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Canadianskeezix · 06-06-2011, 03:57 PM

This is common in Canada. A product will cost more in Canada than in the United States, notwithstanding the fact that the Canadian dollar is currently higher than the U.S. dollar.

Retailers in Canada have a litany of excuses as to why this is the case (some valid, some excuses). They usually vaguely claim that the expense of running a store in Canada is higher than in the United states (often pointing to labour costs), and that the economies of scale in Canada are less (e.g. higher distribution costs for a smaller population spread over a larger area).

If goods are imported from Asia, not all retailers will import separately for the Canadian market, which means that the goods will be subject to duties when the retailer brings them into Canada (free trade does not apply to goods manufactured in third countries). I have no idea if a Kobo made in Taiwan was imported into Canada through Vancouver, or through some U.S. port.

The main reason, though, is because they can (as a number of posters have stated above). The retail market is generally less competitive, and Canadians are accustomed to higher prices from the days when a Canadian dollar was worth 63 cents U.S.

06-06-2011, 03:57 PM	#44
Canadianskeezix Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Kobo	More in Canada This is common in Canada. A product will cost more in Canada than in the United States, notwithstanding the fact that the Canadian dollar is currently higher than the U.S. dollar. Retailers in Canada have a litany of excuses as to why this is the case (some valid, some excuses). They usually vaguely claim that the expense of running a store in Canada is higher than in the United states (often pointing to labour costs), and that the economies of scale in Canada are less (e.g. higher distribution costs for a smaller population spread over a larger area). If goods are imported from Asia, not all retailers will import separately for the Canadian market, which means that the goods will be subject to duties when the retailer brings them into Canada (free trade does not apply to goods manufactured in third countries). I have no idea if a Kobo made in Taiwan was imported into Canada through Vancouver, or through some U.S. port. The main reason, though, is because they can (as a number of posters have stated above). The retail market is generally less competitive, and Canadians are accustomed to higher prices from the days when a Canadian dollar was worth 63 cents U.S.