Calling all Canadians eh !! (FastLane shoppers) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 09-26-2003, 12:27 PM

Good Day eh,

Has anyone in Canada ever ordered any parts from 'FastLane'?

With the continuing strength of the Canadian dollar and the
good prices from FastLane, it might be worth purchasing from
them. However, other than the GST and possible PST would
there be any other applicable import taxes applied to the items
purchased from FastLane?

Ontario had an import tax applied to items purchased in the US
in an attempt to curb cross boarder shopping a few years back,
so I'm curious to find out if this applies to mail order items.

It would be great if we could get FastLane set up here. I don't
know about the rest of you, but I've found parts suppliers
(jobbers) in Canada gouge just as much as the Dealers.

Thanks in advance,

bluebenz

Jackd · #2 09-26-2003, 12:56 PM

I have checked prices of Fastlane again last week as I needed:
All rear suspension links/bushings.
radiator
2 driveshaft Flex Disks.
2 front ball joints.
and some other minor things.
Even considering the improved exchange rate, when you factor in shipping & handling, prices at the local MB dealer is at a competitive level.
jackd

blackmercedes · #3 09-26-2003, 01:06 PM

I haven't used Fastlane, but have used Partsshop, and not sure why, but no import charges (brokering fees by the carrier) were charged. I inteded to broker it myself (pretty simply 10 minute job) and save the $35. UPS just brought the package anyway, and didn't charge me anything.

Bought my LiquidVac from them. I don't think they carry them anymore.

Shop around your Canuck dealers. In Alberta, we have four dealers and they have varying parts prices. Sometimes a HUGE difference! How about $110 a set for front discs vs $298?

manny · #4 09-26-2003, 04:19 PM

bluebenz

You could always have " blackmercedes " buy the parts for you in Alberta ( no provincial sales tax ).

Shipping would probably eat up the savings though.

ehmand · #5 09-26-2003, 08:17 PM

I alway use fastlane/partshop as the benchmark for prices. I ordered a used wiper transmission from Partsshop - great experience and saved me a pile of $.

When I did my brakes, I found that the parts at the local dealer was about the same as the landed, post-exchange after shipping price.

joel · #6 09-26-2003, 11:46 PM

if you own a company, and therefore have a PST registration No. you may use this to avoid the provincial tax and enjoy the
15 % off list price discount given my MB dealerships (at least
here in Vancouver.) Those are huge savings!!

manny · #7 09-27-2003, 01:17 AM

joel

Did I mention I work for Revenue Canada ?
I'll be paying you a visit next week.

DuckMuck · #8 09-27-2003, 02:15 AM

There is a store called BMV in Richmond, BC that carries parts for Mercedes-Benz...I looked into them and the prices were very cheap for front brake rotors and pads...I'm sure their prices are quite competitive for other items too...for the specific parts I wanted for a '95 E420, they carried the actually Mercedes parts with the M-B logo...not the OE manufacturer branded items...I believe they supply the parts to many of the shops in the Lower Mainland...you may give them a try...I'm sure there is an equivalent store in Ontario somewhere...you'll just need to flip through the phonebook and ask around a bit...

I really wanted to order the parts from FastLane/PartsShop...but when I did a little research...I found the shipping cost to be okay, but the taxes to be astronomical...just was not practical...good luck...

yhliem · #9 09-27-2003, 03:00 AM

ducky...where in ditchmond is BMV?

Cigar Havana · #10 09-27-2003, 10:52 AM

My understanding of the cost for Ontario customers is:

a. Land shipment - usually gets stopped by customs. If it gets stopped then you incurr 6% duty on german made parts, 0% for USA made parts, plus GST and PST, which is an additional 15%, plus customs broker clearance costs of about C$35. Duty cost may vary by specific part. This info is from revenue Canada. UPS automatically clear the shipment through customs and collect the $30-35 clearance charge upon delivery.

b. Air shipment - from USA are not usually stopped by customs, and therefore bypass duty, pst and gst.

DuckMuck · #11 09-27-2003, 10:42 PM

BMV Auto Parts Ltd.
12271 Bridgeport, Richmond
273-3636

near Ikea...

kerry · #12 09-27-2003, 11:10 PM

I had to order a carburator for my sailboat engine from the US when it failed in Frenchman's Bay. (Ontario) I thought the duty and taxes were very expensive. It was also delayed at Customs despite the fastest shipping I could get. The worse part was that I was docked next to the nuclear power plant while I was waiting for the part!

xp190 · #13 09-28-2003, 03:02 PM

I'd like to hear about part shops in Ontario, I have been looking myself for quite a while for something decent. I have a guy who supplies aftermarket parts, and if you want original you have to wait a month. I also looked around quite a bit for any place that might have parts. In the end I always ordered from partsshop and paid the broker fees, even with UPS.

xp

daddiojiggy · #14 09-28-2003, 06:54 PM

you guys just reminded me of my experience of ordering from parts/fastlane.i can't remember which one but i do remember that phil said only one would ship to canada.anyway,i got a great deal on the parts,shipping(to the border),and exchange.BUT when ups dropped it off at my house the surcharges were un#@%$^%&beleivable!htey 'acted' as my broker at the border,yadayadayada,and all this cost me between 50-60dollars!i was so pissed!just to fill out the address slip was about $4.50!all this based on an order of U$250.00.because i bought so much i think i still came out ahead but not like i thought i was going to.
caveat emptor,brown blows!