american vs canadian pricing

[trky chsr]

A few years ago (when our $ was at the ~ same level as the US-$) I purchased Alliant-powder (Unique and Reloder 22) for $18 a pound (in Conroe / Texas) . Here , in Ontario , it retailed for $42/lb. (at Accurate Plus on #7 near Peterborough) . --- I realize that our Canadian prices are (for various reasons) a BIT higher ; BUT that much ??? --- Come on !!!

Another bonus for you, some Alliant powder is manufactured in Quebec and shipped to the US for packaging.

[Ahuntr300]

Well, the real losers will be the retailers who will not make any sales if they raise the price too far.

The way I see it, if its something I really want, I compare the total US cost with the Canadian one, and if the Canadian one is more, I order it from the states. Right now Canadian landed cost =US cost (including shipping) + 35% (ouch!!) + 13% HST + can't forget the $10 Canada Post handling fee for collecting the customs fees (LOL).

Its funny how when the Canadian dollar was at par or above par with the US dollar, retailers and distributors said they could not drop prices to smooth out for times when the Canadian dollar was low.

However, in my experience, they have always been quick to raise the prices (like now) and then never lowering them again, using the above excuse.

[fratri]

Well not everything is cheaper in the US.... To my surprise the Excalibur micro crossbow, down here in the US (Myrtle Beach) is on sale for $899 US... that's the same price for the Micro in Canada, so buying some items in Canada can be cheaper...
With the exchange rate there is no real saving on anything I looked at...including ammo

I got lucky and purchased from Cabela's Canada 3 Big GameWarrior DX Ladder stands for (including taxes and delivery to my home) a grand total of $255.85, now that was a deal and a half.....sometimes the deals are there when you aren't looking...
PS I picked these up late January this year....

[Fox]

I have been looking at farm supplies. I can either drive into Ottawa or up state new york, driving to new york and paying the exchange still saves on almost everything, not lumber but almost everything else.

[mooboy76]

Well not everything is cheaper in the US.... To my surprise the Excalibur micro crossbow, down here in the US (Myrtle Beach) is on sale for $899 US... that's the same price for the Micro in Canada, so buying some items in Canada can be cheaper...
With the exchange rate there is no real saving on anything I looked at...including ammo

I got lucky and purchased from Cabela's Canada 3 Big GameWarrior DX Ladder stands for (including taxes and delivery to my home) a grand total of $255.85, now that was a deal and a half.....sometimes the deals are there when you aren't looking...
PS I picked these up late January this year....

It does pay to compare; I've found some definite price advantages here in Canada.

While not always less expensive, the main reason I look to the US now is selection and shipping. Free shipping to the border can make that currency conversion less of an issue. If the Canadian price is 30% higher, but also comes with with a hefty shipping fee, then checking the US supply can pay off.

Supply and selection is another biggie, I sometimes just can't find the item I want from a Canadian business. There might be one that supplies it, but it can be hard to find one that does, or find one that will sell you one online. Canadian business websites are getting better, but at a very slow pace. Dead links, and geocities backgrounds with neon pink font is not usually a good sign.

[mooboy76]

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.

Plus the growing number of businesses selling direct from China, or other less expensive nations. Who can beat $12 shipped across the world to your door in 5 days for some electronics that may retail for $45 in Canada or $30 in the US? I have yet to make those purchases, but my niece does.

[welsh]

Even with the exchange, tax rates may put you ahead buying in the US. I pick up a lot of hunting stuff while travelling for work, which means I save the tax and have zero shipping.

For some items, strangely, prices are actually lower in Canada.

[mooboy76]

State taxes are also an irritant when buying online in the US. It's hit and miss for who charges you the state tax, and who doesn't. Paying an extra 6% for MN state taxes - where I get the goods delivered to - can definitely make the deal less sweet. Of course, the paid state taxes are included in the declared value at the border, so we also get to pay 13% on the 6% tax, after exchange.

One thing I found is you have to be very explicit at the border with your receipts and the currency used. CBSA keeps trying to exchange my CDN paid as USD, despite the fact that the invoice clearly states that the value paid was in CDN. The officers usually do not want to look at the invoice for more than a couple of seconds, so get the highlighter out and make sure it's done right.

I don't like paying 30% on top of 30%!

We paid the double exchange once because the invoice was already done up, and the officer refused to look at the invoice or change anything. Luckily we were at $0.92 USD at the time, but still.

[canadaman30]

I purchased my last boat and last two vehicles from the US ? What is stopping anyone from buying south of the boarder?

New vehicals cannot be tranfered over to a Canadian resident from the USA until it is so moany months older and or so many kilometers. That is how the governments are screwing us otherwise everyone would buy their vehicals south of the border. Used vehicals are not a problem, thats why so many dealerships buy used vehicals from the states and ship them up here to sell to us

[MarkB]

When the $ was at 1.0 or even 1.10, it was cheaper buying in the US.
Now that it's $1.33, it's cheaper buying here (at least for now, until the prices get adjusted).
I often go to Florida, and actually came back two weeks ago from there. This last time, I can tell
you, by the time you factored in the exchange rate, the US prices were not that attractive.

I don't think there's any steadfast rules, you just need to compare and make a decision.
If you get nailed for duties, then it's almost always cheaper to buy in Canada.