Thread: Better Way??

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I am a Canadian haunter and unfortunately I find most of the props that I want are from US companies. I have no issues shopping in US stores, they have great stuff. It's the shipping charges that I get hit with when I order something online.

Is there a better way to do this? I was just looking at a $25.00 item on the website that I came thisclose to ordering but the $24.00 shipping on this one order is just too much to swallow.

Any suggestions? I want to order some things but I don't want $200.00 worth of props to turn into a $400.00.

As this is related to general Halloween stuff, moving it into that section.

I don't have any suggestions, but here's hoping some of the members here can suggest something. There are lots of Canadian haunters here that are probably in the same boat.

We are pretty screwed in most USA owned store. But, if you check Canadian stores, like Canadian Tire, Giant Tiger, Shoppers Drug Mart (I think it's canadian only), Jean Couteau and others, you can find unique props are decent prices. I would say 70% of my collection I bought is from all those canadian stores. So rare I got something from Walmart and other american owned stores (due to outrages pricing).

For like stuff from Spirit and Monster stores, yup, we are screwed there too. Until the govrnment finally do something to finally ajust pricing between our 2 countries, canadians will continue to get shafted.

I don't buy a lot of props from the US but I have bought a lot of masks. When I do, I try to buy at least 3 at a time. Since the cost for shipping three is pretty much the same as one I end up saving about $50.00 in shipping compared to seperate orders. Some times it pays to pay a little more at one retailer even if they won't match a price to get the combined shipping costs.
There are a few Canadian Year-Round retailers as well that you might consider. Perhaps you might find the overall cost to be lower especially if you can pick up the items.
Here's a few I am familiar with....

www.amazingpartystore.com
http://www.creepedout.ca/store/
http://www.ripstershalloweenshop.ca/index.html
http://www.thomasfx.com/
http://www.boneyardbargains.ca/

Hope this helps.

Thanks for moving the thread for me Frankie. I was initially going to put it in General Halloween but wasn't sure.

Thanks for the link Doto, I will definitely check them out. I was actually thinking of looking into renting a US PO box in Watertown. Watertown is only an hour and a half drive from me. It really does all depend on how much I will have to pay to rent it, and I do believe it is a 3 month requirement when a box is rented. I'm hoping that someone I know may be willing to go in on it with me. Maybe they may not be looking at Halloween props like myself but Christmas is also around the corner so I may find someone who is interested in purchasing from the US for that.

Sorry to double post but I just checked out that Ripsters site and they have a few of the props that I am interested in...I'm so excited, thank you, thank you!!!

Make friends with a fellow haunter near the border and have them smuggle Halloween goods in for you?

lol Lil! I wish I knew a haunter from here that lives in Watertown, NY. That would be perfect!! I could have the props shipped to them and drive the hour and a half and go pick it up at their place. So perfect! To dream, to dream...

Hey,

If you get a PO Box in Watertown don't forget you wil have a few added expenses to consider in addition to the PO box rental. There will still be domestic shipping costs, duties at the border, and a 3 hour round trip car ride and the gas that consumes.

Hopefully some of the Canadian Websites will make sense $$$. What prop(s) are you looking for? Maybe with a little assistance we can find it for you somewhere nice and cheap.

Originally Posted by Boo Baby!!

lol Lil! I wish I knew a haunter from here that lives in Watertown, NY. That would be perfect!! I could have the props shipped to them and drive the hour and a half and go pick it up at their place. So perfect! To dream, to dream...

I live in Buffalo