Whiteflash reps look here!

[sydney]

Nice website. I imagine business is improving steadily.
Why don''t you get better service to Canada-especially regarding exchanges? You would corner an overlooked market. Bluenile is the only place that I know of that offers headahe free returns across the border. I called Whiteflash once inquiring about my options in the event I return a diamond- the person I was speaking with was clueless. And NO NO NO I can''t drive to the nearest border.Most people are forking out a sizeable amount of money- the extra assitance in the customer service department for your neighbours to the north would do nothing but benefit you and make your business grow even more. When I purchase my next diamond it would be from you if you could offer me hassle free cross border exchange. You have beautiful stones- please let me spend some money at your site! I know I am not the only Canadian who feels this way. Don''t let bluenile steal more of your customers!

 

[WinkHPD]

Sidney,

Why don''t you tell us a little more about what you mean. I live in Boise, Idaho for example and have no idea what you need from us to make it simple to return things.

What can we do to make your life easier?

Wink

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 9/30/2006 1:46:41 AM
Author:sydney

Nice website. I imagine business is improving steadily.
Why don't you get better service to Canada-especially regarding exchanges? You would corner an overlooked market. Bluenile is the only place that I know of that offers headahe free returns across the border. I called Whiteflash once inquiring about my options in the event I return a diamond- the person I was speaking with was clueless. And NO NO NO I can't drive to the nearest border.Most people are forking out a sizeable amount of money- the extra assitance in the customer service department for your neighbours to the north would do nothing but benefit you and make your business grow even more. When I purchase my next diamond it would be from you if you could offer me hassle free cross border exchange. You have beautiful stones- please let me spend some money at your site! I know I am not the only Canadian who feels this way. Don't let bluenile steal more of your customers!

Hear hear!

We have many wonderful Canadian customers and would love more. Like Wink, I’m interested in knowing more about the headaches. Can you be more specific? If you’re talking about excise tax, that’s governmental. Is this a customs issue? Insurance?

I know of a situation where a Canadian client took delivery of a diamond, then came across the border to ship it back and forth for setting. Maybe this is the border-driver example?

We have established on this board that I’m a lover of Canadians (right W2B?)

so if you provide specifics I’ll get back to you with answers at the least – and solutions if available.

 

[sydney]

These are the specific issues Canadians face. Its not the buying of the diamond ( btw excise on luxury goods/sparklies shipped to Canada has been abolished as of this May) its the option of returning it for whatever reason.
I live 8 hours from the nearest border so driving is NOT an option.
Canadapost, fedex canada or any other Canadian courier company will not insure anything more than $500.

That means I have to get third party insurance. Who should I use? How much extra? Whats the best quote? If your company had this insurance set up specifically for Canadian customers, perhaps you could get a discount as you have more buying power as a company than I do as an individual.
I am not sure what your average point of sale is, but I imagine its quite high. Therefore, I think its reasonable to suggest that your company should do the homework and provide viable options instead of making the consumer scramble. Its much more easier if its all done through one place (ie you provide the jewelry and the insurance). I imagine that you would have to charge Canadians more (hopefully not too much) but it would be more efficient and provide your customers peace of mind knowing eveything was looked after in one place.

 

[VINA]

Sydney,

I feel your pain... I know exactly what you are talking about. I hope WF, GOG and other vendors listen.

I drive across the border to pickup the ring at a Fedex station on a Saturday. I have to convince GOG to ship by Fedex because UPS holding stations don''t open on Saturday. Their initial argument was that their insurance people won''t allow them to ship with Fedex. They finally agree to ship by Fedex but I have to remind them everytime. If they ship by UPS, I would have to take friday off work to pick up the stone.

Are you sure Canada Post don''t insure expensive Jewelry. I just ship a camera to Montreal and insure it for $2,000. The camera arrive the day after (they promise) and they quickly refund my full shipping cost.

 

[sydney]

Yes I am sure. If Canada Post knows you are sending jewelry to the States they will only insure $500. Other items you can purchase more insurance $ for but NOT jewelry.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Regarding the Canada-wide issue of $500 max insurance allowed by any courier for returns to the US:

Sydney, you’re correct. I asked some of the company vets about this. We have abundant Canadian clients but little experience with them needing to return items. Your ‘charge Canadians more’ suggestion was considered but never applied since we didn't want to raise prices for all Canadians.

I think every vendor here would like to make things as easy as possible for clients when it makes sound business sense. I’ll begin a new thread posing this question to other PS professionals. Perhaps there is a solution we are unaware of. We’re open to input.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 9/30/2006 6:55:09 PM
Author: VINA

Sydney,

I feel your pain... I know exactly what you are talking about. I hope WF, GOG and other vendors listen.

I drive across the border to pickup the ring at a Fedex station on a Saturday. I have to convince GOG to ship by Fedex because UPS holding stations don't open on Saturday. Their initial argument was that their insurance people won't allow them to ship with Fedex. They finally agree to ship by Fedex but I have to remind them everytime. If they ship by UPS, I would have to take friday off work to pick up the stone.

Are you sure Canada Post don't insure expensive Jewelry. I just ship a camera to Montreal and insure it for $2,000. The camera arrive the day after (they promise) and they quickly refund my full shipping cost.

We’ve experienced this as well. Our two countries are close in so many ways, but dysfunctions do exist. Last year we shipped overnight to a client and, to our surprise, found out Canadian FedEx stations would be closed for a holiday the next day (a weekday!). What’s more, the client was the one to inform us: FedEx didn't alert us and there was no notice on their website. We arrived at a solution but it took effort from both sides of the border.

On Sydney’s point, I had experience with the insurance issue myself this summer. I was vacationing in BC and one of my travel companions purchased gifts for others. He wanted to ship them home but not enough insurance was available. The store told him the best option was to carry them to Seattle and ship from there. I don’t know what he would have done if we had not planned on returning to the US to fly home.

…And what’s up with that 55-yard line?

By the way, the golf, fishing and hiking was great this summer. You know it’s a great day when you make a put for par next to a waterfall with deer strolling across the green.

 

[JohnQuixote]

By the way again, as amazing as it all was, the most extraordinary thing about the above is me making par.

 

[canuk-gal]

Date: 10/2/2006 6:53:22 PM
Author: JohnQuixote
By the way again, as amazing as it all was, the most extraordinary thing about the above is me making par.

HI:

Even with all those little windmills?

Just kidding of course...speaking of courses, which one did you shoot par?

cheers--Sharon

 

[Rhino]

HiI syndney, hey Vina,

Caught this thread. Intersting news here indeed.

Date: 9/30/2006 5:50:14 PM
Author: sydney
These are the specific issues Canadians face. Its not the buying of the diamond ( btw excise on luxury goods/sparklies shipped to Canada has been abolished as of this May) its the option of returning it for whatever reason.
I live 8 hours from the nearest border so driving is NOT an option.
Canadapost, fedex canada or any other Canadian courier company will not insure anything more than $500.

That means I have to get third party insurance. Who should I use? How much extra? Whats the best quote? If your company had this insurance set up specifically for Canadian customers, perhaps you could get a discount as you have more buying power as a company than I do as an individual.
I am not sure what your average point of sale is, but I imagine its quite high. Therefore, I think its reasonable to suggest that your company should do the homework and provide viable options instead of making the consumer scramble. Its much more easier if its all done through one place (ie you provide the jewelry and the insurance). I imagine that you would have to charge Canadians more (hopefully not too much) but it would be more efficient and provide your customers peace of mind knowing eveything was looked after in one place.

This is very interesting & exciting news indeed. No more extra taxes on goods shipped to Canada?!?! Am I reading this right?

If this is indeed the case and it''s only the issue of 3rd party insurance then this is a common issue in the States as well which is alleviated by one of 2 ways that I am aware of.

1. In our country shipping via the United States Post Office through registered mail insures the product and at a very affordable price. It doesn''t get to the destination overnight but the package is still insured and is one of the safest methods. Perhaps Canada has a service of like kind?

2. The second option I am aware of is that we can provide the purchaser with the necessary paperwork in which they can use our 3rd party insurance carrier if they needed to ship an item back to us. In the US, consumers are also limited to the $500 ceiling when doing it on their own without a 3rd party insurer. Generally we''ll have clients who are returning merchandise ship it to us via the local USPS service but if there is some emergency we can have it shipped overnight and provide them the paperwork. This is the more expensive route of course but if its your only option it still beats you taking out a seperate account for 3rd party insurance.

Our 3rd party insurance covers us for UPS overnight insured shipping which is our norm but out of country they''ll cover us with FedEx which is why you''ve probably had to make those requests Vina.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 10/2/2006 6:58:00 PM
Author: canuk-gal
HI:

Even with all those little windmills?

Just kidding of course...speaking of courses, which one did you shoot par?

cheers--Sharon

I didn''t par the course of course - if I did I''d still be there celebrating.

I was on in 2 (below) and 2-putted for par on #17 at Olympic View, Vancouver Island.

 

[WinkHPD]

RE: 1. In our country shipping via the United States Post Office through registered mail insures the product and at a very affordable price. It doesn''t get to the destination overnight but the package is still insured and is one of the safest methods. Perhaps Canada has a service of like kind?
=====================

Jon,

That insurance stops at the border. If it gets to the Canadian border but does not reach the right recipient you have NO coverage...

The USPS kind of forgets to tell you that until there is a loss.

Wink

 

[JohnQuixote]

And no windmills or clowns, but I wan't kidding about the deer. Incredible country.

Hey Rhino & Wink - I began a new thread here to discuss the insurance question in a more topic-specific thread. I'd appreciate input from both of you guys if you don't mind giving it there.

PS Rhino - FYI, Canada Post max for registered insured coming to the US is $1K and for jewelry is $500.

 

[Rhino]

Thanks Wink and John.

I''ll head over to that thread at first opportune John. Thanks for the link. Were you or are you aware of this news that excise taxes into Canada were canceled as of May? I generally don''t handle the shipping here but I wasn''t told about it. Did you guys know this? Does this mean that Canadians don''t have to figure an additional (approx. 20-25%) on merchandise shipped to them or were only part of the taxes canceled?

Peace,

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Quite a few natural obstacles John.

You do get around - probably the fact you never sleep means you do more than most.
BTW thx for kind words on another thread. I do not like to tout for biz.

 

[hlmr]

Date: 10/2/2006 8:08:17 PM
Author: Rhino
Thanks Wink and John.

I'll head over to that thread at first opportune John. Thanks for the link. Were you or are you aware of this news that excise taxes into Canada were canceled as of May? I generally don't handle the shipping here but I wasn't told about it. Did you guys know this? Does this mean that Canadians don't have to figure an additional (approx. 20-25%) on merchandise shipped to them or were only part of the taxes canceled?

Peace,

Hi!

The excise tax (10%) has been cancelled and the goods and services tax has been reduced from 7% to 6%. The provincial tax remains in place, so Canadians are now looking at an paying an additional 14% on merchandise shipped to them in Ontario (8% provincial tax). Provincial tax varies from province to province just like it does from state to state.

HTH!

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 10/2/2006 8:08:17 PM
Author: Rhino
Thanks Wink and John.

I'll head over to that thread at first opportune John. Thanks for the link. Were you or are you aware of this news that excise taxes into Canada were canceled as of May? I generally don't handle the shipping here but I wasn't told about it. Did you guys know this? Does this mean that Canadians don't have to figure an additional (approx. 20-25%) on merchandise shipped to them or were only part of the taxes canceled?

Peace,

Great, thanks. I'm not involved in sales, so I was not aware, but our shipping people told me it happened back in May when I was asking them about our Canadian clients today.

CJA release from May.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Date: 10/2/2006 8:18:32 PM
Author: hlmr

Date: 10/2/2006 8:08:17 PM
Author: Rhino
Thanks Wink and John.

I''ll head over to that thread at first opportune John. Thanks for the link. Were you or are you aware of this news that excise taxes into Canada were canceled as of May? I generally don''t handle the shipping here but I wasn''t told about it. Did you guys know this? Does this mean that Canadians don''t have to figure an additional (approx. 20-25%) on merchandise shipped to them or were only part of the taxes canceled?

Peace,

Hi!

The excise tax (10%) has been cancelled and the goods and services tax has been reduced from 7% to 6%. The provincial tax remains in place, so Canadians are now looking at an paying an additional 14% on merchandise shipped to them in Ontario (8% provincial tax). Provincial tax varies from province to province just like it does from state to state.

HTH!

What a messy system you''all have.

When we had 10% GST value added tax initiated in 2000ish, the federal Govt collects it all and gives it back to the states pro rata - that way there is only one rule and centralized collection.
The fedral govt makes its revenue from income and company tax.

That way too - the states loose control on setting the taxes and must cut their clothe appropriately.

 

[hlmr]

Date: 10/2/2006 8:34:21 PM
Author: Garry H (Cut Nut)

Date: 10/2/2006 8:18:32 PM
Author: hlmr

Date: 10/2/2006 8:08:17 PM
Author: Rhino
Thanks Wink and John.

I''ll head over to that thread at first opportune John. Thanks for the link. Were you or are you aware of this news that excise taxes into Canada were canceled as of May? I generally don''t handle the shipping here but I wasn''t told about it. Did you guys know this? Does this mean that Canadians don''t have to figure an additional (approx. 20-25%) on merchandise shipped to them or were only part of the taxes canceled?

Peace,

Hi!

The excise tax (10%) has been cancelled and the goods and services tax has been reduced from 7% to 6%. The provincial tax remains in place, so Canadians are now looking at an paying an additional 14% on merchandise shipped to them in Ontario (8% provincial tax). Provincial tax varies from province to province just like it does from state to state.

HTH!

What a messy system you''all have.

When we had 10% GST value added tax initiated in 2000ish, the federal Govt collects it all and gives it back to the states pro rata - that way there is only one rule and centralized collection.
The fedral govt makes its revenue from income and company tax.

That way too - the states loose control on setting the taxes and must cut their clothe appropriately.

Actually, we are very happy to be paying less tax!

Do you have state taxes and are they uniform across Australia?