Cheapest Method to Buy Computer Parts

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Neeliyo

Neeliyo

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Jan 28, 2012
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Hey,

I'm planning on buy some components for my new computer at around Black Friday, however I having a hard time finding the cheapest way to buy them. I have two options: buy them from a Canadian site and pick them up, or buy them from a US site and have them forward it to me. Buying them from the US is about $130 cheaper but, I have to factor in the shipping costs and forwarding costs. So which method would be cheaper and also are black Friday sales better in the US?

Thanks a lot
 
Solution
Stevemeister
Yes - if you have anything shipped from the USA anything make sure it gets sent USPS rather than by a courier like Fed-EX - the latter will charge brokerage fees, that being said I've never had anything worth more than about $80 shipped from the USA via USPS - not quite sure how it would work if you order several hundred $ worth of stuff.

DirectCanada is in BC so if you are not resident in BC they don't seem to charge sales tax - that's worth a 13% tax saving if you are ordering from Ontario. Also check out prices at Canada Computers and NCIX. I find TigerDirect is often more expensive than these other sites, although prices of anything computer related tends to vary from day to day from the on-line retailers.
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Stevemeister

Stevemeister

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Mar 18, 2006
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The biggest consideration when buying in the USA vs. Canada right now is the sales tax and if you bring stuff over the border there is always a chance that you will get dinged with duty as most computer parts are not made in the USA so not duty exempt under NAFTA. I have generally found the lowest cost on-line site is DirectCanada - the choice is not as wide as other sites but their shipping is cheap and they are based in BC so last time I ordered from them I did not get charged any sales tax (I am in Ontario) . . . . although not sure if that has changed.
 
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Neeliyo

Neeliyo

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I heard that Usps does not charge duty or something like that. (not entirely sure about that) I am also in Ontario and I wonder if they still don not charge sales tax. If that is the case I will definitely buy them from Tigerdirect because that is a lot of money saved.

Thanks a lot Stevemeister
 
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Stevemeister

Stevemeister

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Mar 18, 2006
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Yes - if you have anything shipped from the USA anything make sure it gets sent USPS rather than by a courier like Fed-EX - the latter will charge brokerage fees, that being said I've never had anything worth more than about $80 shipped from the USA via USPS - not quite sure how it would work if you order several hundred $ worth of stuff.

DirectCanada is in BC so if you are not resident in BC they don't seem to charge sales tax - that's worth a 13% tax saving if you are ordering from Ontario. Also check out prices at Canada Computers and NCIX. I find TigerDirect is often more expensive than these other sites, although prices of anything computer related tends to vary from day to day from the on-line retailers.
 
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Solution
Neeliyo

Neeliyo

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I live right on the border so I am considering getting it forwarded to buffalo and picking them up. Would I have to declare the parts or can I sneak them in? If that doesn't work I'll just price match everything at memory express and they'll beat it by %25
 
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Stevemeister

Stevemeister

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I'm not going to give you advice on whether you should try to "sneak things in" or not (you already know the answer) but I think the current limit is $400/day of goods that you can bring over the border on a day trip so you can make a couple of trips and stay legal - worst that will happen is if you declare they make you pay the tax - if they are in a good mood they may simple wave you through anyway . . . . but if you get caught trying to sneak things in then that becomes a criminal issue.
 
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