Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Question I'm referring on behalf of Susan Photobug:

For anyone who has bought from RRS, what has been the final cost of getting an L-Bracket, including shipping, taxes, etc. How long for the shipment to make it here to Ontario, in people's experience?

Cost of the L-bracket in question is 140 USD.

Thanks

This is usually pretty accurate.

http://www.thefinalcost.com/

I actually called them last week about their shipping times. Their website cited 2-6 weeks for USPS Priority Mail. They told me that the wide range is due to past experiences with customs delays. They said that most orders, when in stock, leaves their facility the same day or next business day. Everything else after that is transit time.

I got my BH-40LR + L Plate for Canon 40D for $515 couple of years ago. The shipping cost was $43. They shipped the next day with USPS tracking. I received the package on the 4th day. There is the 13% tax on top when you collect the package from Canada post

I disagree. In fact, I find that calculator horribly misleading.

It always adds 6% duty for everything; duty depends on the type of item being imported. They also always add brokerage fee for UPS, where as brokerage fees depend on the class of UPS service. Their calculation of brokerage fees for USPS is quite wrong too.

true, not everything pays duty... and sometimes depends on the shipping agent.

Dont know if you are still wondering about this or not but I just ordered a new L bracket from RRS. They shipped USPS and charged me for it. They did not charge any taxes or brokerage fees at this point. I picked the express shipping which is only a dollar or two more than basic shipping but not as expensive as the rush shipping . Arrived in 10 days. Going to pick it up at the post office after work so I will let you know the final tally if it's important.

I also ordered about a half year ago another product from RRS. I got their pano kit. I was not charged any taxes or fees. I was only charged the additional shipping. Upon arrival, I was charged by Canada Post the HST and a small brokerage fee which was approx $5 or so.

Just picked up my L bracket

The 'handling charge' by Canada Post was $8. They also charged HST on the cost of the item which is marked on the customs paper by RRS. This is fair.

What isn't fair by RRS is that they seemed to have high charges for shiipping. The L bracket is about 4 ounces. But they seem to bill a flat rate of 2lbs. They of course included their colour catalog. Still, I weighed everything and it was only 1 lb 2 ounces. But they charged me for 2 lbs. That is the only place they dinged me.

Back in Oct 2008. mine shipped via USPS Express Mail and shipping was 37.98. I don't recall how long it took to arrive but a week is most likely. I thought it just arrived at the front door with no request for taxes or brokerage fees but it was 2.5 years ago. BTW, the order shipped the same day.

My order was an L bracket, lens plate, Br LR II clamp and some misc items. They owe me free shipping due to some issues I had in locktiting their bolt to the clamp and ballhead (long story) and I have been saving it up for a my next order seeing as they charge an arm and a leg for shipping. Are they any relation to Paul C Buff? LOL

I asked RRS about the shipping charge and the answer I got was that they do not inflate shipping costs to make money and that they are at the mercy of USPS. I think they could do better however. When i buy from B&H, they ship with Purolator and their shipping costs is based on the weight of the item. Sometimes on multiple item orders it comes out even cheaper than purchasing individualy.

I did get an answer back for RRS about the over charge for the shipping and they told me that there is nothing they can do with they way USPS operates. I thought to myself what ? That's the USA? I doubt it. You just need to be prepared for the high billing rate.