The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Buying a laptop through a US site

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by accesskb, Sep 4, 2009.

  1. accesskb

    accesskb Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    69
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    hi,
    I was wondering if anyone has had experience buying a laptop through a US based site and shipping it to Canada via fedex or ups?

    I bought a laptop through Lenovo and will have it shipped to a relative in NYC. Problem is the unit won't get delivered on time before I start uni, so I don't have the time to go to NYC now. I was thinking of asking my relative to ship it to my Toronto address via Fedex or UPS. Anyone done this before and know how much custom taxes will I end up paying? Thing is Lenovo US site doesn't ship to Canada, and buying a Lenovo through the Canadian website would've cost me over $1000 more.

    Thanks.
     
    accesskb, Sep 4, 2009
    #1
  2. koreo

    koreo Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    177
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    You could have them send it through USPS and see if your laptop fits in a flat rate box. The limit is 20 lbs and you can put some bubble wrap and whatnot to help protect the laptop. I recently sent a package to South Korea for about $50 and since it's a flatrate, I could have sent up to 20lbs for that price. I know it should be much cheaper for Canada though.

    But of course, UPS and FedEx probably provide more options for cheap (plus tracking) but I thought I would add my 2 cents heh.
     
    koreo, Sep 4, 2009
    #2
  3. bernieyee

    bernieyee Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    57
    Messages:
    433
    Likes Received:
    50
    Trophy Points:
    41
    Use USPS. Fedex/UPS will rape you with their fees. USPS converts to CanadaPost once hits the border, so it's alot safer albeit a bit slower. Just make sure you get tracking/insurance as always with a large purchase.
     
    bernieyee, Sep 4, 2009
    #3
  4. accesskb

    accesskb Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    69
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    i'm more worried about customs... how much will i end up paying? right now I have the option to fly down to NYC from Toronto to pick it up myself. It would cost about $300-400 if I do this. Would it be much cheaper after shipping and taxes if I had it shipped here instead? Since the package will arrive at my relatives place in NYC, would there be a problem if I had them shipped it to me as is using the Lenovo box? I don't want them to go through the hassle to open it up and repackage it etc
     
    accesskb, Sep 5, 2009
    #4
  5. koreo

    koreo Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    177
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    koreo, Sep 5, 2009
    #5
  6. thinkpad knows best

    thinkpad knows best Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    108
    Messages:
    1,140
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Yes use USPS, i bought my T43 through eBay and live in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada. The guy shipped via USPS and it just goes to Canada Post from there, i never got any additional customs fees however. It is a bit slower though since it sat for almost a week at customs being "processed".
     
    thinkpad knows best, Sep 6, 2009
    #6