March Larue Tactical Desktop Calender Available

F22_RaptoR said:
LaRue IS registered with the state department, thats why we CAN get stuff into Canada once in a while. But LaRue themselves and ALL their registered retailers refuse to go through the export process to sell stuff up here.
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Ok, I feel like being a total crap disturber there, for once.

Fabsports gets LaRue mounts into Canada. Something tells me that they are NOT buying a bunch of mounts in US and just driving them across border all sneaky-like in a back of a station wagon, but instead apply for the export paperwork, and export them legally.

So if fabsports can import LaRue mounts, why can't other dealers do the same? Because DSP83 forms are hit and miss? Because there is too much of a headache and paperwork involved? Because you pay fees to DOS, and you don't know if they say 'yay' or 'nay'? Because there is not enough profit in these things?

Had I the starting capital (and were I not a starving student), I'd give the following sales model a try:

1) Make arrangements for a group buy with CGN/greentips. Kickbacks to CGN as appropriate for dealer status, etc.

2) Advertise on CGN that a group buy of LaRue equipment will be attempted. Exclusive and one time, of course. Until I do it a second time. And again.

3) Get interested people to fill out individual DSP83 forms and forward them, together with a check/money order/EMT/whatever for $25 to me. Just like John Hipwell did with 7.62x39 kits for XCR - no promises that merchandise will arrive. If it does, $25 goes as credit towards your purchase (I'll make up the money spent on DOS fees from my profits), if it doesn't, well, you're out $25. Nothing bad about Wolverine Supplies; obviously this method worked - I have my 7.62x39 caliber conversion kit in my hands now - so this is the method that I'd copy. Sincerest form of flattery, and all.

4) Wait for enough orders to come in. Bumping the post with advertisment as appropriate, both in dealer forum, and in "black rifles". Oh, and I'd keep on reminding folks that it's exclusive and one time. And you don't know what the final cost will be. Or you will, but it will go up due to CBSA fees, or RCMP inspection levies, or the usual stand-by - exchange rate. I'll tell you estimated cost now (cost in US dollars * 1.5) and final cost once I got the goods in. And of course this is going to be a group buy for LaRue gear. And LaRue is cooler then Magpul. And dillo can beat up a swan any time of the day. Basically, if you're not in on my LaRue group buy, your #### will fall off.

5) Submit the individual DSP83 forms to Department of State, wait for approval. If they say no, well, everyone's out $25, we all hate US DOS, I don't loose any money on the $500 (or whatever it is) export application fee.

6) If DOS approves the purchase, forward the necessary paperwork to either LaRue Tactical, or heck, to one of LaRue resellers in US, like bravocompanyusa (Who are more likely to want to jump through export hoops on their end in order to sell). As an aside, dealing with LaRue directly for individual orders generally means dillos, bumper stickers, baseball hats and dillo dust with each order. I don't believe you get that from resellers. Now, people like freebies. On the other hand dealing with a reseller might mean not having to deal with LaRue. Hrm... I don't know.... There are benefits to each approach.

7) Bring them to Canada, pay duties, taxes, cuts and kickbacks (I might not know whom to pay kickbacks to, but I am old enough to know that kickbacks need to be paid).

8) Mark them up 70% (Seems to be consistent with FabSports pricing, so heck, whatever the market can stomach, after all this is LaRue!) to cover my troubles, and kickbacks/taxes as per above.

9) Call all the folks that filled out the DSP83 forms, and remind them to pay up.

10) Those that didn't pay up for the parts they ordered... Well, too bad, off on the open Canadian market they go, marked up 100%

Sounds like not enough profit just for a bunch of $150 mounts? Well, how about LaRue stealth uppers, then? SBRs (For those you'd prolly need to be an FFL (or have assistance of one) in US, so a newcomer on the market won't be able to do it as easily)? Optimized battle rifles in .308 and .223?

Yes, there will be lots of whining from people who would say that it's too expensive, and other mounts can be had for cheaper. But heck, it would be an instant status symbol.

In fact, as importer, to facilitate the superior attitude of the people that own LaRue gear (and thus stimulate sales), I'd buy a bunch of Laruminati patches, and include them with each order (rolling the cost of the patch into the mount or stealth upper cost, of course. "Freebie" that you pay for, neat eh?). People that bought into the group buy will feel '1337 (or however you spell "elite" in cool kids language), would wear those patches (because I will tell them that it's cool and a bunch of other mall ninjas, er, operators on the interwebs would agree) and would act as walking advertisements.

Oh, and the most important. If I were doing this, I'd have an excellent customer service. If I'm taking customer's money, customer should feel good about it, and be happy to give me that 70% markup, and be wanting to come again. And tell all his friends how cool he is.

I dunno... Sounds like something that just might work.

The above is how I would do business. Can you do better?

If anyone decides to do it - more power to you. I promise not to complain about your prices. In fact, I won't mind buying a couple of sets of LaRue branded Troi BUIS myself. And another LT110. And a mount for Aimpoint M2. And... You got the picture. Hrm... Now I need to earn enough money to afford all of that. At 70% markup. Hrm...

On a serious note, if LaRue is registered with DOS, can't you self-import their products, following the general outline in the "Brownell" sticky?
 
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notbsd said:
Ok, I feel like being a total crap disturber there, for once.

Fabsports gets LaRue mounts into Canada. Something tells me that they are NOT buying a bunch in US and just driving them across border all sneaky-like in a back of station wagon, but instead apply for the export paperwork, and export them legally.

So if fabsports can do it, why can't other dealers do it? Because DSP83 forms are hit and miss? Because there is too much of a headache and paperwork involved? Because you pay fees to DOS, and you don't know if they say 'yay' or 'nay'?

*sigh* Had I the starting capital (and were I not a starving student), I'd give the following sales model a try:

1) Make arrangements for a group buy with CGN/greentips. Kickbacks to CGN as appropriate for dealer status, etc.

2) Advertise on CGN that a group buy of LaRue equipment will be attempted. Exclusive and one time, of course. Until I do it a second time. And again.

3) Get interested people to fill out individual DSP83 forms and forward them, together with a check/money order/EMT/whatever for $25 to me. Just like John Hipwell did with 7.62x39 kits for XCR - no promises that merchandise will arrive. it it does, $25 goes as credit towards it, if it doesn't, well, you're out $25. Nothing bad about Wolverine Supplies; obviously this method worked - I have my 7.62x39 caliber conversion kit in my hands now - so this is the method that I'd copy. Sincerest form of flattery, and all.

4) Wait for enough orders to come in. Bumping the post with advertisment as appropriate. Both in dealer forum, and in "black rifles". Oh, and remind folks that it's exclusive and one time. And you don't know what the final cost will be. Or you will, but it will go up due to CBSA fees, or RCMP inspection levies, or the usual stand-by - exchange rate. I'll tell you estimated cost now (cost in US dollars * 1.5) and final cost once I got the goods in. And of course this is going to be a group buy for LaRue gear. And LaRue is cooler then Magpul. And dillo can beat up a swan any time of the day.

5) Submit the individual DSP83 forms to Department of State, wait for approval. If they say no, well, everyone's out $25, we all hate US DOS, I don't loose any money on the $500 (or whatever it is) export application fee.

6) If DOS approves the purchase, forward the necessary paperwork to either LaRue Tactical, or heck, to one of LaRue resellers in US, like bravocompanyusa (Who are more likely to want to jump through export hoops on their end in order to sell). As an aside, dealing with LaRue directly for individual orders generally means dillos, bumper stickers, baseball hats and dillo dust with each order. I don't believe you get that from resellers. Now, people like freebies. On the other hand dealing with a reseller might mean not having to deal with LaRue. Hrm... I don't know.... There are benefits to each approach.

7) Bring them to Canada, pay duties, taxes, cuts and kickbacks (I might not know whom to pay kickbacks to, but I am old enough to know that kickbacks need to be paid).

8) Mark them up 70% (Seems to be consistent with FabSports pricing, so heck, whatever the market can stomach, after all this is LaRue!) to cover my troubles, and kickbacks/taxes as per above.

9) Call all the folks that filled out the DSP83 forms, and remind them to pay up.

10) Those that didn't pay up for the parts they ordered... Well, too bad, off on the open Canadian market they go, marked up 100%

Sounds like not enough profit just for a bunch of $150 mounts? Well, how about LaRue stealth uppers, then? SBRs (For those you'd prolly need to be an FFL (or have assistance of one) in US, so a newcomer on the market won't be able to do it as easily)? Optimized battle rifles in .308 and .223?

Yes, there will be lots of whining from people who would say that it's too expensive, and other mounts can be had for cheaper. But heck, it would be an instant status symbol.

In fact, as importer, to facilitate the superior attitude of the people that own LaRue gear (and thus stimulate sales), I'd buy a bunch of Laruminati patches, and include them with each order (rolling the cost of the patch into the mount or stealth upper cost, of course. "Freebie" that you pay for, neat eh?). People that bought into the group buy will feel '1337 (or however you spell "elite" in cool kids language), would wear those patches (because I will tell them that it's cool and a bunch of other mall ninjas, er, operators on the interwebs would agree) and would act as walking advertisements.

Oh, and the most important. If I were doing this, I'd have an excellent customer service. If I'm taking customer's money, customer should feel good about it, and be happy to give me that 70% markup, and be wanting to come again. And tell all his friends how cool he is.

I dunno... Sounds like something that just might work.

The above is how I would do business. Can you do better?

If anyone decides to do it - more power to you. I promise not to complain about your prices. In fact, I won't mind buying a couple of sets of LaRue branded Troi BUIS myself. And another LT110. And a mount for Aimpoint M2. And... You got the picture. Hrm... Now I need to earn enough money to afford all of that. At 70% markup. Hrm...

On a serious note, if LaRue is registered with DOS, can't you self-import their products, following the general outline in the "Brownell" sticky?
Click to expand...

The big problem is finding American companies that will export the stuff.

I tried emailing about 10 different US "LaRue" carriers when I was looking for a Micro T1 mount (which was even under 100 bucks BTW) and out of the ten, I might have gotten 2-3 replies, all of which were "sorry no international sales".

So the few times that we DO find LaRue stuff up here, its people buying it in the USA and shipping it to a licensed exporter in the USA willing to fill out the paperwork and stuff, then shipping it up here.

If exporters willing to ship LaRue stuff up here it would be much easier, it would cut out the whole middle man process (or having 2 middle-men in this case) and they would just go from a US vender to a Canadian importer, then to us.


Doing a group buy to mitigate costs is the only real affective way to do things, and as someone whom tried to organize a group-buy, it is NOT easy to get everybody onto the same page!
 
F22_RaptoR said:
If exporters willing to ship LaRue stuff up here it would be much easier, it would cut out the whole middle man process (or having 2 middle-men in this case) and they would just go from a US vender to a Canadian importer, then to us.
Click to expand...

I'd imagine that any Canadian company with US presence and US FFL license can do the legwork and bring in LaRue stuff.

But you are right. Real question should not be "Why is LaRue not willing to export to Canada". Real question should be "Why is it that Canadian dealers with US presence do not want to bring LaRue products to Canada?".

That's the constructive direction for all the anti-LaRue anger in Canada.

Too bad that Brownells doesn't carry LaRue products, isn't it?
 
F22_RaptoR said:
The big problem is finding American companies that will export the stuff.

I tried emailing about 10 different US "LaRue" carriers when I was looking for a Micro T1 mount (which was even under 100 bucks BTW) and out of the ten, I might have gotten 2-3 replies, all of which were "sorry no international sales".
Click to expand...
It's not that they can't be bothered, it's that registering with US DOS for export is a substantial ongoing cost for them. If they are doing brisk business domestically, why would their business plan include exports? I can't imagine any business being interested in doing a one-off export for you. It's just not a good value proposition for them.
 
F22_RaptoR said:
The big problem is finding American companies that will export the stuff....


So the few times that we DO find LaRue stuff up here, its people buying it in the USA and shipping it to a licensed exporter in the USA willing to fill out the paperwork and stuff, then shipping it up here.
Click to expand...

I doubt that very much, I'd say most of the LaRue stuff in Canada came over in the trunk of a car,illegally.
 
There are dealers who have made effort to bring LaRue stuff into the Canadian civilian market with permits in their hands . LaRue doesn't have to do a single piece of export paper work. And it has not happened too often, and it is not an issue with the US government according to people who are involved.

So a CGN group buy proposal is useless here. The dealers and the US government could be aligned - but the maker needs to be willing to sell the products.
 
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