Question about online orders and duty

[Bryan]

Here is Mail Box International

Mail Boxes International
1733 H Street 330, Blaine, WA 98230
(360) 332-7678

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Bryan:
In the past I have used two. Mail Box International in the mini-mall (International Village I think it's called) close to the truck crossing.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[canadawest]

Mail Boxes International charges an annual fee of $10US for parcel receiving service and there is a $1.50US fee per delivery.

Great service, I've been using it for over 10 years.

[ 22 October 2001: Message edited by: canadawest ]

[Troy F]

Hey Marco, I wouldn't buy an Icecap on e-bay for the simple fact that these ballasts can be finicky. I'd want the proof of purchase and everything in case you have to send it back. I've never had a problems with mine but J&L had enough problems that they were considering not carrying them anymore.

[reefburnaby]

Hello,

I agree with Troy. There are definite advantages with shopping locally that you wouldn't get from buying at MO or ebay.

The price's will be a little bit higher in local LFS, but you will get customer service.

- Victor.

[cvrle1]

Hey Troy thanks for that hint about eBay. I never knew that so it's a great tip.

Another question that just poped up (I just keep cominmg up with new once)I was reading a post on one other BBS and question was: is there any major diferences between icecap, lights of america, and hamilton electronic, VHO ballasts, and people replyed that if they had a choice they would rather buy lights of america VHO ballast then icecap because they are almost the same and LOA is way cheeper ($40 US). Anyone have any experience with these and can the other two double the peower of NO lights like icecap can?

Thnaks again.

[cvrle1]

Thanks again for the help.

Just to verify few things. I do agree with Troy on shopping localy instead of MO if the price is same. So far I bought every sibgle thing from lfs except my skimmer which was MO(It was cheeper even after all the taxes and stuff by ~ $100 canadian). The reason why I wanted to buy icecap MO is because I found 2 online stores that are giving 25% of on orders over $100 so instead of it being $170 as it is right now, it would come out to $135 which would be ~ $200 canadian + plus shipping and other stuff would come out to $250. Now that would be $60 less than at J&L. Concidering that I'm a student that is quite a saving for me.

Now another question that I had about this thing is what happens if you buy stuff on eBay? I saw icecap660 for $130 US and was conteplating on betting on it (bidding was closing in 2 hours)Question is, would I have to pay any duty or other stuff. It would be sent as a package in an envelope and it would be treated as a present. No UPS shipping or anything like that. Any info on that?

[christyf5]

If you buy something on ebay you can get away with having it sent as a gift and not pay anything as long as they insure it for less than $50. I bought a CPR Bak Pak on ebay and the guy insured it for $100US. I paid $83US and had to pay GST and PST on the $100.

[Troy F]

No experience with L of A but another option is the Coralife electronic ballast. They are made by IceCap and, if memory serves me, the only difference is that they are not dimmable. If no one here has any experience post on one of the bigger boards

[FlameAngel]

AS for lighting stuff I think JL is a bit on a the expensive side

for example from www.lampsnow.com I got a 4bulb VHO electronic ballast set, with harness with bulbs, and reflector, with shipping (via US Postal) and taxes just under 500 bucks.

JL's similar non brand specific 4 bulb vho system costs 619 without taxes and bulbs.

I see a savings there.

FlameAngel

P/s I think that 170 IceCap price is also with the wiring harness which isn't included at JL. Just my 2 centonies

[DJ88]

Wiring harnesses are included with the ballast.. Adam(One Divided) bought a 660 last week and it came all included..

Wanted to let ya know.. [img]images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]