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Posts: 2 | Thanked: 3 times | Joined on Jul 2010
#66
Originally Posted by shallimus View Post
My allegedly-repaired-by-Palco N900 has been delivered to my friends in the US. Looks OK, but they don't have the battery so can't test (also don't have the technical know-how to really make a complete assessment).

Spent 10 minutes on hold with Canada Border Services Agency to determine if there is any way to avoid paying tax on something I already own and which only left Canada to be repaired.
Then followed yet another phone conversation with someone who (understandably) doesn't care about my phone repair as much as I do...
...and we're done.

Good news: according to the agent I spoke to, cell phones enter Canada tax free.
Bad news: I have to pay tax on the repair work carried out in the US... because apparently getting taxed once just isn't enough. I understand why Canada has to tax such a thing (protect domestic workforce etc. etc.) but does that really apply in this case? Apparently it does. Bastards.

As it stands I'm looking at the following charges:
  • $35 to send it to my friends in the US
  • $0 for them to send it to Nokia US
  • $103 for Nokia US to repair it and send it back to my friends in the US
  • $40 for my friends to ship it back to me (just shipping cost)
  • Potentially $26 brokerage fee (for UPS to clear it through customs)
  • Potentially $13.39 import tax (13% tax on the the $103 repair fee)

This all adds up to around $220 (as the Canadian dollar isn't that far off parity I am too lazy to convert the various values, but I'm only going for a ballpark figure).

Here's a question: how much is my N900 worth right now? No battery, no back cover, screen was broken but has been repaired (but not inspected by anyone who cares about it). Would you buy it from me for $220?

This isn't me offering it for sale (I'm not). Rather, I'm trying to figure out if this process has been worth it or not. Of course, my assessment will remain incomplete until I can determine whether or not Palco have successfully repaired my phone...
Hi N900 owner,
I have the same problem, I drop my N900, window crack and the LCD starting to spread everywhere in the screen.
I live in Canada-Montreal and I found this boutique in Downtown of Montreal, Citi Mobility. They can Repair it !!!!
I gave them a deposit of 55$ ... they order the parts.... after 1 week 1/2 the parts arrived, I gave my phone for 2 days... AND Bingo...the screens is brand new. My N900 work flawless.
It cost me in total 270$Cad. withh out shipping and sending or duty free.
I found boutique that can repair In Toronto and Vancouver too.
If you guys live in Canada.. there is hope that your N900 can be repair without sending it to the USA and avoid Duty-Taxes.

Synd
 

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