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Frank,
In response to your questions on international trading of sports cards;
I've done/am doing several deals with several different individuals in the
U.S.A. we don't really seem to have any set method.
I.E.
1. A guy is sending me some cards that I purchased from him for less than
$6.U.S. When they arrive, I will put actual cash (U.S. $)to cover the cards and
his postage into an envelop and mail it to him. Because the transaction is so
small, it doesn't warant getting a money order,etc.
2. Another guy and myself have been trading and buying for each other (depending
on which of us can get a better price) for several months. We just run
a two way tab. so far, neither one of us has sent the other a dime. We
run the tab based upon U.S. $, with me converting any Cdn purchases
to U.S. $ at 15% exchange.
We don't charge each other the postage unless it's over a buck.
3. Another is mailing me a card no charge cause it's only worth less than one
dollar. He'll also eat the postage. I'll simply owe this guy a similar favour.
4. If you really trust someone and it's a purchase from a business down there,
you can always give him all your VISA card info and let him do it for you.
5. another method I've used is that if someone in the U.S. wants a lot of cards,
I'll take his list to a local store that I trust, let them pull and price
everything they have. I inspect it for quality or accuracy of condition, relay
the price down to the guy in the U.S. and he will then complete the transaction
with the shop via phone or mail directly. This lets him avoid paying any GST or
PST.
I big point to keep in mind is that if you have to send money to the U.S., use
either a postal money order or a bank draft. either one should be in U.S. Funds.
If you send a cheque in Cdn funds, most U.S. banks treat it like it carries the
AIDS virus.
If you write a cheque on your Cdn account but in U.S. $, the other guy's bank
will hit him with a transaction fee of about $5.00 regardless of the value of
the cheque and so will your bank.
Another point to keep in mind is taxes;
1. A purchase at point of sale will be subject to local taxes. Whereas, dealing
with the same company via mail order avoids taxes. (remember that GST and PST
here in Ontario works out to 16.91% on top of the sale price.
2. For a Cdn buying from the U.S., any order at $40. or less CDN, is not subject
to any Cdn Customs taxation (I.E. GST). Over $40. in value and it is.
Hope this helps you and any others thinking about it.
Regards,
R.M.F.
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RE: Trans-border transportation-
1. Do not use inter company mail, especially across the border. It is
often checked to ensure that it is indeed business related printed
matter. If it isn't it is often trashed or returned to sender .
2. I recommend plain old Air Mail. If it's ever lost, you'll likely
never recover the money from the post office, but I've never had
anthing lost. The plus is that the customs documentation requirements
are both simple and minimal. Average transit time via mail between the
N.E. area and Ottawa area is about 8 days.
3. If you use Purolator or UPS you get into customs clearance hassles.
Regards,
R.M.F.
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