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Old 08-16-2017, 08:00 PM   #1
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CDN buyer beware: If buying in USA and import to CAN

hello

we bought our new 2017 AS22FB in Albany NY from from Albany RV
We asked them and Air steam HQ multiple times to both ensure that the trailer would be fully ready and compliant to be used in Canada

both said yes, it will be.

after a few issues, we brought our unit to CANAM RV in London ON.
CANAM indicated that the as22Fb was NOT complaint in CAN and the GAS and Electrical power would need to be checked, likely modified and certified.

CANAM took care of all repairs and got all items modified and certified. while we were there, numerous US customers were there . one even bought at the same dealer we did and had issues also

I am annoyed at both AS HQ and the dealer for telling me multiple times that it would be CDN compliant and then not following through or telling me so in advance

i am now out over $500 to modify my trailer to be legally compliant. I doubt that either AS or the dealer will accept any liability and cover these unforeseen costs . i am waiting for a response from both

if you plan to buy from the US and import it into CAN , ensure that you get in writing from both AS HQ and the dealer that all aspects will be CDN CSA certified as the factory
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Old 08-16-2017, 08:31 PM   #2
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Serves you right for not supporting the Canadian economy.
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Old 08-16-2017, 09:18 PM   #3
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Trailers that are manufactured for Canadian dealers must be compliant to be imported into Canada. If you choose to purchase out of the country, be prepared to pay the price. Why would a US dealer worry about being Canadian compliant? Buyer beware! Know what you are buying when purchasing out of the country. Many electrical appliances and building products from the US do NOT meet Canadian codes. Glad that a Canadian dealer got something from you.
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Old 08-16-2017, 09:23 PM   #4
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the USA cost was more than C$7000 less including cdn tax

why would i pay more C$7000 just to pay a cdn seller
why is the CDN so high
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Old 08-16-2017, 11:02 PM   #5
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That's Why we bought our first AS in the US

Quote:
Originally Posted by waninae39 View Post
the USA cost was more than C$7000 less including cdn tax

why would i pay more C$7000 just to pay a cdn seller
why is the CDN so high
Agreed Canadian AS dealerships I mean Stealerships overcharge and most Canadians roll over and pay it.
We bought our first AS in 2012 a 2012 23 FB in Covingting Washington ( Airstream Northwest ) towed it up paid the taxes at the border and had Canadian Tire inspect the gas as required to be certified . Done deal, no issues nothing about being compliant, we traded it in a year later for our now 2013 27 FB.
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Old 08-16-2017, 11:49 PM   #6
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CDN buyer beware: If buying in USA and import to CAN

So you paid $500 to get Cdn compliant, but you saved $7000 by buying in the US, and you are complaining because you only saved $6500?
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Old 08-17-2017, 12:25 AM   #7
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Wow saved $6500 and still complaining!! What is wrong in this world these days.....
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Old 08-17-2017, 03:31 AM   #8
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I wish I had your problems. You should take your $6500 savings and use it to go camping in your new trailer. I would probably not mention this around the campfire, you'd probably get some responses that aren't as polite as you see here.
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Old 08-17-2017, 05:18 AM   #9
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Waninae39... IGNORE the rude replies!

Some people forget that the model trailer you might desire may not be readily available at all dealerships and one may have to purchase elsewhere to get what you want.

It was WRONG for the selling dealer to tell you what wasn't true. You might try to get them to pay for some of it.
The Canadian-approved models are indeed slightly higher in price, however, and you would have had to pay slightly more at the dealer for it, so your penalty isn't as great as you might thought. Some things are really unexpected such as rear reflectors must be larger and lighting must meet higher standards, as well as electrical wiring. (Your Canadian inspector may have overlooked those either out of courtesy or ignorance.... don't fret over it.... but even down here in the lower 48 I added addt'l reflector-size to mine.)

ENJOY your Airstream and forget the critics. Glad you got what you wanted, that's a nice trailer.
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Old 08-17-2017, 05:19 AM   #10
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What would have happened if you didn't get your trailer compliant?
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Old 08-17-2017, 05:34 AM   #11
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I think the issue for all buyers or potential buyers is can you trust what a dealer or HQ says. If you ask a question you expect an honest answer. If the dealer doesn't know they should say so and find out or tell the buyer they need to find out on their own.
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Old 08-17-2017, 07:51 AM   #12
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Economies of scale, things cost more in Canada...

While I do try and support my local economy, more so because I'm also in the retail business, I can't blame you for travelling and saving.

It's a small portion of your entire unit, no big deal really.
What exactly did they charge you for to be compliant?

Have fun with it!
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Old 08-17-2017, 09:21 AM   #13
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$500 doesn't pay for much.

What exactly had to be done to an American trailer to make it Canada compliant?


Regards,

JD
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Old 08-17-2017, 09:41 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jdalrymple View Post
$500 doesn't pay for much.

What exactly had to be done to an American trailer to make it Canada compliant?


Regards,

JD
Hi

US LP tank certs are not the same as Canadian LP tank certifications. You need to get them rectified to Canadian standards by a Canadian inspector. Exactly when this needs to happen is a "time to read the fine print" sort of thing ....

The electrical requirements for Canadian RV's are different than for the US. If you take a look in your owners manual, you have different breaker ratings on a Canadian trailer than on a US trailer. They have to be swapped out to make this happen. On some trailers there are other electrical wiring adjustments to get this all to work out. Do these rules apply to a used trailer or just a brand new one? Again, a "time to read the fine print" issue ....

In both the cases above it's a "rules are rules" thing. The two countries simply have different regulations. There is no practical way (or need) to comply with both at the same time.

If I haul my trailer "up north" to see the sights, and want to get an LP tank filled, I'll get it inspected .... I do not believe I'd have to stop at the boarder to rewire the trailer

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Old 08-17-2017, 10:07 AM   #15
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Tomato - Tomaato



Regards,

JD
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Old 08-17-2017, 02:32 PM   #16
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Omg!!!

You came to USA to beat the $7,000.00 Canadian price and are complaining about having to spend $500 Canadian to be legal in your home country. What a hoot! You saved a BUNDLE. Glad CanAm got SOMETHING for the home TEAM!!
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Old 08-17-2017, 02:55 PM   #17
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I think we just learned the price of living in a highly regulated, socialist paradise... $7,000. Fortunately, the US-of-A is nearby and shares a long land border with over 100 points to cross and bring back an Airstream. You're welcome!

I shudder to think what and Airstream would cost in New Zealand!
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Old 08-17-2017, 03:14 PM   #18
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Importing US to CAD

I would be upset if you did your homework with AS directly, dealers will tell you anything in my opinion. A co-worker researched and bought a 30 ft C-Class Bigfoot Motorhome new from the US. Same model as sold in Canada, similar story on the savings almost 10k for him. After 14mths he finally gave up and sold it in the US at a big loss. ICBC here in BC refused to allow registration on that particular model in Canada, digging very deep there was a list of MH's that could be cross border inspected, registered and insured. There was a second list that included his that was a NO WAY, NO HOW don't even try list. In his case it was something to do with the Ford chassis not the coach. Cost him a lot in the pocketbook but I will learn from his mistakes on this one.

In the end you got a great deal, you just have a sour taste from the start.

Enjoy the trailer.
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Old 08-17-2017, 03:24 PM   #19
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Albany RV has some, um, interesting Yelp and other reviews.
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Old 08-17-2017, 03:34 PM   #20
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Albany RV has some, um, interesting Yelp and other reviews.
yup.
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