How many members from or around Ottawa On Canada

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#141
Hi Dave,

I've shipped with USPS to Roethel's before, but I've never used a PO box in Ogdensburg. I was under the impression you had to have your own PO box, and I don't ship enough to justify paying a monthly fee for that. I think some companies are also hesitant to ship to a PO box, even though it's essentially the same as the other two services.

Maybe someone else here has some suggestions? I'm not sure if the two ways I've listed are necessarily the best ways, but they're the only ways I've used with little or no problems.

Someone also mentioned a group pickup at one point, and I'd just like to suggest that CBSA gives you enough grief when it's your own stuff, so I can only imagine the nightmare that would ensue if you pulled up the border with a dozen packages, all under different names, and not being able to vouch for what is in any of them. It's probably not the best idea, and could result in someone spending several hours at the border, or being turned away.

Cheers,
Owen
 
#142
I agree with Owen. I have used Roethel's Parcel Service for several years without a glitch. The service is very personal and they are extraordinarily accommodating. A friend has, on the other hand, used UPS in Ogdensburg with mixed results. I joined him once for pick-up, when I was going to Roethel's, and was amazed that anyone could just walk in and sort through the packages. Did not leave me with a sense of comfort. I share Owen's concern with the idea of a group pick-up. It is only a one hour trip after all, and a good opportunity for hi-fi bonding so long as all players understand and respect the rules of declaring all purchases to CBSA. I, for one, have no time for anyone who wants to nickel and dime on GST and PST (soon HST) only to have my ride seized at the border.

Regards,

Barry
 
#143
19 June 2010

We have lift off 🙂

Just got confirmation that the General Burns Community Centre is available on Saturday 19 June. I have reserved the large room from 8 am till 8 pm. This way we can setup in the morning, do some listening throughout the afternoon, and pack up after dinner.

Help is wanted. Although I am more than happy to book this venue and help, there is no way I can coordinate the whole event all by myself.

Pierre

Time to turn on the soldering station and get building again...
 
#145
Hello, my finals are over, so here are the projects me and my dad did. since they are in Turkey, i can only show the photos🙂 i will connect 2x 21" B&Cs i got from Owen:deer: 🙂 looking forward to listen........:hypno2:
Alper
 

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#148
opc said:
Hi Dave,

If it is shipped via UPS, send it here:

*Hold for Customer Pickup*
Your Name
Your Phone Number
c/o The UPS Store
2981 Ford ST Extension
Gateway Shopping Center Route 37
Ogdensburg, NY 13669-3474

I think they charge $5 US per package, which can get expensive since places like PE tend to ship a single order in multiple boxes depending on weight.

It's about a 45-55 minute drive door to door, and you'll have to pay a few dollars each way to get over the bridge.

If your parcel is not shipped UPS, then you have to use:

*Hold for Customer Pickup*
Your Name
Your Phone Number
C/O Roethel Parcel Service
1801 Ford St.
Ogdensburg
New York
13669

They charge a little more I think, and their hours are not as good as the UPS store.

To be completely honest, if you declare the goods at the border, and pay taxes, then you might as well just bite the bullet and pay the shipping to Canada. Here's the typical scenario:

Gas money (190km round trip) about $18
Bridge Toll is about $7
Parcel charge $5-$10
2 hours of your time

This means you're looking at about $35 out of pocket before you factor in what two hours in the car is worth. I know it spreads the costs out so you don't feel like you're paying everything up front, but it's probably better to just ship to Canada for your average parcel.

On that same note, NEVER EVER SHIP CROSS BORDER WITH UPS unless you know for sure that it's an international service, and that ALL brokerage is included. I've been dinged with an $80 brokerage fee on a product that was worth less than that.

I've had the best luck splurging on USPS air service, providing the parcel isn't too heavy. For some reason, they seldom ever charge tax, and there's no brokerage. The shipping up front is more money, but if it's something expensive and not too heavy, then it's well worth it.

Cheers,
Owen
Click to expand...

Folks, the parcel does not have to be shipped by UPS to use the UPS Store. Mike doesn't care how it gets there. He will hold it for you for the $5 fee. Where this kind of thing really pays off is when the retailer you are buying from has free "lower 48" shipping or they insist on using UPS or FedEx. These companies sting us for brokerage fees on top of the shipping charges which, depending on the value of the item, can be significant. Yes, the taxes are paid at the border when you claim your purchase to the customs agent but the shipper charges the taxes when they ship direct anyway. That is part of why they charge the brokerage fee. They calculate and collect on behalf of the government. If you decide to use USPS the taxes are paid at the post office when you pick it up.

IMO small items or low value purchases are not worth the trouble. Large or heavy (read expensive to ship) or expensive (say over $200) items can be significantly cheaper and well worth the effort. As an example: a recent amplifier purchase that I was quoted $168 to ship to my door(no taxes in this #, just shipping and brokerage) cost me a little time, a little gas, $6 toll and $5 holding fee. In my mind that is worth it. We also try to include other shopping in the run each time we go as well. Also, I'm fortunate in that I'm less than 50km only 30 minutes drive (depending on the wait at the border).
 
#150
Sign-up for July 19 meet

Thanks for getting the hall booked, Pierre.

I'll keep track of who is attending, and what they are bringing. If you are going to be there, please e-mail me with the following info:

- will you be there for the whole day, or part of it? (please specify when)
- what will you bring?
. . . speakers (name of design, type (i.e., 2-way), format (i.e., bookshelf), driver make and model)
. . . amps and other equipment (name of design, type (e.g., SET, gainclone), tubes or chips used)
. . . music you will be using to demo (artist, album, and track)

Not sure yet how, but I'll figure out some way to share a schedule with these details.

Sadly, it now looks as though I may not be able to attend :sad:

John
 
#151
bearberry said:
Thanks for getting the hall booked, Pierre.

I'll keep track of who is attending, and what they are bringing. If you are going to be there, please e-mail me with the following info:

- will you be there for the whole day, or part of it? (please specify when)
- what will you bring?
. . . speakers (name of design, type (i.e., 2-way), format (i.e., bookshelf), driver make and model)
. . . amps and other equipment (name of design, type (e.g., SET, gainclone), tubes or chips used)
. . . music you will be using to demo (artist, album, and track)

Not sure yet how, but I'll figure out some way to share a schedule with these details.

Sadly, it now looks as though I may not be able to attend :sad:

John
Click to expand...

John, good idea and nice offer but isn't it for June 19th? Not July 19th? Maybe you can go now?
 
#155
Ok so that we have a bit of a start on who is bringing what.

I will bring the following.

1 Parasound HCA-1000A
I have a Pioneer DV-578A Combo player.
Composite op-amp preamp from when I had hair!

Surround speakers.
Towers soon to be finished speakers
Little shinny balls for computer speakers and new Anarchy UNHORN
16hz front loaded horn subwoofer.
Music? Lots!

Mark
 
#157
Mark - Sounds good!

Here's my list:

ESS DAC + D1 I/V Clone (I am putting it in a nice enclosure right now)
Balanced Line Stage preamp
A75 amp (under-biased to about 25 watt/channel)
Tower MTM speakers (a kit from E-speakers)

I have almost all the parts for a DeLite amp. If it is complete, I will bring it.

Pierre
 
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