Ludwig Bonham Classic maple kit

[Caprice]

Hello everyone. I've been reading this forum since a couple of weeks, at least since I have discovered an interest in regard of a Ludwig 5pc John Bonham Classic Maple Kit. First, I would like to say that english is not my first language, so, it could be possible for you to not understand what I say. If it's the case, just tell me!

So, my question was about the price of that kit. I have 2 choices.

The first one would be to buy it here in Québec, Canada. It costs 3100$ CND + tx (about 3565$ CND) and it will take 2 monts for me to get it. Thing is, I don't want to wait 2 months :)

I know poeple in Nashville who could help me get the kit faster and at a greater price.

So they went at Guitar Center and asked for the price of the same kit.

Sub total: $2,949.99
> shipping: $12.00
> Tax: $273.98
> Total: $3,235.97 USD

My friends would get the kit by the end of the month (that's what the assistant MGR said) and they would bring it down in Québec real soon.

What do you thing about that? What would you do, beeing somebody who wants this kit right now ? What do you thing of the prices? All opinions are welcome.

Thank You.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

What is it going to cost in tariff to bring the drum from the US to Canada. Won't they have to claim it at the border.

[harryconway]

Might wanna shop around some more, that seems high, unless you're getting hardware also. http://cgi.ebay.com/Ludwig-Green-Sparkle-14-16-18-26-John-Bonham-NEW_W0QQitemZ130122598598QQihZ003QQcategoryZ64440Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem this is for a brand new green sparkle kit, and he ships worldwide.

[Caprice]

Yeah it includes all the hardware, it's the L8264LM kit, not the L8264LX.

The kit includes:

- 26x14" bass drum
-2 snare drum stands
-16x16" floor tom
-3 cymbal stands
-18x16" floor tom
-1 hihat stand
-14x12" rack tom
-1 foot pedal (skweak king)
-6.5x14" metal snare drum
-bass drum spurs

What is it going to cost in tariff to bring the drum from the US to Canada. Won't they have to claim it at the border.
That is my biggest worry right now and I have no answer for this question.

[PureRockFury]

I put a write up on the Pearl Drummers Forum yesterday about how cross boarder purchases work.

I'll paste it here:

If you are looking to purchase kits from the US, now is the time. With the recent spike of our Canadian Dollar (the Loonie) exchange rates are at a 30 year low.

Right now $1.00 Canadian is worth $0.94 US Dollars.

A $1400.00 US dollar drum set would cost you $1488.89 Canadian dollars. But of course you would have to add shipping costs, GST, brokerage fees (WHICH IT IS ILLEGAL FOR UPS TO CHARGE YOU FOR - JUST SOMETHING I FOUND OUT), and any other fun cross boarder charges you might come across.

A hint about the UPS thing...UPS and FedEx both have large class action suits against them because they are collecting brokerage fees, usually very high, to fill out papers on your behalf to clear customs.

I spoke to a UPS driver and confirmed this. When the UPS driver gets to your place with a package that has brokerage and duty (GST), simply refuse the package and tell them you will pick it up at the warehouse. Pick the package up at the warehouse and you shouldn't have to pay any brokerage fee. If they try to charge it you can refuse it and legally take your package with you. HOWEVER you MUST pay the GST on the package if applicable.

Here are accounts from another forum [Drumshed.org] where people tried this and it worked:

Frank from Unix Custom Drums - Beautiful stave drums

Quote:
Originally Posted by Frannkkygoestohollywood
I had the same problem but I saw a tv program that was saying that those company charge for a free services. with UPS when they arrived at your place you refuse the fees and you have to go to their warehouse to pics up your stuff. The only thing you'll pay is the taxes.



Here is another account from another member:

Quote:
Originally Posted by alex_p
Well, unfortunately I had the opportunity to test this theory today, as I was expecting a package delivered via UPS. Sure enough, the delivery woman said I owed $66 for duties, taxes, and brokerage fees. I asked her about your suggestion about declining the package and getting the fees waived. She said it's possible, so I declined, read about the issue on the internet, and then called UPS. The woman on the phone, who was no where near as polite as the delivery woman, was of no help whatsoever. The duties and taxes are charged by the Canadian government and accounted for about half of that charge. The brokerage fee, however, is charged by UPS for their acting on your behalf to get your package across the border. Basically, they fill out a form and give it to the Canadian government. For that, they charged me over $30, which is variable depending on the value of the package. There are a few class-action lawsuits, depending on which Province you're in, against UPS and Fed Ex regarding these brokerage fees, one of which I signed up for.

The US Postal Service only charges a flat fee of $5 for brokerage, in addition to the duties and taxes. Unfortunately, all of the drum parts suppliers I've seen will not ship with the USPS because of the inability to track the package. I think our only hope is to pressure these companies to provide the option of using the USPS. I would think it's in their best interest, because otherwise, we won't be ordering from them at all. I would think that the profits gained from essentially opening a new market would far outweigh the occasional headache of a lost package.

Now, you must excuse me - I've run out of vaseline.

Alex

[bighaibigdrums]

What part of Quebec are you in? Hop in your car, drive to the nearest GC and pick the kit up yourself. When you get back to Canada Customs they will ask you if you made any purchses just hand them the reciept. The most you will have to pay is the GST.

[Caprice]

If the poeple I know in the states buy the set and bring it in Quebec, would they have to pay something to cross? Whatelse would happen at the border with a van full of drums?

Could they just say they are going to play a gig somewhere in Canada so they would not have to pay anything?

Thanks for your help guys.

[maddrummr]

What is it going to cost in tariff to bring the drum from the US to Canada. Won't they have to claim it at the border.

I thought there was no taxes between US, Canada, and Mexico when shipping?

[PureRockFury]

I thought there was no taxes between US, Canada, and Mexico when shipping?

There is duty which is taxes and brokerage fees, which I found out you can refuse to pay. You must pay the duty thought which is GST. Everyone in Canada must pay that when you have a package brought into Canada. There are some exceptions but it can be complicated to get it pardoned.

Demos, gifts, repaired items, etc... are all exempt from GST when being brought into Canada. That's why people ask for DEMO or GIFT to be placed all over the package so it's free from GST.

Shipping companies have been charging for a free service and that's brokerage fees. They make you pay to have them take a piece of paper, claim your item at Canada/US Customs, and get it cleared to move on into Canada. They usually make you pay out the butthole. Well there are class action suits against the shipping companies because they can't charge for a free service.

As my post above states, you can refuse to pay the brokerage fee and legally take your package.

[bighaibigdrums]

If the poeple I know in the states buy the set and bring it in Quebec, would they have to pay something to cross? Whatelse would happen at the border with a van full of drums?

Could they just say they are going to play a gig somewhere in Canada so they would not have to pay anything?

Thanks for your help guys.

They would make them apply for a work visa. Also they might make them put the drums in bond which means on the way out of Canada they would have to stop at Canada Customs and show that the drums are leaving Canada. Your best bet when dealing with customs is dont try to pull a fast one. Theyve seen every trick you can come up with. If your honest you wont have to pay much just your GST. If you try to trick them they get pissy and will rip you a new one.

[Caprice]

Might wanna shop around some more, that seems high, unless you're getting hardware also. http://cgi.ebay.com/Ludwig-Green-Sparkle-14-16-18-26-John-Bonham-NEW_W0QQitemZ130122598598QQihZ003QQcategoryZ64440Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem this is for a brand new green sparkle kit, and he ships worldwide.

I called this guy from Drum Headquarters, and he said that this kit on ebay was sold, but he is waiting for other sets and I am going to buy one. > > Here's the breakdown on the kit:

Ludwig Classic Maple Bonham green sparkle

14",16",18", 26"
with 6.5"x14" LM402 Supraphonic snare drum:

$2158.95

Ludwig Classic series hardware pack: (Have no clue if it is the same hardware then the one that comes with the L8264LM, could anybody help me on that?)

$475.00

Estimated shipping cost:

$150.00




The L8264LM Complete Outfit includes this:

> 14x26" Bass Drum
> 16x18" Floor Tom
> 16x16" Floor Tom
> 12x14" Tom
> 6.5x14" Metal Snare Drum
> LM922SSL (2) Snare Stand
> LM826CS (3) Cymbal Stand
> LM817HH Hi-Hat Stand
> L201 Foot Pedal
> Elite Bass Spurs
> Mini-Classic Lugs

This green sparkle kit isn't the l8264 kit, it is special ordered. They don't order the stock outfit because the specs aren't exactly Bonham. They special order the kit with large classic lugs, blue/olive badges, and a 10x14 tom instead of a 12x14, just like bonham used on his green sparkle. Bass drum has the classic curved spurs too, looks cool to me.

http://i11.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/98/9d/76de_1.JPG

http://i17.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/98/9d/777e_1.JPG

http://i9.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/98/9d/77c5_1.JPG

http://i2.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/98/9d/7808_1.JPG

http://i4.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/98/9d/787a_1.JPG

What do you guys think? Btw, thank you all for all your answers.

[harryconway]

Green sparkle. Sweet. They look stunning.