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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,443 |
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Valued Member
Canada
96 Posts |
Hi, I'm in Canada, and I found a coin listed at a coin shop located in the USA. I have bought coins on ebay from US based sellers, but always used ebay's global shipping program so that the coins would not be stopped at the border for brokerage charges and anything else. What are your experiences buying from non-Ebay US coin shops? I have heard horror stories of people buying non-coin items that were listed for $10-$20, only to be dinged with $50 brokerage fees! Are there any 'tricks' like having things sent in a bubble-mailer as opposed to a box that might get more scrutiny? |
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
9862 Posts |
What's the value of the item?
"Dipping" is not considered cleaning...
-from PCGS website
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5324 Posts |
The Global Shipping fee is shown on the last line below shipping charges, it"s based on some percentage of buyer price of item and it"s pretty wicked but you will incur no more fees in Canada, the item will be delivered right to your address. You just have to decide if the item is worth the two shipping fees
Edited by john100
08/07/2021 1:30 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
9862 Posts |
Quote:
Are there any 'tricks Never ever have it shipped via Fedex or UPS or any service other than United States Postal Service unless the value is in the thousands of dollars. "Dipping" is not considered cleaning...
-from PCGS website
Edited by DBM
08/07/2021 1:37 pm
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New Member
Canada
40 Posts |
I've ordered quite a bit on e-bay over the years (coins and otherwise) and I hate the Global Shipping Program - I don't know why so many sellers have to use it. It's way more expensive that the regular post - I don't know why they charge so much and can't lower the fees a bit.
I'll usually only use it if it's something I really want.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2984 Posts |
Quote:
I have heard horror stories of people buying non-coin items that were listed for $10-$20, only to be dinged with $50 brokerage fees! Are there any 'tricks' like having things sent in a bubble-mailer as opposed to a box that might get more scrutiny? If you want to avoid the $50 brokerage never choose UPS or FEDEX as these couriers have brokerage fees. Always choose USPS if possible because their handling fee is only $10. It is not the bubble mailer or box that attracts attention. It is the value of the item. Anything over $20 may be subject to duty/taxes. The only trick you can do is ask the seller to value the item lower on the info slip so it does not attract the attention of Customs. Of course, the seller may not like to lower the value of the item due to insurance issues if it got lost. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2984 Posts |
Quote:
I hate the Global Shipping Program - I don't know why so many sellers have to use it. It's way more expensive that the regular post - I don't know why they charge so much and can't lower the fees a bit.
Because they want the tracking to allow for insurance claims if the item get lost. Regular post (letter mail) have no tracking. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
9862 Posts |
Quote:
...ask the seller to value the item lower on the info slip so it does not attract the attention of Customs. Why would you buy from a dealer who's willing to do something illegal? Why would you ask someone to do something illegal? "Dipping" is not considered cleaning...
-from PCGS website
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
6768 Posts |
It looks like the OP is asking about NON- ebay US shops. I have done (including recently) variety of purchases - from US Mint and Govmint.com . From the second - mix of bullion and base metal items - the shipping was near USD 15 and no extra charge needed. Shipped in the bubble envelope. No issues. From US Mint I bought low value items - each near $20, shipping cost near USD 15 and for each iitem I had to pay $10 usd fees. Great and accurate package, boxed, but fees made purchase unnecessary expensive. The ebay based stores - different story, but basically I very dislike "Global Shipping" and try to avoid it. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3733 Posts |
what ever you plan to buy, if it is under 50$ , just ask that it be sent by usps, never fed ex or ups, 9 times out of 10, it will clear customs with no issue..
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Doesn't happen with restricted travel with CV-19, but a dealer here in Australia makes 2 or 3 trips to the US per year, visiting coin shows, major auctions, and other dealers, to make very large bulk buys for his business.
When in the U.S., he also sells face to face to major U.S. dealers.
So as a collector, I still have good (indirect) access to international markets, including the U.S., without having to bother with shipping fees, by buying direct from the US over the years.
Nevertheless, I have sparingly bought direct from U.S. dealers.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
999 Posts |
In my experience most US-based dealers (non-eBay) much prefer to only mail domestically. I used to buy from a US dealer who had both Canadian and US products, but he stopped sending to Canada because apparently the USPS increased shipping rates and the customs paperwork was a hassle. If you can tell me of a US-based coin shop that ships to Canada for reasonable rates I would like to know.
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,443 |
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Posted 08/07/2021 1:27 pm
