Purchasing Paradigms In Canada... A Primer?? (1 Viewer)

[Adrian Borbon]

I've been reading and reading and reading this forum for quite a while. And when I'm done reading and digesting what I've read in the past, I read some more. However, in all of my reading, I've really only come across bits and pieces regarding buying Paradigms in Canada. Yes, it's talked about. Prices are quoted here and there. But there's really no definitive primer for buying in Canada; no FAQ so to speak.
Here's the situation. I know what I want to buy (Paradigm Reference setup). I even know where I'll be going to get it (Vancouver, BC). However, there are some things I would like to know... and would appreciate people's help in obtaining:
- Can anyone provide the MSRP in Loonies for the entire Reference Series? Here I'm talking 20/40/60/80/100 as well as the CC and the ADP Surrounds. For some reason the ADP's are never mentioned. Also, the Servo-15 and the PW2200 prices would be appreciated. I'd like the Servo-15, but it might be a bit too big to get past spousal approval. The 2200 already has spousal approval though.
- What is the average and the maximum one can look at talking down a dealer in Canada from MSRP? The local dealer I had been talking with was looking at 20% off the entire system (Ref 60's, CC, ADP and PW2200 for about 2700 USD). I've seen some people saying that their dealers in Canada are cutting off in the range of 35%-40%. Is this the norm after some haggelling or is that the result of supreme haggelling?
- I keep seeing people mention taxes geting refunded. Which taxes are you people talking about? That's the one area that leaves me supremely confused in this whole discussion. What is the refund process and is it something that happens at the border or is it a "check in the mail" type of thing?
- This is a personal request question... but can someone, anyone, please get me the IN THE BOX dimensions of the following speakers? Studio 60, Studio CC, Studio ADP and PW2200. I'd appreciate that one because it'll determine which vehicle I drive to Canada.
- Anyone have a particular dealer in the Vancouver area who is better than the rest? Okay, that doesn't go in the FAQ... but I'm curious since all of my dealings to this point have been over the phone. This would at least limit the amount of dealers I deal with.
That's about all I've got on that. I think I've covered all my major questions. If anyone else has any other questions, please feel free to add to my list. All input is appreciated.
Adrian

 

[Wayne McRae]

Adrian,I can't give you any advice on prices or sizes but I can direct you to www.avu.ca They are a dealer that carries Paradigm with about 5 stores in the greater Vancouver area.If you like,send me a E-mail and I can direct you to the closest store.I have bought other items there(Denon rec. & panny TV)and I find you can get them down at least 20%.With your U.S. dollar you should be able to do really well.Hope this helps.
Wayne

 

[Mike Veroukis]

I can help you out a bit.

First off, Wayne's right, 20% off is for sure. I got 30% off my 40's.

The MSRP for the 100s w/veneer is $2999. For the 40s w/veneer it's $1499. I believe the 80s are ~$2200 w/veneer. For the Servo-15 I believe it's $1799. If you call a dealer they should be able to give you the MSRP over the phone, but don't expect them to go down from there.

One thing I would recommend is that you phone ahead and make sure that the ones you want (in the finish that you want) are currently in stock! The dealership here in Winnipeg has had stock shortages as of late and it would suck if you drove all that way to findout they don't have any in stock!

Not sure how the taxes concern you but I can tell you that here in Canada have two sales taxes; a provincial sales tax (pst) and a general sales tax (gst). The gst is 7% across the country while the pst in BC I believe is either 7% or 8%. For your sake, I hope you can get that refunded as it sure adds up to a lot! Good luck!

- Mike

 

[Ken Hoyme]

Here are a few answers. Just made the trip for mine about a month ago.
Here are the Canadian List prices I was able to glean in my hunt:
Studio/20
Laminate800
Veneer1100
Studio/40
Laminate1200
Veneer1450
Studio/60
Laminate1500
Veneer2000
Studio/CC
Laminate600
Veneer???
Servo-15
Laminate1800
Veneer2200
Studio/100
Laminate2400
Veneer3000
Studio/ADP
Laminate1050
Veneer???
Got my boxes still in the basement...
Dimensions in the box (in inches)
Studio/60 - 11x18x43
Studio/CC - 11x15x25.2
Studio/ADP - 19.5x18.14 (box contains the pair)
Servo-15 - 20.5x24x26.5
Had a PW-2200 here in the house that I bought for another guy (along with a 370 center and Atom surrounds) but didn't measure it. It was smaller than the servo.
Regarding tax -- the Canadian government has a brochure at the border and the web site they list in it is www.ccra.gc.ca
GST (national tax of 7%) is refundable -- if your port of entry is big enough for a Duty Free shop, you can do it there. Grand Portage wasn't, so I got my receipt stamped at the Canadian side of the border and am mailing it in. No word yet.
PST (8% in Ontario - where I went) is ambiguous whether it gets refunded. Don't know yet...
Last, but not least, warn your credit card you are going! We rang the fraud alarms crossing into Canada and buying US$4000 worth of speakers. We spent some time on the phone with Visa convincing them we were legit, and Visa called us again the following week to make sure it really was us.
Good luck!
Ken

 

[Nick V]

Adrian,
If you go to Alberta, the province directly east of British Columbia, there is no provincial sales tax. Just the 7% federal tax, that would most definately be refunded.
You should be able to get between 25%-30% off the retail price. I know that I paid $900 for my Monitor 11's and I believe that they retail for between $1250-$1300.
Good luck on making the trek into Canada.

 

[Adrian Borbon]

Thank you to everyone for your help. All the gaps have been filled in now.

I did a little calling around in Canada and found out that, at least for British Columbia, the Provincial Sales Tax is most definitely NOT refunded on a speaker purchase. I don't know how that applies to the other provinces since someone did say that it can be ambiguous at times. But for BC, it's a definite NO.

GST is refunded nationwide, so that's good to hear.

Alberta is looking like a nice vacation spot now. No Provincial Tax... woo woo! Lake Louise and Banff, here I come.

Thank you once again to everyone for your help.

Adrian

 

[Mike Veroukis]

Adrian,
If you do decide to go to Alberta keep in mind that the distance between Vancouver and Calgary is about 1000Kms. Be sure to stay state side as long as you can as gas prices here in Canada are much higher, you'd end up burning in fuel what you'd save in taxes. Other then that, Banff is totally worth any extra costs you might end up paying and the drive from Vancouver to Calgary is breath taking. Enjoy!
- Mike

 

[Wayne McRae]

Watch out for the wildlife on the road.A head on,with a moose will make those monitors sound like Bose Sorry,couldn't resist.

 

[Adrian Borbon]

Mike,
While there is about a 1000km difference laterally between Vancouver and Calgary, there's "only" a 400km difference between the two when driving up from California.
I'm exploring my options now of just flying up, purchasing and shipping them back to Southern California or doing the drive. Nothing like driving 3200 miles to save a thousand bucks.
I'll figure it all out and get my speakers before the big v2 to v3 changeover.
Adrian

 

[Adrian Borbon]

Actually, I have one other question.

Does anyone know what the Onkyo Integra 7.2 receivers are selling for in Canada? I might as well see if I can get everything while I'm up there, no?

Adrian

 

[Zbigniew]

Adrian,

You go, Man !!!

Last year I did a 1018 each way run from Va to New Brunswick to pick up my Active. That was real fun, and good excuse to spend 3 days on the road.

Best part of the trip: Canadian/US border folks seeing me back an forth through border 12 hours apart, and stating that I drove 1000 miles for speakers.... they tore my car and me almost apart looking for anything.

Forget shipping. Expensive, cumbersome.

Calgary - went to one place there, around 23 Ave or Street. Very niceon the phone, but when I arrived, they knoew that I am from US and were stonewalling me - so I walked away.

Get in touch with someone from Canada; Canada stores will not ship to US without you in store; they will not negotiate a deal over the phone. But someone friendly can walk into store, negotiate price for you, set when you will come to pick up stuff, and then call you in so you can confirm it - and then show up in store to sign the receipt, pick up goodies, go to friend house, check that all plays nice and then suffer loooong way back home inpatiently expecting the fun.....

I might be doing another paradigm run frm VA to Canada around September - October.

_zjt

 

[Adrian Borbon]

Great, now I got to make friends in Alberta. There goes making jokes about only two things coming out of Alberta anymore.
I've called around Calgary before... most of the stores are nice. There are a few stores in Metro Calgary and a few on the outskirts if I'm reading maps correctly. So I'll just check to see who will do the best offer.
Trust me though... if I had a Canadian Connection (sounds like I'm looking for a pro-wrestling tag team) I'd definitely be having the local do some footwork for me to secure the best deal and then just drive up to sign the papers and take it on home.
Thanks for the advice.
Adrian... looking for new friends in Metro Calgary.

 

[Wayne McRae]

Adrian,don't hold your breath on the Integra.Us Canucks get royally screwed on receivers.I've heard people on this board getting a Denon 3802 for around $700 U.S or $1120 Cdn.My dealer,who I have bought several items from,quoted me $1525 from the list price of $1899 Cdn.Grab your Paradigm's and run for the border!

 

[Levesque]

Just bought my Reference system in the Montréal area. All in canadian money, before the taxes. Servo-15 + X-30 1200$. Studio-40 laminate 699$ Premier stand 175$. Studio-20 599$. Studio-cc 449$. I can't give the name of my dealer on the internet, he ask me not to give his name on the net... Sorry guys. Just to give you the prices you should aim for. I was able to go that low...

 

[Zbigniew]

Levesque (sorry, don't know how to properly put an accent in your name ,

at this prices I am tempted to visit Montreal...

Translates to 453 for pair of 40. Brand new Servo with X-30 - 779$. Seeet.

All the best,

_zjt

 

[Adrian Borbon]

Shoot... now I've run up in a dilemma.
Does anyone who has bought in Calgary have a "preferred" dealer? I know that there are three in Calgary proper and another one that I'll pass in Lethbridge... but from those who have indeed bought... does anyone recommend one over the other and, if so, why? Most important reason here is going to be prices... as I don't think I'll give a care about "service" after driving 1600 miles in 20 hours.
But please, if you've got one you recommend and the reasons why, I will really appreciate it.
Thank you to everyone once again,
Adrian
PS - Montreal is too far to drive from SoCal... but those prices make it tempting.

 

[Steve K.H.]

Adrian, give me the specs on what you want (exactly), and I'll see what I can do for you (yes, I'm in Alberta).

edit: Is it this? (Ref 60's, CC, ADP and PW2200 for about 2700 USD). I'll see about the Servo-15 as well. How many ADP's? 2 or 4?

 

[Wayne McRae]

Adrian,the Audio Video Unlimited store I directed you to earlier is moving their store at the end of June.Their lease expired and someone bought their building.I bought a Denon 3802 for $870 U.S.,the normal buying price after bartering is $1000.You may want to contact them to see what they have left.In there website,click on their Surrey store and phone or E-mail them.I think with this sale,it will more than make up for the tax saving in Alberta.

 

[Adrian Borbon]

Steve - Yeah... that's the right configuration. I'm still debating between 2 and 4 adp's. My wife doesn't care either way... she just wants really nice sound in the house. So I lucked out there. Same thing with the pw-2200 v. Servo-15. But those are indeed the right configs.
Wayne - Thanks for the tip on AV Unlimited. I'll be giving them a call to see what I can work out. If it ends up working out better, than I'll just be hopping up and getting speakers in BC. If not, well, there's always Alberta.
Once again, thanks to all of you for your aide and assistance. It truly makes the forum live up to its reputation as an audiophile's best friend.

 

[Steve K.H.]

Hell, it would be worth the trip to go through Vancouver (Surrey) and into Alberta... Bring a good camera.

I'll see what I can dig up for you.

-Steve