[Coco] [OT] Anyone have any TRS-80 8" floppies

[Gene Heskett]

On Monday 27 April 2009, Christian Lesage wrote:
>Gene Heskett wrote:
>> On Monday 27 April 2009, Christian Lesage wrote:
>>> Grumpyx wrote:
>>>> I have a  8" drive Expansion box if anyone wants it. I think it has all
>>>> 3 drives in it. I live in the Chattanooga, TN area, I hate to throw it
>>>> out, but it's just in the way. Let  me know if you interested in it.
>>>> Malcom
>>>
>>> I would love to have them... but I live in Québec, Canada, and shipping
>>> would cost me and arm and a leg!
>>
>> Tell that to your customs critters.
>
>I wouldn't pay any customs duties if the expansion box was given to me!
>It would cost me an arm and a leg because this thing is huge and VERY
>heavy. As regards the red tape, I never had to wait for more than 2
>weeks to have something delivered from the USA, so... I can't say they
>drag their feet! On the other hand, perhaps the US customs are not
>easier to deal with... I don't know. Anyway, I believe both Canada and
>the USA are great countries, and I _really_ don't want to get into a
>debate as to which is better. To me, the friendship that characterizes
>the relationship between both countries is more important than the  rest.
>
Yes indeedy. +100..  Several Hail Mary's and a bunch of Amen's too.  But 
customs on the north side of the river going up has been a lag problem since 
forever.

>> Maybe you don't see it that way, but to us, your customs is a headache
>> that guides future purchasing decisions down here very firmly.
>
>AFAIK, the Canadian Customs do not care about what American citizens and
>businesses buy from Canada, but only about what enters into Canada! If
>you have a problem importing something into the US, it has to be an
>issue with the US Customs.

Correct.  You must have quintuple copies of the bill of sale for something 
made originally in Canada as proof that it came from Canada originally or the 
import duties will be about the original cost, all duly signed and notarized, 
before you can send something back for factory service.  That bill of sale 
must itemize any US duties already paid or the customs on the south side will 
hold it till they are paid again.  So many copies cuz they keep 2, and 
apparently our customs needs a couple of copies when it comes back.  And I 
believe NorPack said they needed a copy for their records.

I met their people at the NAB show in Vegas one year, drank some of their 
booze and cried on their shoulder, and they were as burned out over the 
customs crap as I was. A couple of months after our discussion they opened a 
coat closet office on the south side so they could take care of all the 
paperwork.  80% of their business was with US broadcasters, and that helped us 
out quite a bit.

Now, back to the coco list..  I wish I had known there would now be a demand 
for 8" drives 15 years ago when we junked out an old character generator, 
which had by the end of its life, 2 double-sided 8" Shugarts in it.  But I 
expect they are now down 15 years deep in the landfill. :(

>Christian

-- 
Cheers, Gene
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