McKenzie Clan Posted October 2, 2003 Share Posted October 2, 2003 I m looking to buy my first GPS (my friend wants his back)at an on-line store. I would like an online store based in Canada mainly to avoid customs, duty etc. etc. Can anyone recommend one, and share any personal experiences? Thanks, Scott Quote Link to comment
+The Lost Geeks Posted October 2, 2003 Share Posted October 2, 2003 I did some research and purchased my Garmin Etrex Legend from http://www.gpscentral.ca/. I made a call to the store and found them to be very knowledgeable about the products. The prices were better than any of my local stores including the large electronic shops. My order made its way across the country to me within a couple of days. Quote Link to comment
+The Two Navigators Posted October 2, 2003 Share Posted October 2, 2003 We also got our GPS from gps central. No complaints here. Quote Link to comment
+The Wet Coast Explorers Posted October 2, 2003 Share Posted October 2, 2003 GPS Central is the way to go. Got mine from there promptly and have shopped from there since with good service. Alternatively there is http://gpscity.ca/ although I've never dealt with them myself. No matter where you go, there you are Quote Link to comment
Curious George Posted October 2, 2003 Share Posted October 2, 2003 I've made a number of purchases through gpscentral.ca and have nothing but compliments for them. Great prices and incredible shipping. Quote Link to comment
Peregrine007 Posted October 2, 2003 Share Posted October 2, 2003 GPS City Canada has had some of my business and I found them also to have great prices, service and quick, reliable shipping. Just another option for you... Quote Link to comment
+PDOP's Posted October 2, 2003 Share Posted October 2, 2003 I don't think you can go wrong with GPSCentral.ca but if you want to shop around there's a list of retailers on this web page PDOP's GPS Pages Quote Link to comment
+Uniacke Raiders Posted October 3, 2003 Share Posted October 3, 2003 I bought my Magellan SporTrak from Prairie Geomatics and found them to be knowledgeable & quick to deliver. http://www.prairie.mb.ca/ N 44 54.474 W 63 46.979 Quote Link to comment
+canadazuuk Posted October 3, 2003 Share Posted October 3, 2003 Buy your Garmin accessories at GPS GEEK in the US. Despite the $5.00 Canada Post handling fee and GST, it's a much better deal... Quote Link to comment
ChiefPig Posted October 3, 2003 Share Posted October 3, 2003 GPSCentral.ca is definitely highly recommended. I got my GPS V Deluxe from them. They shipped the day I ordered and my GPS was waiting for me at work when I got in at 930am the next day. Of course, I paid $15 for FedEx priority. I also bought Travel bugs from them and got them in time. Their prices are pretty good too. What more can I say? Quote Link to comment
Taxman003 Posted October 3, 2003 Share Posted October 3, 2003 You all may not believe this, but the best deals to be had are on Ebay. I purchased a Legend for $ 225 delivered to my door. Now, I know I was extremely lucky throughout the transaction, but here's how it happened. I bought it for $ 145 US. I sent the guy in Georgia a money order by regular mail. It took forever to get there but it finally arrived and I got my GPS in a sealed package. Now, here's a few things I learned. Make sure it's a reputable vendor. Send your payment by registered mail or whatever requires a signature so you can prove delivery. I know now that I could have got burned badly, but it all worked out in the end. Even though you enter the wrong waypoint....you're still in the right spot! Quote Link to comment
+EmmaBean Posted October 3, 2003 Share Posted October 3, 2003 We bought a gps from gpscentral. I could not have asked for a better transaction. I orderd it monday morning and it arrived the next day(I only paid for the regular dilivery too). Also, b/c the store is based in Alberta you will not have to pay for any provincial sales tax (still have to pay for GST). While this might not be the absolute cheapest place to buy (much cheaper than any local stores around here), they have a good reputation. EmmaBean "dadgum the Man. Save the Empire." Quote Link to comment
ChiefPig Posted October 3, 2003 Share Posted October 3, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Taxman003:You all may not believe this, but the best deals to be had are on Ebay. I purchased a Legend for $ 225 delivered to my door. Now, I know I was extremely lucky throughout the transaction, but here's how it happened. I bought it for $ 145 US. I sent the guy in Georgia a money order by regular mail. It took forever to get there but it finally arrived and I got my GPS in a sealed package. Now, here's a few things I learned. Make sure it's a reputable vendor. Send your payment by registered mail or whatever requires a signature so you can prove delivery. I know now that I could have got burned badly, but it all worked out in the end. Even though you enter the wrong waypoint....you're still in the right spot! Yeah, but you could have bought the same Legend at GPSCentral for $255 CAD. So for $30 more, you don't have to risk getting ripped off and you can for sure return a defective unit within 30 days. I don't think Ebay sellers can be expected to take defective returns as most of them sell as is, maybe some will take a return within a few days. And for $225 right now you can get a factory refurbished Legend with the same 1 year warranty from garmin. They also give you free batteries and you can pay with any major credit card. Quote Link to comment
Taxman003 Posted October 3, 2003 Share Posted October 3, 2003 Actually, I did get the old screen scramble that is common with the Legends and Garmin didn't give me any hassles about warranty service. Cool, eh?? Even though you enter the wrong waypoint....you're still in the right spot! Quote Link to comment
ChiefPig Posted October 3, 2003 Share Posted October 3, 2003 Cool indeed Well, I have nothing against Ebay. In fact, I bought my last golf set on ebay this summer from a guy in Oregon. Probably my biggest purchase on Ebay ever as they were the new TM RAC irons. I got "lucky" with this one as well since it was a hassle free buy. Actually, except for one time, I think all my ebay purchases have been "lucky" experiences. But as with all popular gadgets on Ebay, the prices tend to be too close to retail online price after the last sniping bid goes in. As an example, there was one guy here who just sold his GPS V on Ebay. First he offered it on the forums for just US$250 which was cheap considering GPSCentral was selling it for CAD$500. I hesitated to buy it cause I really did not know the guy and I had no protection against fraud in GC.com. So I told him, if he puts it on Ebay, I might just bid on it. Well, to make the long story short, the winning bid was more than the brand new price at GPSCentral.ca. Quote Link to comment
Boromir Posted October 3, 2003 Share Posted October 3, 2003 Got my new GPS recently from www.gpscentral.ca and have no complaints, I would recommend them. A few years back I bought mt first GPS at The Fishin Hole because I could buy it in person and they price matched an online shop. Quote Link to comment
+GroundClutter Posted October 4, 2003 Share Posted October 4, 2003 Here's another happy camper as far as GPSCentral is concerned. I've done all my geocaching purchases through them and have found them to have great prices, terrific fast shipping and updates on your order. Also, because so many cachers purchase from them, if you ever did have a problem, I'm sure they will bend over backwards to put it right. Don'twant to lose all those happy customers! "You are cleared for geocaching." Quote Link to comment
+Jayloki Posted October 12, 2003 Share Posted October 12, 2003 Yup same here. Bought my tb's and shirts and whatnot ,even my RAM mount for my garmin legend thru GPSCentral. Very fast and worth every penny in my opinion. Quote Link to comment
+Couparangus Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 I received online quotes from Radioworld, GPS City and GPS Central. Radioworld was a lot higher than the others but they matched the best quote and I drove over to pick it up. In my other experience, Radioworld is very good with returns. Quote Link to comment
davwil Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 GPSCentral was prompt and provided on-line ordering and receipt information. I got a ram mount and Mapsource from them. I ordered on a Saturday and it was at work Tuesday morning (I'm on the East coast and that ain't bad!) Also try Binnacle.com. They have a Canadian store and I have had good experiences with them also. I'm talking overnight delivery. I think their store is in Halifax area. Quote Link to comment
+Binrat Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 GPS Central is the way to go. Sales people are knowledgable and curtious. They even include batteries to get get you going fast. As well they are the Canadian retailer of Geocache stuff and worthwhile to order goodies at the same time. Binrat "Blood is thicker than water.......Unless the water is frozen!" Quote Link to comment
+RobertM Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 I've bought from GPSCentral.ca and GPSCity.ca. Both have provided excellent service, have been very knowledgable about their products, and even told me that if I delay my order by a few days the price would dropping the following week. Try and get that type of service from a young kid working at RadioShack, FutureShop or (the worst) Canadian Tire. The above 3 stores do however have their positives, but not when it comes to selling GPSs. The knowledge on the product is way low, and the price way too high. The above to stores (GPSCity.ca and GPSCentral.ca) are also happy to price match any deal you can find elsewhere. My $0.02. Quote Link to comment
McKenzie Clan Posted October 18, 2003 Author Share Posted October 18, 2003 THanks all. Just an update, I purchased my Magellan SporTrack through GPS Central, as well as my first TB! Shipping was exactly as described, all in all a smooth transaction! Broke in the Magellan today 2 / 2. They were easy ones though, just a little walk in the park with the kids.. I am planning a few real tests of the unit soon. Having loads of fun with the Mapsend software too. And uploads VIA EasyGPS are the best. No more clicky clicky for me! Thanks to all who chimed in, everybody put my mind at ease for my highest online purchase to date. Scott Quote Link to comment
+Spyder49 Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 I bought mine GPS recently although from the recent price drop, I should have waited a couple of weeks. Anyway, I looked at both GPSCentral and GPSCity. I input the order and then took a print of the completed order page to Future Shop and they matched the price plus a further discount. That is another possiblity and you would have the unit immediately. Scotian Quote Link to comment
+Spyder49 Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 If you want the best price I know take a invoice page from the best price online, GPSCity when I bought mine, to Future Shop, the will beat the price. You will get the best price and have the unit right away. Quote Link to comment
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