wryeone | 23 Jan 2019 7:34 p.m. PST |
Hi guys, I'm in Vancouver and need a few figures for a convention in April and was wondering if anyone can recommend a good Canadian store that would have some in stock. (Or, you know, you have some in the basement you'd part with). I don't mind dealing with brick and mortar stores, but the local ones don't have any in stock. I'm open to suggestions. any thoughts? |
Marcus Brutus | 24 Jan 2019 5:46 a.m. PST |
Why wouldn't you order a few packs from a manufacturer? |
wryeone | 24 Jan 2019 11:51 a.m. PST |
Oh, sorry, I thought that was implicit in the question. I'm looking for a Canadian source because Canadian import duties are excessive on packages over about $20. USD I'm unaware of a Canadian manufacturer who carries them. But perhaps someone knows of one. |
Marcus Brutus | 24 Jan 2019 12:33 p.m. PST |
I import figures all the time into Canada and have rarely ever been dinged by HST/Canada Post. If it is coming from the UK and under $40 USD probably no risk at all. I doubt there is any store that stocks 15mm Successor Pikemen in Canada. |
wryeone | 24 Jan 2019 12:54 p.m. PST |
That sort of story is also helpful, of course. Did you go with Xyston or Essex? |
RobSmith | 24 Jan 2019 2:02 p.m. PST |
I dunno about Canada, but when I was importing a lot of miniatures into the US it helped if the shipper called them "toys" or "game pieces" instead of "miniatures." If the duty form used "miniatures" then they would often be taxed as if they are porcelain collectibles. Whereas toys and game pieces had no import tariffs. |
Marcus Brutus | 24 Jan 2019 2:38 p.m. PST |
I game 28mm so figures from Footsore, Warlord, Foundry, 1st Corp. Used to game a lot of 15mm. There just isn't the brick and mortar stores like there used to be. I went to Meeple Mart in Toronto a few weeks back. Superb collection of fantasy figures but hardly any historical figures of any scale. |
Fred Mills | 24 Jan 2019 6:28 p.m. PST |
Have you tried contacting Sentry Box in Calgary? |
wryeone | 24 Jan 2019 10:01 p.m. PST |
Yes, they were out, and so is Imperial Hobbies in Richmond. But I don't know what other big stores might be out there further east. |
Bryan at 50 Paces | 24 Jan 2019 11:31 p.m. PST |
I'm in Vancouver too. I'm not aware of any Canadian source. I'd suggest ordering online direct as my experience mirrors Marcus Brutus'. I assume you mean Trumpeter Salute in April. You could post on their Facebook group to see if anyone has any to part with. There used a dedicated group of us there into 15mm ancients. I don't gave any successor armies, myself. |
gisbygeo | 25 Jan 2019 8:19 a.m. PST |
I live in Canada too, and so long as it's shipped by Mail rather than by Fedex or similar, even if they DO ding you, it will be for $5.00 USD plus GST. It may have changed, but toy soldiers were a 'no tariff' item for years – the charge was for their opening the box. Usually they don't bother. Fedex and other couriers will charge a bloody fortune for bringing stuff through customs (but you can pick up the paperwork and do it yourself – They rely on that being too much trouble) So if you can, specify shipping by Post rather than courier. |
gisbygeo | 25 Jan 2019 8:19 a.m. PST |
Oh, and shipping from the UK is usually cheaper than postage within Canada. |
wryeone | 29 Jan 2019 1:07 p.m. PST |
Way ahead of you, Bryan, but of course, not everyone's on FB. Very helpful, everyone |