Insane Canon Canadian pricing on some items

[25asa]

I was looking into the Canon EOS 1V camera body. They still have it listed in

Canada for $2750-2800 Canadian today. Basically the price has not budged since

its been out and the American dollar has lowered while Canadian dollar raised.

The PB-E2 still goes for $699 Canadian. Well the US has a price of $1649 for

the 1V and $385 for the booster. In Canadian dollars thats $1855 and $432,

which is over 30-50% higher then the US. And our dollar is only 10% lower then

the US. Especially with film bodies selling for peanuts these days and new

ones almost never selling- why has Canon NOT readjusted their pricing on ALL

their products? Its tempting to just buy across the border, but their are

hassles with that as well. Canon Canada needs to get in gear and stop taking

advantage of its consumers just because we're north of the border. I say this

because even the US products are imported as well, so there should be no

different then importing to Seattle or Vancouver.

[mark u]

Canon Canada isn't the only Canon subsidiary with some very fancy pricing! So far as the EOS 1V is concerned, it has to make more sense to buy a second hand one - even fairly mint bodies sell at a very substantial discount to new prices. I suspect if you actually found a store with one in stock in Canada, the price might turn out to be fairly negotiable. A fair price might be around second hand value plus the cost of a new shutter and a small premium for being new and under warranty.

[25asa]

Most stores a pretty firm in their pricing, only allowing a few dollars savings over their list pricing.

[andrew duncan]

The situation in Australia is worse. The Canon EOS 1V body has an RRP of $AU 4249 (~ $CAN 3635 or $US 3234) on the Canon Australia website (<a href="http://www.canon.com.au/products/cameras/slr_cameras.html">http://www.canon.com.au/products/cameras/slr_cameras.html</a>)

[leopoldstotch]

Yes, i've noticed this. It sems that prices are never compensated for after a product launch. If you live in Toronto or calgary however, Vistek usually lower's their prices much faster than Henry's or any other store.

[John Crowe]

Just buy from the states, it's not that complicated.

 

 

I suppose inflated business taxes here in Canada could inflate sales prices but not by that much! Canon, like others are simply setting the price by local supply/demand, and essentially demanding whatever the market will bare. They obviously hope that Canadians have not noticed that our dollar is now worth about $0.90 USD instead of $0.62 USD. Most Canadians simply accept unjustified local pricing and pay it anyway. So buck the trend!

[stephen sullivan]

Well Canadians may accept it in the end. But don't think for a second, as long as Canon

recoups it's asking price, what doesn't Canon care if the retailer makes a dollar or a hundred

dollars on the sale?

 

"?" It's up to Canadians what they'll tolerate!

 

You don't get something for nothing as my Sound Recording Instructor use to say.

[pics]

Isn't it also true that Canadian retailers include taxes in their list prices whereas taxes are not usually included in price listings here in the U.S?

 

A similar thread was brought up not too long ago. Basically, it comes down to economies of scale and higher sales taxes. I would also imagine that Canon may get hit with higher import duties by countries with "socialist-leaning" forms of government thus adding more to the purchase price. Of course those in favor of such systems will maintain to the bitter end that Canon is determined to see the Canucks starved of any photographic pleasure.

[geoffrey_wiseman]

I agree with the thrust of this thread, that Canon prices in Canada seem not to have been adjusted and are "unfair". It's unfortunate, because I'd prefer to buy from a Canadian retailer, but it's starting to seem ludicrous for Canon gear.

 

Canadian retailers do not, as a rule, include taxes in the price listings (although it is done on occasion, it would almost always indicate clearly if this were true).

[mark u]

Basically it's about discriminatory pricing. Compare the price on a Sigma 300-800 f/5.6 - it's $6200 at B&H and Can$7000 at Henry's. Sigma prices fairly, and Canon could price the same way if it chose to.

[joeb]

Maybe Canon Canada has not imported any new bodies since the exchange rate has changed over the last 3 years. If they had a large stock on hand, repricing would result in a loss. Many businesses carry obsolete/very slow moving inventory at full value to justify their inventory value. Accountants classify inventory as an asset. In cases like this it's really a liablity.

[jay a. frew]

In my experience, the sales tax is rarely (if ever) part of the advertised retail price here in Canada. There is no duty on Canon equipment when you purchase these items in the US and legally ship them to Canada. I do not believe that I pay duty on Fuji film either, but I would have to check. If I do, it isn't much and I save big bucks buying from the US.

 

For example: Provia 100F is nearly $11.79/roll here in Ontario...BEFORE you add the 14% tax (no, that does not include processing). Presently, I need about $1.15 Canadian to buy US1.00. Provia 100 @ B&H = US4.49. 4.49 x 1.15 = Can5.16. I save $6.63/roll. Multiply that by 60 rolls /year (or more)! Oh Yeah, Provia 400 is $18.99/roll before tax!

 

The cost of shipping is usually offset by the sales tax savings (due to the lower price) and it helps to buy film in 20 roll bricks...as if any of you guys are interested in film...the same may apply to digital consumables. I also saved money on inkjet supplies.

 

I asked the people at Henry's Toronto store (via email...they are online at Henry's.com) why prices are so much higher and they did not give me a response. I don't believe the BS about the "small Canadian market"...the US/Can cost disparity on other items (including autos and luxury/hobby stuff) is not always as big as the one that exists in the photo marketplace. And Hey...If they were serious about expanding their market they would lower their prices.

 

I have also noticed that the huge price differences do not apply to all photo gear. For example, I save a lot of money buying film, lens, accessories (eg., filtres, Pocket Wizards, flashes, light stands and light modifiers) from the US. However, there is very little to be saved in buying a digital slr body from the US and shipping it to Canada.

 

I believe Cannucks are "paying the price" for a lack of competition in the Canadian photo equipment/materials market. There seems to be very few distributors supplying/controlling this market. My advice to other Cannucks.....check the prices at the reliable US online retailers before you buy in Canada. Do not screw with the Canadian Government and try to avoid the taxes...it is not worth it.

 

Hey, I am as patriotic as anyone else! I would buy my "Japanese products" in Canada if they were reasonable. But, I'd still be shooting my FD kit, and not nearly as often as I would like, if my only other option had been to buy an EOS kit plus film here at home.

Cheers! Jay

[mendel_leisk]

Just looking at spreadsheet I set up maybe 6 months back, comparing a local retailer to B&H. In all cases you would need to factor in shipping charges, reducing the advantage, but not that much if you order several items at once. On on the other hand, mail order from the states means a 7% reduction in taxes on lens (but not bodies, go figure), in BC. You only pay GST, not BC provincial tax. Customs are somewhat irregular in the application of the taxes. For example, ometimes I paid provincial tax on lens filters, sometimes not. I didn't bother to contest it.

 

In all cases, the local retailer (fairly representative) was higher, by the indicated percent.

 

5d: 17.0% (signif. amount on such a big purchase)

 

24-105: 7.1% (close)

 

17-85: 22.5%

 

5d grip: 33.9% (wow!)

 

1dII: 24.0%

 

1dsII: 18.2%

 

17-55: 13.5%

 

16-35: 8.4% (close)

 

17-40: 18.2%

 

I've opted for B&H for a recent body purchase, and several lens/hoods, but I still feel uneasy re warranty and shipping hassles.

[andyjonesphotography]

"However, there is very little to be saved in buying a digital slr body from the US and shipping it to Canada."

 

Jay I can either buy a EOS 1D MK11 N body from Henry's or for the same price buy the same body plus a 70-200 f2.8L lens from B&H. Slight difference eh?

[jay a. frew]

Hello Andy:

I hear ya. Those bodies are so far out of my $$ orbit that I never look at the prices. I was referring to the 30D (although I was not specific in my post). It is US1150 @ B&H and CAN1499 @ Henrys.

Cheers! Jay

[james_lai]

Just buy it in the US. The warranty will still be good here, AFAIK.

 

If you haven't imported stuff before, here's a bit of advice which could save you some $$: don't use UPS Standard or FedEx ground or you'll get a whopping bill for customs brokerage. Use the next level of service (which includes customs brokerage).

[mendel_leisk]

James, do you know why that would be? And is it explained anywhere? I've been using the cheapest UPS method through B&H, I think it's called Expedited. I live in Canada. So far, on maybe 4 transactions, I've been charged GST (7%) on lens, and GST/PST (14%) on camera bodies, & other electronic items. I've never had anything in addition to those charges. 14% is what I'd have to pay on everything locally.

[dave_holland]

Buying something by mail order from other countries is easier than you think. There is general agreement that there is no Canadian duty on imported camera equipment. So you only pay the GST plus shipping. Remember to buy from a reputable retailer. I use B&H and haven't been disappointed, though I know there are others. I have saved thousands of dollars over retail here in Canada, especially for high-end camera equipment. Some Canadian retailers are getting the message and I have found that there is closer parity than there once was. When Canadian retailers learn that Canadians are wise consumers, they will bow down and lower prices. However at this point there is still some consumer fear and ignorance about the risks of mail order, allowing local retailers to charge more. Just say no.

[james_lai]

Mendel, Expedited is not the cheapest UPS service. Standard is. Expedited includes customs clearance, Standard does not (check the UPS website, I tried to insert links but the forum software won't let me). If the cheapest option from B&H is Expedited, I'd bet that's because B&H have enough experience to know they should avoid Standard (and the customer complaints that will follow) so they don't even offer that as an option.

 

Camera equipment is not subject to duty, but you do have to pay the applicable GST & PST. With Standard, UPS will charge you a brokerage fee which could easily be more than the GST & PST.

[rickvandenberg]

I've bought everthing except my Camera body from B&H. Even my Epson printer. Get it shipped UPS Express, make the order big enough to lower the shipping cost relative to the order amount, and you'll be well pleased.

 

I spoke plainly to the local Kerrisdale Cameras store here, said what I wanted, and would they offer me an even remotely competitive price, and they said "no".

 

I've never looked back.

[paul_g1]

Yes I fail to understand how canadian outfits, even large ones like Henry's and Vistek, can

continue to bilk Canadians.

 

For example I'm looking for a new 580ex flash unit.

 

B&H price: $369.95 USD. (= $418.52 CDN)

 

Vistek price: 549.95 CDN. Henry's price: 599.99!

 

for Vistek, a difference of $131.43 or 31% !

 

for Henry's, a difference of $181.47 or 43% !

 

WHY on earth would I want to pay 31% (or for the love of god, 43%) extra?

 

Plus: in my experience shipping from henrys / vistek is actually slower than priority

shipping from B&H.

 

I just don't understand