Quote:
Originally Posted by return to the red
A cutomer of mine actually called down to a friend at the border when I asked him the same question. They said that it really depends on if the TV was manufactured in the states. If it is you will only have to pay the GST at the border. If it isn't you pay GST PLUS a 5% duty. Still much cheaper to purchase in the states
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For NAFTA duty exemption, isn't an item manufactured in Mexico or the US treated the same? I thought that all goods made in Canada, US, or Mexico fell into the same category. I know that is the case with vehicles, as I just imported one. Is it different with electronics?
I am also considering going to the US to buy a plasma. I thought the duty was 3.5% on non-NAFTA displays, but maybe it is 5%. Does anyone have a document stating the truth?
Visual Apex, an online retailer, most often has the cheapest Panasonic and Pioneer prices you can find. They are based in Seattle, and allow pickup at their warehouse. They force Canadians to pay the Washington State sales tax, but I believe as non-residents, we can apply to the state to reimburse it back to us. Does anyone know the process for this?
As far as I have found, Visual Apex has the best prices on the 'Professional' Panasonic plasmas (models end in UK). Amazon.com also has some good prices (better than Vann's and Apex in some cases) if you have an American address to receive the TV. I didnt know about Vann's until reading this thread, but am pleasantly suprised with the prices I found there, especially on the 'Consumer' models.
Here is a summary of what I found:
TH-42PH10UK - $913 at Apex
TH-42PX75U - $1241 at Apex, $1150 at Vann's
TH-50PH10UK - $1448 at Apex
TH-50PX75U - $1715 at Apex, $1500 at Vann's
TH-50PZ700U - $2509 at Apex, $2430 at Vann's
TH-58PH10UK - $2090 at Apex
TH-58PZ700U - $3700 at Apex, $3800 at Vann's
TH-65PF9UK - $6,367 at Apex
TH-65PZ750U - $9000 at Vann's
It should also be noted that FutureShop's (Calgary) current flyer (in effect until Sept 20, has a great price of $1299 for the TH-42PX75U.
Besides Visual Apex, does anyone know of any online stores in the NW US that allow pick-up?
How about the retail stores in the NW? Vann's was a great find!
Besides Best Buy and Circuit City, are there other Big Box stores that I should be watching for sales on Panasonic plasmas? I may head down over US Thanksgiving and try to get in on some great sales there. I have heard it is crazy, but dont know much about it.
As also mentioned earlier,
Warranty IS a pain. I know that Panasonic's warranty is not transferrable across the border. I think for warranty service, you would have to take the plasma back to the US.