I bought a Panasonic TH-42PHD6UY from PlasmaConcepts. They expect to be paid by certified check or bank wire for Canadian orders. Since they are a forum sponser and others here have given good reviews I wasn't concerned about this. I ordered from Aric who was informative and quick to respond to my queries.
Shipping to Saskatoon was $250 USD via Danzas. I think it was shipped from Poulsbo, WA. Danzas brought it to Calgary then gave it to another company that held the package in bond until it cleared customs. I got a call from the Saskatoon office, picked up the paperwork and took it to customs and had it cleared in half an hour. The shipper delivered it to my home later that day.
Customs charged GST and PST. They also charged 5% duty. The customs officer told me that they didn't charge duty often anymore. They still charge duty for made in Japan products. If the plasma had been made in China there would not have been duty. Considering the cost of the plasma, 5% did not seem like much.
My bank charged $20 CDN service charge and $15 CDN cable cost to send a bank wire. There was a third fee that was charged to PlasmaConcepts account for $15 USD by one of the banks that I did not expect. I paid that with my VISA.
The only other fee I paid was $21 CDN as a sufference charge to the driver. I was told about that when I picked up the customs documents from the shipper.
Be aware that you warrenty is only valid in the US if you buy from the US so you will need to ship your plasma to the manufacturer for warrenty repairs. PlasmaConcepts offers to pay shipping and handle all the details if you plasma fails in the first two weeks.
I spent my spare moments during my Christmas holidays sticking 2x4 wood studs inside the 2x6 steel studs in my wall. The articulating mount is cool. Even more so with a plasma on it!
