I've used courier (DHL/FedEx/UPS) so far and they're safe. Have not tried postal air mail but what I *read* so far is customs will dispose adult movies found in mail. Don't know if this is true but one day I will try to buy one under 10 dollar movie and see if there are any problems.

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Other stores that you can check out are Five Star and Game Link. (Game Link does not reply to emails often). All these stores shipped with DVD cases, something that I want since I am from a country where porn is sold, I see no reason why I should not have the DVD cases. The original DVD cases are of better quality than those replacement DVD cases sold at the local brick and mortar stores here.

Edited by - shenton on 12/10/2003 2:16:05 PM

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Thanks for the reply, I've looked into Laser's Edge, their prices look quite reasonable and their special $1.99 shipping rate no matter how many discs ordered seems hard to beat.However that special rate only applies to USPS, not to any courier. I may just order a couple of discs this way and see how it works out.

On the topic of Customs, because of a court ruling in B.C, I think the burden of proof is now on Canada Customs to prove an item obscene. In the past, the burden of proof was on the importer to prove an item not obscene. With porn shops in every major city, carrying all kinds of adult dvd's, I would think, unless you were ordering extreme types of movies, such as Scat, Pissing or S&M, that Customs would have to let your order through.

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Yes, Laser's Edge has reasonable pricing which helps to compensate the high courier shipping costs. It will be a real bargain if the $1.99 shipping method is used. The $1.99 method is the same shipping method as International Mail. Note the definition for International Mail at Laser's Edge site:

This is the service that is used for our ADULT SHIPPING SPECIAL, it is not USPS Air Mail. Rather it is a "Re-Mail" service that presorts our packages and puts them directly into the country of destination's postal service.

So International Mail is not US Postal Service Air Mail. Which means it doesn't go through the regular air mail channels which would be subjected to customs scrutiny. International Mail puts the packages directly into Canada; sounds like they drive across the border and walks into a post office in Canada and mail the package as if it is local mailing.

There might be a chance that we can avoid customs entirely because of the direct mailing in Canada.

Thanks for sharing the info on customs. I see now why my packages were not opened. But I took the precaution of NOT ordering anything extreme. Also, since Laser's Edge sells mainstream movies as well, they have to guess what kind of movies is in the package.

If you decide to use the $1.99 shipping method, keep me updated on how successful it is. I may also want to use a cheaper shipping method.

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I'm gonna place an order for three movie through Laser's Edge, I'll let you know how I make out using the adult shipping special.

Speaking of ordering, do you use any of the Canadian Companies for ordering your movies? I've used DV-Depot and found them pretty good, they're fairly quick but a little pricey. At least you don't have to worry about Customs.

I forgot to ask you, how long does it usually take you to get your order when ordering from Laser's Edge?

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I do not use the Canadian companies as their prices are a rip off. Take Hercules for example and compare the prices (Laser's Edge has discounted prices while Empire sells normally at list price):

Hercules
- Laser's Edge US$20.95 (C$27.60)
- Empire US$27.95 (C$36.84)
- DV-Depot C$41.38

You can see that not only DV-Depot sells mostly at list price but they mark up their prices. Worse, in some cases, their mark ups are so high. For example, Space Nuts is selling for C$48.28.

So I'm ordering from US for now, not until I get reasonable pricing from Canadian companies. The customs part is a little of a hassel but so far there are no problems.

As to ordering from Laser's Edge, keep in mind that Laser's Edge does not show real time stock status. The "Usually Ships in 1-3 days" means it will take 1-3 days for Laser's Edge to stock the item.

Overall, it will take 1-3 days to fill the order. As I used courier shipping, I normally received the movies the next day after Laser's Edge shipped the package. On average about 4 days (3 days of filling order, 1 day to ship).

Yeah, keep me updated on the adult shipping special.

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I have noticed with Dv-Depot that certain lines are quite expensive, especially Anabolic/Diabolic, Hustler and Private. They seem a little more reasonable for lines like Redlight & Platinum X, but yeah, even with exchange you can still save quite a bit buying from some of the American companies.

Have you tried any of the other U.S. companies, like Movies By Mail? They seem really cheap but I wonder if they're reliable.

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I wanted to try Movies By Mail once so I enquired and the owner got back to me, real friendly with great customer service living up to their slogan is "Where Price and Service Matters!".

True enough, they have reasonable prices but what stopped me from placing that order is they have only ONE shipping method that is US Postal Service. Since I am unsure if I can received my movies through Canada Post, I decide not to order. The other reason is they ship only the DVD without cover art or case.

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I got my order today, I'd ordered three titles, two were shipped the day after placing the order, the other was put on back order and shipped five days later. Funny thing is both packages arrived at the same time. I got charged eight dollars in duty on the package containing two discs but no duty on the single disc package. Neither package was opened by customs , they were shipped in large padded envelopes, so I don't think customs will open envelopes, just boxes. It took just over two weeks from the time I placed my order until I received it. I think in the future I'd probably use the shipping special for small orders and maybe a courier for larger orders.

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Thanks for the update. That is really awesome and I think I could use the shipping special myself for one or two movies. At least, we know International Mail is usable.

About the eight dollars charge, it would seem high if it's just the duty but I believe that the eight dollars is both duty and handling fee. Here's how it works for DHL: Depending on the value that Laser's Edge declares on the package, you'll be accessed GST/PST for the declared value. The total amount payable is the GST/PST + $5 DHL handling fee. In most cases, the declared value is lower than the actual value. DHL will deliver the package first to you and they will send you an invoice for the duty/handling fee in a couple of weeks.

In the case of FedEx, they collect the duty/handling fee when they deliver the package to you. Say, if you buy from Five Star which uses FedEx, Five Star will declare the full value of the package. The duty to be paid is again GST/PST that is 14.5% of the invoice value. FedEx will charge a handling fee of $7. So the total duty is GST/PST + $7 FedEx handling fee. And you need to pay before they let you have the package.

Was your packages delivered by Canada Post with Canadian postage stamps on it?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

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The postage was U.S and you're right, there was a five dollar handling fee and the balance was GST & PST. I'm still not sure how this re-mail system works for their shipping special. I thought maybe it would somehow get sent to Canada and then mailed using Canadian postage, other wise what's the difference of sending it via US air mail as opposed to this re-mail system.

Let me know if you try the shipping special.

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I'll keep you updated. I think I will pick a under $10 movie next year and see how it will turn out for me. Two weeks isn't a long wait so I think the $1.99 special will work out pretty well.

Cheers,
Shenton.

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I just wanted to add a positive experience I had recently. I didn't know about laser edge and so will check it out. I recently bought two dvds from Adultvideouniverse.com. The shipping was something like us$5 for USPS, which I prefer because its easier for me to pick up at the post office rather than trying to catch UPS/FEDEX when they deliver or risking leaving the package in the lobby of my apartment building. USPS/Canada post also has the lowest handling cost of cdn$5.

Plus, the site is affiliated with CD Universe, so the customs label said "Audio Compact Discs" and the return address was CD Universe, so I doubt customs would ever look inside the package.

Finally, they tend to have some of the best prices I've seen.

canuck3

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Welcome aboard and thanks for the feedback. I always wanted to try out Adultvideouniverse.com as they had pretty reasonable prices. I think I will give it a try next time.

Besides Adultvideouniverse.com, Laser's Edge and Five Star have prices comparable to Adultvideouniverse.com. If you are looking for other stores to shop from, I will not hesitate to recommend Laser's Edge and Five Star. Both Laser's Edge and Five Star have been tried and tested for Canadians.

One question for you on ordering from Adultvideouniverse.com. Did Canada Post collect the GST from you? If not, how is the taxes collected?

Shenton.

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Thats right Canada Post collects. You pay either cash on delivery or pay when you pick it up at the post station. The amount is determined by customs on a form pasted onto the package.

That's another reason I generally prefer the slower US post. One time I bought an ebay item and the person forgot to indicate how much the package was worth and customs overcharged me. Because you deal direct with them, I was able to send them a letter and get my money back. I've had a bad experience with UPS charging high customs/brokerage fees and there didn't seem to be anything I could do about it. (Both of these were not adult materials).

Anyways, I will check out Laser's Edge and Five Star. Thanks for the info.

Canuck3

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