This won't come as much of a surprise to many of you - but did you know we're getting screwed on car parts from the U.S.? :rolleyes:

I don't just mean the exchange. Here's a few examples I've compiled over the past couple of months as I've been buying parts for my rallybeater NX:

Porterfield R4S Pads - Porterfield sells for $158US front & rear;
With exchange (1.58) = $249.64 CAN + GST&PST = $287.86 + shipping & Canada Post "handling fee" = $302.09CAN

OK, fair enough, BUT: Porterfield's Canadian Distributor sells them for $290 plus tax = $333.50CAN - this means that CAN "distributors" aren't distributors at all - they simply buy from source at retail and tack 20 or 30 bucks on - shitty. Plus we're getting double taxed!

Howe Steering Quickener, taxes in: from U.S. source = $313.89CAN - from Canadian "distributor" = $327.75CAN

The same applies to Kuhmo R700 rally tires (and I'm sure also to V700s), plus a number of other parts I've bought.

I hate to say this, but if you're going to buy parts - check out the U.S. source first. Even with exchange, taxes, shipping & handling it's probably cheaper. If the best these so called "distributors" here in Canada can do is what I've listed above - what's the fu*king point? They usually don't have the stuff in stock and have to order anyway - I can do that!

Mad Robby

Yep.

I can't remember the last time I bought something car-specific for the car here in Canada.

header - used from US

brake pads - group deal in US

stainless steel brake lines - group deal in US

Volk rims - group deal in US

GABs - group deal in US

etc., etc.

You get the idea :)

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/

Demon Tweeks carries a lot of neat stuff, incl. Sparco, OMP, etc.. Lots of rally stuff, yes. But also other motorsports & street.

For some reason, even people in the U.S. order direct from Britain - turns out it's cheaper than buying the stuff in the U.S. - can you imagine how much WE would get hosed ordering it from south of the border?

It's worth checking out if you're in the market.

Robin

This is also why Peter from Motorsport Distributing (Hot Bits etc.)in Brampton is in the far east this week - it's cheaper to bring it to Canada from Malaysia, Taiwan etc. than from the U.S.

He's apparently working on a deal to distribute a new racing seat - I'm not sure of the brand yet, but if you're in the market let me know a couple of weeks from now - I'm going to be checking out some samples.

Robin