Bikes from Canada

Jashim
Jashim Posts: 11
edited May 2008 in MTB buying advice
Hi - I am going to canada for work for a couple of weeks and wondered if it was worth trying to get a bike bargain whilst there - has anyone done this?? Do I need to take an old bike with me and leave it there and bring a new one back?? Any advice gratefully received

Comments

  • Rich Hcp
    Rich Hcp Posts: 1,355
    You need to be careful that you don't get stung for the tax, but taking a bike with you may work (Not sure)

    I hired a MTB at Lake Placid a few years ago (I know its USA, not Canada) anyway, the brake levers were reversed :roll:

    So when I pulled on the left lever to lock up the rear wheel I went over the bars on to some rocks head first :shock:

    Ended up with concussion. Good job I was wearing a helmet......

    My point is that, with any import, check the spec is the same. They vary for different markets
    Richard

    Giving it Large
  • marika
    marika Posts: 392
    i went last year and didn't think they were cheap enough to bother bringing one back,
    for example an etsx50 was about £700 cheaper but then you need to add the taxes which are dependant on where you are
    My puppy Local Loop
  • Chaka Ping
    Chaka Ping Posts: 1,451
    I'm sure you could pick up a Cove or Rocky Mountain at a lovely price if you do your homework before you go and find one that's already on a discount.

    You're on shaky ground with warranties anyway if you import it yourself, so you might want to consider getting a secondhand or ex-demo bike - which will be even cheaper.

    Have a look on eBay for an idea on pricing and what kind of deals are available?
  • dan1983
    dan1983 Posts: 314
    Just out of interest, what is the tax you'd have to pay? Is it just the 17.5% VAT? Or would there be more taxes on top of that?
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    bikes 15% on the cost and then 17,5% on total so far.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • toasty
    toasty Posts: 2,598
    How do they confirm the value just out of interest? Something like a Cove Hummer frame would be hard to tell the value of to the untrained eye :)
    Stumpy FSR 29er
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    there is something called the internet.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • dan1983
    dan1983 Posts: 314
    what about on parts? is it the same as a bike or different?
  • toasty
    toasty Posts: 2,598
    nicklouse wrote:
    there is something called the internet.

    Fantastic, pull the stickers off, stick some Apollo stickers on. Fat lot of good googling the bike is now :roll:
    Stumpy FSR 29er
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    parts 4,8% and then 17,5%

    there is a link in the tech links sticky to HM customs infos.

    there is also vat applied to shipping and there may be a handling charge if the items are posted.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Cps
    Cps Posts: 356
    Why not travel out with a bike bag with a wrecker inside -

    and bring back the wrecker all muddy :wink:
  • Cps
    Cps Posts: 356
    Why not travel out with a bike bag with a wrecker inside -

    and bring back the wrecker all muddy :wink:
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    nicklouse wrote:
    there is something called the internet.
    what? Sounds a bit far fetched to me :D
  • Langers
    Langers Posts: 95
    You may be able to partly disassemble the bike before you bring it back and get charged at a lower rate.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    Langers wrote:
    You may be able to partly disassemble the bike before you bring it back and get charged at a lower rate.

    not correct. if you have all the parts to make what customs feel will make a bike they will charge the full amount.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    because they think it's broken? :lol:

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