Toy Prices: Canada Vs. USA

[justprime]

Not worried over the price as much as the lack of availability we always seem to get the short end when it comes to releases (not enough)or even getting the end of line product (not at all).

[Team Jetfire]

I used to think the same way, until my last trip to the states. It seems like Canada's pricing has stayed the same and the use prices have just gone up.

[Cpl. Chrissandwich]

This is what I think and go by. Now Im not sure about min wage in all the states, but I have a few friends that have told it they 6-8 dollars an hour in various states. So.

Canadians make more things cost more.
Americans make less and things cost less.

But Thats based an average...That clearly wont work you if go by province and state. Conisdering Ontario min is 10.25, and BC is 8.75.

Again dont know most of the states min wage so, anyway, in my mind, the prices difference dont really bother me...Again this is only based on min wage.

[TwinTwistR]

It's basically the same as with cars. People in Canada are so used to being shafted that we no longer know the difference. The manufacturer knows it and is laughing all the way to the bank. That is why a car maker can sell a car manufactured in Ontario to someone in Ontario for $5,000 (or greater) more than someone in California will pay for the same car from the same plant in Ontario.

All manufacturers and retailers know Canadians are far to polite to actually do anything but gripe and complain on a forum, so they will continue to gouge us.

[Absurdity_Prime]

Not true for myself and a few friends! We only buy from friends in the USA in bulk and that way we are still saving 20% even with shipping.

I don’t complain about things I can change and if Canadian retailer’s wont change the prices I wont shop there.

Originally Posted by TwinTwistR

It's basically the same as with cars. People in Canada are so used to being shafted that we no longer know the difference. The manufacturer knows it and is laughing all the way to the bank. That is why a car maker can sell a car manufactured in Ontario to someone in Ontario for $5,000 (or greater) more than someone in California will pay for the same car from the same plant in Ontario.

All manufacturers and retailers know Canadians are far to polite to actually do anything but gripe and complain on a forum, so they will continue to gouge us.

[Larkhainan]

ITT: Several posters attempt to rationalize obvious economic screwing to make themselves feel better about being screwed. Hard not to, after taking it for years.

If your dollar is worth more on the world market and you are paying the same as when it was worth less, you are actually paying more. The inverse is true as well.

A difference between prices based on somewhat higher costs does not successfully explain away massive deltas in price either.

[pandaprime]

Originally Posted by someguy99

We have this debate in the media for books, why not for toys?
Anyone else notice the price difference between Canada and USA?

Yes, yes I think we all do notice. With the quantity of pricing information available nowadays thanks to the internet...

Originally Posted by someguy99

Does anyone think the arguments of difference in Canadian dollar and/or 'we buy our stock months/years prior so we have to price our inventory accordingly' applies to toys?

very weak arguments I think with the current information available but I guess we have to consider it an argument nonetheless. Apparently businesses that sell toys in Canada are just "different enough" to get away with it because people still buy. If enough people stopped buying or bought in the USA then maybe Canadian business would be more competitive price-wise?

Originally Posted by Larkhainan

If your dollar is worth more on the world market and you are paying the same as when it was worth less, you are actually paying more. The inverse is true as well.

A difference between prices based on somewhat higher costs does not successfully explain away massive deltas in price either.

Is the Canadian dollar really worth more on the world market or just in relation to the US dollar? I should watch the financial news more I guess.

[General Tekno]

Just a general comment though on pricing - pretty sure the MSRP in the US is higher than 12.99. The retailers just sell below it is all.

[Commandoclone87]

Might have to start ordering bigger orders from the States. If shipping is decent, could save some dough.

[Tekkamanraiden]

Originally Posted by pandaprime

Is the Canadian dollar really worth more on the world market or just in relation to the US dollar? I should watch the financial news more I guess.

It depends on which currency we compare against. Against the Euro, British Pound and American Dollar we are doing well. Against the Japanese Yen not so much.

http://www.bankofcanada.ca/rates/exc...ed-currencies/