As someone in her day job had to export to international customers there’s many hurdles and regulations that has to be covered met. My company once built the USA and Canadian coin counting machines and also made the ones for the Euro. The environmental standards were much stricter to build the Euro and as such those machines were more expensive to build and ship.
7 Likes
As i said in the other thread:
[quote=“Jules, post:19, topic:8391”]
Your government has it’s own rules, that are different from those in the US. It’s just easier for them to ship the bulk of the units locally, where they are familiar with the rules and regulations,[/quote]
I know i will be last on the shipping list when i buy a US product/kickstarter.
I know that is unlikely to be the case when i buy a European or Asian product.
I also know that as any product gets closer to launch we get these sorts of discussions.
I dont like being a second-class consumer but after 2 years of waiting i am not going to get my knickers ina knot over another 2 months.
10 Likes
Canada is not an extension of the US. We have A lot of similarities but we are not the same. We share a border but we are our own country.
14 Likes
I know and such a Great country . I never meant it in that way! I meant it regarding shipping and online shopping
Oh in that context I agree! My apologies, I do get sensitive when it comes to this sort of thing
5 Likes
Yeah them Canucks don’t like being confused with us Yanks!!! 
6 Likes
It’s me!!! I’m sorry if anyone thought Glowforge was shipping internationally! I am Canadian but I use this mailbox company in the States to receive my imports. I personally drive over the border and pick it up then I do all the proper paperwork/pay duty/pay taxes/etc… chat with CBSA and bring my imports back to Canada!
Any questions let me know. I hope this clears things up.
5 Likes
Sometimes stuff is released in the US after it’s released in other countries. I don’t like it, but here’s what I do.
16 Likes
Which province? I never brought back anything this big and expensive before so I’m kinda nervous when I ACTUALLY drive it back. (Didn’t get the shipping email yet )
1 Like
I’m in BC 
I’m just crazy haha. Will document my adventure!
4 Likes
OMG - practically neighbours! I’m BC too 
- please document when you get yours.
4 Likes
So what does a BC’er consider nearly neighbors when the entire Pacific Coast of BC is longer than the entire US West Coast?
5 Likes
Haha… I did make a assumption that we both live close to the border and both live close to Point Roberts or Peace Arch. However that could be totally off. You are right, we habe a long coast 
3 Likes
1 Like
I highly doubt people are getting screwed just because they’re international…and like to make costumes.
10 Likes
I’m in Fleetwood! Are you my neighbor? I use the Pacific Highway Crossing 
2 Likes
I don’t think we’re being scammed. But this is not a simple issue. There is ‘Americanism’, nationalism, protectionism. I find it pretty evident on these forums.
And it’s tough hearing “we’ll be shipping to US customers first” - notwithstanding the place one might have in the order queue. Especially if shipping adds more than $1700 to one’s GF price.
I’m coming to your house . I live in Vancouver. I go to the Point Roberts crossing
3 Likes
One needs to realize that GlowForges need to go through various country and/or regional certifications before the company can legally ship them to those countries. E.g. American UL, Canadian CSA, EU’s CE mark. Also as computing and WiFi devices, they need FCC certification (and similar international agency certs).
Folks mention not having this problem in Europe with European produced goods. That’s because the EU standardized on a single set of certs leading to the CE mark which is valid across the EU.
This isn’t Americanism–just the realities of international trade.
Please note that personally importing a US unit is something an owner can do for their personal use. But they cannot do that for resale until the devices have been certified for the market. And the certification marks can only be applied by the manufacturer.
6 Likes
You do accept that by saying you got scammed, you are effectively accusing Glowforge of criminal activities?
Perhaps if you feel so strongly, you should take up your complaint with the appropriate authorities.
Good luck.
8 Likes