Dan, Prince Albert is about the size of Lethbridge.
we just may pay a little more to get a shipper to come this way.
If Derwood’s shipper is the same or similar to one I used, that actually picked up a car on Lthbridge en route here, there is nothing specialty about them at all.  Just a semi trailer with tie downs
Hopefully not the same twit outfit that came to PA for me

Dan, I apologize for getting you mixed up with someone else regarding April Wine ! I still love most of their music. Same goes with you Minerva...I read your post too quick to make mental note.

Werewolf, I appreciate your offer of a lawyer,but wish to follow this on my own. If I’m wrong I’ll be the first to admit it , and deal with it later.

Things are ok with the vendor and I right now, I have a few very good reasons to trust him, and I don’t wish to stir the pot at this time.

In due time I will tell the story from beginning to end if anybody cares to read about it and the intricacies of the deal, but right now I want to let this thread die...until I revive it when my car arrives.

Please don’t judge me harsh werewolf, I really , truly appreciate you very kind offer. I think you will all understand when I tell all after I revive this thread at a later date.

Thank you all for your support. I love this site !

Cheers fellow maniacs ( sorry for stealing your licence plate message ve9ee ( Mike ). Darren.

derwood.. if real want a bulldog attorney. I can put in touch with him later bc

For sure ve9ee Mike. We’ll meet this summer . I’ll show you my Mini, maybe we’ll go for a two mini Cruise. Glad you caught the April Wine theme ! My car will be getting here. No fears. I think I’d lock this thread now if it’s possible. Patients my friends. I’ve got a very nice mini coming. I look forward to showing pictures. But on to other subjects till I exclaim, ITS HERE !

April Wine - Of course ! I hadn't even read the entire subject line when I knew it was a play on those lyrics.

Secondly, you are so right. No Minis out here. I am not sure I would've bought a Mini from Alberta. (that said, I bought one from Wales....and it all worked out, even better than I thought it would (as many here will attest), but I was buying from a trusted seller, not some practically unknown guy 3500kms away.

I do hope it works out - I honestly do, but my words are tempered with a small amount of fear. I don't wish you to feel worse. I'll leave it at that.

Good luck Darren ! Someday we'll have to meet up and compare notes....

And  folks wonder WHY  now require sight inspection on all my cars.. ?? this are the reasons... and winter can be real bear to book cars.. and I just have the buyer  meet me here with cash with the trucker..  and also. NO hidden surprise in the cars.. such as patina  aka rust..  engine or tranny issues.. or even paint quality.. later  bc ps and NEVER EVER use a broker to buy a car from in the USA or Canada.. you are just asking for MORE problems..

It's possible that dangling a couple hundred dollar carrot on delivery, could speed things up and avoid the lawyers, may be a lot cheaper and get better results. just a thought.

Thanks Dan. You are absolutely right. Quite remote, and it is tricky if you want pick up on a certain date you have to pay a very large premium.I’ve just spent the last 45 minutes working with the guy, and I’m convinced that I won’t have to take him to court. I just need to lay back and lay these winter days glide by. I’ll still have quite a wait once it arrives, before the roads are fit, and the salt is well washed off of the roads. I’ve pretty well settled on the bling that I’m going to give to it, so I’m placing a couple of orders in the next few days. Some with our host,Mini Mania,and some with Mini spares. It took me a long time to decide...and then everything just gelled. So all is well, and you said it the way it is, so thanks Don !

Spitz, you most certainly are familiar with April Wine. Very cool. I’ve seen them perform twice...both times were excellent ! Those guys had many ,many great hits. While starting this thread that song hit me as the perfect way to start the thread ! Good times, I’ll bet !

Cheers everyone. Darren.

Darren, glad to read you have the paperwork. People that don't know Canada won't realize that Lethbridge Alberta is not a major centre and probably does not get frequently served by vehicle transport companies who will do specialty pick ups. They would probably see new vehicle deliveries to dealerships and removal of used vehicles going to dealer auction somewhere else. (Your Mini may have been bumped from previous pick ups, I'm guessing.) From Lethbridge, the shipment might go north to Calgary and be transferred to a long-haul heading east. It might get re-transferred in Ontario or Montreal to a shipment going farther east, maybe to Moncton or Halifax, where it might wait for space on a truck heading to PEI. Or maybe it is a real challenge finding a service for a more direct routing.
When my sister passed away in southern Alberta a few years ago, her cat Chico came to us via Medicine Hat, Calgary, Toronto and Ottawa by airline.(He's a tough little guy!)

Thanks for the concerns friends. I believe the vendor didn’t realize how much it costs to ship a car that far. So he quoted me a price that was very good, all things considered. If worse comes to worst, I have the financial resources and records to sue him successfully for the full cost of the car plus legal fees. He’s wide awake now, and i feel 97 ~ 97% sure my car will arrive on time this time. He is paying the extra cost out of his pocket to ship it enclosed. Aside from the fact that I do believe my car will show ( I should have all the paperwork today ) , and that I know in my life experience ( 54 yrs ) that I’ll win a law suit ( which I mentioned to him yesterday ) I can, and will drag his name through every mini site I can find. I understand about the curiousity , but it is now many pages of saved screen shots etc....too much to try and explain it all, as I mentioned in my thread opener. I was really just passing on info. So I’m sorry but once my car arrives, or I hire a lawyer, that is all I have right now. I don’t have the time, and you would all get terribly bored if I was to post all the documents I have. On a nicer note, Paulo has posted about 22 pictures on Facebook today, all but a few German cars are minis. Take care friends; I will update you when I know more. Darren.

Gary Moffet, an original member of April Wine, is my first cousin. My wife and I had an all access backstage passes for their concert at the Halifax Metro Centre when they were the feature band. The only room we couldn't go into was the hockey dressing room where Gerry Mercer was prepping pyrotechnics. Also saw them at the Ottawa Civic Centre.

Specials, my car arrived in Vancouver Canada,not Vancouver USA. I have ( tonite ) seen the paperwork for registering my mini. Sent from the vendor. Darren.

Well, as soon as you get the mini, inspect the engine number and the body number, and make sure it's not re-vin'd...
Some of these overseas car dealers are fly by night dealers, they take off the original vin number using angle grinder or dremel and slap their bogus unregistered  VIN number, and sell them to unsuspecting buyers who know nothing other than paying for it online and wait for it to get delivered, they dont even care to inspect the papers because they are very excited and eager to see the car like a kid in the candy store,,... they are the easy targets for these scammers. 

the Next problem that you will encounter is the Canadian customs,,, as soon  as the mini arrives in the Canadian land, it is subject for a thorough  inspection .if they see bugs or seeds or grass etc, they will send the car back to it's origin at the buyer's expense.


good luck!!Let's ALL Hope for the best!!!!

ps: NO one mentioned about  Vancouver USA,, at least not me.

yea.. why march 1. ?? why so long?/ If I can Iain at www.bkktransport.com  they can pick up the car usually in 48 hours or LESS. anywhere. sure there is company in canada. that can do the same.  did you ask the moke / mini god in CANADA? mini mover..  ?? later bc

As one who used to play their music, and was mentioned on the back of their "Stand Back" LP...and my ex-wife used to go to school with in St Johns...Dave & Ritchie Henmen....and who used to support The Blue Walkers--local Woodstock NB band featuring Myles Goodwyn...when I first started in radio.....I'm a bit of a fan. Last time I saw them was when they opened for the Bee Gees at the Halifax Forum and I was MC for CJCH. Time does travel

Why March 1st? is it going to take that long to ship it to you? What method is he using..moving company or autohauler? I would be talking to whomever he says will be transporting it to see if he is actually doing what he says. What sort of excuse is he using? Is there anyone here near Lethbridge who could check this guy out for you? Something is sounding fishy... :( Hope it is not.

Hi-Did you buy it through e-bay? They had a very good buyer protection thing when I got a Mini that was not as described.  You have to get on it in a very short time frame to get claim rolling.  Keep all e-mails and documentation.

Michael  

Good advice for sure, but I’d spend every penny I have flying from coast to coast. Please bear in mind what Mike e9ee said....there are virtually NO MINIS IN THE MARITIMES. I have enough documentation to win this and get my layers fees paid for....but to be candid...this is why I said best wishes are very welcome, but this is a stressful time for me ( I have an anxiety disorder).

Best regards Darren.

derwood.. rule 1. go look at any classic mini in person  rule 2. bring mini HOME with you after you pay CASH for it..  rule 3. do NOT pay for car that IF  you have NOT  followed  rule 1 and 2..  ask all the folks that got burnt by BP , ML, Geoff Hodge. Simon Epson, and Spanky Raynor.. in recent years..  later bc ps if you can do RULE 1 and 2 . always buy from Lic Dealer and they are  all BONDED usually for $ 50 large and you get full refund if you do NOT get the car and proper title  within 30 days..

Thank you Spitz ! I’m sure it will work out too. I’m going to literally kiss that Mini the minute it’s Off of the transporter! Great to have friends ! Best readards Spitz and all ! Darren.