Car Accessories

[Eagle Eye]

Anyone had any luck buying car accessories over the internet? Know of any websites that have a good selection, and a better price then going to the dealer in town? I am looking to buy roof rack rails and the price in town is $239, I have found one website that sells them from $125 plus $45 shipping.

Also how do I determine if I have to pay any duty on products? If something is manufactured in the US does that mean that I do not have to pay?

Thanks

[Burninator]

I buy car parts from the internet all the time and I have never had a problem. Car parts in the US are typically cheaper than here in Canada, so that American price could be the real deal. The most likely way you are going to save money on duty is if it is shipped by USPS.

[Eagle Eye]

How do you estimate duty charges?

Also what websites/companies are you using?

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by Burninator

I buy car parts from the internet all the time and I have never had a problem. Car parts in the US are typically cheaper than here in Canada, so that American price could be the real deal. The most likely way you are going to save money on duty is if it is shipped by USPS.

Duty is the same no matter how it is shipped afaik. You are probably thinking of the brokerage charges that UPS will make you pay out of the nose for. To avoid those, USPS is indeed the way to go.

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by Eagle Eye

How do you estimate duty charges?

Also what websites/companies are you using?

I usually use sites that are specific to my car (Mazda 3) or mazda3forums.com where online dealers usually give us 3 owners a discount. I am not really sure of any that would help you specifically. Don't forget to give ebay a try.

Not really sure how to estimate the boarder charges, there was a thread a while back that talked pretty in depth about the whole process, I'll see if I can dig it up.

EDIT: Here are some threads about brokerage fees.
http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=19929
http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...ight=brokerage

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

Duty is the same no matter how it is shipped afaik. You are probably thinking of the brokerage charges that UPS will make you may out of the nose for. To avoid those, USPS is indeed the way to go.

Yup you are right. I always confuse the two.