TheNetGuy,

Welcome to the Saloon!

As one of the occasional Canucks around here, I have posted at length regarding the trials and tribulations of cross-border buying.

FYI the brokerage fees are exorbitantly high when you receive something shipped via UPS Ground. In comparison, USPS/Canada Post rings in at a flat $5.00 for brokerage - regardless of the shipment's value. Unfortuantely, at least the last time I checked, Outlaw insists on shipping via UPS Ground only.

Regarding returned items under warranty: even if you have not bought the item again, when it's returned to you via UPS, they will ding you for brokerage fees again - even though no duties or taxes are due. This is one of the reasons why I feel that UPS sucks royally.

Luckily, the fine print in your warranty likely says (at least mine does for my ICBM and 950 units) that while you must cover the cost to return a unit to Outlaw, they are responsible for covering the shipping costs back to you. UPS' brokerage fees are a form of shipping cost (for example there are none with UPS Air) so Outlaw is responsible. When my 950 was returned for repairs, those great folks at Outlaw cut me a cheque for all of the brokerage fees that I had to pay when the unit came back.

PM me your email address and I'll send you a copy of my "Border Tips" document.

Regards.

Jeff Mackwood