Buying from Lee Valley Canada

[zelk]

I am interested in importing some bench planes from Lee Valley, Canada and before contacting them, was interested in finding out from the forumites their experiences with the company, in particular

1. after the various taxes/duties, was it much cheaper than buying locally
2. how long did it take to receive the goods
3. any valuable advice.


Regards,
Zelk

[More_Firewood]

Hi

In February I bought a Veritas® Bevel Up Smoothing Plane from Lee Valley.
Once I had placed the order they emailed me and asked for my shipping option so I chose the UPS Express. Their emailed when it was shipped. I can not remember exactly how many days it took but it was roughly what they said.

In Summary:
Carbatec = Veritas® Bevel Up Smoothing Plane $369.00 + shipping

Lee Valley landed in Sydney for US $275.78

The shipping options were:
*Surface Mail 8-12 Weeks $47.32
*Xpresspost 8-10 Business Days $85.72
*UPS Express 5-6 Days to Major Centers $66.78


Andrew

[Wongo]

First lee valley is a great company and their customer service is second to none. I have dealt with them 3, 4 times and they were great each time. :2tsup::2tsup::2tsup::2tsup::2tsup:

Re saving, you are probably saving around 35% on each plane but you need to pay for postage, tax and wait for weeks.:C Obviously the more you pay for postage the quicker they will get to your place. Tax is a hit and miss thing but if you are not buying too much then you are less likely to be taxed.

So here is the deal, if you are only after a couple of small planes then you are better off going to carbatec. That way you pay a bit more for the planes but you don’t pay for postage, no tax and you get to play with them as soon as you get home.:U

If you are going to spend a lot then your saving on the planes will be big. BUT more planes means heavier parcel means more money to pay. You might have to pay tax and the worst thing is you have to wait and wait and wait and wait.:C:C:C

I think it is a matter of finding the balance between the 2.

Man I hate typing.

[Wongo]

What are you buying by the way? :sleez:

[hitch]

Zelk I have investigated purchases from Lee Valley but each time did not proceed because delivery cost negated (almost) the purchase price benefit. Weight and size become problems. The total cost/risk equation did not stand up however that is not always be the case as I have purchased from OS supplies quite often. For private purchases under $1k no Aus taxes/duties apply. Delivery time of course is determined by delivery options offered by the vendor and price you are prepared to pay.

Good luck.

[Wongo]

Good point hitch. I forgot to mention risk. I believe some delivery options do not include insurance. If the parcel is lost then it is your problem. It is unlikely but.

[hitch]

Too true Wongo. No insurance = No deal

[jmk89]

I have bought directly from LV a couple of times. If you tell them what delivery method you want, they will tell you what the price points are and this can help you to decide what to buy to get the best value.

I tended to buy the things that the Aussie retailers don't typically hold (one was the dowel maker - although it was on the catalogue for some retailers, it is actually a backorder item, so it was faster and cheaper for me to get it direct), so there is no realistic comparison.

However, I can say that in the cases where there was a direct comparison between buying direct and buying locally, the saving was there but it wasn't huge (maybe 10%) and for that you take the risk.

[zelk]

What are you buying by the way? :sleez:

Well, I 'm glad you asked:D

As I explained to Derek Cohen, its my birthday coming up and the family, appears to be, more than happy to heavily contribute to a gift of my liking. I am obviously considering bench planes and I need to choose 3 out of the 4 Veritas planes that I am interested in, which are, including local prices and weight

1 Low angle block plane $239, 0.8kg
2 Bevel up smoothing plane $369, 2.3kg
3 Low angle jack plane $395, 3kg
4 Bevel jointer plane $439, 3.8kg

I am sure that with the up and coming Sydney show I could get at least 10% discount. According to Andrew I could possible expect 25% discount. I wonder how they calculate the freight costs.

Regards
Zelk

[jmk89]

I suppose that the discount may be greater at the moment compared to when I bought because the AUD is stronger than it was then.

[Howdya do that]

I have bought heaps of stuff from Lee Valley and like Wongo said the service is second to none.

Most recently I ordered some box chain, hinges, knobs and drill bits took the UPS postage option. Ordered Thursday arrived Monday (amazing).

If you do order from them make sure you get the tool & hardware catalogue:2tsup: you'll be drooling for hours.

[Wongo]

Zelk, you are not turning 38 are you?

Go to their website and add the planes to the shopping cart. You should be able to get a quote first before going any further.

Do that now and we will take it from there.:2tsup:

[zelk]

Zelk, you are not turning 38 are you?

Go to their website and add the planes to the shopping cart. You should be able to get a quote first before going any further.

Do that now and we will take it from there.:2tsup:

If only I could say yes to your first question:(
Zelk

[zelk]

Zelk I have investigated purchases from Lee Valley but each time did not proceed because delivery cost negated (almost) the purchase price benefit. Weight and size become problems. The total cost/risk equation did not stand up however that is not always be the case as I have purchased from OS supplies quite often. For private purchases under $1k no Aus taxes/duties apply. Delivery time of course is determined by delivery options offered by the vendor and price you are prepared to pay.

Good luck.

Hitch or anybody else,

Private purchases of $1000, is that including freight costs?

Zelk

[Howdya do that]

$1,000 excluding shipping.

The process for orders is
You place the order on the website. Then Lee valley send you an e-mail with freight options. you can then either except or decline the order.

[zelk]

$1,000 excluding shipping.

The process for orders is
You place the order on the website. Then Lee valley send you an e-mail with freight options. you can then either except or decline the order.

Thanks for that Howdya,


Zelk

[More_Firewood]

Well, I 'm glad you asked:D

As I explained to Derek Cohen, its my birthday coming up and the family, appears to be, more than happy to heavily contribute to a gift of my liking. I am obviously considering bench planes and I need to choose 3 out of the 4 Veritas planes that I am interested in, which are, including local prices and weight

1 Low angle block plane $239, 0.8kg
2 Bevel up smoothing plane $369, 2.3kg
3 Low angle jack plane $395, 3kg
4 Bevel jointer plane $439, 3.8kg

I am sure that with the up and coming Sydney show I could get at least 10% discount. According to Andrew I could possible expect 25% discount. I wonder how they calculate the freight costs.

Regards
Zelk

Have you considered a Lie-Nielsen Low angle Block Plane instead of the veritas?
http://www.lie-nielsen.com.au/catalog.php?sku=102

Lie-Nielsen Australia have been good in my recent dealings with them.

Andrew

[Groggy]

Registered members can create a "Wish List (http://www.leevalley.com/home/WishList1.aspx?c=3)" that others can use to purchase items for you.

As others have said, Lee Valley is a first rate company with an unsurpassed service record, and I do mean unsurpassed, I do not know of any company with better service.

[Brown Dog]

I was just wondering if anyone has actually visted a store in person ?....

The MoF and I are planning a trip to the US and Canada in December and I was thinking about ( thinking about :rolleyes: ....I all ready know which bus route i need to get there from our hotel :D) dropping into the Vancouver store for a squizz.

cheers
BD:)

[Rocker]

Brown Dog,

You will not be disappointed by LV's Vancouver store. Take plenty of money, and enjoy yourself.

Rocker

[zelk]

Have you considered a Lie-Nielsen Low angle Block Plane instead of the veritas?
http://www.lie-nielsen.com.au/catalog.php?sku=102

Lie-Nielsen Australia have been good in my recent dealings with them.

Andrew

Andrew,
I have considered the LN LA block plane, I believe they are similar to the LV LA block plane. To make it simple, I thought I might as well purchase all the plane from the same people. To me, the LN plane look more desirable, however, I like the versatility of these new Veritas bevel up planes and they appear better value.

[Poppa]

I have purchased twice from Lee Valley and would have no hesitation doing so again. They are (as others have said) an excellent company to deal with. I bought 4 twin screw vices from them when the AUD/USD was not as good as it is now, and I still saved over $200 landed. As long as your total order (not including shipping) is under $1000 you are not liable for tax - and I rang the customs department to make sure.

The second order I placed was for some smaller items, and I was more than pleased. Again, big savings, especially if you can wait for the slowest (and cheapest) shipping method to arrive (10-12 weeks, but significantly cheaper). I haven't been game to buy any planes yet, but one day...

[ian]

I was just wondering if anyone has actually visted a store in person ?....

The MoF and I are planning a trip to the US and Canada in December and I was thinking about ( thinking about :rolleyes: ....I all ready know which bus route i need to get there from our hotel :D) dropping into the Vancouver store for a squizz.

cheers
BD:)The bus takes too long, but you can quicken the journey if you take the sky train part of the way,
a cab doesn't cost too much to/from downtown (well it didn't in February last year) and the staff will call the cab for you for your return to your hotel

If you want to browse the storte allow yourself a couple of hours

What I find works best is get and study the printed catalogue
create a wish list on your own laptop
when you get to the store and are ready to order few order transfer the items you want from the wish list to the checkout, print the list & you're almost done.
Oh DON'T STEP OFF THE MAT when using LV's computer

don't forget that you're allowed TWO bags each coming back the State/Canada & you can get the Canadian GST back (but not the PST)

LV's staff will even pack your purchases into a box for you



ian

almost forgot ...
check LV's web site to see if there are any in-store demonstrations / workshops while you're in Vancouver

[Howdya do that]

Registered members can create a "Wish List (http://www.leevalley.com/home/WishList1.aspx?c=3)" that others can use to purchase items for you.

As others have said, Lee Valley is a first rate company with an unsurpassed service record, and I do mean unsurpassed, I do not know of any company with better service.

Feel free to buy me something off my wish list any time you like Groggy. No one else has:doh:

[Groggy]

Feel free to buy me something off my wish list any time you like Groggy. No one else has:doh:Yeah, mine either :C, but I live in hope :U

[zelk]

Well here's the deal, in $AUD

Four Veritas planes and a spare blade amount to $888, the local retail price is about $1511 normally ie: without any haggling.

Purchasing from Lee Valley, I have 3 delivery options $106, $164 and $227 with max corresponding delivery times 12 weeks, 6 days and 10 days.

Assuming I get 10% off the local prices and pickup the planes myself, the final cost would be $1360.

If I purchase directly from Lee Valley and choose the $164 shipping option, the final price would be $1052.

Well, that's a saving of $ 308 or 23%.

Now, I ask my dear forumites is it worth it?

Zelk

[Howdya do that]

Now, I ask my dear forumites is it worth it?

Zelk
:smack::smack:

[zelk]

:smack::smack:

Ok, Ok.. I was only joking, stop it!

Zelk

[Brown Dog]

Thanks for the Tips Ian :2tsup:





don't forget that you're allowed TWO bags each coming back the State/Canada & you can get the Canadian GST back (but not the PST)



We have actually already purchased excess baggage for the trip home :D ...so space wont be an issue.....extra spending money maybe though...after paying for the trip :(

cheers
BD:)

[Wongo]

Zelk, I vote yes.

[lesmeyer]

Zelk,
I don't know if you have place the order yet. But as a relative inexperienced purchaser form Lee Valley - I have only made 16 purchases up till now - I have not had a single problem - except 1 item shipped in error - they immediately dispatched the correct item which was at my home in 4 days. All businesses should be run the way Lee Valley run their business. Customer service is paramount at all times. In fact their service is legendary. Many posts on this forum will bear witness to that.
Regards
Les
Order # 17 coming up soon.:)

[lesmeyer]

Geez,
I hate it when I lie. It is not 16 orders but 19. # 20 coming up soon. Just checked my order status which has a complete history of all my orders. I humbly apologize for the misinformation.:D
Les

[ian]

Well here's the deal, in

Four Veritas planes and a spare blade amount to $888, the local retail price is about $1511 normally ie: without any haggling.

Purchasing from Lee Valley, I have 3 delivery options $106, $164 and $227 with max corresponding delivery times 12 weeks, 6 days and 10 days.

Assuming I get 10% off the local prices and pickup the planes myself, the final cost would be $1360.

If I purchase directly from Lee Valley and choose the $164 shipping option, the final price would be $1052.

Well, that's a saving of $ 308 or 23%.

Now, I ask my dear forumites is it worth it?

Zelk
Zelk

watch out for the AUD$1000 limit on tax free private imports
your proposed order is very close and could go over if the AUD$ moves the "wrong way" by a a few cents


ian

[zelk]

Zelk

watch out for the AUD$1000 limit on tax free private imports
your proposed order is very close and could go over if the AUD$ moves the "wrong way" by a a few cents


ian

Thanks Ian,

If I were to place and pay for two orders, each $999, ten minutes apart, how would customs view this?

Regards,
Zelk

[ian]

Zelk

I don't know what tracking systems Customs use

It might depend on whether the two packages were seen by the same person on the same day or there may be some form of computer matching

why don't you try and tell us what happens?


ian

[rsser]

Last LV order, I opted for the 12 week shipping option and it arrived in less than 2.

[zelk]

I have taken delivery of my planes and various other items.

Using the UPS delivery option, it took six days for the goods to come to my door.

On a purchase just under $AUD1000 the saving was 22% over the normal retail price here.

I can say that I would be very comfortable dealing with Lee Valley again.

Zelk

[damian]

I think you were lucky. I bring a lot of stuff in from overseas and my understanding is the $1000AU INCLUDES shipping costs.

Also customs monitor incomming shipments and if you have multiple shipment with the same sender/destination the system flags it and you may get hit. The system isn't 100% hitrate and some orders like yours slip through over the $1k limit, but be aware you could have got hit for 10% GST plus whatever duty applies on the WHOLE amount. That is you pay taxes on the shipping charge.

I bought a motorcycle in Colorado years ago for $500US. Long story but landed it was $4k.

Also UPS and Fedex have a reputation on shipments between the US and Canada of deliberately bringing them to customs attention and charging an agents fee to process the papaerwork. They don't seem to do it on shipments to aus.

Congratulations on your purchase. I am very happy for you. Just a heads up for everyone about the potential charges.

edit: I was wrong. They have changed it.

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=5549

A couple of years ago it included the shipping, now it doesn't. Note the sentence on multiple shipments.

Edit again: I was part right. The duty is payable on the item price, GST is levied on the combination of the price, the shipping and the duty. So if your order had been over the $1k you would have been hit for 10% on the WHOLE cost. Also (I don't think it's on that page) if there is an invoice in the parcel they calculate exchange rate per the day you were charged, so if the currency moves suddenly you won't (shouldn't) get bitten.

Sorry I've made a bit of a mess of this post. The short answer is if you call customs they will tell you what's what. I've had a couple of sour experiences with them, but most of the time they are extremely good.

[zelk]

I think you were lucky. I bring a lot of stuff in from overseas and my understanding is the $1000AU INCLUDES shipping costs.

Also customs monitor incomming shipments and if you have multiple shipment with the same sender/destination the system flags it and you may get hit. The system isn't 100% hitrate and some orders like yours slip through over the $1k limit, but be aware you could have got hit for 10% GST plus whatever duty applies on the WHOLE amount. That is you pay taxes on the shipping charge.



Damian,
I should add that the $ figure mentioned included shipping costs. There seems to be debate as to whether or not the $AUD1000 limit includes shipping costs, I played it safe and made sure that everything totalled to less than $AUD1000.

I wondered if and how multiple imports of less than $AUD1000, over a short period of time, were monitored. How long should I wait before importing again?

Zelk

[Wongo]

:2tsup: You must be a very happy boy right now. Enjoy.

[damian]

I don't know. Sorry the above is a mess. I would probably give it 3 months plus to be safe.

Like you I either keep the total under $1k or I factor the GST/Duty into my sums. Better safe than taxed.

Just another suggestion generally. It's worth looking over the various US suppliers. Often the price is higher but the shipping so much lower it swings it. In your case buying LV products changes it all, but buying more generic stuff it's worth shopping around. I buy stuff from carbatec, they are down teh road from my butcher. I've bought stuff from Timbecon. I've had great service and good prices from both. BUT when the price gap is very large and especially when I'm dealing domestic mail order I don't hesitate to go overseas. I'm not saying I'm right, I'm not saying anyone else is wrong, I'm just saying that's what I do.

I think we need some photo's of these beautiful new tools so we can all bath in the glow....:)

[zelk]

:2tsup: You must be a very happy boy right now. Enjoy.

Yeh, that's right Wongo.

My birthday is coming up soon (don't tell everyone) and family were obliged to buy a gift of my liking. I chose a couple of planes and tried to help out with the costs. They are still boxed and will have have to wait until BD to have a feel:wink:

Zelk

[zelk]

I think we need some photo's of these beautiful new tools so we can all bath in the glow....:)

Damian,
as the saying goes 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder'....if only I could show you what I see:D.

Zelk