Tariffs: A Cautionary Tale

[Bpm0014]

Can you pick up the items in person from the US?

[raulus]

Wow!

I guess we can count on less aggressive bidding from north of the border for now. Not so great if I’m selling, although I could live with less competition when I’m buying.

I wonder if a vault might be a strategy here. Park it in the vault until the tariffs blow over, and then have it shipped to you.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Bpm0014

Can you pick up the items in person from the US?

What good would that do, he still has to get them across the border and home?

[BioCRN]

This isn't "political" even though politics enabled it to happen.

Given how much of the hobby's collectables are US-based, it's vital information.

Can you pick up the items in person from the US?

I have bought from EBay buyers located in Toronto/Ottowa that have shipped their goods from right across the border using cheaper US postage for years now. I don't know how they make that happen or the real savings for them, but it's something I've noticed.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by BioCRN

This isn't "political" even though politics enabled it to happen.

Given how much of the hobby's collectables are US-based, it's vital information.



I have bought from EBay buyers located in Toronto/Ottowa that have shipped their goods from right across the border using cheaper US postage for years now. I don't know how they make that happen or the real savings for them, but it's something I've noticed.

A friend of mine in Toronto drops cards off at a business that will drive them across the border to the nearest US post office and mail them there. Not sure of the economics of it.

[conor912]

I sense a card smuggling market materializing.

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by conor912

I sense a card smuggling market materializing.

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I can envision Leon dusting off his prohibition era Rum-running boat "Miss Luckey" and having a lucrative side hustle until the Tariffs are figured out.
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[jingram058]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

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I can envision Leon dusting off his prohibition era Rum-running boat "Miss Luckey" and having a lucrative side hustle until the Tariffs are figured out.
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Now THAT'S awesome 👍

[Michael B]

It could be relatively easy if there was a collector in a U.S. city/town near the border who could drive across and post from Canada. Don't forget the passport though. If you lived near Buffalo drive to Fort Erie or Niagara Falls. Detroit is across the river from Windsor. Bellingham is fairly close to Vancouver. You do not need to disclose to CBP if you have a few envelopes or small boxes you wish to mail. You just tell them you are visiting a friend for lunch or shopping. A Canadian that lives near the border could also rent a box at a Mailbox Etc. or UPS Store, possibly even at a U.S. Post Office. From what I understand the Post Office cannot require you to live near them to rent a box.

I have a friend in Switzerland who does something similar. He purchases quite a few items on EbayUSA. Everyone wants to charge exhorbitant shipping to send it to him. He has them sent to me and I package them together. If I am travelling to Europe I will bring them along, but if not, I send the package to Germany and he drives there to pick it up. He lives in Zurich so it is less than an hour to the border town. An additional issue for his is Swiss Customs knows he is a collector and opens every package addressed to him and he gets hit with duties. Not so if he is driving across the border to pick up.

[oldjudge]

So this is a surtax initiated by the Canadian Government in response to the US tariffs? There go the hockey and curling card markets. 🤣

[Mark17]

All Canadian collectors should have a good USA friend whom they can visit at least once a year.

[Kawika]

I appreciate all the replies so far. Some good thoughts. I'd would like to add some additional commentary but must vacate the keyboard. Gotta a ton of things to do this afternoon. Good day, eh.