Topic: (Update 1-21-17) OK, Canada, I give up!

[PeWe]

I'm considering getting a "professional" box made for the Ignitions that I have to ship out of here: maybe that would help the 'image' of the parts when they get inspected (or maybe it's my imagination...?). Right now, I don't have any idea what this might add to the cost of them (which really bugs me...), but I'll try to find out.

Cables as separate harnesses to be plugged in to the ign box that has 1 or 2 connectors fastened on the housing?
Or wires might be not included at all, screw terminals on the module?

[evanphi]

It would be interesting to find out whether it was CBSA or CP that is losing/confiscating the packages.

Maybe more detailed declaration and more obvious branding would help?

[Stev-o]

Put a little printed sticker with reference to your website right on the module so someone questioning it could look it up.

I dont see that happeneing

[stikman]

I was kinda thinking something along the same lines. Put a little printed sticker with reference to your website right on the module so someone questioning it could look it up. For packaging it could be as simple as getting a rubber stamp made up, or a printed sticker and a generic white box. 

The only other thing that crosses my mind is how are they being declared? Are they being declared as "electronic ignition" because that can be mis-read / understood / blown out of proportion quite easily. If it was me i would do the declaration something like "Vintage Honda motorcycle electronic ignition upgrade"

This ^

Or simply "Vintage motorcycle electronic replacement part".  Along with how professional the box looks may very well solve the problem.

[HondaMan]

I'm considering getting a "professional" box made for the Ignitions that I have to ship out of here: maybe that would help the 'image' of the parts when they get inspected (or maybe it's my imagination...?). Right now, I don't have any idea what this might add to the cost of them (which really bugs me...), but I'll try to find out.

Cables as separate harnesses to be plugged in to the ign box that has 1 or 2 connectors fastened on the housing?
Or wires might be not included at all, screw terminals on the module?

During my testing of the Ignition, I found the connectors to the coils would get pitted after about 80 hours of operation. That caused me to research the failures of Honda's CDI ignitions (which have connectors) and I discovered their #1 failure is: pitted coil contacts after about 100+ hours (or, about 50k miles). So, I stayed with hard-connected wires, to improve longevity.

[HondaMan]

The USPS now suggests a postage method (Priority Mail) to use instead: it costs about $25 instead of the way I have done it, which is about 2x the cost. Does this seem to make sense to you Canadian guys?

[Bristledisk]

As an Albertan, I'm okay with the postage. The alternative is I don't get your excellent products which greatly improve the reliability of my CBS.

[firebane]

As an Albertan, I'm okay with the postage. The alternative is I don't get your excellent products which greatly improve the reliability of my CBS.

Hello fellow Cowtown member...

And honestly $30 is pretty average now for shipping

[lash]

Count me in Mark, priority post works well.

[sixthwisconsin]

Mark,
I see that you also use the buzz words "fuse" and "ignition" in your declarations. I would stay away from those words and keep it as generic as possible while still conveying the use of the part. To some not in the know, the description "fuse holder" could mean something really bad!

[Prospect]

Perhaps using the word circuit breaker in stead of fuse?  Maybe the way to go is like Mark mentioned and find a distributor who could keep 15 ignitions on the shelf and several fuse holders etc.  And all Canadian buyers would be directed to deal with the distributor.  I know of a small independent parts distributor that I can recommend. 

[BPellerine]

just use vintage bike parts in title,works for me.bill

[754]

Using boxes I buy has saved a lot of hassle for me..
I think the amount you have not gotten delivered is staggering, for the amount you have sent.
Just call them electronic module..
I dunno if it would help, but a pic of it in place, and hi-lighted.....may ease the inspectors fears .
I would think if they confiscate them due to suspicion, that they would eventually contact you..
 I think the Priority is a bit of a scam ..ie, pay us a bit more , and we will really do our job...

[HondaMan]

Using boxes I buy has saved a lot of hassle for me..
I think the amount you have not gotten delivered is staggering, for the amount you have sent.
Just call them electronic module..
I dunno if it would help, but a pic of it in place, and hi-lighted.....may ease the inspectors fears .
I would think if they confiscate them due to suspicion, that they would eventually contact you..
 I think the Priority is a bit of a scam ..ie, pay us a bit more , and we will really do our job...

I think it's a scam, too...Fedex actually delivers the Priority Mail Flat Rate packages!

[HondaMan]

I am used to the long time it takes to get to Ontario up there: it can take 6 weeks from Colorado to there, sometimes. South Africa has this problem even worse: normal to there can be 2 months. AUS is about 2 weeks on average. And USPS will not "Priority Mail" to any of these countries unless (oddly) it is to a US APO (military) base in those countries: then it always works and costs only as much as sending it across town. Go figure?

I don't know where you're getting your information from Mark, but that's not true, I get stuff shipped out via USPS "Priority Mail" all the time. Cheers, Terry.

The local Post Office here recommends I use the 'normal' Air Mail to AUS because it costs 60% as much as Priority Mail for the same weight. The "Priority Mail" I was referring to is their "flat rate box" packages: those are the ones they will not send out of the USA. I found out about this when Steve-O was talking with me about Ignitions, back when they were first being invented, and I tried to send 2 in a Flat Rate box to there (not to Steve-O, I don't think) - they made me unpack it in the Post Office and put it into a regular Priority Mail box, which cost 2x as much as normal Air Mail back then.

In other news: both of the packages I sent via the Priority Mail service this time made it to the new owners, and in MUCH less time than the other recommended route. So, being a cheapskate myself, I cringe at this kind of postage, but I think it's the only smart answer for Canada? It's nearly $30 USD to Ontario.

[firebane]

I just paid $30 shipping on a $20 item because of the rarity. Welcome to Canada.

[Bristledisk]

My package containing the Fuse Box and Transistor Ignition arrived safely in Calgary the other day from Hondaman, thank you. I paid the $35 USD postage  but it was worth it as it arrived safely.

[firebane]

My package containing the Fuse Box and Transistor Ignition arrived safely in Calgary the other day from Hondaman, thank you. I paid the $35 USD postage  but it was worth it as it arrived safely.

Exactly we will pay if it's worth it and good quality.

Hondaman you could do a combined purchase and give a person a break on cost to make up for shipping.

Buy the ignition and fuse box get 5% off etc.

[drumstyx]

For the distributor idea, we do have motorcycle superstores up here, Fortnine might be willing to talk. Or, on the smaller and more specific side, vintagecb750 (appears to be the Canadian counterpart of cb750supply) is located in Ontario and sells pamco kits.

[jamesw]

Vintagecb750 who operates out of London, Ontario is a rip off. They already charge in US dollars, but then to charge shipping and tax too in US dollars is ridiculous.

For any Canadian customers, register for a US shipping address with crossborderpickups.ca and never worry again.

I got my fuse box for $6 US shipped....then $15 CDN for it to be picked up in the US and then brought into Canada, where I picked it up myself.

Or if any Canadian residents want Marks parts, let me know. I'll help facilitate it.

[evanphi]

I never knew about that website/service. Luckily I live only 45min drive from the border. I just set up a USA PO box in the border town.

Example: Just ordered two lights from superbrightleds... would have been 15$ to ship to canada, or 2.50 to ship to my US address. Wife also had something coming, so made sense to get them all in together.

[grcamna2]

Vintagecb750 who operates out of London, Ontario is a rip off. They already charge in US dollars, but then to charge shipping and tax too in US dollars is ridiculous.

For any Canadian customers, register for a US shipping address with crossborderpickups.ca and never worry again.

I got my fuse box for $6 US shipped....then $15 CDN for it to be picked up in the US and then brought into Canada, where I picked it up myself.

Or if any Canadian residents want Marks parts, let me know. I'll help facilitate it.

 

[drumstyx]

Yes, I use kinek for shipping to the border, but sometimes it just isn't worth it for the drive. In the winter, driving my truck to the border and back is at least half a tank of fuel, that's $50, plus my time. If it costs 30 to ship to the USA, and 70 to ship to Canada only just beyond the border, yes it's BS, but I'll pay it because it's less than the alternative.

VintageCB750 at least offers free shipping over a certain amount, so that's not bad.

[MRieck]

I am used to the long time it takes to get to Ontario up there: it can take 6 weeks from Colorado to there, sometimes. South Africa has this problem even worse: normal to there can be 2 months. AUS is about 2 weeks on average. And USPS will not "Priority Mail" to any of these countries unless (oddly) it is to a US APO (military) base in those countries: then it always works and costs only as much as sending it across town. Go figure?

I don't know where you're getting your information from Mark, but that's not true, I get stuff shipped out via USPS "Priority Mail" all the time. Cheers, Terry.

The local Post Office here recommends I use the 'normal' Air Mail to AUS because it costs 60% as much as Priority Mail for the same weight. The "Priority Mail" I was referring to is their "flat rate box" packages: those are the ones they will not send out of the USA. I found out about this when Steve-O was talking with me about Ignitions, back when they were first being invented, and I tried to send 2 in a Flat Rate box to there (not to Steve-O, I don't think) - they made me unpack it in the Post Office and put it into a regular Priority Mail box, which cost 2x as much as normal Air Mail back then.

In other news: both of the packages I sent via the Priority Mail service this time made it to the new owners, and in MUCH less time than the other recommended route. So, being a cheapskate myself, I cringe at this kind of postage, but I think it's the only smart answer for Canada? It's nearly $30 USD to Ontario.

 I just sent a small flat rate box to Australia no problem. It got there in 4 days. They actually post the weight restriction for domestic and international on the boxes! I have shipped them (small, medium and large flat rate boxes ) all over the world. You better change the post office you deal with.

[PeWe]

I am used to the long time it takes to get to Ontario up there: it can take 6 weeks from Colorado to there, sometimes. South Africa has this problem even worse: normal to there can be 2 months. AUS is about 2 weeks on average. And USPS will not "Priority Mail" to any of these countries unless (oddly) it is to a US APO (military) base in those countries: then it always works and costs only as much as sending it across town. Go figure?

I don't know where you're getting your information from Mark, but that's not true, I get stuff shipped out via USPS "Priority Mail" all the time. Cheers, Terry.

The local Post Office here recommends I use the 'normal' Air Mail to AUS because it costs 60% as much as Priority Mail for the same weight. The "Priority Mail" I was referring to is their "flat rate box" packages: those are the ones they will not send out of the USA. I found out about this when Steve-O was talking with me about Ignitions, back when they were first being invented, and I tried to send 2 in a Flat Rate box to there (not to Steve-O, I don't think) - they made me unpack it in the Post Office and put it into a regular Priority Mail box, which cost 2x as much as normal Air Mail back then.

In other news: both of the packages I sent via the Priority Mail service this time made it to the new owners, and in MUCH less time than the other recommended route. So, being a cheapskate myself, I cringe at this kind of postage, but I think it's the only smart answer for Canada? It's nearly $30 USD to Ontario.

 I just sent a small flat rate box to Australia no problem. It got there in 4 days. They actually post the weight restriction for domestic and international on the boxes! I have shipped them (small, medium and large flat rate boxes ) all over the world. You better change the post office you deal with.

Yes, to Sweden within 3-5 days. Local post here double that, sometimes need an additional week for the final delivery

My last package from Dynoman with piston rings needed at least 2 weeks despite the urgency due to a personal mechanical mistake. That was not the cheapest USPS package, double than cheapest.
Mike has a better route from his office?