Cdn. dollar low...where do you guys shop now? [Archive] (2024)

Ryno232

18th March 2009, 18:36

Hi guys,

I'm looking to make some purchases for the NC...mud guards, sways, maybe springs. Now that our dollar is in the crapper so to speak, is anyone moving away from buying on-line in the US and approaching your local dealers?

I got a quote from Shox.com for Eibach sways-$236 and Eibach springs-$210. I'm thinking once shipping, exchange and duty is worked into the equation, I'm not saving much.

Any thoughts?

Thanks....

Traum

18th March 2009, 18:57

For sways, have you considered a set of used RX-8 from local sources? That'd save you a few loonies.

-Lik

mikewolf

18th March 2009, 21:17

Considering that 99% of the products for miatas are made outside the country, I don't think it will matter if you buy from the states or from some a local business as the cost of the parts is still more in canadian dollars.

To avoid this, you can get custom locally made springs and sways. I know I plan to make my own front sway bars this season if I have any extra time.

Diamond Dave

18th March 2009, 22:25

Hi guys,

I got a quote from Shox.com for Eibach sways-$236 and Eibach springs-$210.

Any thoughts?

I think you should buy your equipment from a M.net sponsor. Even if you pay a few dollars extra, you'll get exactly what you want and you'll get great customer service.

peicomputerguy

19th March 2009, 13:31

Hi guys,

I'm looking to make some purchases for the NC...mud guards, sways, maybe springs. Now that our dollar is in the crapper so to speak, is anyone moving away from buying on-line in the US and approaching your local dealers?

I got a quote from Shox.com for Eibach sways-$236 and Eibach springs-$210. I'm thinking once shipping, exchange and duty is worked into the equation, I'm not saving much.

Any thoughts?

Thanks....

It has become a big problem with the CDN $$$ and shipping. I priced tires in the U.S., they were half the cost of tires here, final price? Within $25.00 + or -. On some smaller items that could be purchased from Eunos in Vancouver, http://www.eunos.ca/ , he was 30 to 50% higher. It appears that shipping is the question on larger items. Other vendors such as Flyin' Miata want an extra $15 if it goes to Canada just to process the order and are much more particular than other U.S. vendors about what they are willing/able to ship.

It has become such a hassle! Hopefully others will chime in with Canadian retailers that they have found to order from.

MXHDROOM

19th March 2009, 14:13

I've bought sways from FM and end links from RB, but that was while the loonie was strong against the greenback. One of the big problems is the customs brokerage fees we pay UPS for shipment north of the border. Most of us in this region drive to NY to pick up parcels at the UPS store and deal with customs ourselves on the way back across, but that's not practical for you to do if you're on the Island (assuming, of course, that is where you are).

I'm contemplating buying wheels and tires shortly and while Tirerack probably would have gotten my business, I think I'm buying Canadian this time around. The difference in price isn't huge once everything is factored in, and I might as well support some local businesses and club sponsors.

Eunos in Vancouver could be your best bet for parts in Canada. I haven't purchased from them yet, but Chris has been very responsive to my queries and he will get some of my money in return in the future.

Gary

BassfreakBRG

19th March 2009, 18:23

I am going have my new tires shipped to one of those holding/shipping centres just south of the border. The tires at the TireRack are $83 USD from Tirerack. The cheapest I could find in Canada is $145 +GST, PST + Eco Levy.

It still makes sense to get them across the border.

SOME people may go so far as to get them installed down there and not claim them. That type of person would save on the GST and PST cutting a lot of the exchange rate differential out the window. Then no duty as well. This is illegal of course...

Regarding sways, +1 to the person who bought RX8 sways locally. I did, I think I paid $60 and only had to drive 10 minutes to pick them up. Then $20 for the bushings at the local Mazda Stealership.

Ryno232

20th March 2009, 12:42

I am going have my new tires shipped to one of those holding/shipping centres just south of the border. The tires at the TireRack are $83 USD from Tirerack. The cheapest I could find in Canada is $145 +GST, PST + Eco Levy.

It still makes sense to get them across the border.

SOME people may go so far as to get them installed down there and not claim them. That type of person would save on the GST and PST cutting a lot of the exchange rate differential out the window. Then no duty as well. This is illegal of course...

Regarding sways, +1 to the person who bought RX8 sways locally. I did, I think I paid $60 and only had to drive 10 minutes to pick them up. Then $20 for the bushings at the local Mazda Stealership.

Thank you for all the responses. Regarding buying the RX8 sways locally, I plead ignorance or stupidity on this one. How do you go about this? Put a WTB ad in a local Mazda forum? Same ad in say Craigslist or Kiiji?

Traum

20th March 2009, 13:20

Regarding buying the RX8 sways locally, I plead ignorance or stupidity on this one. How do you go about this? Put a WTB ad in a local Mazda forum? Same ad in say Craigslist or Kiiji?
My first guess would be placing an ad at the RX8club.com forum. If you get a local response, GREAT! If not, it probably wouldn't be too difficult to pickup something used for a reasonable price.

Local Mazda forums and Craigslist couldn't hurt either, but I I am not sure how well Craigslist will work for this one though.

-Lik

zetec7

20th March 2009, 14:37

I feel for you. I just got an original Mazda shop manual for my car, and with the pathetic dollar exchange, it ended up costing just over $200CDN by the time it arrived (I ordered it from MMMiata - they were AWESOME to deal with, by the way!).

As an aside...I was surprised to find that the manual had, for example, only 9 pages total dealing with the brakes, 6 pages total for the manual trans, but hundreds of pages on troubleshooting for the automatic trans (which I don't have). Guess I'm still looking for a good manual for the car...

peicomputerguy

20th March 2009, 17:54

I've bought sways from FM and end links from RB, but that was while the loonie was strong against the greenback. One of the big problems is the customs brokerage fees we pay UPS for shipment north of the border. Most of us in this region drive to NY to pick up parcels at the UPS store and deal with customs ourselves on the way back across, but that's not practical for you to do if you're on the Island (assuming, of course, that is where you are).

I'm contemplating buying wheels and tires shortly and while Tirerack probably would have gotten my business, I think I'm buying Canadian this time around. The difference in price isn't huge once everything is factored in, and I might as well support some local businesses and club sponsors.

Eunos in Vancouver could be your best bet for parts in Canada. I haven't purchased from them yet, but Chris has been very responsive to my queries and he will get some of my money in return in the future.

Gary

When I sent an order to them for a price quote the shipping costs were very high, more the U.S. vendors wanted and their prices were double, that was when the Loonie was 90 cents US.

I was not impressed.

dynodragon

21st March 2009, 10:01

Niteshade

21st March 2009, 10:05

sil

21st March 2009, 15:34

Now that our dollar is in the crapper so to speak, is anyone moving away from buying on-line in the US and approaching your local dealers?

personally i'm just waiting for the exchange rate to get back to where it's supposed to be (hopefully oil heads back up and our dollar goes with it)... that turbo kit can wait..:)

Richard Dekker

22nd March 2009, 14:05

To the OP...have you looked into whether being a member of your local Miata club will save you anything on parts purchased at a Mazda dealer here in Canada.

I've found that many of the accessory items can be sourced within a few bucks the same here (shipping in on a US order), less the cost of brokerage which you'll get hit for upon importation.

Shop global, buy local, when you can. MCI has done some wonders with their parts & accessory prices in the last year...not all of which will be undone yet with the fallen dollar.

Gord96BRG

22nd March 2009, 16:44

pinata miata

23rd March 2009, 11:38

NOW that our dollar is in the crapper? Hell, it was in the crapper for the past decade, and we only had one year of relief (and only a few months of that where it was at or above par). Today's dollar is the normal situation for most of the past 10 years, so we do what we were doing all along except for last year!

But Gord its on its way up again! How much, we'll have to see. Bucks at par for easter would be cool (although wishful thinking) as I'm heading to visit friends in WA state that weekend.

Of course this mini rise happened just after I bought a schwack of stuff for my suby (Visa exchange was 32% I think, EEP!). The $100 US I saved on purchase price was quickly eaten up by the crap exchange rate!

I think that most folks will still find it cheaper to buy through US vendors, especially if the parts can be shipped by USPS. I hate to say it but, a CDN vendor also has to pay the shipping, GST and duty where applicable. He then has to mark it up so that he can stay in business!

In event the bucks do near par again, I would love to pull the trigger on one of the entry level turbo kits from BEGI. Have you seen the pricing on the new Shangai systems? Cheap like borscht! That's almost what I paid for my Subys Accessport!

Cheers!

Ryno232

23rd March 2009, 12:49

To the OP...have you looked into whether being a member of your local Miata club will save you anything on parts purchased at a Mazda dealer here in Canada.

I've found that many of the accessory items can be sourced within a few bucks the same here (shipping in on a US order), less the cost of brokerage which you'll get hit for upon importation.

Shop global, buy local, when you can. MCI has done some wonders with their parts & accessory prices in the last year...not all of which will be undone yet with the fallen dollar.

Not yet, I just joined the Trillium Miata Club, so I will look into that. I think they have a relationship with a couple of GTA dealers.

THanks....

dAw

24th March 2009, 13:10

I have some things on my "grocery list", but it can wait.

I'll just put some gas while waiting.

It's cheaper than it used to be, when the parts were cheaper than it is now.

Keep crossing your fingers, the ascending CAD is now at 81,564¢US :toast:

BassfreakBRG

24th March 2009, 15:39

For tires I couldn't get a better deal south of the border than TireTrends.com. Same tires, great service, and the shipping wasn't bad at all. Keep in mind they a BC based, and they shipped all the way across the country here to St. John's. The tires listed below in my sig were purchased last year for less than $100 bucks each, including shipping. Tirerack or discount culdn't touch that with exchange and shipping.

I just, and I mean JUST ordered from Tirerack. Factoring in everything, I will save about $150 CAD. This is of course getting them installed south of the border and "staying in the US for 48 hours" and fully claiming the tires.

Heck, the GST and PST eats 12% of the 20% exchange rate hit.

The only thing that remains to be seen is if I am stopped at the border to pay duty on the tires. Which were $338 USD.

Sheer dollar wise, my tires were like this;

TireRack $100 CAD ($83 USD) no GST & PST

Image in Motion $141 CAD (small shop in Maple Ridge, BC) + GST & PST

TireTrends $150 CAD (based in Maple Ridge, BC) + GST & PST

84im

24th March 2009, 21:32

peicomputerguy

25th March 2009, 07:19

BassfreakBRG

25th March 2009, 13:04

84im

25th March 2009, 20:59

pinata miata

26th March 2009, 11:40

golfmiata

27th March 2009, 20:36

When I sent an order to them for a price quote the shipping costs were very high, more the U.S. vendors wanted and their prices were double, that was when the Loonie was 90 cents US.

I was not impressed.

I checked with eunos too and I couldn't believe how high the quotes were. I worked it out and he seemed to just order from mmmiata and add shipping duty and his own profit on top. I just ordered from mmmiata directly. They had it all in stock and more selection.

ps -did anyone mention a group buy? Someone did mention a 48 hour trip. If you go for a week with a spouse/chicy and she doesn't buy anything you could claim two of the tires as hers -the limit is not too bad for a week. Or make her smuggle her stuff over.

sonic-rs

30th March 2009, 00:57

hi guys you may also want to try these for tires both are Canadian sites

I have delt with www.tracracing.com before got my r comps their very good pricing. and also try www.talontire.com I am gona buy my next set of r comps here, there prices seem good.

john.m

30th March 2009, 05:35

You can bring back any car related parts for 8% duty plus PST/GST. That adds 20% to your purchase price but saves you two nights in a hotel and meals.

24hr+ and 48hr+ stays do offer benefits; so if you're already gonna be down there for the overnights, you can save the 20% with some good preplanning. You'll need a friend in the US to receive your shipments before you get down there though (or work it out with the hotel staff).

john.m

30th March 2009, 05:37

You could do a WTB ad in toronto.kijiji.ca

Freebie with pictures.

And toronto.craigslist.com

john.m

30th March 2009, 05:40

Rod's Enthusiast Manual is more user-friendly; although not quite as 'light' as the Haynes.

You need one or both of those.

Better by far is the Garage section here; but a book is a definite must-have.

john.m

30th March 2009, 05:49

It's been my opinion for a long time that any of us could walk into a dealership and easily come out with the same 15% discount that they offer the club guys. The dealers don't really benefit from giving the discount to the clubs, they want thes sale and to build up customer loyalty.

A little tougher, but not impossible... I can imagine that if one or some of us showed up with our shopping lists and the total costs for us to pick up our stuff state-side every time we were buying, the dealers might want to try and capture our business by lowering their profit margin. I'm sure that I would if I were watching a couple of hundred dollars slither away every month.

It would be win-win as I'm ready to pay a 5-8% premium over US+duty+PST to remove the hassle of taking a day off and crossing the border twice.

I'm going to try this in the next month when I have a few hundred $s worth of stock Mazda parts to pick up.

Has anybody else tried talking to the managers in the parts departments yet?

I'll be visiting the 2-20 on Sources Blvd with this pitch within the month.

john.m

30th March 2009, 05:51

john.m

30th March 2009, 05:53

I've called the border agency and asked about duty/taxes. They're super friendly and tell you everything you need to know.

All items car-related are less than 8%.

john.m

30th March 2009, 05:54

BassfreakBRG

30th March 2009, 17:19

True, someone could have them installed down there. I may or may not have done that this past weekend.

FYI - Les Schwab wanted $130 all in USD to unmount my old tires, and mount/balance my tires because, "we don't really mount other people's tires"

Local Tire shop two blocks away from Les Schwab was charging $45 USD all in.

Anyhoo, final bill hit;

Tirerack = $481.46 CAD, ALL IN (shipping, exchange rate etc)
Local and/or best Canadian internet price I could find = $612.06 CAD ALL IN (GST, PST, Tire Levy etc)

=$141 CAD savings.

I had the tires shipped to UPS on the US side of the border, "hold for pickup" from TireRack.

Discount Tire in the US is also very competitive in price AND they ship anywhere in the US for FREE. They just don't carry the brand I wanted.

Its great to live close to the border.

john.m

31st March 2009, 06:45

john.m

7th April 2009, 08:36

I just came back from the des Sources 2-20, their prices on lot of little parts are in line with what the Americans are selling...

sway-bar link: 41$
belly pan: 55$
pedal rubber (accel / clutch): 4.50$

They want 300$ for a rear caliper though, so not everything is reasonable.

I'll be going back tomorrow with the long list.

peicomputerguy

7th April 2009, 08:56

I just came back from the des Sources 2-20, their prices on lot of little parts are in line with what the Americans are selling...

sway-bar link: 41$
belly pan: 55$
pedal rubber (accel / clutch): 4.50$

They want 300$ for a rear caliper though, so not everything is reasonable.

I'll be going back tomorrow with the long list.

I was trying to find a website for this reatailer without success. Do you know if they have a website?

john.m

7th April 2009, 11:00

golfmiata

7th April 2009, 17:27

You could do a WTB ad in toronto.kijiji.ca

Freebie with pictures.

And toronto.craigslist.com

Maybe we could all set a date where we would post what we wanted to sell/buy in the forum classified or swap section / or the Canadian section if they'll let us/ or Kijiji/ or Craiglist -so we'd all know to look or post at the same time -man, Canadians probably all want something in the spring -season is so short -got to get it on early.

john.m

7th April 2009, 23:02

Maybe we could all set a date where we would post what we wanted to sell/buy in the forum classified or swap section...

I do that all the time. Why wait for a specific date?

pinata miata

8th April 2009, 17:21

True, someone could have them installed down there. I may or may not have done that this past weekend.

FYI - Les Schwab wanted $130 all in USD to unmount my old tires, and mount/balance my tires because, "we don't really mount other people's tires"

Local Tire shop two blocks away from Les Schwab was charging $45 USD all in.

Anyhoo, final bill hit;

Tirerack = $481.46 CAD, ALL IN (shipping, exchange rate etc)
Local and/or best Canadian internet price I could find = $612.06 CAD ALL IN (GST, PST, Tire Levy etc)

=$141 CAD savings.

I had the tires shipped to UPS on the US side of the border, "hold for pickup" from TireRack.

Discount Tire in the US is also very competitive in price AND they ship anywhere in the US for FREE. They just don't carry the brand I wanted.

Its great to live close to the border.

I too may or may not have had a set of winter tires installed by Discount Tire on my OTM in Bellingham two years ago, just before the currencies were at par. I called a week beforehand and booked an appointment, showed up on time, everything was there and they did the rest! Very impressed with their work and price was around $300 less than those quoted by shops here in CY!

I may or may not be going down to WA state again this easter weekend! ;~)

BTW, both tire rack and discount tire now ship to Canada and their web-sites will calculate shipping, duty, brokerage fees, etc. basicaly what you'd be paying if you ordered it yourself I s'pose. Still definitely worth consulting for comparison purposes!

Cheers!

dAw

1st June 2009, 14:02

CAD is now at 0.924 $USD

Time to start shopping again, or at least make yourself a list.

The dollar might still go up, as gas is going up also. :rolleyes:

Well, thank you AB !

Traum

1st June 2009, 14:20

Economists in the newspaper and on radio shows were saying that parity with the greenback might be possible by the end of the year. So would you buy now, and enjoy the goods throughout summer, or wait until fall or early winter and save more $$ then?

Decisions, decisions... :confused:

-Lik

kazoober

1st June 2009, 17:56

Traum

1st June 2009, 18:05

As always, however, the rising loonie is a double-edge sword. Good for some of us, bad for many others. On the whole, I have yet to come to a conclusion whether parity with the greenback is a good thing or not. (But I certainly won't complain when I need to buy stuff from the States~ :bang: )

-Lik

kazoober

1st June 2009, 23:17

As always, however, the rising loonie is a double-edge sword. Good for some of us, bad for many others. On the whole, I have yet to come to a conclusion whether parity with the greenback is a good thing or not. (But I certainly won't complain when I need to buy stuff from the States~ :bang: )

-Lik

True. I like it when it is near par only for my online US purchases and my trips across the border.

84im

2nd June 2009, 20:05

CAD is now at 0.924 $USD
The dollar might still go up, as gas is going up also. :rolleyes:

Ain't that the truth.
RonO

dAw

3rd June 2009, 10:51

It is time to buy parts when our dollar is high, and time to go for road trips when the gas is low.

I'll put away some USD this time. ;)

Marsh

3rd June 2009, 14:59

I checked with eunos too and I couldn't believe how high the quotes were. I worked it out and he seemed to just order from mmmiata and add shipping duty and his own profit on top. I just ordered from mmmiata directly. They had it all in stock and more selection.

ps -did anyone mention a group buy? Someone did mention a 48 hour trip. If you go for a week with a spouse/chicy and she doesn't buy anything you could claim two of the tires as hers -the limit is not too bad for a week. Or make her smuggle her stuff over.

WOW Eunos returned your call? I called them about shipping on a Hard Dog roll bar 3 times last year and never got an answer or a call back. I'll never spend a penny there.

84im

3rd June 2009, 21:40