Purchasing Helmet in the states

[skapan]

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I use Kinek in Buffalo when I purchase in the US, no taxes except when purchasing in NY state, and if you use a Canadian credit card then that is waived too. They are a couple of minutes over the bridge at Fort Erie, much easier than the other bridges. Will hold your packages for a month or more, fee is simply $5 per, even for large stuff like tire changers. Even with the cost of gas and paying the HST on the way back it's still a better deal.

 

[Julz]

It's actually Revzilla that emailed me. I'll just have it shipped to a family in the states and have them ship it to me.

Check closely as in some cases you get hit with 6% NY state tax and then 13% at the border on top of that and CC fees, shipping and lousy exchange rate can add another 5%. Do your math.
I like Revzilla as there is no questions asked return policy and they are fast and friendly and the more you buy the more you save as you get a decent percentage off the next order. On an expensive helmet that might be a decent chunk of change.

I've got a very good relationship with my local dealer, but understand that they have to operate in a different environment than many of the online and even brick and mortar shops in the US. Smaller volumes, Parts Can and Motavan, taxes etc. I
'll go to my dealer first and if it is within budget, i.e. reasonable, they get my business. Something like 50% on Arai, I will buy through the States.
What I won't do is go into a dealer and use them for a fitting room and then shop in the US for a deal.

I've got a good relationship with my dealer too, but if they don't don't carry the stuff I want and have to order it in you can throw out the bargaining chips out the door. And no I don't use them as a fitting room. There's certain things you know will fit and have tried on in the past.

 

[r1junky]

i just received my arai corsair v fiction today from US. got it off ebay for 765USD with free shipping from powersportsxpres. they have a sale (7% off reg price of $822USD) every so often. i lucked out with duty and HST as i didn't get charged either. although gp bikes quoted me $799 which is a great price comparatively speaking, the fiction was no longer available. i figure i still saved around $150 after taxes and shipping if they would have had one to sell.

 

[MrBruce]

You can blame our middlemen for the large discrepancy. Motovan and Parts Canada seem to have a virtual lock on distribution rights here. I acknowledge that it might be difficult to match prices with US retailers due to volume and tax/duty inequities, but when the difference is 30%+, something doesn't smell very good.

Incorrect. The Gov't imposes a 13%(roughly) import duty on distributors for ALL helmets, subsequently adding cost to the helmet. I noticed at the bike show that Shoei at Riders Choice is cheaper than US pricing, so do your homework locally before you go running to US online retailers. I love how everyone forgets to factor in the cost of gas, travel and overall time it takes to cross the border, plus you risk penalties if you smuggle it in and avoid paying duties and HST.

 

[Jayell]

I love how everyone forgets to factor in the cost of gas, travel and overall time it takes to cross the border, plus you risk penalties if you smuggle it in and avoid paying duties and HST.

 

[ABCarr]

Incorrect. The Gov't imposes a 13%(roughly) import duty on distributors for ALL helmets, subsequently adding cost to the helmet. I noticed at the bike show that Shoei at Riders Choice is cheaper than US pricing, so do your homework locally before you go running to US online retailers. I love how everyone forgets to factor in the cost of gas, travel and overall time it takes to cross the border, plus you risk penalties if you smuggle it in and avoid paying duties and HST.

So where is what I stated incorrect? I mentioned the tax/duty situation. You will always find instances where local retailers DO match or beat US prices, and I applaud and encourage them to do that. I don't know if our local retailers sometimes circumvent the normal distributors to offer the lower prices, or end up eating their normal markup as a loss-leader. On balance, however, we generally get the short end of the stick for the reasons listed, which is somewhat understandable. I certainly don't automatically run to the US when I want to buy....I carefully research and compare, as everyone should.

 

[JZ67]

What I won't do is go into a dealer and use them for a fitting room and then shop in the US for a deal.

Bravo!

 

[ATTS]

I noticed at the bike show that Shoei at Riders Choice is cheaper than US pricing, so do your homework locally before you go running to US online retailers.

I called RC, Petes, and every other dealer that was in the west end close to my house for an RF1100 and none of them were as cheap as online. I found it online shipped with taxes included and a dark smoke visor for cheaper than RC had just the helmet before taxes. I like going to the shows, going by the stores so I want to support those businesses and obviously a brick and mortar has more overhead then an online store but it's hard to support such price differences.

 

[eljay]

I got an RF1100 a few months ago from Sturgess for about $75 cheaper than anything online incl. tax/shipping. I've never even been there. I just called Tyler, gave him my Visa and it was at my door in 2 days. Just did the same for a smoke visor, pretty much same price as a fake on ebay.

 

[daught]

The fact that motorcyclesuperstore took back my helmet after I rode with it for two days and realized the visor really sucks makes them 10X better than any local dealer. Dropping $1000 on a product that the seller stands behind is a lot easier.

 

[kamikaze]

Incorrect. The Gov't imposes a 13%(roughly) import duty on distributors for ALL helmets, subsequently adding cost to the helmet. I noticed at the bike show that Shoei at Riders Choice is cheaper than US pricing, so do your homework locally before you go running to US online retailers. I love how everyone forgets to factor in the cost of gas, travel and overall time it takes to cross the border, plus you risk penalties if you smuggle it in and avoid paying duties and HST.

remember, if you spend 48 hours in the states, you can bring back up to $800 in goods tax and duty free. ($200 for 24 hours iirc). So make a weekend out of it, take the wife/gf/so to the fashion outlets and pick up your substantially cheaper goods at CBI, US Address Inc, etc. I just got a set of Dunlop RoadSmart II tires that I bought in the states for $220 shipped to CBI. Add on the $5 holding charge, and that's $225.

Nowhere in Canada will you find a set of, well, pretty much any tires for $225 shipped. Yes I had to go pick them up, but even if you factor in the fuel and taxes assuming I didn't spend the weekend there, I could have done it on $40 of fuel (From Barrie and back, you GTA guys will be even cheaper) and 13% on $220 is about $295. That's about right on with Pete's pricing......before tax and shipping.

 

[JZ67]

The fact that motorcyclesuperstore took back my helmet after I rode with it for two days and realized the visor really sucks makes them 10X better than any local dealer. Dropping $1000 on a product that the seller stands behind is a lot easier.

Perception is a crazy thing. Knowing that they took your helmet back after you rode around with it would deter me from buying from them.

 

[kamikaze]

Perception is a crazy thing. Knowing that they took your helmet back after you rode around with it would deter me from buying from them.

They may have just returned it for refurbishing from the manufacturer. you think those underwear you bought, tried on at home, and returned to WalMart just end up back on the shelf?

 

[JZ67]

They may have just returned it for refurbishing from the manufacturer. you think those underwear you bought, tried on at home, and returned to WalMart just end up back on the shelf?

yes, yes I do ;-). Like I said, perception is a funny thing. Why would I be expected to believe otherwise. You never see a re-packaged pack of underwear on the shelf at Wal-Mart? Do you buy that package?

 

[ATTS]

I got an RF1100 a few months ago from Sturgess for about $75 cheaper than anything online incl. tax/shipping. I've never even been there. I just called Tyler, gave him my Visa and it was at my door in 2 days. Just did the same for a smoke visor, pretty much same price as a fake on ebay.

They were one of the first I called since I am in Burlington and Tyler said that he couldn't match the price I found and that it was a great deal that I found. I will try them again next time I need something (buy all my parts there) but will shop around for large priced items.

 

[SFer]

I always try to buy here in Canada. I search out the cheapest price then phone a couple places to see if they can match or come close to matching the price. If they can, great.
If not, I buy it online and ship it to Kinek an then find a great Buffalo Groupon for a night.
Ex
Sheraton on the falls, $89
$30 Casino credit
$20 dining credit
I then gas up the van and save $30
Buy two bottles of liquor save $40
Buy some groceries save $20
And I bring my parts or gear across which I saved $50-$250 on.

If you think about it the US pays me to come and visit.

 

[daught]

Perception is a crazy thing. Knowing that they took your helmet back after you rode around with it would deter me from buying from them.

The helmet had two visible stone chips. I was clear with motorcycle superstore that I used the helmet for two days. No way that helmet could be sold again as new.

 

[suzuki2000]

Incorrect. The Gov't imposes a 13%(roughly) import duty on distributors for ALL helmets, subsequently adding cost to the helmet. I noticed at the bike show that Shoei at Riders Choice is cheaper than US pricing, so do your homework locally before you go running to US online retailers. I love how everyone forgets to factor in the cost of gas, travel and overall time it takes to cross the border, plus you risk penalties if you smuggle it in and avoid paying duties and HST.

Some things are worthwhile over the border, some things are not due to warranty etc. Not everyone lives hours away from the border. I am maybe 35 minutes away and work just minutes away from the bridge... My wife and I go over from time to time, not all the time, but when we do, we know what deals are worth our time, sometimes get things unavailable here and usually grab dinner and get gas. It is not inconvenient and normally results in a savings to us even after our time.

Check on the cost of auto parts, my experience is almost an part is at least half of what you would pay here whether from the dealership, Autozone or Pepboys.

Rarely have we been pulled in to pay duty, we are always honest about what is coming back bringing back $300 in groceries and general merchandise has had us waved through 95% of the time

 

[Wingboy]

http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/StoreFront.bok They ship usps.Great service and prices.

 

[JZ67]

The helmet had two visible stone chips. I was clear with motorcycle superstore that I used the helmet for two days. No way that helmet could be sold again as new.

I don't doubt what you say, its an exeptional policy. It also makes me uneasy. You say they won't sell the helmet again, cool, I say I won't buy a helmet from them. My perception and I'm allowed to it as you are to yours.

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