Jan 31
National Post Speaks … But
Cross-border car buying now being done by dealers
We can see that The author is using our site for some of his research, and see that he is really trying to push the “Fair Pricing Issue” . But he is really missing the point in a few cases and we are surprised this article was accepted by his editor as is:
- He should back up his quotes with real numbers from the RIV, how many Canadians are importing cars themselves versus dealerships? No one really knows!
- The RIV and Transport Canada continue to frustrate the average Canadian citizen, attempting to make the process complicated and frustrating when it really isn’t . They are pushing the individual’s right into the hands of these dealers. Further more if you are a big dealer we understand that the RIV and TC gives you better and preferential treatment!
- So now the The Canadian Consumer will be “gouged” by these dealers - refer to this quote ”
“We see a real opportunity in 2008,” Mr. Priestner told investors at the RBC Capital Markets income-trust investor symposium last week. “There will be good margins on those” vehicles. The upside is so large that AutoCanada said it hired someone full-time to scour the
- Finally, I don’t think it is appropriate to call Hard working Canadian citizens that avoid brokers and do it themseves as ” Joe Blow” , first of all it is insulting, and second of all he degrades himself and his newspaper by using this type of language. We thought he had more class!!
January 31st, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Importing a car from the USA?
Do it yourself, no middlemen or dealers required.
My experience in importing a car from New York State.
Note: Two trips to the US were involved.
These were the basic steps involved:
1: Selected, purchased car and dealer initiated paperwork for US Customs. (Delivered to US Customs on way back)
2: Got insurance,three days later, picked up car with temporary license, clearance letter, picked up US Paperwork and delivered same to Canadian Customs.
3:Paid GST,Import fee, A/C charge,received form 1 and drove into Canada.
4:Sent Form 1 and clearance letter to RIV via fax, requested approval form via e-mail and received same within three hours.
5:Took all paperwork and car to Canadian Tire,they looked at car VIN, DRLs and stamped RIV form.
6: Took all paperwork to Quebec License Bureau, Paid PST, License fee and one day later car was licensed.
Car imported: Honda Civic Ex 2008
When: Oct 2007
Amount saved: $5500 Cdn
Elapsed time until licensed: 8 Days
Inspection: None by US or Canadian Customs
Paperwork filled out by myself: None
Note: They are still selling to Canadians as of last week.
January 31st, 2008 at 6:07 pm
It was never my intention to insult anyone with the words Joe Blow and choice of the words has nothing to do with having class or no class. If you would like to discuss this, or any other part of the article, please contact me at: nvanpraet@nationalpost.com
Thank you
January 31st, 2008 at 6:47 pm
I’m surprised that the National Post would let Mr Nicolas Van Praet refer to us as JOE BLOWS……!!!NO CLASS FROM HIM AND THE NEWSPAPER
January 31st, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Thanks for the reply, Mr. Van Praet. We calls them as we see them. Maybe we are little bit over-sensitive given the manner that the RIV and Transportation Canada treats regular Canadian citizens.
Let us see how the rest of the membership and the average Canadian public see it.
We still maintain that you lost an opportunity to really bring out the issues that have been documented on this site. Call you soon.
Anyone else see it our way?
January 31st, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Here’s a little comparison story of how easy it becomes when crossing the Canadian border for a foreign national claiming “refugee” status and how difficult the feds make it for Canadians importing a used card.
http://elliotlakenews.wordpress.com/2007/10/02/windsors-border-is-wide-open/
January 31st, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Here’s a little comparison story of how easy it becomes when crossing the Canadian border for a foreign national claiming “refugee” status and how difficult the feds make it for Canadians importing a used car.
http://elliotlakenews.wordpress.com/2007/10/02/windsors-border-is-wide-open/
January 31st, 2008 at 7:08 pm
It’s not a lost opportunity. It’s one aspect of a story that is ongoing
January 31st, 2008 at 7:32 pm
To: Mr Van Praet
Thank you mr Praet,keep the story going and keep it truthful.
The Canadian dealers would like to leave the impression that it is difficult to import a vehicle.
The truth is that if Transport Canada and RIV followed the rules
it would be no more difficult than purchasing in Canada.
Tranport Canada has no basis for their rejections and RIV is a completely unnecessary burden to Canadian taxpayers.
This site is where it’s at and where you will get the truth.
We accept all challenges.
January 31st, 2008 at 9:15 pm
I also did not like being called a Joe Blow - or John Doe for that matter. However any time we can bring the issue in the National papers - that is good. Mr Van Praet - thanks for watching our site - a little publicity would help …
Now I am a customer at Cornwall Toyota and you know that they put in that ad in the local paper only once (that I saw) and it has never appeared again. I wonder if they got the call from Toyota Canada or maybe Toyota Japan…. What I hate is the fact they are all doing it (the dealers)(Subaru, Nissan - that I know) and hypocritically making a bigger profit and hiding behind the so-called RIV rules - TC rules - do you think they pay $500 for a no recall letters??
January 31st, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Mr. Van Praet,
Thanks for taking the time to follow up on your comments by visiting this website. I
understand that Joe Blow is probably just a figure of speech, but its how the little
guy feels like when he is bullied and manipulated by the big car companies who are
constantly throwing up road blocks to importing vehicles, rather than address the price
disparity issue….this includes token incentives that do not even come close to the
savings realized when purchasing across the border. The Government is no ally of ours
either, as they rely on what the manufacturers tell them for importing vehicles. This
gives them carte blanche to modify specs or pull dreamed up technicalities from their
bag of tricks (see the story on this website regarding the gentleman who is trying to
import his Corvette).
Its people like you who can give us a voice when no one else will listen. I hope you can
take this opportunity to tell our side of the story and shine some light on the underhanded
tactics the car manufactures are using vis-a-vis Transport Canada and the RIV.
Again, thanks for the article, but there is a much larger side to this story that needs to
be told. I give many kudos to Robert Lamb and Serge Bergeron for starting up this website
and giving us an arena to voice our concerns and make sure actions of the car companies,
Transport Canada and the RIV do not go unchecked.
February 10th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Hi Cy,
I’m trying to import a Honda CRV to Mtl and I prefer to avoid the middleman
(e.g in my case the broker). Can you PM me the Canadian friendly NY Honda
dealer - assuming they are still selling to Canadians. See my posts in
the forum, under - Buying Opportunities, Importing a new Honda CR-V.
Thanks, Angelo.