How to get US-only online retail item in Canada and make a Christmas wish come true.

December 8, 2006 8:12 PM

I need help obtaining a specific NYC souvenir for Christmas. I can't find an online retailer that is willing to ship this item to Canada, and both of my AmeriFriends are already here for the holidays!

It's a women's Manhattan subway map t-shirt. I can find the men's version of the shirt with Canadian shipping, but this gift is for a girl; nay the girl.

EBay, Craigslist and extensive googling for this item have yielded no retailers willing to ship to Canada. Most retailers respond to a request with the claim that shipping is outrageously expensive. Most that have bothered to respond say that they can't/won't special order a woman's style shirt for me. So, short of joining a mail redirection service, as advised in this AskMe which is too expensive for this one time thing, what are my options?

The item is in the USD $20-$25 range. I know where to get it in person in NYC (wasn't able to buy it in person in secret). Are there any MeFites who would be willing to buy and mail this souvenir for PayPal payment?

Other suggestions to avoid this kind of US-only problem in the future would also be appreciated.

posted by KevCed to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (13 answers total)

People are correct that the shipping fees can be crazy. When getting something shipped to Canada be aware not only of the shipping fee and the customs fee, but also the "brokerage fee" charged by the shipping company. (They act as your "customs broker" in bringing the package across the border.)

If you can't get a Mefite to do it, maybe speak to one of the merchants in person and explain that you understand about the shipping costs and are willing to pay whatever it takes (if that's true -- IME it can equal the cost of the item you're bringing in).

If a Mefite ships it for you, probably the cheapest and best way to go is ship it by the US Postal Service, by their 2-day mail. Mark on the customs form that the shirt is a gift.
posted by LobsterMitten at 8:29 PM on December 8, 2006

Do they have it at the shop in Grand Central?
posted by bshort at 9:01 PM on December 8, 2006

i'm not too far from the main transit museum in brooklyn. if that's where you can find it, let me know and we'll figure something out.
posted by sonofslim at 9:17 PM on December 8, 2006

Where in Canada are you? When I want to buy something from a retailer that won't ship to Canada I use a service in Point Roberts, WA (a short drive from Vancouver) that accepts a package on my behalf for a minimal fee (~$2) and then I go down there and pick it up. This only works if you're close to the US/Canada border, though.
posted by sanitycheck at 9:19 PM on December 8, 2006

Response by poster: LobsterMitten: Yeah, I ebay a fair bit and I'm aware that the shipping charges get doubled/tripled after the fact by the brokerage service (PBB logistics when dealing with UPS). I just thought their shipping policy was a blanket-policy because of some of their catalog.

Sonofslim: I found it in a shop in the East Village, but I imagine the main transit museum would most of the product line. I don't want to abuse your generosity and send you on a wild goose chase though.

Sanitycheck: I'm in Waterloo, Ontario (about 2 hours from Buffalo).
posted by KevCed at 9:53 PM on December 8, 2006

Response by poster: bshort: I didn't get a chance to look in Grand Central. I would say it's likely that they do have it.

sonofslim, bshort: I just checked their website and it sounds like both locations have retail stores, but no mention is made of the catalog availability at either. I think Grand Central is more likely because it's in Manhattan, but then again the Main Transit Museum would likely house the flagship store...
posted by KevCed at 9:55 PM on December 8, 2006

What shop in the East Village? I may have some spare time in the area tomorrow.
posted by booksandlibretti at 11:17 PM on December 8, 2006

If you can do the legwork and nail down a store that definitely has it in Manhattan, I'll buy it and ship it to you tomorrow.

In return, you can either send me something cool from Canada / Ontario / etc. that's of approximately equal value, or you can PayPal me the $20-25. Your choice.

I'm male, 32, and I usually wear extra-large T-shirts.
posted by bshort at 12:36 AM on December 9, 2006

Response by poster: I don't remember the name of the store, but it was on St. Mark's Place (continuation of E8th near Astor Place subway stop), a little bit east of 3rd avenue, but west of 2nd avenue. It's on the south side of the street, approximately opposite a cuban restaurant called "Chipotle" if I recall correctly. There were a few t-shirt shops in the area. This one had one in the window that said "I wouldn't f*ck you for practice".

I know that's kind of a random detail to remember, but I didn't anticipate needing to remember the name of the store and I almost nose-drank some coffee because of that shirt.

I'll definitely send you something cool from Canada in return. Anything else in particular you'd like? (maybe from this thread) Or shall I just wing it?
posted by KevCed at 12:19 PM on December 9, 2006

Ok, I'm in the city today and I'll go down there and take a look.

If I can't find it, then I'll let you know. Actually, I'll let you know either way.

If I can't find it at the store on St. Marks' then is it ok if I go to the MTA Store?

So far as a swap goes, you can just wing it.

Thanks!
posted by bshort at 12:34 PM on December 9, 2006

Response by poster: Yeah for sure, the MTA Store would be fine. The a black women's medium version of the shirt is my goal, wherever you find it is fine by me.

I must confess, I'm getting a perverse thrill from having someone run an errand for me in another city. It means a lot to me, and even if she never finds this thread (she's an occasional MeFite) I'll make sure you get the appropriate credit. I might ask her to help with finding your gift.

Thanks a million!
posted by KevCed at 2:37 PM on December 9, 2006

I've got bad news.

So I went down to St. Marks' Place, and went into half a dozen t-shirt shops and asked for the shirt. No one had it. One place had a men's shirt that was somewhat similar (and black), but no women's shirts.

I found the place that I think you went into, but they didn't have it, and didn't remember having one.

I also called the MTA store in Grand Central, but they didn't have one either.

Let me know if there's anything else I can do. I'm sorry I couldn't get one for you.
posted by bshort at 3:12 PM on December 9, 2006

Response by poster: Wow.

You probably got the store right, and if you did you'll know why it doesn't surprise me that they didn't remember having it in stock. They have hundreds of shirts, and I was there 2 months ago.

I appreciate your efforts, but at this point I am also out of ideas. I would like to pay you back for your efforts though. How about you send me on a nigh-unto-impossible Christmas-mission here in Canada? Seriously though, you can count on me for some North-of-the-border errand-running or a French souvenir. I'll be in Toronto 2 weeks from now if you think of something let me know.

Thanks again!
posted by KevCed at 4:11 PM on December 9, 2006