So right that it's the shipping company that's the issue not the retailer itself. I've also ordered from Land's End with no issues and $7.95 flat return rate because they don't use Fifty One.

What I don't understand is if there are so many international issues with Fifty One, why do so many U.S. retailers use their services?

Krish - I've thought about getting a U.S. postal address at the border but for me, it's the time commitment in driving down, etc. Like Suz mentioned, it's basically an entire day by the time you go there and back.

I sympathize Shannon. I have been burned a few times by the shipping/duties. I have a package in Pembina waiting for me right now though. From my house to Pembina is an hour drive. It usually takes 1/2 and hour to get our stuff, fill the tank (gas is much less expensive) and get back to the border and we are home in 2.5 hours. We often go after work and are home by 8:00.

The package I have there now is a 16 gauge double stainless steel sink with the lower center between the bowls. Here it sells for over $1000. I got it online from the U.S. for about $180 plus shipping so about $200 Canadian. Well worth the 2 hours and $20 of gas. duty varies and is 20% on clothing. It is free on fabric and many household items but if you order items shipped to canada they often charge a flat rate.

I have also talked to sellers that refuse to sell to Canada because too many packages go missing during the transfer process of shipper/customs/local delivery.

I am still VERY grateful to be Canadian even though shopping is more challenging.

Universal healthcare > Retail goodies ...

I've been burned with shipping charges to here so many times, I could probably buy a custom Burberry coat with the money lost on shipping. So now I don't even look at sites that don't offer free shipping or reasonable flat rate returns. Eliminates lots of places (Ann Taylor, Overstock, Crate and Barrel) but I've decided to look at it as their loss....

Sorry, Shannon! I feel your pain.

Unless it is from J Crew, BR/Gap, Lands End, or LL Bean, I think of items I order online from US/International websites as NO RETURN items. That means being VERY sure of an item before clicking the "Buy" button, especially if it is at all pricey. As for shopping vacations, they can be fun, but if you add up the costs of travel and accommodations, those trips aren't really practical for many people unless a person lives close to the international border or is from a city that has inexpensive airline connections to a US city. Crazy though it might seem, in my case, it is often easier for me to travel to London or Paris than to many major US cities.

And, while I'm ranting and wailing, I have to mention how frustrated I feel when I read Angie's recommendations. Because so many of the pieces are from Nordstroms, I often feel like I've got my nose pressed against the window of a wonderful store that I can't enter, even though I see fabulous things inside. I love it when she recommends items from J Crew and BR/Gap because I can actually order and try those pieces. I'm sure Nordies is a wonderful shopping experience if you live in the US, but, for a Canadian, trying to buy online from them is just a big, expensive headache. I'm hoping that will change when Nordstroms' opens its Canadian stores, but I've heard rumors that the stores may be more like the Rack than the actual Nordstroms...

Canadians:
eluxe.ca is a gem: free shipping and returns, free stylist advice, lots of sales and good selection of high end and more affordable on trend items. I order from them about once a month. They recently sent me a VIP $100 off any purchase over $150 including sale items, as an example.
I have had great service from gap, old navy and BR as well.
ANd if you're tall, Long Tall SAlly, based in UK is excellent.

I also order from shopbop (I have had next day delivery) or Beyond The Rack. I find customs gets about one in five of my shipments, and shopbop calculates duties up front, and refunds if they are less than what they calculated.

But I am cheesed off that we still can't order Ann Taylor even though they have Canadian shops. So not a lot of hope for Nordstrom's ...

Cross border shopping just doesn't fir my lifestyle currently...boo hoo.

Can anyone else share good online experiences in Canada?

Shannon I am shocked at this. Particularly given your location?! I rarely order clothing or shoes from overseas because of the hassle and cost of returns but it would be cheaper than what you are facing. I do tend to look for local versions of what I see and we have a couple of good sites here that provide a very broad range of items, but then because of our seasons I have the luxury of seeing items say on YLF and then keeping an eye put for similar as we head toward that particular season.

OK, Nicole, based on your recommendation, I'm pressing the trigger on a couple of items from eluxe.ca that I've been coveting. I'll tell my husband it's in the interest of furthering my research into online buying in Canada. LOL

Yes Gaylene! I hope you enjoy them, and let us know what you get!! Great deal now - additional 25% off! I grabbed these:

http://cdn11.my-wardrobe.com/i.....318123.jpg

http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-thing?.out=jpg&size=l&tid=67531513

I might end up wearing them as tunics instead of dresses.

Sorry to take this off topic a bit!

This stinks, Shannon. I hear you about shipping rates. I shopped from Nordstorm and Macy's last week when I went to USA but I have never ordered anything from them to be shipped to Canada. I am always afraid of incurring extra charges if items don't fit.

Una - you're so right. It is THEIR loss! I have been incredibly lucky that 95% of items I've ordered from Nordstrom's have fit but when they don't, it is an expensive lesson. And I think I'm now at the point where I'm just not willing to take the risk so won't be shopping Nordie's anymore

Thanks for the eLuxe tip Nicole - will check that out.

I have to admit I've been watching all this cross-border shopping and wondering if it was worth it. Of course, my perspective is coloured by living and working in downtown TO (I can hit Ann Taylor and Zara at lunch). But even *within* Canada, the online experience is often lacking. I was lusting after a blue velvet blazer from Melanie Lyne, out of my price range but I found one at Ricki's much cheaper. They only have one store in Toronto, totally out of my way and not a desirable destination (Scarborough Town Centre...) so I ordered online. I knew the size was a gamble especially since I don't know the line. Too boxy, had to return, $15!!!! in shipping for a blazer that cost $60 and was marked down further by the time I got it, that came in a plastic bag. There is no way the retailers pay the same shipping customers do.
So - other than Gap/ON/BR and Land's End (flat fee for returns) - I am not interested. Not willing to pay to try on clothes that may not work.

Wow, I think the customs fees are better in Israel than Canada. Not that I do much direct shipping - we have frequent visits from our American relatives and sometimes someone sends us a package. But I do order stuff from ebay all the time without a problem. I did notice while visiting my sister in Toronto that the prices in the stores like H&M are higher there than in New York or Tel Aviv! My sister doesn't shop for clothes at all - I give her a suitcase of thrifted clothes every time I see her. I am her personal second hand shopper and all her workmates and friends are jealous!

I am deciding that my shipping and return costs are still better than having a not quite right item. I know that $10 each way is minimal compared to what you international customers deal with, but it has certainly added up for me this year. Just the returns involved with trying BF jeans this year will be will over $35 and I've yet to get the right pair, and have none. Again, I am telling myself it's the cost of having better choices hanging in my closet