CNC components retailer in Canada ?

[grahamshere]

Hey dedhubbs , good luck on that one, if you don't pay it goes on your credit report. they have you no matter what. Graham

[wildstyle69]

the way around the high UPS and FedEx charges is to get a brokerage account with UPS.....it's easy to sign up online.

The majority of the cost is for brokerage is the account setup

[rowbare]

Originally Posted by dedhubbs I certainly agree with you fellows re Fedex and UPS charges. I have found that the best way to get the message across is to decline delivery. The supplier either ships by USPS or refunds your money. If Fedex or UPS later send you a bill, just return it saying no delivery, no pay. dedhubbs

Sure and then you end up with yet another seller who won't ship outside the US...

[laszlozoltan]

Originally Posted by wildstyle69 the way around the high UPS and FedEx charges is to get a brokerage account with UPS.....it's easy to sign up online. The majority of the cost is for brokerage is the account setup

sounds interesting, care to divulge some details ?

[shaffin]

We carry single and 2-Start ACME rods, nuts and flange - visit http://www.snbinc.ca/site

[ninefinger]

Originally Posted by Danno I hate the hassle of buying stuff in the US only to anxiously wait to see what kind of raping I'm going to get with the shipping, taxes, brokerage etc. Would anyone know of a supplier where I can purchase items like VFDs, servo drivers, power supplies etc, in Canada? Thanks for any replies. Dan

I bought my VFD from http://dealerselectric.com/, called him up and he shipped USPS for $30us. No hassle. Received it in a week and a half - no duty or taxes and it was all declared properly by him on the paperwork. I think around Christmas time the customs office is so swamped they tend to pass over the the lower value items, now after the rush theyll go back to picking on every shipment over $20 Cad. At least when they do pick on you its only $5 fee plus pst/gst which you will pay if buying in Canada anyway. As others have said - just don't deal with suppliers who won't ship via the postal system (usps in the states).

Mike

[cyclestart]

The insistence on shipping UPS is based on convenience afaik. The convenience of the seller rather than the convenience of the customer. I received a shipment from China this week and the customer service was outstanding . North Americans can't beat the Chinese on pricing but to be beaten on the customer service end is unacceptable.

[laszlozoltan]

How was customer service so outstanding ? You ordered something, you got it....so what was so special ? Did they send origami flowers with it ?

[cyclestart]

WARNING: Long winded response. I'm employed by a wholesale/retail distributer
and work with the customer service reps on a daily basis, so I'm not completely
talking out my a** on this topic.

Sellers need to understand the needs and expectations of the customers and never
forget that it's the customers that pay their wages.

1) Communication. Respond promptly to all enquiries. Be a good listener.

2) Customers have differing needs. Accommodate special requests when possible.
If the request is unreasonable explain to the customer why it's unreasonable.
Politely.
In our company this includes special packaging and shipping requests.
Shipping to remote locations can be a pita but it has paid dividends.
We own that market.

3) Know your product(s). Be prepared to answer questions Know where to find
the information.

4) When something goes wrong fix the problem. Never ignore a complaint.
Be polite even if the customer is 'high maintenance'.

These aren't all the rules but for us they are unbreakable rules.

The Chinese merchant exceeded my expectations on rules 1,2,& 3.
#4 didn't come into play. It usually doesn't when the first 3 rules are followed.

The shipping was fast. The parcel was given a tracking number and was insured,
all built into a reasonable shipping cost. The tracking number was emailed as soon
as the parcel shipped. The package contents were described properly getting it
through customs quickly. When I added a custom machined part the merchant held back the original order to combine shipping. All inquiries were answered quickly and
politely and in very good English. Did I mention a part was altered to my specs ?
And at a very good price. It barely delayed the order at all. The look, feel and
fit of the custom part is excellent. It might turn out to be junk but so far so good.

If we're becoming a nation of shopkeepers we better be the best shopkeepers possible.
Accept a variety of payment methods. Offer shipping options. Make the customers'
convenience more important than your own. The Chinese are willing to sell direct,
and if this first experience is any indication, they do it rather well.
Many transactions with North American companies have been less pleasant.

/end rant

btw/ no origami but a an extra fastener was included.