I don't Post too often on here. I would like you to know about some important issues when Purchasing a Minitruck in Canada. You should purchase your truck from a Registered Vehicle Dealer or a Private individual that has the Truck Registered already. If you purchase on your own or from a Truck seller that will have it shipped direct from Japan to a location for you. Be Careful. The Truck maybe an Attractive Starting Price. There is Shipping costs. Customs Charges Duty, Taxes Plus $100 if it has Air Conditioning. If the Paperwork is not straight or if the Vehicle is not cleaned Propperly you will ahve delays and possible extra expenses with Customs and Agriculture Canada. Then you will have to get New Tires, along with modifications to bring your new truck to Provincial Standards. Yes they are Excempt from the Federal Rules for Now if 15 Years old but they have to Comply with local Provincial regs. So the truck From the K _ _ _ In US Dollars, Plus Shipping, Plus Duty, Plus Inspection and Mods Might not be such a good deal in the end. I fogot to mention what if that truck has rust or doesn't run or burns oil? Do you get your Money Back? What about the front Brake Pads or Clutch or Leaking Water Pump or Leaky Rear wheel cylinders. Who is going to Fix all those things and will they Supply you with Parts. Buy a Truck From a Reputable Registered Vehicle Dealer and you will have a Registerable Minitruck that Has been through Vehicle Inspection. Everthing Works and they will Help if you do have any troubles with your truck later. That's my two cents for what it is worth!!
Yup, MiniTruck.ca (Todd) is 100% correct. In order to sell any vehicle in Canada as a business, it is law that you be a licensed automobile dealer. All the "backyarders" risk heavy, heavy fines. Ask for their dealer license number. If they dont provide it (They have to by law) then you should walk away and report them to the proper provincial authorities. As a buyer, you have no recourse against an unlicensed dealer. You are not protected against odometer fraud or other things along those lines. Your local dealer will have trucks you can see and drive. As well, honest and trustworthy dealers will offer a warranty. No warranty? Dont buy it. In Saskatchewan it is also law that the dealer HAS to provide a reasonable warranty and disclose ALL known problems. (I do not know how this applies to other provinces) I know a local guy who bought one of those "inexpensive" trucks from the west coast area. Truck was $3500. By the time it got out here and was certified he had over $7K into it. Then, last week (less than a month after he got it) the transmission packed in. No warranty for him, all out of his pocket. The truck he was looking at here was $7500 with a 1 year warranty! (At least I get to sell him a transmission! Now he is over $8K still with no warranty or peace of mind )
minitruck.ca hit the nail on the head I know I have personally lost my shirt after fullfilling any warranties.Even years after a sale I find myself helping out buyers in one way or another. On the other side of the coin though,buyers need to have their homework done so that they are not overcharged from sellers who believe that they are the only ones able to import and license trucks.I am sure we have all seen bad sellers and stupid buyers. GO FLAMES GOop:
I know of one guy that bought a truck at full retail price from a local saskatoon dealer. The warning buzzer comes on for no reason and won't shut off. Very Annoying! The dealer had no idea how to fix it and just suggested they just disconnect it. You would think that when someone pays big retail prices they would get big service, but I'm finding that's not the case. You are better off sourcing a low milage, good condition truck yourself from Japan (if you can wait 12 weeks & want to take the risk) or buy from a reputable Canadian wholesaler and doing the provincial inspection yourself. A good truck should sail through with little (under $100) or no mechanical work required.
