Anyone pledge anything from Kickstarter? Experiences?

Jul 16th, 2015 2:30 pm

#1

szhaoo [OP]: Newbie; Jul 15, 2015; 4 posts; 3 upvotes; Mississauga, ON

Jul 16th, 2015 2:30 pm

Anyone pledge anything from Kickstarter? Experiences?

I've recently pledged $170 USD (around $220 CAD) for a watch off Kickstarter and I'm just wondering if anyone has had any experiences with shipping/duties. It's made in the USA so according to NAFTA there should be no duties right? Only provincial taxes?

Just being cautious/paranoid because recently I've been hit with fees that cost 40% of my entire purchase on international orders.

Thanks in advance!

Jul 16th, 2015 9:39 pm

#2

Jucius Maximus: Deal Expert; Aug 18, 2005; 21124 posts; 5803 upvotes; Burlington-Hamilton

Jul 16th, 2015 9:39 pm

Your exposure is Provincial taxes and the shipping company's brokerage. Those huge 40% fees are due to exploitive brokerage fees used by shipping companies.

I got lucky with my last Kickstarter. The $300 order was shipped from Arizona by USPS but I still lucked out and won the customs lottery again, with NO taxes or brokerage charged.

Winning the customs lottery with USPS is random. You cannot predict it.

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+1

Jul 17th, 2015 8:13 am

#3

eonibm: Deal Expert; Aug 2, 2010; 15196 posts; 4992 upvotes; Here 'n There

Jul 17th, 2015 8:13 am

If I am going to have something shipped from the US into Canada I always request United States parcel service (USPS). I win the customs lottery every single time.

And yes I know some companies will not ship USPS. I simply don't order from them.

+1

Jul 17th, 2015 8:41 am

#4

kocoman: Deal Addict; Feb 23, 2004; 3461 posts; 286 upvotes; Calgary

Jul 17th, 2015 8:41 am

what shipping company does it use?

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Jul 17th, 2015 9:30 am

#5

coriolis: Deal Expert; May 22, 2005; 20785 posts; 6259 upvotes; GTA

Jul 17th, 2015 9:30 am

Shipping company will depend on the what service they use, in most cases you really don't choose. Look at their KS page and ask a question if needed.

+1

Jul 17th, 2015 10:34 am

#6

szhaoo [OP]: Newbie; Jul 15, 2015; 4 posts; 3 upvotes; Mississauga, ON

Jul 17th, 2015 10:34 am

I've messaged the owner asking about shipping info and they said they will mark it as a "gift" valued at $30.. does this mean I'm off the hook?

Jul 17th, 2015 12:10 pm

#7

Kasakato: Deal Expert; Mar 25, 2005; 22389 posts; 3263 upvotes

Jul 17th, 2015 12:10 pm

szhaoo wrote: ↑I've messaged the owner asking about shipping info and they said they will mark it as a "gift" valued at $30.. does this mean I'm off the hook?

$20 and up is subject to tax. If shipped via Canada Post it's unlikely to be caught.

+1

Jul 17th, 2015 12:15 pm

#8

Jimboski: Deal Expert; May 8, 2009; 50453 posts; 6513 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 17th, 2015 12:15 pm

szhaoo wrote: ↑I've messaged the owner asking about shipping info and they said they will mark it as a "gift" valued at $30.. does this mean I'm off the hook?

You should be okay, $20 and under is the safe zone but something $10 more i doubt they would take the time to process duties and taxes on that.

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+1

Jul 17th, 2015 6:11 pm

#9

coriolis: Deal Expert; May 22, 2005; 20785 posts; 6259 upvotes; GTA

Jul 17th, 2015 6:11 pm

And if it gets damaged/lost, well you're only legible to claim $30. Definitely worst case scenario, but it can happen.

+1

Jul 18th, 2015 4:13 pm

#10

Zaku_4: Jr. Member; Jan 10, 2007; 189 posts; 22 upvotes

Jul 18th, 2015 4:13 pm

Have only pledged for one thing, a tool, and it's been like 2 to 3 years in the making still.

And this is the problem with kickstarter. They may be great inventors or engineers but they are poor business people and their projects get dragged and tossed along the entire process due to their lack of experience, which just leads to higher than expected cost or even eventual failure to launch

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