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WOW ---- New and used cars from US up to 30% cheaper - Read post #1

Poll: Are Canadian cars overpriced

  • Total votes: 335. You have voted on this poll.
I have no voice, Canadian Dealers/Manufacturers are taking advantage of the Canadian consumer
 
112
33%
In most cases, new cars purchased in the US are almost always thousands cheaper
 
149
44%
I owe no one a living, competition is good. Thank you NAFTA!
 
61
18%
With the exchange rate factored in, Canadian prices are roughly the same
 
6
2%
With the exchange rate and financing, Canadian prices are cheaper - Buy Canadian!
 
7
2%

Poll ended at Dec 28th, 2006 1:46 pm

Jr. Member
Nov 18, 2007
122 posts
3 upvotes
Windsor
EL820 wrote: Does the dealer collect this tax? Can the US Custom collect this at the border, forcing you to pay up before stamping the MSO?

The Bill of Sales from the dealer does not state the 6% tax. The sales rep told me he doesn't have to collect it. I just don't want a $2000 surprises at the US Custom when I try to brind the vehicle over.

Thanks
It is just like Canada. If tax is applicable, they collect it when the car is purchased. The check at US Customs is only to determine if the car is stolen or has outstanding liens. Good luck.
Newbie
Sep 30, 2007
73 posts
13 upvotes
Surrey
Hey, guys, I've got another question to ask (might be silly, but I'll ask anyways)....Is there any regulations barring importing new cars into Canada. I've had a few co-workers in the last few days telling me stories that they heard on the news on T.V. stating that there was such a rule and it was made in response to people importing 6 or more cars at a time, re-selling at a higher value in Canada and avoiding paying taxes on the resulting income. Anyone hear anything about that? Or know for sure that this story is B.S?
Pepsi Contest:
2007: Sidney Crosby Autographed Jersey, NHL 2008
Newbie
Feb 16, 2007
15 posts
Yes you can. I did. There is some paperwork ... of course ... but the dealer should be able to provide you with everything including submitting it for you. Actually, you're really not claiming it back ... I signed paperwork which allowed my purchase to be exempt.
giasone wrote: Monsieurmaggot.

Thanks for the info about Michigan Sales tax.

How about in Ohio, can it be claimed back there?

Thanks.
Newbie
Nov 23, 2007
48 posts
Tecumseh
Monsieurmaggot. - Thanks for the info on Ohio much appreciated! You're a really nice guy and I just want to add like others have that you started this thread is much appreciated. - Thanks again.



Zircon - Thanks for that reply, the problem I have now is convincing the Toyota dealer of this in Michigan, they are convinced that the sales tax must be paid, any idea how I convince him otherwise. Also when you say meet at the border, where exactly do you mean? At the Detroit border or at the Windsor border, since there is no neutral area to meet, it is either USA or Canada.
Newbie
Oct 21, 2007
35 posts
Montreal
dreaderus wrote: um i dont get this, why would they raise the rates based on an inquiry
This is true. My friend called his insurance about a break-in. He decided to not make a claim, but the call was recorded on his file and treated like he made the claim. His rates went up. Do not call the insurance company unless you plan to actually make a claim.
Jr. Member
Nov 18, 2007
122 posts
3 upvotes
Windsor
giasone wrote: Monsieurmaggot. - Thanks for the info on Ohio much appreciated! You're a really nice guy and I just want to add like others have that you started this thread is much appreciated. - Thanks again.



Zircon - Thanks for that reply, the problem I have now is convincing the Toyota dealer of this in Michigan, they are convinced that the sales tax must be paid, any idea how I convince him otherwise. Also when you say meet at the border, where exactly do you mean? At the Detroit border or at the Windsor border, since there is no neutral area to meet, it is either USA or Canada.
Now I see what your problem is. the Toyota dealer can only sell new vehicles to those who have residency in the USA. If you show him documentation that the car is being purchased by a MI resident, he will be obliged to charge state sales tax. So, even if your friend/relative sells to you immediately, sales tax is due on the initial sale (with the dealer). Only if the vehicle is sold directly to you and exported by the dealer can you evade sales tax. You cannot do this, as far as I can tell, because as soon the dealer knows you're Canadian and will export, he can't sell to you.

Happy New years all. I hope all of this nonsense gets settled in the new year, so that none of us has to perform these gymnastics to drive nice vehicles at reasonable cost. Cheers
Newbie
Nov 23, 2007
48 posts
Tecumseh
Zircon.

The dealer knows that i am Canadian and he has sold to other Canadians, what he does is buy the Car himself and then registers it to the dealership and then re-sells it to me. Which makes me think if the dealer purchases it, does he have to pay the 6% when he makes the purchase, this I don't know. This is how the dealers are getting around the 'you must not sell to Canadians' strategy of the manufacturers.

This is one dealer I tried, dealers in Michigan are desperate to sell because business is so bad down here so they will do whatever it takes to get the sale. I may need to try some more.
Member
Jul 20, 2007
211 posts
45 upvotes
Van
juggmon wrote: Hey, guys, I've got another question to ask (might be silly, but I'll ask anyways)....Is there any regulations barring importing new cars into Canada. I've had a few co-workers in the last few days telling me stories that they heard on the news on T.V. stating that there was such a rule and it was made in response to people importing 6 or more cars at a time, re-selling at a higher value in Canada and avoiding paying taxes on the resulting income. Anyone hear anything about that? Or know for sure that this story is B.S?
I don't have a definitive answer as it relates to cars but the Customs people do track your history of imports (not just cars....everything). If they suspect you are importing for the purpose of profit and not personal use, they can call you on it and deny further importations of the same class item.
Deal Fanatic
Jul 7, 2004
6948 posts
2695 upvotes
dreaderus wrote: hi guys i called the Canadian border agency and he said that i should stop into the canadian border on the way down and advise them of the money i am bringing into the usa (via bank draft) for some form they will fill out.

does anyone know why this is necessary? if its a extra stop to do for precaution im fine with it but i havent heard of people having to do this on amounts over 10k (just declare it at the US border)

cheers

Dreaderus
I believe it has to do with terrorism crap. They want to see how it's being paid and what exactly it is going to. On customs form I think there is a quesiton about it. I said I didn't. Then the agent at the airport asked me what I was doing, and I told him, and said I had a bank draft, he just looked at it quickly and I was on my way. If you are driving I wouldn't even bother saying anything. If they find it just say you didn't know.
juggmon wrote: Hey, guys, I've got another question to ask (might be silly, but I'll ask anyways)....Is there any regulations barring importing new cars into Canada. I've had a few co-workers in the last few days telling me stories that they heard on the news on T.V. stating that there was such a rule and it was made in response to people importing 6 or more cars at a time, re-selling at a higher value in Canada and avoiding paying taxes on the resulting income. Anyone hear anything about that? Or know for sure that this story is B.S?
In MB you can only buy and sell 4 cars a year without a dealer license.
Deal Fanatic
Jul 7, 2004
6948 posts
2695 upvotes
yyz2hkg wrote: Ummm...OK... If you really used the website above to import a vehicle, then, good for you. I hope it went smoothly because in step 7, the RIV office is in Toronto, not Ottawa. It's a step by step guide yes, but there's missing information as in telephone numbers/where to cross, etc... and very basic in form...just my 2 cents though.
2 posts, and second one is for a website, even though all the information and more is right here in this post... go figure. Why join here then?
lol
Deal Fanatic
User avatar
Oct 12, 2007
9732 posts
9503 upvotes
Winchester
novagolf wrote: I have had to replace a number of Outback windshields and they are not much (if any) more expensive than other windows IMHO. What really gets me going is when the repair place tells me straight up there are two prices ... one when I pay it myself and one when I go through insurance. In one case when I put it through insurance (after confirming with my broker that it wouldn't have ANY effect on my rates - so depending on your situation that can be true) the price on the invoice I signed (to be sent to the insurance company) was about $850 when I was quoted around $250 if I paid it myself - ARRRRRRR we are paying for that in our rates!!!!!. It was a national glass repair company!!!

In a related note have you considered one of the do-it-yourself repair kits from Walmart (that is where I saw it)? I didn't know they existed but saw one yesterday ... with a tube and suction cup to "squeeze" the filler into the crack. I have no idea how it works and just throw it out as an option ... I would have tried it myself if I had know it existed back in the summer when I repaired mine before safety inspection. The cost was only $12 or so.
I think many of us here have lived through this. One glass company from which I got 2 wildly different quotes claimed that the approvals and paperwork required by insurers was timeconsuming and significantly more complicated than a cash transaction with a costumer. In addition, they often had to wait several weeks to receive payment from insurers. Finally, they felt less pressure to be competitive when dealing with insurers whereas when dealing with customers themselves they try to keep their prices aligned with the typical deductibles out there.

All made perfect sense to me... :rolleyes:
Newbie
Oct 16, 2007
11 posts
Just pulled a trigger on a new Rogue, getting it from Michigen (Ann Arbor Automotive). Picking it up on Thursday at the Ambassador Bridge crossing, I will take Greyhound bus from To. Hope I can get off on US Customs side, where my dealer will be waiting with the car. All this to avoid state tax of 6% in Michigen... So far dealing with this dealership has been a breeze, their internet sales guy (Robert Oliver) has been very helpful and has invested time to learn everything that is needed to sell to a Canadian for export. Still haven't decided on bank draft or wire transfer, should I be weary of wire transfer before seeing the vehicle live? How much will I save, don't even ask :D
If anyone had similar experiences picking the vehicle up at Windsor - Detroit crossing please let me know how it went, I will post my experience on Friday.

Thanks to all of you for all the good info and fight for TC immobilizer rule change.
Newbie
Nov 23, 2007
48 posts
Tecumseh
Congratulations on the purchase of your new Nissan. Did you have any unexpected hickups, also would you mind telling us how much you ended up paying and how much money you saved.
Sr. Member
Nov 16, 2005
736 posts
114 upvotes
Toronto
I think the 10 K ruling has more to do with drugs than terrorism. I believe they brought that law into effect while they were fighting the "war on illicit drugs". Now they have moved on to fighting terrorism. I guess that means they won the war on drugs ;)
Jr. Member
Nov 18, 2007
122 posts
3 upvotes
Windsor
bababui wrote: Just pulled a trigger on a new Rogue, getting it from Michigen (Ann Arbor Automotive). Picking it up on Thursday at the Ambassador Bridge crossing, I will take Greyhound bus from To. Hope I can get off on US Customs side, where my dealer will be waiting with the car. All this to avoid state tax of 6% in Michigen... So far dealing with this dealership has been a breeze, their internet sales guy (Robert Oliver) has been very helpful and has invested time to learn everything that is needed to sell to a Canadian for export. Still haven't decided on bank draft or wire transfer, should I be weary of wire transfer before seeing the vehicle live? How much will I save, don't even ask :D
If anyone had similar experiences picking the vehicle up at Windsor - Detroit crossing please let me know how it went, I will post my experience on Friday.

Thanks to all of you for all the good info and fight for TC immobilizer rule change.
I think the Greyhound bus will stop in downtown Windsor, then go to downtown Detroit. You will be about 2-3 miles from the Customs office on Fort. Take a cab. It is right under the bridge. Probably best to approach from east (i.e. the cab will come this way from the bus station). When you pass under the bridge going west on Fort, watch for the fenced compound with buildings on your right. Amazing price diff in Rogue loaded, in USA and Canada. I think it is one of the biggest differentials.
Member
Dec 9, 2001
317 posts
26 upvotes
Toronto
bababui wrote: Just pulled a trigger on a new Rogue, getting it from Michigen (Ann Arbor Automotive). Picking it up on Thursday at the Ambassador Bridge crossing, I will take Greyhound bus from To. Hope I can get off on US Customs side, where my dealer will be waiting with the car. All this to avoid state tax of 6% in Michigen... So far dealing with this dealership has been a breeze, their internet sales guy (Robert Oliver) has been very helpful and has invested time to learn everything that is needed to sell to a Canadian for export. Still haven't decided on bank draft or wire transfer, should I be weary of wire transfer before seeing the vehicle live? How much will I save, don't even ask :D
If anyone had similar experiences picking the vehicle up at Windsor - Detroit crossing please let me know how it went, I will post my experience on Friday.

Thanks to all of you for all the good info and fight for TC immobilizer rule change.
How are you going to handle the warranty? I thought Nissan's need to be at least 6 months old before the warranty kicks in...
Member
User avatar
Mar 4, 2004
212 posts
5 upvotes
Kingston, Ontario
bluemule999 wrote: This is true. My friend called his insurance about a break-in. He decided to not make a claim, but the call was recorded on his file and treated like he made the claim. His rates went up. Do not call the insurance company unless you plan to actually make a claim.
I don't really want to keep taking this thread OT but as another poster said, this really depends on the nature of the inquiry (ie: having had a break in or caused an accident as opposed to a simple windshield damage)...AND how greedy your insurer is. Personally, if I had an insurance company that treated an inquiry such as this as a claim, I would dump them in a heartbeat.

Partly it depends on the relationship you have with your agent/broker as well, and you're making it clear when you call them that you are only inquiring or looking for clarification of your policy coverage...they don't even need to know that you've actually had any damage done! And NEVER call the claims centre to make such an inquiry...you know, the toll free 24 hr a day number they give you...only call your agent/broker.

Another poster said that they had a repair or replacement done (I don't recall which) and were told by their insurer that it wouldn't affect their rates and it didn't. There is a misconception here that a lot of people seem to have. It may not affect your rates right then...particularly if it is a first claim, or a first claim in a number of years...BUT IT WILL STILL BE ON YOUR RECORD AS A CLAIM and will definitely affect your rates and/or coverage if you have another claim before that one drops off of your record. Insurance companies, as most of us know, are not in the business of giving freebies!
Member
User avatar
Jan 2, 2007
306 posts
3 upvotes
bababui wrote: All this to avoid state tax of 6% in Michigen... So far dealing with this dealership has been a breeze, their internet sales guy (Robert Oliver) has been very helpful and has invested time to learn everything that is needed to sell to a Canadian for export. Still haven't decided on bank draft or wire transfer, should I be weary of wire transfer before seeing the vehicle live? How much will I save, don't even ask :D
If anyone had similar experiences picking the vehicle up at Windsor - Detroit crossing please let me know how it went, I will post my experience on Friday.
The guy got you the car and you don't have to pay the 6% sales tax? That's great! Now ... I would suggest bank draft since there are less associated fees than wire transfer. Thing is, you have to carry the cash with you and declare it when you cross the border (>$10,000 has to be declared ... it was originally to prevent drug money laundering but now terrorism is the word du jour). And yes, the bank draft also is your trump card if the deal ends up being fishy...

You're going to arrive at the new bus terminal in downtown Windsor if you're taking the Greyhound. I don't know if the Tunnel Bus stops there or the old terminal. You'll have to ask. The 'old' terminal is about 2 blocks away (~10 min walk). Bring exact change ($2.75 each way as per http://www.citywindsor.ca/001244.asp). Bring your cell with you so you can tell the salesguy where to pick you up on the Detroit side. Right by the Renaissance Center is probably the 'easiest'...

When you are ready to bring your car over via the Ambassador Bridge, be weary since there's a lot of construction going on there. It's in a shady neighbourhood (right by Mexicantown), so hopefully you will be travelling during daylight hours. If you have a GPS, bring it with you! (Or did you get a Rogue with navi?)

Sorry I can't be more help.
Banned
Mar 26, 2005
124 posts
13 upvotes
Is anyone having experience importing Lexus car from US to Toronto? I had try my best to read the thread as much as possible to search the info. However, I need the information as quick as possible because I have to make the decision of purchasing a new car very soon(like in a week)... any suggestions about where to buy and what's good & bad when importing a Lexus car from US?
Deal Addict
Jun 15, 2003
1960 posts
277 upvotes
It looks like I'll be picking up my vehicle this Thursday. I'll be taking the Greyhound down to Detroit or Windsor, and drive back with my new vehicle.

I would like to get there as early as possible, so it'll leave me ample time for the other errants when I get back to Toronto. The earliest bus arrives in Detroit at about 6:10am, or I can get off at Windsor at about 5:35am.

Which would you prefer?

Walk ~1km (5:35am) from the Windsor terminal to Casino Windsor?

OR

Walk about 0.5km (6:10am) from the Detroit terminal to the MGM Grand Casino?

I believe Detroit surpassed St. Louis to take top honours for having the highest crime rate.

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