Double the price?

[Brisch]

see I knew even though this had been discussed previously, that I could stir things up lol. mwahahaha

[Shell Dweller]

I for one decided to save a few $100 dollars a year ago and cancelled my cable with Shaw. I now get channels 2, 8, 12, and 32 all in HD with my coat hanger antennae which cost me about 7 dollars to make. I also get channels 10 and 17 but not in HD. These channels are the ones with the programs that I regularly watch anyways and even though I dont get Discovery, A&E, or some of these other channels which I would not mind watching now and then I figure the $40 dollars a month just wasnt worth it. My wife agrees with me. A few neighbours laughed until they saw the picture on my 55" plasma and now they also have coat hanger antenaes too.

[Ron99]

Part of the problem is also the Canadian distribution chain where the Canadian distributors have large profit margins too. I used to see this in a business I ran where the Canadian wholesale prices for products were the same or even higher then the US RETAIL prices on many products. Now I'll agree that Canadian distributor have higher costs then US ones but the difference can't be that much. The costs of the dark run down warehouses some of these distributors had could not be that much more then similar warehouses in the US. I eventually ended up just importing grey market stuff directly from Japan myself as it ended up being cheaper, even with the high shipping costs. The added bonus was I could get new release products months ahead of the Canadian distributors as well.

We also had a big debate about this topic when a Canadian distributor took over exclusive rights to an asian line of protein skimmers etc. and the prices magically kept climbing and climbing. He all but admitted it was because that was what the market would accept as prices rather then increased costs etc. being responsible.

[neven]

could be worse, could be the rent rates... oh wait, transglobe and various REITs have made it their mission to raise average rental rates across the country, meanwhile cutting back on all maintenance costs. i know capp reit even released a publication a while back congratulating themselves for increasing avg rent through all their buildings by $200 in a year.

its the business model of today, maximize profits because theres always some fool going to take the price, and minimize your responsibilities to the point of being irresponsible.

[tony1928]

I think only competition will keep the retailers honest. I'm sure the US pricing that is offered by many of the better retailers is reflective of what they feel is a price that will keep them competitive. In Canada, we just don't have that competition. Like others have said, retailers will charge as much as they think they can get away with. Nothing wrong with that, but that's business.

[rescuepenguin]

I still don't think this is the right place for a discussion like this. My wife and I have put our business plans on hold, for the following reasons.

1) My bank often says that they are not loaning out money at the moment, but they like to give you a hard sell for a credit card for 20% (a little under but close enough). In other words they don't want to loan out money at prime plus a few percent, they want to loan it out at 20%.

2) 2 of my 3 credit card providers have increased the interest rate on my accounts this year. The company that criticized the banks for having their hands in your pockets now has a higher interest rate than the banks. Whose hands are in my pocket??? What's in my wallet? not their card. BTW They refuse to say their interest rates were increased only to say that it is due to forces in the Canadian economy.

3) Landlords are jacking up rents. I often ask business owners why they are closing down or moving. The only answer I get is that landlords are dramatically increasing rents. In one case in Richmond, it was double. We would need a place for least 5 yrs, with razor thin margins in the beginning.

We are going to wait and see what happens. Now how many more people are like us and holding off creating jobs in Canada. I stand with summit about higher costs, but the real profit taking is probably not where the others are thinking it is. Punishing a retailer because their rent was doubled, or their financing costs increased is out right foolish, and not fair.

Steve

[Scott]

But as
these extra ( mostly gov charges ) build
up so do the prices.

Hence if we do all buy from the states yes some buisnesses will suffer. But it will be better overall in the end

To TCR and anybody else who would prefer to support the "south", my question to you is this; where do you earn your money and what is it that you do? If your business or company that you work for had a service or a product that can be purchased at a lower price south of the border, would you still have a job at the end of the day? thus eliminating your ability to do ANY purchasing of any sort, then would you still have the same attitude towards supporting the U.S.?

Yes, taxes and prices are higher here than the states, but where do you live?
Go ahead and shop in the states, purchase ALL your stuff there, not my place to stop you, but just remember when the prices keep going up here while the wages keep stagnant, explain to me how THAT would be better overall when nobody has a job?

Just questions!

[mikebike]

When I go to purchase something I first try to find it in my community.
If I do not support the local shops/businesses they will not be there when I need then.

Did you know WalMart has different prices on commodities in different areas of the Lower Mainland.

Once they have a Monopoly they can charge what they want.

OT: as special needs Foster Parents for babies my wife found up to a $2.00 difference on a package ($16.00)
between Langley and Annacis Island stores!

[gimlid]

Walmart and all Big Box retail can KMA. I shop at the little guy whenever possible.
I refuse to even go to Walmart.
I Buy Canadian.
If you really want to shop at corporate black holes like Walmart, watch this movie first....
Walmart - High Cost of Low Prices

[123mars]

Please read my informative posts earlier in this thread for complete instructions and advice on cross border shopping.

JL Aquatics has the best prices of any lower mainland store, bar none.

If you can't find it there, buy on the internet from an American website and ship to Hagens of Blaine. Lie when you cross the border, they only care about guns, tobacco and booze. I'm driving down in two weeks to pick up a big cyber monday order from bulkreefsupply.com, maybe i'll see you there!

You have an obligation to yourself and your family to find the best possible price for a given good or service. Bollocks to any moronic idea of a moral obligation as a Canadian to pay more and feel good about getting ripped off by a LFS.

Anybody who is willing to pay more to support "Canada" is a fool.