[Wolf 335]

Hi fellas,

ecstuning.com has a really good deal on Koni Performance Struts, and I am wondering if anyone has made any recent purchases from them so they can share if there are any heavy duty fees.



I am trying to figure out if this deal is going to end up costing $500 when all said and done, which then would not make sense to buy.

Thank you.

[6ixSpd]

Expect a minimum of 13% HST + brokerage fees, and sometimes 6% duty as well.

[Wolf 335]

Originally Posted by the6M3

Expect a minimum of 13% HST + brokerage fees, and sometimes 6% duty as well.

Thanks.

I am ok with 13% HST, but more so curious as to how much brokerage and duties would come out to.

I'm guessing it would depend on the currier.

Did some calculating and this particular item would be:

- Koni Struts = $208.32 USD
- Shipping = $63.72 USD
- HST 13% = $27.08 USD

TOTAL = $307.41 USD
TOTAL = $409.59 CAD + brokerage + duty = NOT WORTH IT

Could buy the similar set up here for $400 and change.

[6ixSpd]

Most items are not worth to ship to Canada. Can't remember if I've ever shipped something here from the US even with the dollar at par.

The only way it makes sense is to ship it to CBIUSA (usually everyone ships for free or it's such a small amount inside the US these days), drive to pick it up and just pay the tax at the border.

From the sounds of it, you'd still save quite a bit vs. shipping here or buying here.

[kenmar]

I bought 4 Koni yellows from Tirerack last year for US$869 to my door. This was the breakdown (paid up-front):

$638.00
Shipping: $71.74
HST: $91.81
Duty: $38.28
Brokerage Fee: $30.00
Order Total: $869.83

I prefer Tirerack to ECS because all fees are on check-out.

[PA66400]

Originally Posted by kenmar

I bought 4 Koni yellows from Tirerack last year for US$869 to my door. This was the breakdown (paid up-front):

$638.00
Shipping: $71.74
HST: $91.81
Duty: $38.28
Brokerage Fee: $30.00
Order Total: $869.83

I prefer Tirerack to ECS because all fees are on check-out.

Keep in mind that if you buy tires from Tire Rack or any USA retailer, the road hazard is null and void in Canada. Road hazard is through tire manufacturer and they will not honour it for a US bought tire, probably to protect their CDN retailers. I bought an expensive RFT from Tire Rack. Got sidewall damage at less than 5K km. Tire Rack customer service told me "sorry, can't help you because you're in Canada". Went to Costco in Calgary and bought the same RFT for basically the same price I paid at Tire Rack, factoring in the US-CDN exchange. Should have gone to Costco to begin with.

[Lotus99]

Originally Posted by kenmar

I bought 4 Koni yellows from Tirerack last year for US$869 to my door. This was the breakdown (paid up-front):

$638.00
Shipping: $71.74
HST: $91.81
Duty: $38.28
Brokerage Fee: $30.00
Order Total: $869.83

I prefer Tirerack to ECS because all fees are on check-out.

Where did you get the idea that ECS doesn't give you an all in price, like Tire Rack? They even say so on their site:

ECS Tuning is proud to offer numerous shipping options to our friendly neighbors to the North. Starting with Cana-Ease Saver, which allows you to have one single cost for your order delivery without those annoying import duty fees and taxes.

https://www.ecstuning.com/News/ECS_T...ing_To_Canada/

[kenmar]

Originally Posted by Lotus99

Where did you get the idea that ECS doesn't give you an all in price, like Tire Rack? They even say so on their site:

ECS Tuning is proud to offer numerous shipping options to our friendly neighbors to the North. Starting with Cana-Ease Saver, which allows you to have one single cost for your order delivery without those annoying import duty fees and taxes.

https://www.ecstuning.com/News/ECS_T...ing_To_Canada/

That was my impression from years ago. Also, it seems that the OP does not know what the costs would be from his cart (thus his post). If the ECS website has changed, maybe the OP can answer his own question by revisiting the website

[kenmar]

Another option is Northern Performance in Burlington. They are the Canadian distributor for Eibach (along with Weathertech). I just bought a set of Eibach anti roll bars for a price that could not be beat by any US site. Their online website is bad though since they seem to rely on kijiji and ebay listings. The phone room is well staffed and willing to help answer questions.

[Wolf 335]

Originally Posted by Lotus99

Where did you get the idea that ECS doesn't give you an all in price, like Tire Rack? They even say so on their site:

ECS Tuning is proud to offer numerous shipping options to our friendly neighbors to the North. Starting with Cana-Ease Saver, which allows you to have one single cost for your order delivery without those annoying import duty fees and taxes.

https://www.ecstuning.com/News/ECS_T...ing_To_Canada/

This is great. I did not remember seeing that on their site.

So can anyone vouch for this, no additional cost aside what you pay when you check out?

[CeeWhizzle]

Throw an email to Sean@exoparts.com -Exoparts- They are located in Ontario and their prices on all OEM and some aftermarket bmw parts are very good. I've been using them for all my needs for the last 2 years.

[PA66400]

Originally Posted by Wolf 335

This is great. I did not remember seeing that on their site.

So can anyone vouch for this, no additional cost aside what you pay when you check out?

I have looked into this all-in-one offer. It is crazy expensive and basically a rip-off. ECS has nothing to do with it, it is the courier (I think UPS) who offers it and lays all sorts of premium charges above and beyond taxes. You can add items to your ECS on-line shopping cart and then proceed to the checkout and choose this option and see the fee - you can (and will) then cancel the order before you place it, I am sure.

The best deal you will get is to ship it to a border storage facility in the US and go pick it up and declare it at Canada Customs and then pay your HST. ECS will ship for free within the US for orders above $25 - you will save a bundle on the free shipping alone - it may pay your gasoline bill to drive to the border. There is a good shipping depot in Port Huron MI (opposite Sarnia) which is an easy and safe drive from the GTA.

[Wolf 335]

Originally Posted by CeeWhizzle

Throw an email to Sean@exoparts.com -Exoparts- They are located in Ontario and their prices on all OEM and some aftermarket bmw parts are very good. I've been using them for all my needs for the last 2 years.

Thank you, I will give them a ring.

Originally Posted by PA66400

I have looked into this all-in-one offer. It is crazy expensive and basically a rip-off. ECS has nothing to do with it, it is the courier (I think UPS) who offers it and lays all sorts of premium charges above and beyond taxes. You can add items to your ECS on-line shopping cart and then proceed to the checkout and choose this option and see the fee - you can (and will) then cancel the order before you place it, I am sure.

The best deal you will get is to ship it to a border storage facility in the US and go pick it up and declare it at Canada Customs and then pay your HST. ECS will ship for free within the US for orders above $25 - you will save a bundle on the free shipping alone - it may pay your gasoline bill to drive to the border. There is a good shipping depot in Port Huron MI (opposite Sarnia) which is an easy and safe drive from the GTA.

Thank you for looking into it. I knew it was too good to be true. Good marketing on their behalf.

[Captain Canuck]

Originally Posted by PA66400

I have looked into this all-in-one offer. It is crazy expensive and basically a rip-off. ECS has nothing to do with it, it is the courier (I think UPS) who offers it and lays all sorts of premium charges above and beyond taxes.

You're going to pay brokerage fees to someone when you import items into Canada unless you go to the US and clear it yourself at the border - the couriers just charge way more than anyone else. UPS is the worst (usually starting at about $60) and Fedex and DHL are pretty bad too. If you look for vendors who will ship with USPS then Canada Post only charges $5 for brokerage - this is usually the cheapest option. The downside is that it generally takes longer than with couriers, the tracking is not as good and occasionally items can get held up at the border.

You have to pay GST on arrival no matter how it comes in. You can also open your own brokerage account which can save you lots of money. My broker charges $15 for brokerage.

What I try to do is place a bunch of orders (usually with free shipping) at the same time and ship them to the UPS store in NY. UPS charges $5 USD per package for the service, it costs $7.50 in bridge tolls to get across the border and back and the time is about 2 hours round trip. Usually I can save a few hundred in shipping and brokerage which is well worth it.

[6ixSpd]

^You can also use CBI USA, which is cheaper per package usually and holds them for a long, long time. And it's a stone's throw from Rainbow Bridge, the only toll you pay is coming back into Canada.

[PA66400]

Originally Posted by Captain Canuck

You're going to pay brokerage fees to someone when you import items into Canada unless you go to the US and clear it yourself at the border - the couriers just charge way more than anyone else. UPS is the worst (usually starting at about $60) and Fedex and DHL are pretty bad too. If you look for vendors who will ship with USPS then Canada Post only charges $5 for brokerage - this is usually the cheapest option. The downside is that it generally takes longer than with couriers, the tracking is not as good and occasionally items can get held up at the border.

You have to pay GST on arrival no matter how it comes in. You can also open your own brokerage account which can save you lots of money. My broker charges $15 for brokerage.

What I try to do is place a bunch of orders (usually with free shipping) at the same time and ship them to the UPS store in NY. UPS charges $5 USD per package for the service, it costs $7.50 in bridge tolls to get across the border and back and the time is about 2 hours round trip. Usually I can save a few hundred in shipping and brokerage which is well worth it.

I totally agree with your points about USPS and Canada Post and your point about brokerage fees and picking up at a US border town. USPS/Canada Post is the best bargain for receiving packages inside Canada, but some vendors will not use them (eBay vendors will usually use them, no problem).

I have just purchased $3700 USD in parts from ECS for my 335i (new turbos and clutch, flywheel and gaskets, amongst other parts). I'm driving to Sweetgrass MT to pick them up in 2 weeks. I have saved literally hundreds on shipping/brokerage and will just pay GST at the border (no PST in AB). ECS has shipped these parts in 5 separate FedEx shipments for a grand total shipping fee of $0 from their Ohio warehouse. the all-in-one option to my door in Calgary would have cost $700 USD

[blackturbo]

I order the oem windshield wipers from them and it's worth it after Canadian conversion. I just pick up at the border and the guards usually let me pass