Brokerage Fees

[buyerbrad]

I guess this question is for Canadian Members or those in the USA with a strong knowledge of the US Postal Service.

I am looking to buy the So Cal City Pass for my upcoming trip. The Disney and Universal sights both ship through either UPS or FedEx. Will I have to pay brokerage fees on these items when they cross the border? I know I can "print at home", but I'd rather have the entire booklet in one piece. Also, if you purchase through Universal and don't use the print at home option, you get a free front of the line pass for the Backlot Tour Ride (if you print at home with Universal you have to visit this park first to get the free bonus, but we are going to Disney).

I guess my other option is to wait and pay at the park, but I like to pay for things in advance to help with budgeting.

Any thoughts/advice are greatly appreciated.

 

[jory29]

I'd buy it from Costco.ca - free shipping and handling, CAD funds, and you know you'll get it on time. I think the rate is good, too.

http://www.costco.ca/Browse/Product...=7&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

 

[Mom of a *Princess*]

I agree, give Costco.ca a try. I purchased 3 So. Cal passes today for our trip in a few weeks. I priced out the passes at Costco versus what the price would be for them in the US. With the current conversion rate I found that the Canadian prices for the passes are cheaper by about $20-$30 (not taking into consideration shipping from the US). Costco includes the shipping cost in the online price so you aren't paying extra.

I did call Costco.ca's custumer service before I bought them to ensure they weren't expiring at the beginning of January ( i.e. the 2009 passes). The agent told me that the ones I would get would expire at the end of April. That's good for our trip. Also I was told that if the tickets come and I want to return them, I have the ability to take them back to any costco store for a refund. That's a good safety feature to have in case something happens and we dont end up going.

If you don't have a costco membership you can still buy the passes through the site but there is a 5% charge.

 

[jory29]

I agree, give Costco.ca a try. I purchased 3 So. Cal passes today for our trip in a few weeks. I priced out the passes at Costco versus what the price would be for them in the US. With the current conversion rate I found that the Canadian prices for the passes are cheaper by about $20-$30 (not taking into consideration shipping from the US). Costco includes the shipping cost in the online price so you aren't paying extra.

I did call Costco.ca's custumer service before I bought them to ensure they weren't expiring at the beginning of January ( i.e. the 2009 passes). The agent told me that the ones I would get would expire at the end of April. That's good for our trip. Also I was told that if the tickets come and I want to return them, I have the ability to take them back to any costco store for a refund. That's a good safety feature to have in case something happens and we dont end up going.

If you don't have a costco membership you can still buy the passes through the site but there is a 5% charge.

Excellent, excellent comments, thanks for adding! I bolded the best parts!

 

[buyerbrad]

Thanks for all of the responses. It is a good price, but if you look at shipping it is still being sent UPS. So they must be shipping from the US still and still the possibility of brokerage fees?

 

[jory29]

Thanks for all of the responses. It is a good price, but if you look at shipping it is still being sent UPS. So they must be shipping from the US still and still the possibility of brokerage fees?

Hmmm, my guess would be no, because you have ordered from Costco.ca (they may ship UPS via Canadian warehouse to a Canadian address,) but you never know...If you don't want the item, you could probably still take back to Costco for a FULL refund (I think) and even show them the brokerage fees as well as customs/duty. I seriously doubt they will charge extra fees, I have a feeling it would ship from Canada, but I do see your concern.

Can anyone here who has ordered a Citypass from Costco.ca shed some light on this?

Also, OP, there is a website - IF this item is being shipped from the USA - that you can use to try to find out potential brokerage fees - ARGHHHHHH!!! Look here at www.thefinalcost.com :

To ship to Alberta, brokerage fees (incl. customs and duty) could be as much as:
$384.71 TOTAL incl. cost of the $280 ticket.

To ship to Ontario, it could be $388.29, incl. the $280 ticket cost. (I don't know where you are located in Canada.)

Good catch on the fact that they ship by UPS!!! Sorry, I didn't know!!

I would call Costco.ca and ask them directly about the item. Obviously, one does NOT want to incur an extra $108 CAD in brokerage fees.

This is nuts!

I am so glad you caught that, and I am sure someone here will comment further.

It may be a better deal in the end to purchase and print from home, rather than having the booklet shipped out to you.

 

[Mom of a *Princess*]

I would be quite surprised if the passes came from the US. Delivery of the passes from Costco is 3-7 business days and that is pretty quick if it has to go through Customs. And I can't recall exactly when but I'm sure I've seen the passes actually in store.

Best bet is to call Costco.ca and find out.

 

[Mom of a *Princess*]

As an update, the So Cal City Passes purchased from Costco.ca are shipped from Ontario via UPS. So no brokerage fees.