the parts but you at least avoid the brokerage fees which seem to be the big one. That being said with the price of gas it maybe be a loss loss situation.

 

I would suggest that ZIP or someone similar open up a Canadian based distribution center. This may make things a little easier for all the Corvette enthusiasts North of the Border. 

 

Sounds like a good business opportunity/joint venture.