I noticed the charge to my credit card for the Stage-1... This can only mean:

It's COMING soon! Whoot!

I'm stoked.

-- Aaron

I hope so... My card was charged on the 13th but I haven't recieved the package or any emails from fedex

Same with mine.. Probably processed the next 'batch' of folks on the same day.

Talk about close, mine has entered the country and is minnesota right now.

Ya know... since the Credit Cards were charge, it would be cool to receive an email indicating when our units are planned for shipping (heck, a tracking number too would be cool).

Of course, if they are just boxing and shipping like mad, that would just take additional time.... wouldn't want that :-)

Well apparently jeffscardinal *did* get some kind of notification email, since he knows where his is! So I assume we can each expect notification when our units ship.

According to FedEx, mine was processed on the 15th but just left Edmonton on the 19th. The ETA has now been pushed back to the 29th. :(

My card was also charged on the 13th. $67 for freight?? Sounds hi, but maybe Maurice is coming down to personally install it :)

Can't wait either.

Get's expensive when you're shipping into or out of Canada, and I don't imagine it's a light package.

The package only weighs 3 lbs.

I too was surprised by the cost of shipping but the price matches what is listed on FedEx.com.

it must include some kind of border tax i would guess...so much for NAFTA (shrug).

When did any of you order?

Mid Dec for me.

Late December for me aarrgghhh, the wait continues...

Patience is a virtue right

I absolutely love being able to track packages online!! Here's my info:

I ordered my stage-1 kit on 12/18 and got a shipment notice from Maurice on 1/11, and a shipment notice from FedEx on 1/15 with an initial expected delivery date of 1/29. The package went from Edmonton to Winnipeg then crossed the border and went to St. Paul. It just left Columbus this morning and now my new expected delivery date has been moved up to 1/27!!

Maurice said that the shipping would be $25 so the extra $28 that was charged to my credit card must be taxes / border fees of some kind.

Did anyone else get a phone call from FedEx Trade Network concerning brokerage and duty fees? Brokerage fee was $16 and they didn't know what the duty fee would be.

I had to fax them a letter saying that I'd pay the fees before they would let the package out of customs.

Hmmm. I didn't get notified at all and didn't have to fax anything. I did happen to supply my ssn to Maurice when I ordered the kit. If you didn't, maybe that's why??

Scotchee,

Yes, I did give my SSN to CanZoomer when I faxed in my order.

I'd be curious to hear from other people who have received their units and find out what they had to pay for shipping, brokerage fees, and duty tax.

Speed Racer $55 + $16 brokerage fee + duty tax $???
Scotchee $53
vix8 $56

Not yet. Mine is supposed to arrive next Tuesday. I'll let you know what the invoice says when it comes. So far it sounds like there's been at least some variation in taxes and fees. My card was charged 553 and since CanZoomer mentioned that the shipping charges would be $25 I assume there were additional fees of $28. But the actual amount of shipping may have been different so my assumptions about the fees could be wrong too. I'll let you know once it comes.

On 1/13 I was charged $556.21 by Hard Data, Ltd. I ordered late December (before Christmas I believe).

Have not received an e-mail from Maurice yet...

I bet he had a good pay day on the 13th :) Of course after spending all his money up front he probably needed it.

MINE ARRIVED THIS MORNING!!!!! Should be installed this weekend!!!! Results to follow.........

Success07,

That's awesome! Let us know what you think of it as soon as you get it installed.

success: Whats this weekend stuff? Come on, take it like a man and put it in tonight and play!

I know when mine gets in I aint even waiting to get out of work :D

Ha... I was thinking the same thing... I would leave straight from work to install it... Then drive around the rest of the day

ALRIGHT - ALRIGHT!!!!!! I'm heading to a birthday dinner and then home to the ECU Mod. Man, you guys are tough!!!! :D

yeah put it in tonight let us know

Originally posted by success07
MINE ARRIVED THIS MORNING!!!!! Should be installed this weekend!!!! Results to follow.........

Just out of curiosity, did you ever receive a ship notice, or did it just show up on your doorstep one day looking for a home? :)

Sweet Succes! ....... :)

Cant wait to hear your comments on it!

David.

vix8 - I received two e-mails from FedEx. The first giving me a tacking number and other basic info and a second stating that it would probably arrive 1/28/04. I awoke this morning at 8am to the FedEx guy at my front door. It sits on my counter top as we speak waiting patiently to see it's new yellow home. :D

We've just heard some customs officers are trying to charge extra for duty etc. There shouldn't be any duty. It's classed as a computer. Some have also been charged a "free trade" fee (forget the correct term). This is also bogus! Hard to find customs agents who know what they're doing! Rachael at Hard Data is trying to straighten it out!

Need help - The Stage 1 that I just received doesn't have an on/ off switch - Problem - Yes or No?!!?!?

RX-8 Friend,

Thanks for taking notice and looking into the situation. :)

The install of Stage 1 is complete and the results are sweet!!!! I posted a thread in the Aftermarket Section for review!!! :D

Congrats and thanks for the info, I want mine now too

Way Cool!!!

...I can't wait! Thanks for the great info.

I got the beloved "On FedEx vehicle for delivery" message this morning. I'm definately going to leave work early today if it comes! :) (... fingers crossed ...)

OK, just talked with Rachael at Hard Data and she advises those being charged extra contact her at: rachael@harddata.com and she will handle the dolts who think you need to pay extra!

RX-8 Friend,

I sent Rachel an e-mail and with a little luck she may be able to get those dim wits in customs straightened out. ;)

Originally posted by RX-8 friend
OK, just talked with Rachael at Hard Data and she advises those being charged extra contact her at: rachael@harddata.com and she will handle the dolts who think you need to pay extra!

What's the definition of "extra"? In other words, what amount should be showing up on our statements?

I had $25 for shipping, and $12.50 for packaging but maybe the conversion rate changed mine bit.

There should be no duty or other fees. It should arrive fully paid. At least that's what I'm told. Rachael is the expert.

Customs and Brokerage Fees:
Until very recently the customs clearance fees on Fedex Ground shipments were (sometimes) $2 for a customs bond fee.

That (if they charge it, they usually do not) is to cover Fedex's cost for their bond.

These are "informal declarations" Which means a customs entry under $2,000 which does not require all the formal paperwork a higher value shipment needs.

Recently they decided that even though it is an informal entry, they are now charging $16 for customs document preparation and filing.

When we heard about this new practice about a week ago, we told Fedex to put these charges on our account, and we have now switched these shipments over to Fedex Air.

This service level includes the customs document charges, so there will be no more blackmail from them.

This costs us about $3 more than the original shipping cost we have quoted of $25, but on orders already booked we will eat the $3.

Packing and Handling Fees:

Some people mentioned they were charged a $12.50 fee for packing and handling. This is for orders placed on credit cards.

When we put a credit card charge through, the credit card companies charge us 2.5%. They call this a "Merchant Discount".

We could raise the price this amount and charge everyone this, but then it would not be fair to those who have paid us by Paypal or cashiers cheques.

However even the Paypal route of no fees will end soon.

As of February 8th Paypal is going to limit personal accounts to a maximum of $1,000 per month of incoming payments.

To receive more one has to "upgrade" to a "commercial account"
At that point all incoming payments get levied a 2.9% charge, and a $0.30 fee for handling.

So, as of the end of the month we are charging a packing and handling fee of 2.5% on all payments except those made by cashiers cheque or money orders.

Exchange Rate on Credit Card Orders:

When we receive an order paid by credit card we enter the payment into our credit card terminal.

This is a terminal of an organization called "Moneris"
Moneris is a jointly owned credit facility operated by the Bank of Montreal, the Royal Bank of Canada, and Harris Bank of Chicago.

Because we are in Canada we have to enter the charges in Canadian dollars.

On the day we enter it, we contact our bank, and find out the exchange rate for that day between U.S. and Canadian Dollars.

When the charges go through your bank in the USA, it is a day or two later, and the exchange rate may have changed a bit.

Sometimes it goes up. Sometimes down.

So, when you get your bill, the charges may be out by up to 1%.
We have no way to avoid this at present.

We are now opening an account with Harris Bank of Chicago, and they will be sending us a terminal we will use for US credit card charges. Then the amounts charged will be not subject to exchange, and the charges will be more accurate to our customers.

I hope this explanation helps you understand the process a bit better.

Thanks!