question about opticsplanet

I tried to buy a set of Peltor ear defenders from them, but they wouldn't ship to Canada (presumably they don't want to support Canadian suicide bombers that are afraid of loud noises...). I read their product reviews and note their prices, just like MidwayUSA, but I look elsewhere to buy.
 
i sent them an email asking if they ship to canada
they sent a long reply that tells everything about their shipping policies except if they take care of the export permits to ship stuff like scopes to canada
 
I tried to buy a set of Peltor ear defenders from them, but they wouldn't ship to Canada (presumably they don't want to support Canadian suicide bombers that are afraid of loud noises...). I read their product reviews and note their prices, just like MidwayUSA, but I look elsewhere to buy.

That is weird, how long ago was this?

I ordered a discreet gun case for my AR from their American store about 2 months ago, only crappy part was that it was shipped by UPS :mad:
 
I bought a galco vertical shoulder holster from them, the process was ok, alot easier than la police gear ie wanting to know too much information. Friendly people, no complaints, would buy from them again.
 
Ok after reading, the Canadian Store isn't accepting orders right now it seems:

While we are working on getting the store launched to support Canadian currency, please feel free to shop in our US Store OpticsPlanet.com

Check our International Orders policy as well as our Shipping Policies for more information.

They always have seemingly good deals on optics....
 
I attempted to order some hearing protection from them last winter. The Peltor tac7s and a set of Radians behind the ear were about $180 US. The shipping was $92 via USPS. I contacted them and they were willing to adjust it down to $82. I told them to cancel the order.

They had free shipping in the US, alright ship them to some winter Texans I know and they can bring them home for me. Placed the order, receive an email about the possibility my credit card being from out of country. The hearing protection may be exported so please fill out this document for the government. I'm getting upset now. Emailed them a friendly message to cancel the order and inform their government that hearing protection is used around loud machinery and equipment. I seriously doubt suicide bombers wear hearing protection.

YMMV.
 
Government Export Restriction
This item may be regulated for export by the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce. Please see our Export Policy prior to placing your order

The U.S. Department of State's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control administer export control regulations that affect some aspects of our business. We request that you (the "Customer") read and familiarize yourself with the following regarding certain applicable export regulations.

The sale, transfer, transportation, or shipment outside of the U.S. of any product prohibited or restricted for export without complying with U.S. export control laws and regulations, including proper export licensing, documentation or authorization, is strictly prohibited and may result in civil penalties and/or constitute a federal crime. OpticsPlanet, Inc. will not engage in any transaction that requires the illegal export of any products and will not assist directly or indirectly with the illegal export or re-export of any products. An accurate Automated Export System (AES) filing must be made, whether or not the exportation requires a license.

If you wish to purchase an item for ultimate shipment or use outside of the United States, please indicate this fact in your order. Depending on the value of the order, specific item(s), end user, country of ultimate destination and end use, OpticsPlanet, Inc. may be required to apply for an export license with the appropriate U.S. government agency. Several items on the website may require an export license, including, but not limited to, the following:

Generation 2, 3, or 4 Night Vision Equipment and Night Vision Accessories
Thermal Imaging Equipment and Heat Seekers
Optical Sighting Equipment and Tactical Lights (both Hand-Held and Weapon-Mountable), Accessories, and Mounting Hardware
Tactical Gear and Weapon Accessories
Knives
Military Apparel including Body Armor, Helmets and Helmet Accessories, and Shields
Some Laboratory Equipment
Some Electronic Equipment
Export Policy and Restrictions - Published Policy

Please refer to our APO/FPO Shipping and Export Restrictions for more information on export to APO/FPO addresses.

International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR): Some of the item(s) on this website are subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and export is strictly prohibited without authorization or a license issued by the U.S. Department of State's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. By proceeding with a transaction to purchase any ITAR restricted item(s), the Customer certifies that (i) the purchase does not require OpticsPlanet, Inc. to export such items, unless OpticsPlanet, Inc. is aware of the export and has obtained the appropriate U.S. Government authorization; (ii) the Customer does not intend to export such items after receipt from OpticsPlanet, Inc. without the appropriate U.S. Government export authorization; (iii) the Customer does not intend to export, transfer, sell, or furnish the item to any foreign person, whether abroad or in the U.S., including any Foreign Embassy in the U.S., without the appropriate U.S. Government export authorization; (iv) the Customer understands that a foreign person under the ITAR § 120.16 means "any natural person who is not a lawful permanent resident as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(20) or who is not a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3)," and can mean "any foreign corporation, business association, trust, society, or any other entity or group that is not incorporated or organized to do business in the U.S., as well as international organizations, foreign governments, and any agency or subdivisions of government (e.g. diplomatic missions)" (See ITAR § 120.16); (v) the Customer is a U.S. Person as defined by ITAR § 120.15, meaning the Customer is a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(20), or is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3), or is a "corporation, business association, partnership, society, trust, or any other entity, organization or group that is incorporated to do business in the U.S., or is a governmental (federal, state, or local) entity" (See ITAR § 120.15).

Export Administration Regulations (EAR): Some of the item(s) on this website are subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and export may be restricted by the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security. By proceeding with a transaction to purchase any restricted item(s), the Customer certifies that (i) the purchase does not require OpticsPlanet, Inc. to export such items, unless OpticsPlanet, Inc. is aware of the export and has obtained the appropriate U.S. Government authorization; (ii) the Customer does not intend to export such items after receipt from OpticsPlanet, Inc. without the appropriate U.S. Government export authorization.
 
i dropped the ball on optics planet; they restrict many things for export to canada, for god knows why, and they ship usint ups courrier ; if you ever have dealt with ups for ''cross the border shipping'' or worst ; if you are planing to; word of advice, keep some money in your pocket!

ups charges lots of money for brokage fees the fee for putting your box from the american counter to the canadian one...
 
i dropped the ball on optics planet; they restrict many things for export to canada, for god knows why, and they ship usint ups courrier ; if you ever have dealt with ups for ''cross the border shipping'' or worst ; if you are planing to; word of advice, keep some money in your pocket!

ups charges lots of money for brokage fees the fee for putting your box from the american counter to the canadian one...

Read the International Shipping and Optics Planet tells you how to get around the Brokerage Fees.

Also the reason they don't ship to Canada on some things is posted above.

But when Optics Planet Canada gets launched then I see no problem in ordering these items.
 
Do your homework before buying in the US.

You'll find pricing that ranges from very good to well above the minimum advertised pricing you'll find in Canada.

For example, on Opticsplanet they list a Schmidt & Bender 5-25x56 rifle scope at $3,199, which is MAP pricing in Canada. Given the difficulty and cost relating to the importing of rifle scopes, there is no incentive here.

They list Leica 10x42 Geovids at $2,399, where Wholesale Sports is $2,579.95, a difference of $180.95. Similarly they list Swarovski 10x42 SLC's at $1,699.99, where Wholesale Sports is $1,869.99, a difference of $170.

Using the example of the Geovids, UPS Worldwide Expedited shipping on a 4lb package (heavier than it probably would be) insured with a $2,000 value = $133.86 US dollars, without insurance = $119.86.

The package will be subject to HST +12% (same as though you bought it in Canada).

No shipper will guarantee that your shipment will not be subject to duty (variable depending on the commodity and country of origina) which is calculated as a percentage applied to the declared value (which no reputable retailer will "adjust").

I know from experience that the Hilleberg tent I just purchased (bought in Redmond, Washington, shipped via UPS Worldwide Expedited) was subject to +12% HST and +19% duty.

So, continuing with the Leica example, the savings of $180.95 will be reduced to $61.09 (uninsured) or $47.09 (insured) after taking into consideration shipping.

You would have paid the HST in Canada, so that is a given.

The duty could be the deal breaker, however that is an unknown - you could be lucky and pay nothing, or you could pay the given percentage.

Thus the apparent savings could quickly evaporate, or turn into a premium to what you could have paid domestically.

The only surefire way to spare yourself the HST and duty is to have the item delivered to a US address and then have it brought across. The risk here, particularly if you are doing this with a restricted item such as a rifle scope, is that if for whatever reason you get checked at the border, you may have to pay the HST and duty anyways.

The final consideration is warranty coverage. Using Swarovski as an example, all warranty issues must go through the Canadian distributor. The Canadian distributor tracks all domestic serial numbers and thus knows where a given item was purchased. If the item was purchased within Canada, warranty issues are handled free of charge. If the item was not purchased within Canada, handling fees and shipping charges will apply. Furthermore, if the item is a rifle scope that was not purchased within Canada, an additional charge will be levied ($75 I believe).

This type of policy appears to be consistent with the other high end glass distributors (Zeiss, Leica, Swarovski, S&B...).

As a domestic dealer in optics, I have an inherent bias, so temper my words with your own research.

On another note, I currently have Swaro 10x42 SLC's at $1,700, Leica 10x42 Geovids at $2,400 and an S&B 5-25x56 PMII scope at $3,150, all prices include shipping and taxes =o)

I know, shameless plug.
 
It's a well know fact that 17 of the 19 9/11 hijackers had ordered Bushnell 3200 'mildot' scopes out of the US hence the tight regulations , but you can order 'leathermans' out of the Continental US with no problems:rolleyes:
 
Edit - Oups sorry, just noticed better info was provided earlier.

I bought Steiner binoculars from them. In general, their pricing is very competitive if not excellent. Service and communication were beyond any reproach. If the opportunity comes again, I would definitely buy from them again.
However, when it come to equipment related to tactical applications or fitted to firearms, they often say that US export law forbids export of such stuff. Still worth to try if the price is right.
On a Burris range finder, I was told that Commercial agreement with Canadian distributor forbids them to sell directly to Canucks. I bought a Burris bi-pod from them 2 months later. Go figure out...

Hoping this helps.
 
OpticsPlanet (like MidwayUSA) reference your IP address when making purchases. So for those of you looking to ship to a US address you'll be out of luck. Obviously some things can still be bought from them...you'll just need to know what's controlled and what's not (or let them tell you).
 
yeah I bought a really good spotting scope from them before "the ban" but by the time I paid the thieves at UPS I would have been better off buying from Canada sources

Personally i would not buy from them unless I had a friend from the USA do it for me when they offer 'free shipping in USA' and then bring it home on my next trip.....let the GF declare it....lol
 
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