Just got back from Michigan with a near mint Totan. Very pleased with it. The guy even gave me a bunch of spare parts: new side rail and $100 worth of LED lights amongst other stuff. I can say for now my collection is complete and I have nothing to sell or buy for now.

On the other hand, I was totally disgusted with the way I was treated at Canadian customs. I made an honest declaration of what I paid for the pin and paid over $300 in GST/PST and then was subjected to lecture on how many people do not declare the true of what they paid for their stuff and he gave me one last opportunity to declare the true value. I was then subjected to a search of my entire vehicle, he even search my wallet and continued to ask over 20 questions on why I collect pinball machines. Finally I had enough and asked for a computer to show him the RGP post and listed price, then he relented and told me I was free to go. Is it only me that has these issues? I keep reading how members do minimal declaration and even though I was honest, I get the royal treatment. My advice to you all is to beware of what you declare, they have quickly caught on to the value of collectable items.

Quoted from HP5P

Is it only me that has these issues? I keep reading how members do minimal declaration and even though I was honest, I get the royal treatment.

Well...,  your 3-day scruff, dark sunglasses and camo-pants probably didn't help you  

I usually have two children's booster seats in the back seat,
...and listen to Ann Murray when I get to Customs ...

I've never been searched yet !    

Seriously though... it might the site you cross at...

I go at Ogdensburg/Prescott  (Hwy 416) and they're usually pretty friendly...
...then again, I only bring back small stuff... I've never brought back a pin   (yet ! )

Sorry to hear about your hassles.

Steph

Pffft. Sounds like you breezed through.

Did he do that snapping trick with the rubber gloves?

He put them on to search my vehicle but he did not mention any internal searches.

I understand that your best bet is to bring a signed receipt from the seller that outlines your deal.  Price must have been good!

A custom guy that I once met while bringing back a Bagman Vid told me that even a signed piece of paper from a seller is not enough.  They all want to see official EBAY/Paypal type transaction/receipts.  I guess some don't understand that most of us still pay cash for such items and that we don't buy them from some shop/store.

The patience that is needed at the border these days is to be expected.  Be honest, declare the value, and that is just the way it is.

Glad to hear that you got an amazing looking (and playing - even if simple by some tastes) machine.  
If you have any technical issues with the machine, let us know as I (and others here) know the game play, common defects and other points about this machine, quite well.

On another note, it is amazing how many Maaca guys have learned to love/collect ToTAN now.  When I had mine for sale, nobody cared for it.  It is a fine game.

I had a signed receipt, indicating the purchase price, name address and phone number. When I declared it at the customs booth, the first thing he asked is where did you hear about it? I told him RGP and he even wrote it on the note that I took in for secondary inspection.

All I am saying is to all members that cross the border thinking that you can declare minimal value, those days are over.

Where did you cross at?  I have had no problems at the Windsor-Detroit crossing.

Can we ask the value declared out of interest?  My STTNG was declared (by the seller) coming up from the US at what I paid in cash for it ($1225) which was less the value of the trade that he took back with him a $775 vid (on which he paid no tax to re-import by the way).  I wonder if it was different since here was the seller (a US citizen) declaring the value.

P.S. I love TOTAN, as slow as the intros make it, it's a great game, I would say it would be #1 on my list if my son hadn't expressed extreme interest in a SWEP1 recently...  

I crossed a few times at Port Huron with no probs.
Wonder why the hassles?


Oh and congrats on your new pin.
Nice to find something you've searched for a while for.

Last time I went through with CV nothing. In fact I was really lazy and didn't even try and obtain a receipt. All I had was a copy of my wire transfer which could have been to anyone for anything even though it was the legit one, and they took it as proof of price.

I got hit for tax only.

I crossed Dec. 2006 in Vermont/Quebec and many of you know the story. Yesterday's incident was at Windsor/Detroit and I declared what i paid, that is why I stated that I paid over $300 in GST/PST. I had a signed receipt from the vendor and a copy of my bank withdrawl. Still got the royal treatment. Maybe I just look like a criminal, but since the Vermont trip I will never under value anything at customs, not worth the fines and aggravation. That is the only reason for my post, would not want anyone else to have the same experience.