Currently in Ottawa, Canada for another 3 weeks...

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GoodbyeWorld

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

Topic # 138396 2-Jan-2014 12:10

Hello hello

As the subject says, I'm currently in Canada at the moment and have access to a Canadian residential address that I can use long term (family address).

Other then great shopping/shipping from the US, is there anything that I should take advantage of in relation to setting up streaming services for my return to NZ while I am here?

E.g. I know for the most part you can now setup US postal addresses and use paypal accounts to get by, but if I can do something now to make life easier, I'm all ears.

Cheers, and thanks for any help :-)

Ragnor

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Reply # 961800 6-Jan-2014 11:33

Not related to tech but I suggest you make the most of your access to Poutine!

https://www.google.co.nz/#q=poutine

GoodbyeWorld

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 961807 6-Jan-2014 11:52

Canadian by birth, can confirm: Had poutine today.

Likely abandoning my clothes and filling my suitcase with maple syrup for my return.

Elpie

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Reply # 962282 7-Jan-2014 07:56

Enjoy the warm weather ;)

As far as buying into Canada ex-USA be very careful to do price comparisons. My man is currently in NZ keeping me company while I organise our move and I intended to get Amazon to deliver a sweet little external hard drive to him so it would be waiting on his return to Quebec. Amazon (like many other US online shops) collects the taxes for Canada in advance. They also reserve the right to charge credit cards a second time if the actual tax is higher than their estimate. Shipping of this particular item to Canada was only USD$12 BUT by the time duty and taxes went on the price in NZD to send it to Canada came in more than getting it sent here. I'm getting it by the fastest shipping (2-4 days) and saving nearly $30.

By the time you factor in the USD price, add duty (everything attracts duty) and provincial taxes (ditto) then get it sent to NZ, and factor in currency conversion costs, I think you will find many items are cheaper if they come directly here.

FWIW, my man arrived with a suitcase containing nothing more than several cans of maple syrup taped together and a package of smoked salmon. Bringing Canadian salmon that is packed for export is no problem with NZ - just thought you might like to add something else to your suitcase ;)

GoodbyeWorld

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 962290 7-Jan-2014 08:18

Thanks for the great reply Elpie :)

Currently ordered a few items here through Newegg.ca, Amazon.ca, and Google Play (Nexus 5, 32 GB), all arrived within a week, no hitches, so pretty happy with that. I was even able to sign up for a .ca free Amazon Prime trial, so have had free 2 day shipping as well.

I would ship to NZ direct though once I've returned, it's a lot better then it used to be.

In relation to streamig services, I was more curious about if there was a CC option I could take advantage of that would benefit from or require a legit North American address. Ditto to any services in general.

I think I sorted Netflix out, and well it turns out things like Spotify and Pandora aren't even available in Canada!

I'll have a look out for some of that Smoked Salmon... I wish I could bring a giant chunk of Montreal Smoked Meat with me...