$45 shipping total to ship from Vapor Kings via UPS

[Dusty_D]

I just paid $45.09 total ($22.19 + $22.90 import fees), to have a package ship from Vapor Kings in the U.S who have recently shifted to a UPS only shipping option. It bloody well stings to have paid that much for shipping.

I had reached out to Rob at Vapor Kings and here is what he had to say regarding the switch to UPS:

"We switched to UPS because we were having a lot of problems with USPS/CanadaPost delays, horrible tracking, etc. The UPS Standard shipments arrive in 4-7 business days and we can actually see where they are the entire trip. I realize it costs more but it's one of those situations where for us at least, it's worth it."

Now, I cannot fault him for the way he runs his business, but I can't see myself ordering anything from there knowing that they will only ship UPS and that it will end up costing me $45 or more each time.

Any suggestions or workarounds as I do love the 901 and 510 LR atties I order from there in their bulk packs?

 

[Chinner]

Hey Dusty I've done the same thing. When I last placed a big u.s. Order, it was $40 for a 3lb box, but I got it in three days. I'm sending you a pm that will hopefully help a bit. Maybe we should split on one of those p.o. boxes in niagra or something and just take road trips??

 

[4mehealth]

See if he's willing to go with Purolator? Anybody BUT UPS?

As Chinner suggested, start renting a PO box out in Buffalo. Or set up a mini co-op for T.O. vapers? That should cut down on some of the shipping costs.

As a last resort, beg and plea with Rob to ship to you via USPS (delays be damned).

 

[Eddie.Willers]

Hey Dusty I've done the same thing. When I last placed a big u.s. Order, it was $40 for a 3lb box, but I got it in three days. I'm sending you a pm that will hopefully help a bit. Maybe we should split on one of those p.o. boxes in niagra or something and just take road trips??

Now THAT is a damn good idea! Means you can take advantage of the Great American Cornucopia without shipping and Customs issues. I do the same thing here on the southern border by keeping a mailbox in McAllen, TX (about 5-6 hours away) which gets visited and emptied every 2-3 months.

Just be sure you do NOT get a 'PO Box' as shippers like UPS and Fedex will not deliver to them.

But have you also looked at using Canuck suppliers?

 

[Can_supplier]

Don’t think the PO box is really going to help you. Expect to spend 6 hours round trip from Toronto. Plan for 1 hour each way just crossing. Depends on what your time is worth.

Remember then you must drive back through customs, either declaring the goods. Or trying your luck to smuggle them in. Considering you would have to be bringing back a large volume of goods to even cover the gas, that might not be a good idea. Also remember to plan what you are going to do in the US for a few hours. Drive over, then back right away and you are going to set off red flags.

If you wanted to do the co-op idea, it would be better to pool the orders, ship them to Canada, and divide the shipping. $45 for a personal order is too much, but if you can get 10 people’s small orders in there, its only $4.50. I think that might be more cost effective over a PO box in the US.

Prices in Canada do tend to be a bit more. The reason for this is as retailers we face many of the same problems you do importing, increasing our cost of business. Higher taxes and we are unable to promote our products like our competition in the US can openly.

However I am confident that most if not all the Canadian retailers on the forum can better US prices + $45 shipping. Part of the service we offer for the slightly higher price is you get your order quicker and without any of the cross-border hassles, isn't that worth a few bucks? Give any of us a try.


UPS is a ripoff to Canada. They offer an attractive price to the shipper, then make their money of the receiver. They don't care about their Canadian business.

 

[4mehealth]

Can, not to bag on you, but based on his additional costs (I'm going to assume he just ordered a 10pack from VK. Factor in shipping costs, he still paid <$10/atty. That's with shipping. Your site lists atty's at almost $12. Factor in shipping (I'm going to be generous) and it's 12.60 (cost of 1 stamp).

Edit: This is now where I quote Russell Peters, he saved $2 here, and another $2 there, soon, he'll have $20 dorra....

 

[Not Iris]

You get pillaged by UPS for brokerage fees and they don't even buy you dinner.

 

[Can_supplier]

Can, not to bag on you, but based on his additional costs (I'm going to assume he just ordered a 10pack from VK. Factor in shipping costs, he still paid <$10/atty. That's with shipping. Your site lists atty's at almost $12. Factor in shipping (I'm going to be generous) and it's 12.60 (cost of 1 stamp).

Fair enough. So for $2 more you don't have to worry about customs and you get your order quicker, that isn't even shopping around, nor looking for a deal on them in bulk.

http://www.happyvaper.com/Happy_510_Ecig_Atomizer_p/510atom.htm

10 pack 510 attys for $8.99 each.

 

[Dusty_D]

Can, not to bag on you, but based on his additional costs (I'm going to assume he just ordered a 10pack from VK. Factor in shipping costs, he still paid <$10/atty. That's with shipping. Your site lists atty's at almost $12. Factor in shipping (I'm going to be generous) and it's 12.60 (cost of 1 stamp).

Edit: This is now where I quote Russell Peters, he saved $2 here, and another $2 there, soon, he'll have $20 dorra....

Landed cost of 20 LR 510's was 6.90 per with the $45 shipping. 20 LR 901's was 5.90 per atty. So, yes there is still a benefit even with the higher shipping. It's just that I don't always order that many atties to offset the cost.

 

[Chinner]

I like the co-op idea. Not sure how to get it started, but I'd love to help.

If I put a "ordering something from vendor x this Friday", we could arrange costs and shipping through emt and just split it? Let me know if anyone would be interested in group purchasing!

In regards to can supplier, you do have a point, but only to a point. I still love buying things locally, I frequent my local supplier as much as possible, but usually for the one-off items I don't want to wait for. In the case of reoccurring vape expenses, or bulk purchases like blank cartos, or atties, there is no comparison.

 

[4mehealth]

I'd go in with ya, but it depends. Of course, right at this moment, I'm not really in need of anything.

 

[Dusty_D]

Co-ops do work. I've done a few successfully myself. The problem as some of you have suggested is getting the buy-in of a bunch of folks at the same time. The topic invariably comes up during our GTA meet, and then fizzles out when we try to put something together. Some guys like me like to stock up and buy in bulk, others like to buy "frugally". Does not always work out. When the stars do align, it's sweet and everybody benefits. But, it's rare.. very rare.

 

[Can_supplier]

In regards to can supplier, you do have a point, but only to a point. I still love buying things locally, I frequent my local supplier as much as possible, but usually for the one-off items I don't want to wait for. In the case of reoccurring vape expenses, or bulk purchases like blank cartos, or atties, there is no comparison.

Remember to you are comparing bulk to singles. A 5 lb pail of mayonnaise at Costco is a lot less per unit than a small one at Loblaws.

If you want the bulk then Costco is the place to go, if you don’t want to eat that much mayonnaises and most is going to get wasted the Loblaws is your answer.

I remember back before I was in business. I ordered 801 attys in bulk. However when 510’s came out I ended up switching over. So I still have the 801 attys here unused. In the end for the few I used they were very expensive attys. Pro’s and con’s to both ways and to each their own. What I have found anyhow is that the Canadian market for the most part isn’t interested in bulk, which is why most of the retailers are Loblaws rather than Costco in terms of unit size. Don't take that as I am saying you shouldn't be interested in bulk or it isn't a good idea, its just what the majority of the market is.

A suggestion if you do go with a co-op bulk order setup. Get your total order together then send it out for a quote to Canadian retailers also, don’t just pay the price on the site if you have that much buying power, you may be at wholesale volume and price.

 

[TheFlyinJ]

Unfortunately I was in on the order with Dusty that was dinged by customs. I have heard a few ways to save on this charge, the first is to clear customs yourself with the package info. Basically you bring the commercial invoices and all the needed info to a customs warehouse near you (in our case, Pearson Airport). When I worked for the airline this winter we had a lot of incoming international shipments for which we had a customs brokerage firm handle. The basically walked the paperwork through the customs office and had the shipments released so we could pick them up ourselves. I think UPS main Canadian facilities are manned by CBSA agents so the actual amount of work involved is minimal. Considering how many shipments they deal with, it has to be. $20 is not worth my time/gas to do the self-clear process at this time.

http://trueler.com/2010/11/24/self-clear-shipment-cbsa-avoid-ups-brokerage-fee/

The second option (which I have done in the past) is have the shipper declare the item as a gift or product samples on the declaration label. I have never had to pay customs/brokerage when this was done.

and because I am the FlyinJ, I might as well bring some aviation to the topic

 

[Dusty_D]

You may have a good point there Can. I have to admit, that is something I have not done. Never crossed my mind really. I'll give it a shot the next time I'm going into a bulk purchase. Thank you for your feedback. Much appreciated.

 

[Can_supplier]

the first is to clear customs yourself with the package (there are instructions somewhere on how to do this but I am not sure exactly what is involved). Basically you pick the package up at a customs warehouse near you (in our case, Pearson Airport). When I worked for the airline this winter we had a lot of incoming international shipments for which we had a customs brokerage firm handle. The basically walked the paperwork through the customs office and had the shipments released so we could pick them up ourselves.

You are 100% correct. However if you try this, make sure you take a blunt object so you can beat yourself to death to put yourself out of your misery.

You have to go to the bonded warehouse where you package is. Wait for someone to find and or produce the paperwork. Next to drive to another location, Canada Customs to declare it. You are given typical government paperwork to fill out, which is confusing at takes forever. As part of that you have to look through this book of tariff/tax codes that is about 12 inches thick to find the right code for your import yourself. Then back in line again to deal with the grump, slow and unhelpful civil servant. Then back to your first location to hand over the paper work to get your package released.

Expect 1/2 a day or better wasted. The UPS charge may be a rip-off, but I even prefer it to this method. Did it once on an expensive piece of machinery and will NEVER do it again.

You can also get a 3rd party brokerage to clear your UPS package. Since UPS knows they are a rip-off they will often call you before brokering it themselves, asking if you have your own broker, so it becomes you fault you have to pay them. 3rd party brokerages would only be advantageous if the order was worth 1,000’s at which point the UPS brokerage fee isn’t an issue.

Simple answer, use FedEx, USPS, DHL, Purolator all of which will broker your item for around $5-10. However they all cost the American shipper more to ship than UPS, which is why so many use UPS.

 

[DevilFishPhil]

If there's a US border close to you, you definitely need to look into Kinek.com - it's free to set up your account, you only pay $5 per package. On the way back just be honest and hand over the receipts to the customs agent, you go in and pay the duties (~14%) and off you go. So for example if you have 2 packs of 10 attys shipped to a US address from VaporKings = $46.95 x2+$5.10 (shipping) = $93.90 + 14% = $107.04 or $5.35 per atty.

I understand the reality of Canadian suppliers but I also have to think about my financial well being - vaping ain't cheap

I would definitely be on board with some kind of co-op order as well, and maybe I could even be the mule bringing back stuff into Canada and that way we can save big time on shipping and I could ship out everyone's orders through regular CP mail.

 

[Chinner]

Remember to you are comparing bulk to singles. A 5 lb pail of mayonnaise at Costco is a lot less per unit than a small one at Loblaws.

If you want the bulk then Costco is the place to go, if you don’t want to eat that much mayonnaises and most is going to get wasted the Loblaws is your answer.

I remember back before I was in business. I ordered 801 attys in bulk. However when 510’s came out I ended up switching over. So I still have the 801 attys here unused. In the end for the few I used they were very expensive attys. Pro’s and con’s to both ways and to each their own. What I have found anyhow is that the Canadian market for the most part isn’t interested in bulk, which is why most of the retailers are Loblaws rather than Costco in terms of unit size. Don't take that as I am saying you shouldn't be interested in bulk or it isn't a good idea, its just what the majority of the market is.

A suggestion if you do go with a co-op bulk order setup. Get your total order together then send it out for a quote to Canadian retailers also, don’t just pay the price on the site if you have that much buying power, you may be at wholesale volume and price.

Hey Can, first off, thanks for participating in this thread. It's cool to have a supplier share input on things like this.

I agree with a lot of what to say, I agree that not everything should be bought in bulk, and that for some items the savings are not really worth the hassle.

Unfortunately not everyone has a Costco membership. And if the choices for purchasing were simply vendor x or Costco, and vendor x knew you couldn't buy from Costco, there's no pressure on vendor x to have competitive pricing. That's how I feel about the Canadian/American discrepancy. I don't mind spending a couple bucks more on things here and there, but not everything all the time. I've said it before, I like supporting local folks, but my wallet is no patriot. I'll continue to buy the best deal I can find, and keep hoping that I'll see that best deal in Canada one day.

 

[Can_supplier]

That's how I feel about the Canadian/American discrepancy. I don't mind spending a couple bucks more on things here and there, but not everything all the time. I've said it before, I like supporting local folks, but my wallet is no patriot. I'll continue to buy the best deal I can find, and keep hoping that I'll see that best deal in Canada one day.

I don’t think you will see that change until regulations in Canada change.

The American companies that are selling at a discount are doing that because they have the volume.

The problem we have here is we cannot openly promote the product like they can down there. Combine that with the uncertainty of if or when the market will be shut down its too risky to expand into a operation that can offer discount products. Same principle as Wal-Mart, being huge allows them to offer products at a better discount. But what business can take the risk of an expansion in Canada with HC ready to do who knows what. Who wants to stock a warehouse of a year’s worth of goods, to get the lowest price possible from the manufactures, just to have HC kick the door down or close the market completely the next day.

For now what us Canadian vendors can do is continue to do what we hope we do well, which is supply the non-bulk market with the best service we can, getting the product to you as quick as possible and without hassles.

 

[rachelcoffe]

EDIT: Sorry for messing up your thread David. Decided this wasn't the best place to post what I had in mind. Carry on.