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Buy crap made in China locally - how is that buying local? How much stuff is even made in Canada anymore. And how many of the stores are actually Canadian?

But again, if we keep comparing ourselves to the US, seeing that things are cheaper there, do we really want to adopt their system that makes for those cheaper goods. And even then, they are a way bigger market, we'd never match them.

But, if the loonie stays at par or higher for some time, prices will probably move closer to what they pay in the US, unless local retailers want to see all those loonies go south. I'm not sure a high loonie is such a good thing for Canada tho.

   

The price we pay is affected by a lot more factors than cost of production.
Just an example, I'm sure the US gets a much better price when they order 1 billion items of a product from China than we do when we order 10 million. Or the US orders 1.1 billion and then exports 10 million to us and in that case, we have to pay the middle man.

   

That depends on where you buy - if it's a small-town market, they're many independent retailers that may use local goods, national brands or employ people from the community. My point is that they need to get more creative in their commerce rather than laying on the banal patriotic guilt message

   

I don't really see that patriotic stuff much. And small town markets, maybe they're selling low volume specialty stuff. I admit I'm not a good little consumer, but my impression in Vancouver is that it's mostly big chains (many owned by non Canadians) selling Chinese/Asian crap. I just don't know what high volume consumer goods are made in Canada anymore. I'm certainly willing to pay a bit of a premium if something is made in Canada - and more of a premium if it's better quality. I'm just not sure that it's actually available for most things.

   

Oh...i'll pay for quality and for better products, but i'm not in the mood to listen to the laziness of the local owner who claims his expenses (profits) should be absorbed by me, the consumer, instead of taking my business across the border. These retailers need to "earn" business and one of them may be to momentarily cut their profits. OR some of us take our business, momentarily, elsewhere.

   

Oh, you're comparing to US prices. I can understand it's tempting alright, what with Bart and his $6.99 Dockers. But as Raydan and I have pointed out in this topic, Canadian retailers will never be able to match US prices. And by going south to shop, we're really just cutting our own throats - leaving money down there that should be flowing thru our economy. Now I'm sure some retailers use that patriotic excuse to gouge more than they should compared to US prices. But I've gotta admit, I've never been tempted to sit in a lineup for hours, deal with customs in both directions, just to save a few bucks. Guess that's 'cause I don't buy that much anyway. I do admit I've bought bike stuff on line in the states, and price was a factor there (as was availability), but not often. By the time it gets shipped here, the price diff isn't so much anymore. Mostly I do it if the item is not available here.

   

Sorry, can't expect to pay the same prices as they do in the USA. Different systems, regulations, taxes, the list goes on. If you want US prices, shop in the US.

   

If you want to shop in the US, live in the US, so your dollars are benefiting the country you shop in.

But it's been shown that some Canadian prices are way higher vs US than can be accounted for by our different system. Cars for instance. Some sellers are just taking advantage because there's less competition in our smaller market.

   

That's what I meant. USA and Canada are two very different nations, prices for almost all products should differ. Transport costs, taxes (hidden taxes for example, like environmental disposal), economies of scale, and a slew of other factors mean there should be a price differential.

I don't expect to pay what the yanks pay. If I want something really badly for cheap, I'll try to order it online. I've yet to ever shop in the US for the sake of shopping though.

   

I've read this topic and have noticed that it's cool to pay high prices, are you crazy? I hope no, if the system is worse than another, another takes it's place. And noone wil stop it.

   

Yup. Economies of scale is an important factor in Pricing.

   

I started off buying my booze in the US after last year's scotch debacle (when I discovered I was paying almost $100 for a bottle of scotch that's $25 stateside), but now I buy lots of stuff there, as I'm down there anyways.

   

You think the Canadian system is worse than the American?

   

My math is fine. I take into account the rounding error - when I hand them the $2, I throw the 11 cents change in an oubliette, never to be seen again. It still cost me double for the exact same item.

The beef, the bacon and the buns were most likely to be produced locally. But it still cost double.



That's because you suck! No, I don't know the differences in cost, but I'm sure too that you aren't earning $10,000 a month also. They couldn't charge you $1700 a month for a flat, or $200 a month for gas, because you'd have no way to pay for it.

It all depends on the local economics.



Sorry to get your points in reverse order, but this one is more on-topic.

Some of the price differences are on things made in Canada, but are cheaper to buy in the US. Some model cars for example - Chevy Camaro. $26,995 MSRP Canadian, $22,680 in the US. Built in Ontario. Books, and my example of food too. The plant that produces beef patties for all of North America is in my home town, but a Big Mac is still the same price here as in Toronto, and more than in New York.

   

Have you seen the word "Canada" there?

   

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