Crossbow Advice - Excalibur

[300H&H]

I thinking about buying the Excalibur Phoenix with the scope and bolt package. I think this set up will do me well for a start.
Ive been doing a lot of price shopping. Here in Kelowna the best price seems to be a Grouse River. $699 in their up coming fall flyer. I like to support local bussinesses but the difference in price is about $100 if I buy on line. From Bowhunters Super Store its $550 + 35 S/H + 10% exchange = $620cdn. I don't thing we have to pay US state tax if it comes to Canada.

What are your thoughts ?

[Bowzone_Mikey]

plus duty and Brokerage

BHS uses UPs for large items ... expect over a 150 in brokerage fees by UPs

you are way better off to support local

[Jehiah]

Im curious as to why all crossbows seem to come with a scope attached/package deal.
Wouldnt the trajectory of the bolt still be best suited to an open sight system similar to that of compound sights?
So if you feel comfortable holding over or under for all given ranges but one (whatever you dial your scope into) then go for that - but Id be tempted to keep an eye out for some multiple pin open sights. if they exist?

[Deerwhacker]

Most crossbow scopes are multi reticuled , I have a Excalibur equinox and my scope has arrows for 4 different yardages 20,30,40,50..even though 50 should only ever be used on the shooting bag .
Btw good choice on the Excalibur (less moveing parts = reliability).

[tracker]

Stick with Glen and his staff at grouse river outfitters ,great guys to deal with,sounds like it will cost alot more coming from the states anyway,and you have to wait for it, who knows how long.... keep er local

[Crimson Viking]

I too have been looking at that package, but cant spend the $$ after having to replace the tranny on my truck. Mabey next year ill go for the kootney elk archery season. i like to support local too, but this is the best deal i found , in canada

http://www.lebaron.ca/pdffiles/web_s...ur_phoenix.pdf

[bad arrow]

I just bought an equinox and all I have is a peep sight, works great out to 40 yds max, and is surprisingly accurate, a scope would be nice in the failing light of course and I'll get one as finances allow me to. Got mine at wholesale in kamloops, 689.00, probably could have gotten a better deal somewhere else, I like the bow.

[Ddog]

well i dont think you will be saving much money by going US, brokerage fees are minimal if its one item you are shipping to here, however, there will be a brokerage fee.
here is a breakdown for you.
Guide for Canadians to Ordering Online from American Shops


Author: Thomas Dembie

What often looks like a steal online from an American retailer can very easily turn into a not-so-great deal as a result of hidden fees that you might not be aware of. On this page you'll find everything you need to know about ordering your wakeboard gear from the US, including what those hidden fees are, how to find them and how to minimize them.

Brokerage Fees

Here's a great explanation... "When you ship something to Canada, you're essentially hiring someone (the shipping company) to represent you to bring goods across the border. The brokerage fees are usually a percentage of the shipment's value or a minimum fee. It's much like a handling fee and what a broker will do is fill in the appropriate paperwork, often just a single form stating the package's content and value, and send it and the appropriate duty and taxes to the government. When you ship something by air, there usually isn't a separate brokerage brokerage fee, it's included in the base charge. Shipping by air is generally more expensive."
Source: http://www.cbc.ca/streetcents/archiv...17/s07_01.html

Brokerage Fees & Shipping Options

UPS - The Villain

UPS charges the highest brokerage fees in the industry - from what I have read. These fees are often 'hidden' to most customers, since they are not included in the item price or the shipping and are separate from the taxes (discussed below). For example, if I were to order a wakeboard for $325 USD from UPS, according to their brokerage fee schedule, I would have to pay $35.55 brokerage + $5.85 disbursement (minimum) + $4.25 fee for collecting brokerage charge. Add taxes, shipping and convert this order to Canadian funds and this order no longer looks like a deal. Apparently you can set it up to clear customs by yourself, but trying to figure out how is as easy as turning water to gold. If your order is shipped UPS when you were told it would be shipped with another company, you can refuse to accept the order & charges and it will be sent back to the retailer.
Source: http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shi...clearance.html

USPS

With USPS, "For all casual and commercial items valued under 1,200 Canadian dollars, Canada Post will collect the assessed duties and excise taxes and a handling fee of 5 Canadian dollars from the addressee." That's it! No more hidden charges. The brokerage fees and taxes will either be collected when the item is delivered to your door, or when you pick it up at your local post office - depending on the USPS shipping method selected.
Source: http://ircalc.usps.gov/Observations/Canada.htm

Fedex

Fedex charges brokerage fees based on the value of your order. Instead of paying the amount up front, Fedex will send you an invoice in the mail. The problem is that they don't list them on their site, so we contacted Fedex and got them to send us the list! Here it is (pdf).

Taxes

Each item entering the country will be charged GST (7%) and PST (Provincial tax - varies by province) based on the declared value.

Duties

Under NAFTA, items that are deemed manufactured in the US (and Mexico) are duty free. A duty (percentage) may be charged if the item is manufactured in another country.

The Bottom Line

Make sure you know what company will be used for shipping your order to Canada. If the retailer only uses UPS and you want to minimize your costs, try e-mailing them to see if they can ship using another company. If they won't, look elsewhere or be prepared to pay major fees.

[The Hermit]

I avoid using UPS at all costs... total rip! If retailers won't ship by USPS then I don't buy, period.

[300H&H]

Well I've got a email in to Grouse River requesting a price match with LaBaron. They should be getting back to me Monday.
Thanks for all the info.