Where to buy HV20 in Buffalo, N.Y.

[zyad]

Guys, I'm in Toronto, Canada, but I'm going to Niagara Falls next weekend.

The best price I have found for the HV20 locally is CAN$1330 taxes in (about US$1,200), our taxes here are 14% and the exchange now is about US$1 = CAN$1.10.
I was wondering if it would be worth it for me to make the short cross of the border and buy the camera in Buffalo, N.Y. since I'm going to be in the area.
I'm only familiar with the big chain U.S. stores (Best Buy, Circuit City), and from what I see, it is on sale now at Circuit City for US$980 (not sure if the sale will last until next weekend though).

Does anyone here know of any other retailer that has a location in Buffalo that will have this camera for a similar or better price?

The reason I want to know now is that the store that has quoted me the CAN$1330 price here needs to order it and it will take a few days to come in. So if I plan on getting it in the U.S. next weekend, I have to cancel my plan to get the store to order it here.

The only problem I have with buying in the U.S. is the warranty's validity in Canada.

Help anyone?

[SuperSean23]

I'm not to familiar with the Buffalo area, but if Circuit City still has it on sale I'd recommend getting it there. Don't for get to buy a 10% off coupon from eBay as well, thats a good $90 savings.

[zyad]

Thanks for the advice Sean. :hv20-smilie77:


Anyone else have any recommendations?

[zyad]

PS Sean: Do those ebay coupons really work? Even if the camera is already on sale? Printing it out and going into the store would be ok?

Check this one out: http://cgi.ebay.ca/Circuit-City-10-off-199-Online-InStore-Coupon-INSTANT_W0QQitemZ330125538865QQihZ014QQcategoryZ31 411QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

There are some exclusions to what you can buy with the coupon, although they don't mention Canon or camcorders:

"*Exclusions: Valid through 12/31/2007. This offer is good for one use only and applies to total qualifying purchase on a single sales receipt. Not valid on previous purchases. Offer excludes gaming consoles, notebook and desktop computers, Xbox 360, Panasonic Plasma TV’s, Verizon, Sharper Image, Infinity, Oakley,Velodyne, Bose, Polk, HP MP3 players, Apple, Kicker, MTX Thunder, Sony XBR TV’s, LG, Akai, ESA, KEF, firedog, City Advantage, Outlet and Circuit City GC purchases, delivery fees, shipping charges and sales tax not included in total purchase calculation. Coupon code valid on-line, in-store, or at 1-800-593-4391. Barcode valid in-store only. Not combinable with select Circuit City offers. Not redeemable for cash. Void where prohibited or restricted. Price matching not available on-line. See store for details."


PS Anyone know how much the sales tax is in N.Y. State?
Edit: Nevermind the tax question, I just foud out that in NY it's maximum 9.5%, still much less that we pay here in Canada...

[theprophe]

But dont forget when you comeback into Canada, its another 14% tax you have to pay, unless your not declaring it, then its up to fate if your caught

[SuperSean23]

Yes they do work, most sellers on ebay will offer you a refund if they do not:) So its a win win situation. Also you dont necessarily have to bring it into the store, you can use it online (besides i dont believe CC currently has HV20's in store).

P.S 6% sales tax here in michigan:)

P.S.S I'm sure you dont have to declare your camcorder when crossing back over the border, you brought it to film your great trip to NY:)

[zyad]

Yeah guys, I'm not declaring it... :hv20-smilie68:
Screw that! It would defy the purpose and make the price not worth the drive. Trust me, I pay enough taxes already. If the Canadian government wants our tax money bad enough, then they should do something about the way us Canadian consumers consistently get screwed over with MSRP's compared to U.S. prices. We're right across the border, and we get killed when it comes to electronics, no matter how good the exchange rate is (right now it's really close, around 1.1 times).
If our government had balls, they would take Corporations to task and do something about it.


Sean: The Circuit City website says that the Buffalo store doesn't have it in stock, but the Amherst store (right across the border), store #3152 shows it in stock. Maybe I should call them and confirm that they have it in stock.

[SuperSean23]

Well atleast you guys have cheap meds! :)
Anyways I would definatly call before making the trip zyad, no CC's around here have them in stock.

[tgtn]

Hi zyad. I purchased mine in T.O. for $1250 CAD. Plus taxes, of course. Go to Aden Camera at Pacific Mall at Kennedy and Steeles and ask for a quote, which is $ 1250. Make sure you write it on their business card. You then take this biz card to Henry's, where they have the HV20 listed for $ 1399, and ask them if they will match the quote. They usually do. The only reason you DON'T want to buy it at Aden's is because they do not offer refunds, only exchanges, while Henry's does both. You can then buy a 2year warranty from Henry's with the money you saved from the MSRP.

Make sure you buy it on a weekend, the weekend managers are usually more lenient. A sale is a sale and this will still add to the weekend manager's bottom line.

[zyad]

tgtn, the quotes I got in Toronto were cheaper than that (even the quote I got from Henry's), but even with the discounts, it's almost $300 cheaper in the U.S. after you take taxes into account.



Circuit City: US$980 - 10% CC coupon + 9% tax + 10% US-CAN exchange rate = CAN$1,057


Your price: CAN$1250 + 14% Tax = CAN$1,425


My local Canadian quotes: CAN$1,330 tax included (I made this deal if I pay cash).


So you see the U.S. is still the best option, unless you know somewhere in Toronto where I can get a big discount for paying cash.

[tgtn]

Zyad,

Ah, such is the life of us, Canadian taxpayers. $ 300 is a big difference. It is worth the trip. I hope you get them to hold one for you at CC.

I bought my HV20 last April when the buzz was so hot, I couldn't wait to get my hands on one. I guess it has gone down considerably in Canada since, even at Henry's.

The only thing is, I hope that your warranty includes Canada. I think it might, because the warranty a ctually comes from Canon anyway.

Do you mind if I ask where you got the $ 1330 tax incl. quote. I'm thinking of purchasing another one because the one I currently have is hooked up to a 35mm adapter and it is a hassle taking it on and off. I don't want to use the adapter all the time.

[zyad]

Zyad,

Ah, such is the life of us, Canadian taxpayers. $ 300 is a big difference. It is worth the trip. I hope you get them to hold one for you at CC.

I bought my HV20 last April when the buzz was so hot, I couldn't wait to get my hands on one. I guess it has gone down considerably in Canada since, even at Henry's.

The only thing is, I hope that your warranty includes Canada. I think it might, because the warranty a ctually comes from Canon anyway.

Do you mind if I ask where you got the $ 1330 tax incl. quote. I'm thinking of purchasing another one because the one I currently have is hooked up to a 35mm adapter and it is a hassle taking it on and off. I don't want to use the adapter all the time.


Check your PM's

I called the CC branch in question and the girl there told me they have them in stock, and that they match the website's price, and that the 10% coupon should be applicable. I hope everything goes well.

[tgtn]

Zyad,

Good luck and thanks for the pm.

[Olphus]

Just a thought - how would customs know if you bought the camera in the US?
Maybe while in the US you could send the empty box (keep it for the warranty) back home? Customs won't be able to tell.

[theprophe]

The serial numbers might distiguish between US and Canadian models, not sure. They can charge you tax on it, if they think you bought it there, you have to prove its Canadian by either a reciept, that you bought it in Canada, or they have a card that you fill out with the model,serial number, that you give to customs before you leave, to prove its already from Canada. I did that for my camera equipment when i used to travel, since it was worth around 10k. Most of the time they don't care, but you just need that one asshole, to ruin everything

[zyad]

Now you guys are making me nervous. Maybe I should take a friend's suggestion and buy the camera here, and show the receipt at the border after I buy another one in the U.S., then return the Canadian camera.

Does anyone know if the U.S. serial numbers for the Canons are different than the Canadian ones?

Does anyone know if a receipt from a Canadian Future Shop or Best Buy show the serial number of the camera?

[zyad]

Does anyone know if those Circuit City coupons for 10% work in-store for a further discount on an item if the item is already on sale (like the HV20 is on CC's website)?

P.S. if anyone knows any more stores when the HV20 is on sale in Buffalo, please let us know in this thread!

I'm not familiar with U.S. electronics stores other than Best Buy and Circuit City. What are the names of other big stores?