eBay

00nevermind00 · ‎02-06-2013

Hello, this is not actually about ebay selling, although it could be of use to people thinking about selling vinyl records. Also, I didn't know where else to ask the question.

I need to send 8 vinyl records to the US, including two double albums. These are rare vinyls that were never issued on CD that I want to have transferred to digital by a professional who has offered to do this for me. How do I send the albums down to the US without breaking the bank? I know Canada Post is going to charge me an arm and a leg (maybe even two of each!) for the privilege. Would UPS or Fedex be cheaper? Should I insure with Upic?

Any advice would be appreciated.

toff3 · ‎02-07-2013

I would suggest you use Canada Post's Expedited Parcel - USA service. It is fast and reliable and insurance coverage of $100 is included. A 3 kg parcel would set you back between $19 and $22 or so, with the PayPal shipping discount applied ($23.32 to $26.21 with the VentureOne discount).

I doubt that any courier could beat that price.

Tom

00nevermind00 · ‎02-08-2013

Thank you very much for the reply. Expedited Parcel sounds like a good choice and I'll definitely look into it.

around_again_records · ‎02-08-2013

Another thing to consider is to make sure they are sent back to you via USPS; whatever service they offer with the insurance coverage you are happy with.

Don't use one of the couriers or you could get slammed with a large fee upon delivery. I Can't remember off the top of my head what they call it, but I learned the hard way. I bought a record for 3 dollars + 7 dollars postage and when it was delivered had to pay 22.00 to UPS before they would give me the record. NEVER AGAIN.

You may still have to pay a customs charge when they arrive back to you but it won't be anywhere near the UPS charge. Maybe someone else knows what this fee is called.

toff3 · ‎02-08-2013

It was a customs brokerage fee. Yes, avoid the couriers like a plague.

Tom

00nevermind00 · ‎02-08-2013

Thanks! I already know about the couriers from reading these boards. Apparently, so does the guy who's going to do the digital transfers for me because he said he'd ship back using USPS before I even asked.

Theoretically at least, I should be paying tax on the digital transfers but not on the vinyl albums, since they're already mine to begin with. Right? Now it's only a matter of figuring out how to declare them on the customs form so that it's obvious my own vinyls are being returned to me. I'm certainly open to suggestions.

toff3 · ‎02-08-2013

I have no idea of the value of these old records. Unless it's very high, I shouldn't think the CBSA would give you much trouble.

Suggest to your US partner that he declare them as "Used LP records. Returned property of addressee" or something along those lines and value them low (like $22 maybe?).

Tom