I was always told that I wouldn't know what trouble was until I started my own business. I didn't listen. That was then, but this is now, and I'm listening, but it's too late for advice...

I've always said ITP is on the wrong side of the border. Having this business in Canada is a complete pain in the neck. The VAST majority of ITP's cutomers are in the US, therefore the vast majority of our sales cross the border. The border south of us is only a narrow channel of water as narrow as 100 feet, but it might as well be the distance to the moon. ITP belongs in the US, but moving across the border is next to impossible for law abiding people with no terrorist tendencies. There is one reasonably fast way to cross the border with a business, and that is a Venture VISA, but to be approved for one, the applicant has to put up one million dollars for investing in the US in business. Once the business ends, you have to go back home, likely without your million dollars. Now, if I had a million dollars to spare, the last thing I'd be looking to do is risk it in a new venture in another country. While I'd love to live in the US (I bleed red, white, and blue), if I had a million bucks, I'd probably just build a nice new house and retire in relative comfort.

The reason for desiring to relocate to the US is simply this: to avoid all the cross border brokerage hassle, and the way it is foisted upon my customers. All orders over $200.00US are subject to, but not necessarily will, receive a brokerage bill. These bills can be from $55.00 to $81.00US. People have bought up to $750.00US+ and not received a bill, and people have bought as low as $201.50US and got them. I don't think they are fair, or even right. We're supposed to have 'free trade', and are neighboring countries, with land connection along much of the border. Why brokerage is needed is beyond me, but it seems like a money grab and nothing else.

There are many other ways reloctating ITP to the US would be beneficial for ITP AND it's customers:

• lower shipping rates
• faster delivery times
• less documentation
• returns made much more simple
• possibility of a walk-in business for customers within reasonable driving distance
• lower phone bills
• the loss of cross-border internet shopping anxiety for some customers
• etc...

I've talked to an immigration lawyer. He told me it's a long, hard, obscenely expensive, trying road to move to the US to run a business. I suppose if I was some foreigner that never intended to do anything but mooch off of the working man, I wouldn't have much trouble at all in relocating! And, when it comes to government beaurocrasy, I always end up eating... well, let's say some VERY stale bread.

As it stands, the major headache brokerage money grab remains in place, and probably will for a long time to come. ITP apologizes for the added expense our valued customers have incurred due to money grubbers getting in between us from time to time.