Cross Border Shopping

[Newfie]

I've been itching to test the market for mail order cigars from SOTB. So I found a site that had a 12 piece sampler of National Brand Maduro for $21.45 USD. I Figure "Cool, I'll give it a try. If I get dinged for duties and taxes, it'll still be fairly cheaper than here."

So, I go through the procedure and get to the shipping page. They want $20.40 USD to ship 12 friggin sticks!!!!

So, $21.45 for smokes, $20.40 for shipping + ~20% exchange = $50.22 CDN If I get dinged, it'll probably be for in the vicinity of $30.00 which brings the total to ~$80.00.

$80 divided by 12 is $6.66 CDN each for what started out as about $1.75 USD average each!!! The one I had the other day was $7.00 CDN so why bother!!

AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[drew_goring]

I highly reccomend that you participate in the newb sampler. These guys know what they are doing for cross border shipments. The companies in the states are generally not willing to get creative for their declarations leaving you footing the bill for the tobacco taxes. And keep in mind that these taxes are not going to be 30%. They will end up being 175-250% of the total value.

[Newfie]

I highly reccomend that you participate in the newb sampler. These guys know what they are doing for cross border shipments....snip

Gonna be done on the weekend. Right now, 3 have trades pending, 2 have just completed a trade and one's on hiatus, so I'll give those two guys a few days break before I attack!

Drew, you have a PM.