For ASUS shoppers in Canada

Hello Canadians, I've been doing some reading and here is what I've discovered:

(I hate about.com, but this is a good article, so whatever)

http://canadaonline.about.com/cs/customs/a/shopshipcanada.htm

Here is a rather helpful Customs Canada site:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cp/rc4051/rc4051-e.html

Let's face it, we're all going to get absolutely killed by duty and taxes if we get our computers shipped up here. Maybe Justin should open a Canadian branch because it looks like there are a bunch of us up here who are being left out in the cold by the Canadian resellers. Hello, there is a market up here. Just because we're all a bunch of hosers who live in beer can igloos doesn't mean we aren't dying to buy ASUS notebooks! [ ]

I'll be phoning my friendly customs office today to find out some more details and I'll post those here when i get them.


_{I am one escroww}

 

Hello sencha,
Why don't you become a Asus reseller for Canada.
Excellent business prospects assured.[ ]

Cheers

Asus Z71V
-----------

1.86 Pentium -M Sonoma
2 GB DDR2 PC-4200 RAM
60 gb/ 7200 rpm Hitachi HDD
Dual -Layer DVD -RW

 

I have NO business smarts.

Hmm, you could probably start out small though, just run it out of a small facility, focus mostly on internet sales. Holy crap would that be fun. But I'd suck at it and kill it I'm sure.

We need somebody with good business sense! Anyone? Anyone?

_{I am one escroww}

 

sencha--
you could take the orders and collect the $$, and tell Justin to send the lappies to you hidden inside a van across the canadian border.Then you could fedex it to all your customers.

I don't mind becoming a sleeping partner in this business [ ]

Cheers

Asus Z71V
-----------

1.86 Pentium -M Sonoma
2 GB DDR2 PC-4200 RAM
60 gb/ 7200 rpm Hitachi HDD
Dual -Layer DVD -RW

 

LOL, you guys could setup an underground operation of running laptops across the border somewhere in rural North Dakota and have shipping operations from Winnipeg or something. Or maybe you should petition your government for Canada to become the 51st state and join us in the availability of cheaper electronics [ ]

DigitalCameraReview.com | BargainPDA.com | TabletPCReviewSpot.com

 

? why don't you just buy an Asus laptop IN canada? you don't need to buy it from the US.

www.canadacomputers.com
www.ncix.com
www.canadasys.com
www.infonec.com

canadasys and canadacomputers have the Asus Ensemble S5N for $1620 CAD (which is about $1325 USD). prices aren't bad in canada.

 

On the Asus Website there is a Canadian (Where to buy) Reseller's Page

http://usa.asus.com/wheretobuy/CA/wtb_notebooks.htm


You can find the Asus W1N at CanadaSys for 2,649.00 CAD = 2,166.99 USD .. not too shabby.

http://www.canadasys.com/laptopasus.htm


Yeah.. I still have to pay an extra 15% tax.. but at least I don't get duty on top of that. [ ]

 

I was seriously considering contacting Justin about starting a Canadian location 2 weeks ago...but I'm already building another business and I just wouldn't have the time to grow both effectively right now. There's obviously a nice market up here for the ASUS brand though, I'd help someone make it happen If they were interested...I just wouldn't have the time to offer as much support as Justin does...and that's how I'd want to run things...but If someone else wants to give it their all in day to day operations, I'd be willing to help them get things going.

Anyways, we realize there's a few companies' here who carry the ASUS brand...but none of them seem to carry the full range...or even offer the latest versions of those models. The biggest thing we lacked before this whole warranty situation came up was retailers willing to customize and upgrade ALL the models in any way a consumer desired. There wasn't/isn't one place that offers customization and upgrades like the places in the States do...especially with the latest technology and vast array of options when It comes to all the other components.

I believe that's why so many Canadians are looking to the States for their ASUS notebooks. And even with the new policies in effect regarding warranty which takes those upgrades out of the equation, we still don't have anywhere to get the latest models. None of the retailers listed above...or any I've seen to this day, offer the V6, W5, or even mention the W3's. Since the majority of us are interested in these particular models, we have no other choice but to order from the States or wait who knows how long before we even hear mention of one of them for sale here. Adding to that, most of the people that go looking for a laptop probably need it sometime soon, these people in reality really don't have a Canadian option unless they're willing to settle.

Justin, If you have any Canadian ambition...let me know, maybe we can work something out??? [8D]

 

I respectfully disagree to some of your statements CalibratedComa. You can find the V6 and the W5 (Pacific Notebooks .. I think).. and at very competitive prices. It has never occurred to me not to be able to find the W3's. With the fact that these are authorized canadian resellers.. I just assumed that I can always order a W3 through one of them. Of course, I might be wrong.

Please, in no way consider this posting as a 'negative' endorsement to any business venture you want to create/support with Justin or anyone else. I am all for it. More Asus dealers means more competitive prices coming north of the border.[:I]

 

We should just hook up with some of those pot smugglers and figure out how they do it and just copy their methodology but substitute ASUS computers for the weed. That's a multi-billion dollar cross-border industry that has been wildly successful so maybe they'd have some insight for us. [ ]

_{I am one escroww}

 

Cyber6, my point is that there's very, very few places that carry the FULL Asus line in Canada, and none that really offer any level of customization of all models. Pacific notebooks is ONE store in all of Canada that offers these models (unless you can name others?), and if it's the one in the Pacific mall, it's pretty small time, correct me If I'm wrong but that's their only location right? If you look at their website, they don't even really offer an online buying method, when you click "order now", It takes you to an e-mail option, not a check out page...In my opinion, It's pretty risky to buy any system from them that's not covered directly through ASUS, that rules out all the barebone models right there...I don't know If you've ever been to the Pacific mall, but any one of those vendors could easily be gone over night...the setup there is one step above a flea market. Quick example, My friend bought a playstation 2 from one of the vendors in there...and the next week we went back and the booth was empty. The playstation he bought was modified by them to accept burnt games, luckily he hasn't had a problem with his system, because I'm betting Sony wouldn't even look at it. If they have a few other locations, then I take back what I said. So, again in my opinion, we don't have any trustworthy resellers with all the latest models pretty much anywhere in Canada at this moment. Just so It's clear, I'd love to be proven wrong, the whole point is we could really use a few!!!

My other point is, Canada's a pretty big Country. Geographically, Canada is larger than the US is. There's no way someone in Vancouver would feel good about buying a barebone system from Pacific notebooks (again, If it's the one in the Pacific mall)...such a big Country with so few ASUS options...If you look through the official where to buy list of retailers on the ASUS website...you get only 3 listed under Canada in the Ensemble section...and then those three plus 9 more for a total of 11 in the "Built on ASUS" barebone section. Of all of those, only ONE, Pacific notebooks, carries the majority of the line including the V6 and W5 compared to 24 in the United States. That basically means that the only place in ALL OF CANADA right now to get a V6V or W5a is Pacific notebooks which I think Is ridiculous. Cyber6, when you add taxes to those prices (15%), they're not really all that competitive anymore.

And finally, as of right now, there isn't one place in all of Canada that shows any sign of carrying the W3V. I'm sure eventually a few will have it, but when??? I'm looking to buy pretty much ASAP...which takes me back to the fact that anyone looking to buy a W3V anytime soon has to look to the US and their pre-orders in order to get one.

Pot smugglers...Sencha, you do the research, tap them for that insight and pass on your findings [8D]

 

this thread is cool

I was just wondering,


Say i study down at Washington and live there, can i bring stuff back that i purchased there? or will i get hit with duties, taxes etc too?

thx
-nathan

 

hmmm... dedicated Asus dealer in Toronto... sounds good. Count me in [8D] although one has to wonder about sustainability of such venture...

To those who say there's no problem getting all the stuff- errr... not quite. There's always some issue with availability, warranty, returns... higher prices... then you have dead pixel policies (or should I say not) - even if someone can get something for you, you're not likely to get a very good policy on "special order". Also, a lot of people can't or don't want to order stuff online, especially from another country.

Having said that, I get all my stuff here rather than from the US. One exception to this will probably be when I get my Toughbook in (hopefully) near future, as it will cost me about $1000,- (!!!) less to get it through my g/f in Michigan. [:0]

Incidentally, my sister is just looking for a laptop. She lives in Calgary and has to buy this thing locally because of some funding issues. I just spent a week on the phone with computer shops over there trying to get her a Z71a... it's been a headache. I finally managed to find one guy who seems decent, seems to know what's he doing/talking about and who says he can actually get it for her (we'll see about that). And it will cost her about $200,- more than in TO (even with lower taxes in AB)

Anyways, in the meantime I should probably start smuggling with my g/f

 

I think the best option is for Canada to becomes the 51st state of the USA [ ]

Seriously,

Start a Canadian subsidiary of a retailer here in USA.(ie Proportable)
The business prospects are excellent.
If Micheal Dell could do it from his shed ,why can't anyone else.
Calibrated coma, you are the only one showing some enthusiasm.
Asus lappies are really good enough for the venture to suceed ,with a little bit of business savvy.[8D]


Cheers

Asus Z71V
-----------

1.86 Pentium -M Sonoma
2 GB DDR2 PC-4200 RAM
60 gb/ 7200 rpm Hitachi HDD
Dual -Layer DVD -RW

 

Ya the Pacific Mall is a bit...er...dicey.

Totally, we need an outlet in Toronto. As more and more people find out about ASUS computers, more and more people will want them.

nathan, you can bring things across the border, but if you don't declare them and they catch you, they can get pretty steamed. I'm sure there is some sort of break you might get as a student, since you are down in the states for very extended periods of time. However, the Canadian government wants your money and they'll figure out how to get it one way or another. If you're driving across the border, it's a bit easier to smuggle the notebook in, but they can still ask to search your car and if they get the vibe you haven't declared something big, they will do just that. But keep in mind, every time you take it across the border, they can bust you if you never declared it - if you declare it they will give you this customs card that you can show to prove you've paid taxes on it. I don't know, being sneaky is a bit more hassle than it's worth if you ask me, and I believe you can be fined for failing to declare. Might as well just tough it out and pay the duty or find the computer up here.

_{I am one escroww}

 

[|)]

I don't want to become the 51st state! Nope nope nope, I'm very happy with Canada's *cough* sovereignity. Right...

I'm ALREADY a U.S. Citizen and I live HERE in Canada now for a reason. You are welcome to read that any way you wish. [ ]

Yes a Canadian subsidiary of PROPortable is the only way to go. I'm glad that we've all made this business decision for Justin. It's good to have friends, eh? [ ]

Oh and by the way, I (naturally) did not manage to call customs yesterday because, well, I had an exam and got a bit wrapped up in that. But I will do it today before the Masters starts.

_{I am one escroww}

 

Poor Justin. If everyone else is even half as much of a pain in the ass as I am, the guy must be a saint, because I'd sure want to clobber me if I had to deal with me! [ ]

Not to mention the fact that a whole bunch of lousy Canadians just decided that he's expanding his business to Canada. [ ]

_{I am one escroww}

 

yeah, interesting isn't it that we haven't heard anything on this issue from Justin [ ]

Cheers

Asus Z71V
-----------

1.86 Pentium -M Sonoma
2 GB DDR2 PC-4200 RAM
60 gb/ 7200 rpm Hitachi HDD
Dual -Layer DVD -RW

 

If you want to be a succeesfull businessman, you need to be a cool cucumber and capacity to absorb criticism.

I am sure he is upto something about the potential of expanding in Canada.

According to him he has some orders from Canada, but those must be chaps willing to pay customs duties, high shipping charges and pay by wire transfers.

Cheers

Asus Z71V
-----------

1.86 Pentium -M Sonoma
2 GB DDR2 PC-4200 RAM
60 gb/ 7200 rpm Hitachi HDD
Dual -Layer DVD -RW

 

Point well taken Cal.. I really did not think too much about the subject. I figure that I would not buy from Pacific Notebooks "sight unseen".. I would go there and touch and feel my lappy. AND.. there was no way I would have accepted their warranty.. That’s why I was only looking for "ensemble" units. But I never thought about all those poor souls all over Canada that have to settled for a Toshiba M40-P3 (I was actually looking at that).. just because they can’t get their hands on a V6.

I think we go back to square one... we need a PROPortable-subsidiary here in Canada. (preferable in Toronto.. such a cool city). I mean there has to be a way (besides becoming the 51st state) to make it happen. There is a market for it. We have the "demand".. how do we get the "supply"??

 

Hey guys, fellow Canadian here

I've found a place in Toronto that sells the Asus Z71V!!! It's called "CanadaSys". I've never been there, but they have pretty low prices. This place seems a bit more trustable than Pacific Notebooks as they have 3 different store locations. YAY!!! Here's their site

http://www.canadasys.com

I'll probably head over there tomorrow and check it out.

Here's what they offer:

Centrino - 1.7G $1639
Centrino - 1.8G $1715

512M DDR2 Dual Channel
60G SATA Hard Drive
DVD & CDRW Combo Drive
128M nVidia 6600 PCI Express Video
Built-in Wireless-G Lan
15.4” WSXGA+ ( 1680x1050 ) / Carrying Case
( The optical drive bay Supports module hot swap function and 2nd HDD/2nd Battery )

--Upgr to 1G DDR2 Dual Channel $99
--Upgrade to DVDRW: $70
--Upgrade to 80G SATA: $80

Hmmmm 60G SATA drive, I wonder if it's faster than the Hitachi 60Gb 7200? Also I wonder what type brand of ram they're using and if it's 400mhz or 533mhz. I guess I'll find that out tomorrow, but I wish I knew right now!!!

 

There are a few places that carry the Z71v/a. It's weird that they have those, but not any of the other newer models.

_{I am one escroww}

 

Hi sencha-

why don't you buy a Z71V.
I am using it now for 48 hrs and its a great beauty [^]

Cheers

Asus Z71V
-----------

1.86 Pentium -M Sonoma
2 GB DDR2 PC-4200 RAM
NVidia 6600go 128 meg
60gb/7200 rpm Hitachi HDD
Dual-Layer DVD +RW
BOOQ Vyper 15" Sleeve

 

Pacific mall isn't that small, its pretty huge.

But its pretty impossible to get inside the mall on weekends..


And CanadaSys has a new location near PMall, on Warden/Steeles, in the T&T plaza, right beside StarBucks..

 

Hehe - the Z71v is WAY too much computer for me right now! I've actually been thinking of stepping down from the W3 to the S5! [ ]



_{I am one escroww}

 

sencha ,

why not a Palm PC [ ]

Cheers

Asus Z71V
-----------

1.86 Pentium -M Sonoma
2 GB DDR2 PC-4200 RAM
NVidia 6600go 128 meg
60gb/7200 rpm Hitachi HDD
Dual-Layer DVD +RW
BOOQ Vyper 15" Sleeve

 

I think the M5/S5, W5, or W3 would suit Sencha nicely...[ ]

ASUS M6800Ne, P-M 1.5 Dothan, 512MB Ram, Toshiba Combo drive, Samsung Spinpoint M 40G HDD with 8M cache, Mobility Radeon 9700

 

I think size does matter to her and the smaller the better....... a 730w pocket pc would probably suit you just fine!

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

Now now, let's not go overboard.

You know what they say about size. It's not the size of the thing that counts, it's how you use it!



_{I am one escroww}

 

Sometimes the smallest things in life, matter the most.

--Socrates






Cheers

Asus Z71V
-----------

1.86 Pentium -M Sonoma
2 GB DDR2 PC-4200 RAM
NVidia 6600go 128 meg
60gb/7200 rpm Hitachi HDD
Dual-Layer DVD +RW
BOOQ Vyper 15" Sleeve

 

Nothing like the a bunch of dorks making sexual innuendos (and I'm sorry for starting it) .......

But seriously... I don't know what your needs are, but you just want small...... you don't have a need for dedicated graphics.... bluetooth, a camera, RF, etc..... I'm thinking you missed out on a good deal and should have picked up an S5n while it had the rebates....... becasue honestly, you're picking up marginal performance gains on the sonoma systems... but at the same time losing a little more battery life... so if life it most important (and that performance difference, from what I know you what to use it for.... you'd never notice)..

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

I personally think Sencha just needs a W3, W5, or M5/S5...either of those will be grrrrreat [8D]
I still like the M5 a lot... sometimes I wonder why I chose this M6 over that M5

ASUS M6800Ne, P-M 1.5 Dothan, 512MB Ram, Toshiba Combo drive, Samsung Spinpoint M 40G HDD with 8M cache, Mobility Radeon 9700

 

lets have some'mature'sexual innuendoes [ ]

Cheers

Asus Z71V
-----------

1.86 Pentium -M Sonoma
2 GB DDR2 PC-4200 RAM
NVidia 6600go 128 meg
60gb/7200 rpm Hitachi HDD
Dual-Layer DVD +RW
BOOQ Vyper 15" Sleeve

 

No matter how old you get, you can always get a chuckle out of some good ol' immature sexual innudeno [ ]

ASUS M6800Ne, P-M 1.5 Dothan, 512MB Ram, Toshiba Combo drive, Samsung Spinpoint M 40G HDD with 8M cache, Mobility Radeon 9700

 

I think it is to the great credit of ASUS that you are spoilt for choice.
Every model is worth buying and like a child in a toy shop,you want all of them !!

THREE CHEERS TO ASUS

Cheers

Asus Z71V
-----------

1.86 Pentium -M Sonoma
2 GB DDR2 PC-4200 RAM
NVidia 6600go 128 meg
60gb/7200 rpm Hitachi HDD
Dual-Layer DVD +RW
BOOQ Vyper 15" Sleeve

 

I guess so.... the real problem here is she can't pick a laptop and I think she's getting more confused as the days go by.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

Totally, lapboy, that's my problem!

I'm definitely not a fan of the W5. Something about a built in webcam just screams cyber sex to me and I just think I could live without it. The M5 is definitely attractive because it's a Built on ASUS, but I've read some so-so things about it and I'd want it in white anyway!

I think the s5 might be the way I go (cheap cheap) if I can find one. Worried a bit about what I've read about battery life, but I can always get the extra battery.

See, I was totally thinking it would be fun to have a bigger notebook that I could game on, but I'm a pretty infrequent gamer so buying something that is more than I need seems kind of silly.

Poor Justin. I'm so high-maintenance.



_{I am one escroww}

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Sencha

 

I 2nd that... but I'd say.. it *looks* flimsy, but is really quite solid.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

If they bring it over, and declare it, then don't have it when they come back over... I'm not sure if they get taxed, but they can get in some deep trouble. I only know this because a customer of ours had a friend bring a notebook over and then didn't have it on the return trip...

Same goes for coming to the US and buying something and then trying to bring it back into Canada.
I'm not 100% on how all of it works, or if it's something random that you may be able to get around.... but thats one experience for you.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Sencha
nathan, you can bring things across the border, but if you don't declare them and they catch you, they can get pretty steamed. ...
<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

Hey Sencha, thx for the reply, i was wondering, what if an american citizen brings some goods into canada?
do they get taxed for it?

thanks
-nathan

 

That's a good question, I'm not sure how that works.

I know if you try to bring it over and they catch you, and the object is clearly brand new and in its box and whatnot, they will probably be quite suspicious.

I believe they can always charge you duty and then when you leave the country if you still have the item you can file to get your duty back. I'm not sure on that though. I know that if you come up here and buy some crap and then go back to the U.S. you can file with the CDN gov't to get the PST and GST you paid back. Works the same way going to the other way.

You still have to outfox the system, which is the catch. I always figure it's not worth it. Remember that if you're gone for 7 days, you can declare an exemption of up to $500 CDN, which isn't too bad and would at least cover the tax on most notebooks.

_{I am one escroww}

 

......Something about a built in webcam just screams cyber sex to me.........


Sencha,

you must not keep thinking about sex [ ]

built-in webcam is usefull for video chatting and sending video messages to friends [8D]



Cheers

Asus Z71V
-----------

1.86 Pentium -M Sonoma
2 GB DDR2 PC-4200 RAM
NVidia 6600go 128 meg
60gb/7200 rpm Hitachi HDD
Dual-Layer DVD +RW
BOOQ Vyper 15" Sleeve

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by lapboy

 

DORKS! .... The W5 is hot for video conferencing though... really nice, especially if you do it a lot.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

LOL, when I first read Justin's post... I thought "the W5 is NOT for video conferencing though.."
and I was thinking... man , you're bringing this to new levels of sexual innudendo [:I]

I guess I need to get my mind out of the gutter...(it's hard when you're an 18 year old MALE)

ASUS M6800Ne, P-M 1.5 Dothan, 512MB Ram, Toshiba Combo drive, Samsung Spinpoint M 40G HDD with 8M cache, Mobility Radeon 9700

 

Come again, What's hard when you're an 18 year old male???
(I had too, sorry)

Anyways...I don't think we were looking for a place that carried the Z71V, but I guess some Canadians might have found that helpful? Too bad highwind7777 already mentioned Canadasys on the 1st page [ ]...they still don't carry any of the other new models we're looking for though.

coriolis, If your comment was geared towards me, I never said the Pacific mall itself was small, only that 99% of It's vendors are.

Justin, didn't you say that Canadians couldn't take advantage of the S5n rebates anyways when ordering through a US retailer? If so, then Sencha wouldn't have benefited anyways right?

Now that I'm all caught up in here...what happens If someone from Canada buys a system from a US company that's only covered under their warranty and needs service, when we ship it through the border both ways, are we hit again with any duty or taxes? [8D]

 

oh boy.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

Oh thats right...... well regardless... Sencha said she has a place in the states I believe....

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]