I agree there isno duty but your operating costs are significantly more in Canada,this includes taxes, real estate, distribution, salaries etc...
Your also working with a much smaller market, your buying power is diminished.
Printable View
Actually, it's a good example. Amazon establishes the price point (in this case same across borders) and they have 3rd party 'partners' supply the product. They don't store the product, they don't' ship it, but they still make a profit from it and mange to sell it cheaper to us than the open retail market can supply it. I don't care where it's coming from, I deal with Amazon and they are providing me an item cheaper than I can get at the Local box store.
Much like Walmart with their bricks and mortar operations, they rent out shelf space to 3rd party suppliers that maintain and stock that space. Walmart does not warehouse all the products they sell.
You might want to look at the items you linked to again. At present, if you click through to the list of sellers for the item on amazon.ca, you'll see prices ranging from the low of $182.xx up to $1052. It would seem that Amazon is not establishing a price point here.
All Amazon is really doing with items like this is making its electronic storefront available to third-party sellers. Those sellers establish their own pricing. So while this definitely represents a convenience to the consumer, and will often allow people to get stuff cheaper, nothing in Amazon's own distribution model has anything to do with those advantages. Before you object, let's remember the original point I am disputing here:
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikePal
There is no centralized storage or distribution here. Amazon's business model is the future of online retail, but let's be clear on the distinction between Amazon distribution and third-party sales through Amazon and just where prices come from.
Wal-Mart partners with third-party sellers for online sales. I don't believe they do that in their retail stores.Quote:
Originally Posted by MikePal
In any case, hub-and-spoke distribution is not a Wal-Mart innovation, nor does it explain Wal-Mart's price advantage, as you suggested. Wal-Mart's price advantage comes from its aggressive treatment of its vendors.
One point rises above all this: online retailing is significantly disrupting everything. When I can order from a US vendor online, unless hidden costs like brokerage fees are involved, I am going to come out ahead as a consumer. This compounds the cost problems faced by Canadian retailers.
Welcome to Canada land of being screwed. There is no reason at all why our prices are so high here for so many items. Especially vehicals. Corvette new here around 80,000.00, that exact car south of the border is around 48,000.00. Our governments won't allow u to go down south a purchase a new vehical and bring it back here, even if it is paid in full....sad how bad we get screwed here
You can blame the car companies for that, not the various levels of Canadian government.
That being said, I do agree that the prices in Canada are higher than they should be, and we are getting screwed. This is supported by the fact that it is relatively easy to buy something from down south and save a bundle.
I heard from a Toyota dealer that is a fact and is applicable for those dealers closer to the border....drive a few hrs south and it goes away.
Polaris dealer in Ogdensburg sells new ATVs for almost a 1/3 cheaper than in Ottawa...45 minute drive can save you $3K !!
Holy Crap, your right....I hadn't checked the website since the dollar dropped....with conversion it is a wash !!! What a difference from when we were at par :scream:
Same model and year;
US..$7,500
http://www.parkwayfordandpolaris.com...=14&DispType=0
Canada: $9,800
http://www.wheelsportottawa.net/atv-...88a26fdfd5.htm