The MAJOR problem with US suppliers is their frequent insistence on using UPS/FedEx with the consequent bogus and $$ 'brokerage fees' (I don't mind paying the PST/GST/HST) - I generally only deal with places that will use USPS. (NB- you can even get burned by this if 'special ordering' a US item via a Canadian supplier, as I learned recently.... :-( )

Holy f*** – I just realized what you meant there. I just received a parcel with Behlen dye stains from the US. Goods were $60, shipping $27 (ouch) but what I didn't expect was the $43 fee from UPS I just had to pay at the door. I really like it in Canada but this is just ridiculous – how are you supposed to run any kind of business when shipping and fees are always higher than the stuff you buy?!

Also strange is the fact that the stuff I ordered from NELO in Portugal recently didn't cost me extra (that was UPS too)…
this is insane