I am comparison shopping. Where can I purchase these cameras from a
reputable vendor 'at the best price'? Would delivered to Canada vs.
purchased in Canada be a better deal? Please calculate in current
exchange rate, custom charges, shipping and the GST. Thank you.

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Request for Question Clarification by hummer-ga on 07 Oct 2003 05:36 PDT

Hi brudenell - it's good to hear from you.

Have a look here for a good comparison of the two cameras:
Canon EOS-300D Review - A first look:
http://www.photo.net/equipment/canon/300D/

In regards to the cost of the 300D, here's an example of what you
would pay in a shop in Nova Scotia: C$1595 + $111.65 GST = $1706.65.
http://www.carsand.com/

That is quite a bit more than what you would pay in the US (about
C$1200).
http://www.ritzcamera.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=13097652&location=NEXTAG&cm_pla=Digital+Cameras&zipcode=j0b1j0&langId=-1&tmreturn=true&pdir=0&afsrc=1&prp=541166781&units=1&category=IT&lgsearch=canon+eos+digital&cmd=changeZipcode&cm_ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nextag.com%2Fserv%2Fmain%2Fbuyer%2Fproductm.jsp%3Fproduct%3D58083648&catalogId=10001&cm_cat=Datafeed&cm_ven=NexTag%3A+
itzCamera.com&storeId=10001&sort=null&processRequest=10002&cm_ite=Canon+EOS+Digital+Rebel+SLR+Camera%2C+Body+Only+-+In+Stock%21&cm_ref=http%3A//www1.ritzcamera.com/%3Flocation%3DNEXTAG%26tmreturn%3Dtrue%26prp%3D541166781%26cm_ven%3DNexTag%253A+RitzCamera.com%26cm_cat%3DDatafeed%26cm_pla%3DDigital+Cameras%26cm_ite%3DCanon+EOS+Digital+Rebel+SLR+Camera%252C+Body+Only+-+In+Stock%2521%26afsrc%3D1

However, as you know, shipping and customs can play havoc with the
final price. My question is this - do you have a friend who has a PO
box in the States? If you do, C$1200 with free shipping to one of the
border states, your friend would pick it up and take it across the
border where he'd be charged GST (and PST if applicable). As I
understand it, items made in the US, Canada and Mexico are duty-free
(free trade), however I would confirm that before asking someone to do
this (even if there is duty, it wouldn't amount to that much). Once
the camera is in Canada, your friend would re-mail it to you in the
same packaging for a cost of about C$8 to $10.  So the total would be
about $1300 - $1350, surely not more than $1400.

Just a thought, brudenell, something you may not think of if you don't
live near the border. It's a way of life for Canadians who do - I know
of one post office in the states where 40% of the boxes are rented by
Canadians.

Best regards,
hummer

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Clarification of Question by brudenell-ga on 07 Oct 2003 09:18 PDT

Hello hummer

Thank you for picking up my question. It is always pleasure to hear
from you.

Your suggestion to ship to a mailbox next to the US/ Canada border is
an interesting one.Unfortunately I am a little too far from the border
and do not know of anyone who could help out.  In my case 15% HST
would be charged, as it would be traveling across the Maine/ New
Brunswick border. If a camera was bought outside of my province and
within Canada and mailed to me only GST would be charged at the
source. If outside Canada and mailed into the country Canada Post will
only charge GST and a $5 brokerage fee. Naturally there will be USPS
costs & insurance however I do not think that they will be exorbitant.
UPS & FedEx charge far too much brokerage. Canada Customs citing
classification number 9006.59.00 has stated that this particular item
is free of duty.

So now the search remains for the best price, including shipping, in
the US (from a reputable vendor) ... especially since the Canadian
Dollar has gained significantly in value.

I appreciate you exploring the possibilities within my question.

Best regards

Brudenell

Here's my pick, Brudenell - J&R Music in New York.

Bank of Canada exchange:
07 Oct 2003	US$908.95 = Cdn$1,208.45  (1.3295 or 0.7522)
I'll use 1.35 in my figures because credit cards always add on a few points.

J&R MUSIC: With Lens Kit: US$999.00
http://www.jandr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product_Id=3722663

US$ 999.00 (with lens kit)
  $   9.95 Parcel post Delivery to Canada
  $1362.09 Total in US$
  $   5.00  customs
  $ 205.07 tax 15% 
  $1572.16 Total

J&R MUSIC: Without Lens Kit: US$899.00
http://www.jandr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product_Id=3727912

US$ 899.00 (without lens kit)
  $   9.95 Parcel Post Delivery to Canada 
  $ 908.95 Total in US$
  $1227.08 Sub-total in Cdn$
      5.00 customs
    184.81 tax 15%
  $1416.89 Total


J&R: Where We Are:
http://www.jandr.com/Templates/Information/directions.tem

J&R: Who We Are:
http://www.jandr.com/Templates/Information/who.tem

J&R: Policies:
http://www.jandr.com/Templates/Information/policies.tem

I hope other researchers take up the challenge for you - the more the merrier.

Best wishes,
hummer

Thank you for your research. I always consider it an honour when a
Researcher takes the time to conduct web searches and then posts their
findings. Wish we could tip for comments. Hope we meet again soon.