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 Replies: 14 / Views: 1,939 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1373 Posts |
I have been tempted a few times to buy coins from the RCM, but always 'chicken out' at the checkout. For example, today I went in and put the 2014 Uncirculated Set and the latest $20-for-$20 coin in my 'cart', then went to finish the sale. First off, the shipping went from $2.99 to $12.99, due to being in the States. Then the following notice appears: The selected shipping method is not available for one or more items in your cart. Please select a different shipping method from the drop down menu below.
The selected shipping method is not available for one or more items in your cart. Please select a different shipping method from the drop down menu below.The default shipping method was FedEx Express Saver; the only other option was the 2-day delivery at a significantly higher price. Also, another message pops up saying that I might also be responsible for paying any customs, duties, or taxes on the package, which would be payable upon delivery. I had thought that coins were exempt from GST, etc. Has anyone here in the States who has bought from the RCM encountered any extra fees aside from the stated shipping charges? My bill was to be $57.94 for the coins ordered ($24.95 + $20.00 + $12.99) for the 7 coins ($23.90 face value) which is high enough without additional fees Can anyone out there alleviate my fears of buying from the RCM? |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1373 Posts |
PS: Last night the 2013 Uncirculated Set was available; today it is no longer listed. :(
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2124 Posts |
The RCM is updating his website, even we the Master Club members have problems with status orders or just logging in. Anyway, I think you could get more help with the NCLT people. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3690 Posts |
One of the US based members here will likely give you good information on buying from the Mint but if you are not concerned with attaining Master Club membership (annual purchases over $1000) you may want to use Canada Post. I believe they offer free shipping to the US. Note they do charge a slight premium on the 20 for 20s but overall, the cost to you would be less. I don't see the latest one listed but they will likely have it available soon. http://www.canadapost.ca/shop/colle...ecution=e3s1Also, US dealers often have discounted coins but with the f/x these days, you may actually save by cross-border shopping. |
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Moderator
 United States
188110 Posts |
Quote:
Anyway, I think you could get more help with the NCLT people. We will give that a try. Topic relocated.  |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
567 Posts |
@atticguy, as a Canadian, I try to avoid ordering from US websites because of the exorbitant shipping fees, duty, taxes etc. My advice to use is, instead of buying the Canadian Mint, buy your coins from a US authorized dealer. As an example, Talisman coins. http://www.talismancoins.comEdited by jpaiva83
01/15/2014 3:00 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
6768 Posts |
Agree with jpaiva83
if you not MC and do not need maintain the status, try to order the same from US dealers.
Talisman or Gatewest (it has section for US, so I assuming, that shipping rates also fit the location)
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12264 Posts |
I have purchased from the RCM for years and have not had any extra fees attached to my US orders. As noted by CC-Ottawa, Canada Post is another good option for coin orders - they definitely offer an option for free shipping to the US. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2124 Posts |
Forget Talisman. If your coin is hot, yo've to go first to any church to pray for the miracle of receiving the coin. It's better http://www.silvertowne.com/ or Gatewest if they have a section from USA. |
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Valued Member
Canada
300 Posts |
Atticguy, I'm glad to learn I'm not the only guy who chickens out at the online checkout. I'm from Canada and so I can't give you a good, definitive answer about whether you'd likely be hit by "customs, duties or taxes on the package" or not, but I have gone the reverse direction (ordering from the U.S.) and never had any additional costs slapped on me upon delivery. I only have made small value purchases and you have similarly not spent a great deal--really high values are probably the ones that attract the most interest. You are correct GST does not apply to either of these, and even if it did, as a U.S. resident, you could have it refunded.
Since commems is in your exact situation, I really do think you're safe.
It wouldn't hurt to look into the dealers mentioned by others above this post to compare, but I think if you find ordering from the Mint, directly, proves competitive to you in cost, you can do so without too much concern. Of course, if you're like me, you will probably feel a touch of worry until the package is safely in your hands! LOL
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2408 Posts |
As a US resident I've been ordering from the RCM for the past 13 years and I have not paid any shipping because I've maintained my Master Club member status during all these years. I've not paid any taxes or duties, ever. I'm about to lose my MC status however.... There are some circulation coins that could not be shipped to a US address so I had to ship to a Canadian family member. I eventually got the coins when they came to visit... Edited by canadian_coins
01/15/2014 8:49 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1373 Posts |
Thanks to all who have (or at least have tried) to answer my questions. It appears that my worries about additional fees were for naught. I will look at some of the other vendors mentioned. Also, I may cross the border my next day off and check on Canada Post personally. Windsor, Ontario, is just about 12 miles south of me. The toll both ways will be $9.25 so that beats the $12.99 shipping from the RCM. However, though I looked quite a bit online, I can't see any listings of what "CP" might have for sale. Do some CP locations have coins and some don't? And is the selection different at different locations? There are several CPs in Windsor; some regular offices and some in drug stores, etc., and I could probably visit them all within one day. |
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Valued Member
United States
149 Posts |
@atticguy, I only recently became part of MC, but for years before then I went through the same thing. I think the error you saw was due to the 2.99 special shipping rate for the 20/20 coin that by itself can be shipped for 2.99 (by calling the RCM directly). Since you had another item on the order then it wasn't available at the low rate and the standard rate of 12.99 was in effect. i used to take the risk (of still being available) and wait to buy items until I had enough to be comfortable paying the 12.99 shipping. I never bought a single coin/item and generally waited until I had 2 or 3 before paying the shipping. But it looks like other members have given you ideas for trying to find cheaper shipping so take a look and see what works for you. As for fees there is an amount at which US citizens would have to pay import duties on silver. its a fairly high level though and for getting a few coins here and there you shouldn't be at risk. I have had to pay this type of fee for other items I've purchased (special arrow shafts as I also make arrows) and in those cases there is a fee to be paid to the delivery company when you pick up the item from their distribution center (failing to pay means they return the shipment I believe) |
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Valued Member
United States
149 Posts |
There is no customs or duty on coins. I've ordered from RCM, the only other fee besides shipping is the currency exchange on your credit card. Gatewest offers low shipping ($5) and the transaction is done in US dollars. And they often sell for less than the issue price. Edited by sodude
01/16/2014 10:31 am
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Valued Member
Canada
300 Posts |
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Do some CP locations have coins and some don't? And is the selection different at different locations? Atticguy, this is one question I can answer quite definitely. The vast majority of post office outlets have at least some coins, although the selection can vary greatly. So if you know where to look, it definitely would be worth your while to visit more than one. |
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Replies: 14 / Views: 1,939 |
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Posted 01/15/2014 1:26 pm
