US/Canada Pricing

[DarkStar50 679]

Ok, have your economics class here and leave the equipment threads alone.

Thank you.

[Rustpot 1]

It's called price gouging. They've been charging more for the last 10 years and now only a few dozen people are getting outraged about it on a hockey forum.

You want NBH, Easton, RBK, and everyone else to charge you US prices? Contact your local representatives and get them to take legal action to mandate some things.

Or find out why the price is so high. I guarantee importation tariffs of 8.5% is not the only thing being tacked on between the factory and Sport Check shelves.

[supa 3]

cyclone taylor has changed their website price's over to canadian ( Didnt really reflect their instore prices last I checked )

But I bought a stealth from Ice level for 200 and that is still cheaper than what they wanted from somewhere like hockeymonkey

give it some time and everything will come down... this isnt an overnight thing

[Jordan 13]

There is no question that at the manufacturers try to get as much from the dealers as they can.

More and more people are starting to buy from the US as a result. Now th retailer may well take it on the chin, but prices will come down, as inventory builds up.

Last year as an example, 112,000 Canadians bought cars in the US. Customs Canada expects that number to triple this year. It will happen in every industry.

[Platypus 0]

Or find out why the price is so high. I guarantee importation tariffs of 8.5% is not the only thing being tacked on between the factory and Sport Check shelves.

depending on where the goods are manufactured the trade should be free between the countries...b/c of N A F T A

[hockeyherb 1]

I heard that many of the US car dealers that are close to the borders are starting to be told that they cannot sell to Canadians anymore.

My Dad knows a guy that figures he saved about 20k going to the US to buy his vehicle (not sure what brand but not a cheap car obviously), and because there is no import duty, as long as the dealer in the US is willing do prepare your paperwork for you, it's almost a no brainer to go to the US.

As I said I heard lately though, companies such as Honda have told the US dealers to stop. Something about the Canadian dealers are starting to bitch?? I can't imagine why?

Rather than telling the US dealers to stop, why not just cut the price to the Canadian dealers? It can't be freight. How can cars that possibly arrive on the West Coast cost less to truck to Florida than Western Canada?

Sorry for taking this conversation away from equipment. I guess this post might go better in Misc discussions.

[Sande 0]

SO THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTAND QUICKLY AND YOU ARE PROPERLY INFORMED. PRODUCTS THAT COME FROM CHINA AND THE MOST POPULAR MAUFACTURING METHOD.

THERE ARE DUTIES COMING INTO CANADA FROM CHINA NOT CHINA TO USA . USA HAS NO DUTIES ON PANTS AND GLOVES. STICKS ARE DUTY FREE COMING AND GOING FROM ANYWHERE EVEN CHINA. SHIPPING IS ALSO CHEAPER TO THE USA BUT NOT BY A HUGE MARGIN. CANADA WE HAVE TO PAY gst AT ENRTRY BUT OF COURSE THAT EVENTUALLY GETS REVERSED. DUTIES FOR THE GEAR INTO CANADA USED TO BE 17.5% THERE IS ALSO BANKING COST FOR CHANGING MONIES FROM CANADA TO usa DOLLARS AS CHINA FACTORIES ONLY ACCEPT USA DOLLARS, SO EVEN THOUGH THE cad IS AT 1.04 AGAINST THE USA, BY THE TIME THE BANK TAKES THERE CHARGES $ IS A $ SO AT THE END OF THE DAY CANADA PRICES TECHNICALLY SHOULD BE MORE, STILL, THAN IN THE USA. ALSO ONE OTHER SMALL NOTE. UPS, IS WAY MORE EXPENSIVE IN CANADA THAN UPS IN THE USA... SO THERE ARE STILL MANY COST TO CONSIDER WHEN DOI NG PRICING.

HAVING SAID ALL THAT. IF CANADIAN RETAILERS WANT TO COMPETE, THEY HAVE TO MATCH USA DOLLARS BECAUSE THE GENERAL PUBLIC DOES NOT ACCEPT AS EASILY THE ADDITIONAL COST INVOLVED FOR US THE MANFATURING.

ONE MORE NOTE WE ARE LOWER OUR PRICING DRAMATICALLY THIS YEAR BECAUSE MY THEORY IS, I USED TO PAY 1.6 AGAINST THE USA DOLLAR, SO FOR SANDE HOCKEY, THIS IS GREA...

[Jordan 13]

Rather than telling the US dealers to stop, why not just cut the price to the Canadian dealers? It can't be freight. How can cars that possibly arrive on the West Coast cost less to truck to Florida than Western Canada?

It sure isn't freight...you can do the same thing on a car manufactured in Canada that has been sent to the United States...so freight would be higher.

[NuggyBuggy 0]

give it some time and everything will come down... this isnt an overnight thing

Time isn't going to erase all the price discrepancies, because the problem isn't simply due to the rapidity of the Canadian dollar's rise, as the above implies. Prices have long been out of line AFTER accounting for exchange rates and a host of other factors. When the USD was .80 cents (or less) to the CAD, lots of stuff STILL ended up being cheaper in the US. The rise of the CAD just makes things look even worse.

If Canadians could buy stuff from the US easily, this would eventually help bring prices more in line. Unfortunately, many of the manufacturers make it impossible to have gear ordered directly out of the US. That is the policy of the manufacturers themselves, and has nothing to do with exchange rates, duties or tariffs, or anything else. Ask the US retailers on the board why those policies exist.

[Chadd 916]

If Canadians could buy stuff from the US easily, this would eventually help bring prices more in line. Unfortunately, many of the manufacturers make it impossible to have gear ordered directly out of the US. That is the policy of the manufacturers themselves, and has nothing to do with exchange rates, duties or tariffs, or anything else. Ask the US retailers on the board why those policies exist.

Those policies exist to protect the Canadian dealers who have to pay more than the American dealers. Canadian dealers couldn't compete with American shops, let alone the online superstores.

[Platypus 0]

If Canadians could buy stuff from the US easily, this would eventually help bring prices more in line. Unfortunately, many of the manufacturers make it impossible to have gear ordered directly out of the US. That is the policy of the manufacturers themselves, and has nothing to do with exchange rates, duties or tariffs, or anything else. Ask the US retailers on the board why those policies exist.

Those policies exist to protect the Canadian dealers who have to pay more than the American dealers. Canadian dealers couldn't compete with American shops, let alone the online superstores.

if i get the oportunity ill ask my political economy proff tomorrow but im pretty sure protectionist policies under nafta are illegal. ill see if this applies to good manufactured outside north america, but by north american manufacturers

[Cove 38]

Or find out why the price is so high. I guarantee importation tariffs of 8.5% is not the only thing being tacked on between the factory and Sport Check shelves.

depending on where the goods are manufactured the trade should be free between the countries...b/c of N A F T A

NAFTA went to stink years ago when they started tariffing our lumber. And its working the other way now, if you can get food in this country (cheeses n what not) you cant import it from the states. Trust me, I work in a grocery store.(that was a joke, not the fact thats true. The part about being an expert because I make minimum wage in a grocery store)

If Canadians could buy stuff from the US easily, this would eventually help bring prices more in line. Unfortunately, many of the manufacturers make it impossible to have gear ordered directly out of the US. That is the policy of the manufacturers themselves, and has nothing to do with exchange rates, duties or tariffs, or anything else. Ask the US retailers on the board why those policies exist.

Those policies exist to protect the Canadian dealers who have to pay more than the American dealers. Canadian dealers couldn't compete with American shops, let alone the online superstores.

Thats so true, and so retarded at the same time. Our dollar is within cents of each other yet the companies still charge Canadians companies so much more.

[wullymc 0]

My 2cents.

I think that Canadians (I am one) should wait to buy new products until the price adjusts (when that will be I don't know). Its basic supply and demand. If you are willing to pay $150 more for skates here than the US, Cdn dealers will not adjust the price! If no one buys new equipment here, there will be pressure on stores to go back to their suppliers to help them with the price.

Someone on another thread said it is because there is more buying power in the US for hockey equipment. I don't really buy into this. It seems like every guy in Canada plays hockey thereby supplying lots of buying power.

I don't mind if there is a difference of even $40 difference in high priced stuff but I do when a Warrior blade costs $80 up here and $50 down in the US.

So in conclusion, I would recommend not buying new equipment right now or if you want to get good prices take a trip to the US or buy online and get it shipped here. I know through Hockey Giant the only brand that they will ship up here is Mission. Maybe Mission can get a bigger share of the Cdn market now! ;)

[JR Boucicaut 3802]

If Canadians could buy stuff from the US easily, this would eventually help bring prices more in line. Unfortunately, many of the manufacturers make it impossible to have gear ordered directly out of the US. That is the policy of the manufacturers themselves, and has nothing to do with exchange rates, duties or tariffs, or anything else. Ask the US retailers on the board why those policies exist.

Those policies exist to protect the Canadian dealers who have to pay more than the American dealers. Canadian dealers couldn't compete with American shops, let alone the online superstores.

Same thing happened 10 years ago when we were buying all of our gear in Canada.

[Jarick 5]

I will say this, it used to be maybe 1 out of 15 of my eBay stuff went to Canadians, now almost everything I sell goes up there. Hockey and non-hockey alike. You guys are "cashing in" on the used goods market, and it makes me very happy.

[DarkStar50 679]

If Canadians could buy stuff from the US easily, this would eventually help bring prices more in line. Unfortunately, many of the manufacturers make it impossible to have gear ordered directly out of the US. That is the policy of the manufacturers themselves, and has nothing to do with exchange rates, duties or tariffs, or anything else. Ask the US retailers on the board why those policies exist.

Those policies exist to protect the Canadian dealers who have to pay more than the American dealers. Canadian dealers couldn't compete with American shops, let alone the online superstores.

Same thing happened 10 years ago when we were buying all of our gear in Canada.

10 years ago, half the guys on MSH were still Mites and Daddy and Mommy bought their gear. Now, Mr. and Mrs. tell Jr. if you want the Vapor XXXX skates, its coming out of your pocket.

Jay Cupolo was king back in the 80s. He was the Canadian HockeyMonkey of catalog sales. Cupolo's sold tons of gear to US hockey players with his low-ball Canadian prices. You didn't always get what you ordered but it was one less sale for gear back in the States.

[hunterphfr 12]

Rather than telling the US dealers to stop, why not just cut the price to the Canadian dealers? It can't be freight. How can cars that possibly arrive on the West Coast cost less to truck to Florida than Western Canada?

It sure isn't freight...you can do the same thing on a car manufactured in Canada that has been sent to the United States...so freight would be higher.

Never mind cars, what about skates. Graf skates made in Canada shipped across the US border to an e-tailer and then purchased online by a Canadian (if they were allowed to). Would then be shipped back across the Canadian border and would still be cheaper than buying from a Canadian store.

This is trrue for many of the remaining products still manufactured in Canada.

[wullymc 0]

Canadian's adopt a fellow MSH member from the US to buy equipment for you and get them to send it to you!! ...could be a nice side business for someone....just joking

I agree with Jarick regarding EBAY. I have been keeping an eye on Ebay for equipment. If the seller uses USPS the shipping charges and customs fees are more reasonable than UPS.

Thankfully I don't need any new equipment for the time being. The only thing that I can see me buying is hockey sticks. :)

[Chanimal 0]

There are currently law suits being filed by Canadians against automotive manufacturers with regards to their explicit policies to not sell cars to Canadians. Amongst these manufacturers are the Big Three, Honda, and Toyota. The suits claims prejudice and discrimination based on nationality, as well as price gouging. A Navigator shouldn't be 40% more across the border, even if you factor in exchange rates and banking fees. At the end of the day these policies, though provide a certain degree of protection for the northern dealers, really is about padding the manufacturers' wallets and maximizing profit. By the way, protectionism and collusions are both big no-nos in these days of NAFTA. Porsche took a pro-active approach and lowered their pricing 10% across the board.

[Platypus 0]

By the way, protectionism and collusions are both big no-nos in these days of NAFTA.

I cant believe I was about to ask why North American companies could refuse to sell to Canadians and my proff actually brought it up himself. As a distinguished political economist and author he said The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, CBC have been calling him to ask if this sort of discrimination is illegal under NAFTA...and guess what?

ITS NOT!

In a nutshell NAFTA creates rules for trade between CAN/US/MEX to ensure secure access to each other's markets for transnational corporations. It also provides methods of dispute settlement. ITS DOES NOT provide continent wide competition clauses or create consumer rights based on the same principles transnational corporations receive. IMO its unfair to the consumer, but having the worlds more powerful nation as a secure trading partner is worth the BS like this.

(FYI to the earlier post, NAFTA didnt cause the softwood lumber issues. the american government's unwillingness to pay CDN lumber companies the $5billion dollars a NAFTA dispute settlement panel ordered it to caused the problems. In the end Harper got the US to give back $4 billion and for whatever reason the US gov decided to pay the US lumber coalition $500 million for all its troubles)

[Platypus 0]

Bauer one70 stick @ hockey experts in woodbridge $179 marked down to $149

Bauer one70 stick @ hockeygiant.com $94.99

RIDICULOUS!

I was in there with a buddy while a sales guy came up to me and told me he was marking everything down and even after the mark down they are still ridiculously overpriced

I wish hockey giant had the prices of their vapour XXX lites displayed so i could further display how unfair our pricing is

[odp 0]

Someone on another thread said it is because there is more buying power in the US for hockey equipment. I don't really buy into this. It seems like every guy in Canada plays hockey thereby supplying lots of buying power.

My 2c on purchasing power.

Buying power and size (population) is a huge factor and this can apply to LHS vs. E-tailers.

Quick demographics - USA popuation ~ 301 million, Canada population ~ 33 million. For simplicity say it's 300 million vs. 30 million. If half the people in Canada spend money on hockey, that's 15 million people. (very generous) That's one in two (50%) people. If 1 in 20 Americans (5%) spend money on hockey, it's 15 million as well. That's why Gary Bettman creams his pants any time there's the chance 1 in 10 Americans will watch an NHL game on TV, because that would be the same as every single Canadian watching.

[TheBert 0]

I tried to pay with Canadian cash on par when I was in Kirkland buying a pair of gloves. The guy refused and I said "Why not? It's worth more than your dollar."

He laughed and went, "No way. Our president would never allow that to happen."

[kna829 0]

I live in Ottawa. I saw and tried on Easton Synergy 700 shoulder, elbow and shinpads at the Sportchek in Kanata. I was assisted by a helpful sales dude. But I wanted to see some other brands so I went to another store. I didn't see anything better, but by then stores were closed for the day.

That night I researched the stuff on the web and found that Sportchek's prices were double US prices BEFORE factoring in the stronger dollar.

The next morning I went back to Sportchek and asked, "What is your best price?" They were unwilling to negotiate. So I said, "They're 1/2 your price in the US. Compete or get out of the business."

I would have paid a premium for the help the sales guy gave me, but don't expect me to pay double.

I created an eBay search-bot. Within a week I found what I wanted. I'm expecting a package from the US this week.

I don't entirely blame retailers. Most of the blame should be targetted towards manufacturers and distributors. Aren't these the same folk who immediately raise prices when things go against them? Why not so quick to lower?

[lando_8 0]

Never mind cars, what about skates. Graf skates made in Canada shipped across the US border to an e-tailer and then purchased online by a Canadian (if they were allowed to). Would then be shipped back across the Canadian border and would still be cheaper than buying from a Canadian store.

This is trrue for many of the remaining products still manufactured in Canada.

Skates are a good example, my buddy just ordered custom XXXX's that came to $515USD shipped to a US address. He will get them shipped up here through his business (obviously not everybody has this luxury) so it will end up costing him ~$500CAD said and done for a skate that is $699.99+ tax (non custom) in stores here. (so he is saving about $400 at the end of the day)

WRT cars, it is only new cars that the dealers can't sell to Canadians. You can still get a wicked deal on an used car or even a very lightly used '08 (depending on how lenient the dealer is on their definition of 'used'). Keep in mind that 75-80% of Canada's population is 100 miles or less from the US border so there is a somewhat valid reason as to why the protection is there.

Books are another example of something that hasn't adjusted to the dollar discrepancy. For example, we are still pay 5.99CAD for magazines that are 4.99USD