Yet another, Test Kits in Canada Thread

[U2brothr]

Oh yes... another thread for all us Canadians! Long winded post here.

After spending a lot of time reading how important it is to test your own water (no test strips....and not pool store testing), I decided it was time to get myself a test kit. This is my third summer owning the pool. I wanna be my own boss. I want to know what is going on with my pool! By myself!!

I also spent a lot of time reading how difficult it is to get a Taylor test kit to Canada without using the company who has the official licence to bring them into Canada. Newegg and Walmart ship these kits.... but the waiting and shipping fees add ups to huge amounts (344.88CDN or more)

IF YOU DON'T KNOW ME.... I'M ALWAYS UP FOR A CHALLENGE!

So here's what I did. I found the cheapest Taylor K-2006C kit online.

Taylor K-2006C Complete FAS-DPD Test Kit with 2oz Solutions

Find all your Swimming Pool Parts and Equipment Here, Available 24/7. Swimming Pool Supplies

waterlinetechnologies.com

Waterline technologies had a kit for = $107.79 which included free shipping anywhere to the states.

Then I looked for a shipping company and who would be the cheapest to ship the item to Canada.

The kit was bought online in California.

I signed up for MyUS.com - I didn't sign up for a membership. I asked to do a one time shipment.

MyUS.com is in Florida. So upon check out on waterline technologies, I gave my delivery address as the one which would identify me on MyUS.com.

The packaged arrived in Florida and then I got worried. I started to read the "MyUs not for export USA list" which included:

-Lab reagents, biologics, cultures, medical specimens
-Oxidizing agents

SO NOW I WAS WORRIED. YIKES!

Some important things happened at this point.
-My email from MyUS dropped the kit value from 107USD to 57.99 (I think that helped with duty)
-They identified the export as Chemicals (Dangerous goods)
-Fed Ex was chosen as the shipper (instead of USPS or DHL or
-Shipping for this item was $62.48 USD.... and they subtracted $20 USD because of Covid delays - a small bonus - $42.48 USD

The next email I received was:

This commodity requires special handling, packaging and labeling. Additional fees will apply. Please feel free to contact customer service if you need further assistance.

Quantity	Description	Export Description	Schedule B	Value
1 PCS	Taylor K2006 Complete Swimming Pool Water Test Kit For Chlorine, PH, Alkalinity	Chemical Products And Preparations Of The Chemical Or Allied Industries, Nesoi	3824.99.9270	57.99 USD
			Totals:	57.99 USD

So now it is shipping to Canada with the shipping cost of $42.28 USD

Fed Ex called me and said I had to pay $22.05 CDN. Which which was the duty.

The package had papers that said "Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods"
So to recap.

Kit $149.63 CDN (107.79USD)
MYUS Shipping - $59.20 CDN (42.48 USD)
Duty $22.05 CDN
= 230.88CDN

Still way over priced and expensive. But $100 CDN cheaper than Canadian Wallmart/ Canadian Newegg.

I do my first test tomorrow morning.
My wife thinks I'm crazy!

 

[U2brothr]

And after all that ranting... it appears they indeed sent me the K2006 kit... instead of the K2006C kit. Looks like I will be asking for a refund for the difference in price in the morning...

 

[Newdude]

Oooooooof that stinks. Sorry Brother.

 

[Mdragger88]

What a hassle but glad u have a kit ! I wonder about replacement reagents though. I also wonder if you could have bought it or a tf-100 through tftestkits.net & done the same thing? Although I don’t quite understand international shipping but I would imagine they would be very understanding about using the shipper service. I am intrigued

 

[Settleces]

Thanks for this post! And thanks for commenting on my post about this thread!!!!

This journey you took for this test kit gave me wayyyy too much anxiety lol. Glad you’re happy with the outcome

 

[U2brothr]

Oooooooof that stinks. Sorry Brother.

What a hassle but glad u have a kit ! I wonder about replacement reagents though. I also wonder if you could have bought it or a tf-100 through tftestkits.net & done the same thing? Although I don’t quite understand international shipping but I would imagine they would be very understanding about using the shipper service. I am intrigued

Well, the tides have changed to good fortune. I phoned them (and emailed) and explained their mistake.....(hard to stay positive when you feel gutted).

Anywhoo, they are going to ship me the K-2006C kit using their own shipping of "dangerous goods" to Canada.....AND I CAN KEEP THE OLD ONE!

YAHOOO!!

 

[Newdude]

Well, the tides have changed to good fortune

Now we do the Dance of Joy !!!

 

[U2brothr]

I also wonder if you could have bought it or a tf-100 through tftestkits.net & done the same thing?

I am just re reading what you wrote. Yes. I guess I could have gone on that site and shipped the test kit to my shipping company which would then ship to Canada. I might do this for the reagents down the road.

 

[Mdragger88]

I was Just unsure of how that really works & also wanted to have another verified mailing resource to help others with. As I know for an absolute fact that tftestkits has a fresh supply of what most people need so if it can be coupled with the mailer service u used that’s definitely a plus to know there’s some options

 

[Barqers]

Hey everyone,

Just a heads up I got my kit shipped and delivered, taxes and duties in, for $252CAD (no sales tax was charged) from here:

Taylor Technologies K2006C Service Complete Pool Water Test Kit - Newegg.com

Buy Taylor Technologies K2006C Service Complete Pool Water Test Kit with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.ca

Got it and it was the K-2006C as expected, came with some bubble wrap inside so the reagents didn't spill anywhere and the reagents are good until mid 2022.

Glad they're shipping you the 2006C u2Brothr

 

[Adamphotoman]

Last year I had a friend in Idaho take receipt of the TF100 kit. He forwarded it to me via USPS. My total [includes 2 shipping charges] was maybe $160 CAD. It was $82 USD before he shipped it to me.

 

[Katodude]

If not for Covid I usually go up to Canada a few times in the summer. I need to become a test kit mule.

 

[duraleigh]

and the reagents are good until mid 2022.

Taylor reagents are warranted (and date stamped) for one year from manufacture. Do you have a pic?

 

[Supercooper]

Last year I had a friend in Idaho take receipt of the TF100 kit. He forwarded it to me via USPS. My total [includes 2 shipping charges] was maybe $160 CAD. It was $82 USD before he shipped it to me.

What did they label it as for the shipment? Did you have any trouble with it at customs? I’m debating sending the kits to a friend in California to send to me.

 

[duraleigh]

came with some bubble wrap inside so the reagents didn't spill anywhere and the reagents are good until mid 2022.

Got a pic? I do not believe Taylor reagents are warranted that long.

 

[U2brothr]

Got a pic? I do not believe Taylor reagents are warranted that long.

I just got my replacement K2006C kit. Here are some pics of the reagents.
Some are next year. Some are 2022.

 

[duraleigh]

Thanks for that. TFP is certainly unaware of any change in their warranty policy but the evidence is pretty obvious.

I have contacted Taylor and should have a meaningful answer in 24 hours and I will publish it in this thread.

 

[duraleigh]

Just had a nice email exchange with Taylor. Some vary a little but most of their reagents have a 2 year shelf life.....expiring with the date stamped on the bottle. I didn't know that.
Look at this link and you can see where I was confused. They suggest a one year replacement but will abide by the date printed on the bottle. We have always known the shelf life was pretty good so I hope this info helps......it certainly helps me.

 

[Theo]

I'm 45 mins from the US/Canada border @ Buffalo NY. Back in the olden days (pre-COVID) I'd I typically order from Leslie's Pool Supply in Buffalo NY. They'd call me to pick up and I'd drive down and get it, along with some Don Peppinos Pizza Sauce!

The last time I purchased it was $59 ($80) for a K-2006. Now that's up to $10 and $169 ($228 CDN)

I'm low on R-0871 and just ordered 2oz for $53.33 CDN via Amazon. Ugh.

 

[Orijohnal]

Just took delivery of the TF-100 kit via CrossBorderPickups. $188.78 CAD to TroubleFree, $35.59 CAD to CrossBorder Pickups to cover H.S.T. , customs clearance & their fee.