A business in Germany , I live in Quebec, sent an invoice through email for an order which was $26 euros total, I never answered them to confirm , a few weeks latter I got the item in the mail anyway. Never any follow up I put it out of my mind. That was in aug , of 09 , now I just got a collection letter , saying I owe them $265.00 Can. what is the statue of limitations on this , and why should I be responsible for a mistake they made? Why would any one send something over seas with out payment in the fist place? Is there a way out of this with out paying that inflated amount ?

Actually they may sue you under German law, since that is where they are located.

Next I own a business and I order things all the time without paying first, I had several 1000 dollars of sign work done last month and got a bill, and so on.

Actually they may sue you under German law, since that is where they are located. ...

I suppose, but for $265 Canadian? And then try to collect a German judgment in Canada? It's simply not worth the trouble.