Purchasing from Marine Depot U.S.
 

Does anyone have any experience with purchasing hard goods in the US, specifically Marine Depot?

A few years back I wanted something from Marine Depot and they didn't ship to Canada. Now they ship to Canada but use FedEx...<shudder>.

I've always found Premium Aquatics to have similar prices and stock, and I have used them for years for things I can't get (or get economically) here in Canada. And they use USPS if you like. :biggrin:

If that helps.

I did a long time ago but I don't think they ship USPS so you will have to pay $$$ on brokerage fees that the Couriers charge you (around $30US).

I did have a good experience with them though.

Cheers,
Vic [veng68]

Did you make an account and go right up to the checkout page? Their shipping quote was pretty scary....and the fact that they use fedex drove me away.

My total order from marine depot was about $150. When I received the package I had to pay another $50. I vowed to never buy from them again. 33% is a little too high for me to paying for brokerage, ect.

I recommend trying to stay in Canada or going with other american sellers that offer deals on broker fees.

Well, I bit the bullet and placed my order. I couldn't find the plumbing fittings anywhere else. Shipping UPS was $17.47. We'll see what happens with the brokerage bill.

US suppliers
 

I don't know what kind of hard goods you are wanting to buy.One store i can vouch for is saltycritter,amazing service,and they ship usps priority.I bought a sedra 5000 pump for my euroreef.It was just shy of a 100 american shipped,the postal dude got 15 bucks,for tax,duty.And it took less then 2 weeks from order date.

Not sure if you have shipped with ups but if there is brokerage to be paid by you. Ups will charge you a COD fee as well. You can avoid this by calling ups with a credit card number once it is in the system.

Yah I called UPS and gave them my credit card number. When they come to drop the package on their first attempt and Im not home they can just leave it at the door. I hated having to leave cheques.

I was very impressed with there website and there stock... but when it came time to order it took them a while to reply back to my order. Where then they told me they needed a copy of both sides of my credit card and drivers license faxed to them to process my order. (Thinking to myself next they will want my social insurance number). Anyways canceled my order and went with J&L and had to wait for items on back order.

I am sure there have been many good experiences here with marine depot and I wish mine could have been as well :)