E-Kendo Orders in Canada

[Legio]

This question is for any Canadian who have ordered from E-Kendo:

I was just wondering how long was the delivery time until you received your order from E-Kendo. My order has been shipped via EMS and it should have arrived at Pearson International Airport by now but I have a suspicion that customs may be holding it (if so, how long does customs usually hold foreign shipments?... anyone know the answer to this?). I also noticed that the Korean EMS tracking is a bit slow in being updated (I don't think it's in real time like Canada Post EMS/Purolator or Fedex). Anyone have a similar experience? I am not really concerned right now... I am just asking because I am VERY excited in getting my first bogu.

[taganahan]

just wait for it. it will come soon. other people in here who have ordered bogu got it after a month.

~taganahan

ps. which one did you order? if you already recieved the bogu, can you give me a feel of it cause i'm planning to buy from them after a month. thank you.

[Legio]

I ordered the BH-250 (2.5 mm stitching) but you can get the BH-200 (2 mm stitching) for about $50 CAD more. I'll give you a feedback as soon as I get it.

[Hai_hai]

I ordered the BH-250 (2.5 mm stitching) but you can get the BH-200 (2 mm stitching) for about $50 CAD more. I'll give you a feedback as soon as I get it.
Okeedokee. Take a photo of yourself.

[taganahan]

nah...bh-200 is too costy for me as a working student. i'm planning to buy the bh-300 for a start.

~taganahan

[Bob the Blade]

I got the BH300. it took 4 days to make and 6 days from the shipping notice e-mail of shipping and cost 38.$ Cad of taxes and duties (a joke) . I ordered on a monday and received it 10 days later (wednesday). quite fast.

Bob

[Legio]

I got a call from Canada Post on Saturday and told me that my address was not complete (maybe label came off during shipping); I'm sure that's the reason for the delay... I thought customs was holding it. I'm still waiting... hopefully I'll get it some time this week.

[taganahan]

how much did you pay for the shipping, duties and taxes?

~taganahan

[Legio]

I was charged $704 CAD by using a credit card... I haven't received anything from customs yet. I'll let you know more once I receive everything.

[Bob the Blade]

if you look at e-kendo's korean site the bogus are alot cheeper if you convert from wan's to CAD. but you cant placve an international order from that site.
its still cheaper than e-bogu. for the same quality.
bob "the gimper" these days.

[Hai_hai]

...I'll let you know more once I receive everything.
RIGHT ON!
Let me know everything...
everything...
tell me all the details...
I mean all details...
I can't wait...
Legio...
you must...
tell...
me...
all...
the...
details...
...
Do it...

[Legio]

I just found out that customs is charging me $118 for duties... Canada Post is holding the parcel until I pay this. I am getting frustrated right now... as a student, I don't have money in the first place... took me months just to save up for the bogu itself... Maybe it would have been better off buying from e-bogu.

[Hai_hai]

I just found out that customs is charging me $118 for duties... Canada Post is holding the parcel until I pay this. I am getting frustrated right now... as a student, I don't have money in the first place... took me months just to save up for the bogu itself... Maybe it would have been better off buying from e-bogu.
That sucks. Did you talk to other people in your dojo about this? Like customs import duty stuff?

[Legio]

Well I finally got the bogu... the total was $822 CAD (includes shipping and customs). E-Kendo put the price as $100 USD but Canada customs seemed to have caught it... they taxed it at $500. The bogu's quality is pretty good (some red paint stains in the mengane though... dunno if this is normal and the men was made in China). E-Kendo gave me the right size; the only negative thing I can think of is that after I have ordered and paid for the bogu, E-Kendo was not as prompt as before when replying to my e-mails... sometimes my e-mail was not even answered. Hopefully this will last me at least 4 years... then I'll get a good Japanese set.

[Hai_hai]

... The bogu's quality is pretty good (some red paint stains in the mengane though... dunno if this is normal and the men was made in China)...
Red paint stains on the mengane. Well, if it's all on the inside, it's okay. The point of the paint is so that there is no reflection from the metal. Mine had some over-paint in some areas.

[Legio]

Thanks Hai hai... by the way, Canada customs did open the package (their yellow seal was on it). E-Kendo put the price of the bogu as $100 USD but customs charged me based on a $500 value. Maybe someone is taking kendo in there and know the price...LOL.

[taganahan]

they placed the price of the bogu as 100?


~taganahan

[csuherman]

Well I finally got the bogu... the total was $822 CAD (includes shipping and customs). E-Kendo put the price as $100 USD but Canada customs seemed to have caught it... they taxed it at $500. The bogu's quality is pretty good (some red paint stains in the mengane though... dunno if this is normal and the men was made in China). E-Kendo gave me the right size; the only negative thing I can think of is that after I have ordered and paid for the bogu, E-Kendo was not as prompt as before when replying to my e-mails... sometimes my e-mail was not even answered. Hopefully this will last me at least 4 years... then I'll get a good Japanese set.

Hi Legio,

Good to hear you finally got your bogu.
Anyway, I am interested to hear more about the fitting.
Does the bogu fit you perfectly? I am planning to buy a bogu from them also but is a bit concern since they only ask you to give them one measurement unlike other shops that ask you for quite a few. E-Kendo doesn't even ask you for your hand size right?

Regards,
Chris

[Bob the Blade]

They ask all your sizing once you proceed to the order confirmation stage, as for communication, I called them directly with my questions and was well served,
the customs is always a gamble when you live in canada, I was only charged 38$ CAD on the bogu but once got stuck paying 24$ on a 18$ shinai so you just roll the dice and go with it, be happy you have a good 2.5mm set that will last several years. the only other place to order on canada is ironmonk and it works out to the same (give or take).
cheers, Bob

[Legio]

The fitting is perfect (I haven't put the men on yet because I'm shaping the flaps... but it seems about right). I gave them extra information with measurements including my height and weight even though they didn't ask for it. I am appealing the customs taxes (customs gives you this option). E-Kendo did put the price as $100 USD. After my first practice with bogu on... I already got a bruise from a bad kote hit...LOL.

By the way, anyone got a tip with tying the himo at the back of the doh? I am finding it difficult to tie a sturdy bow... If there are any websites with pictures it would be quite helpful.

[Hai_hai]

...By the way, anyone got a tip with tying the himo at the back of the doh? I am finding it difficult to tie a sturdy bow... If there are any websites with pictures it would be quite helpful.
I just tie it like a shoestring.

[taganahan]

any comments about the bogu?

~taganahan

[Legio]

The bogu is excellent overall for the price... the himos that came with it are of lesser quality (I'll probably have to buy some from e-bogu within a couple of months). There was also a minor scuff mark on the do, but I heard that the lacquer used by Korean manufacturers are not that great so I expected that much. If you order from E-Kendo, ask for some extra stuff for free...hehe... they may not give it to you but no harm in trying. They gave in to giving me extra tenugui and eye protector; I didn't get the ume himo that I was asking for..hehe. The service from E-Kendo was great! My only complaint was the $117 customs tax which can't be avoided (unless you get lucky).

By the way... anyone know how the get rid of the scuff marks on the do?