What annoys me is retailers who don't drop their prices to reflect the change, but when the CDN dollar eventually drops against the US they will quickly raise their prices. Grocery stores are famous for this.

Alot of times droping prices is not an option. Depends on the profit margin and alot of other factors. but I do agree with you, Bryan, that it's really gouging when they raise them due to dollar increase. like gas stn's raise price imediately when oil goes up, regardless of how much supply is in the tanks, yet complain and use the excuse that they have to use up the higher priced stuff in the tanks when the oil prices drop.

The doesnt explain why Canadian made products are usually cheaper in the states than in Canada

shipping costs
 

I deal with US suppliers/manufacturers all the time. Almost all of them offer free shipping within the continental US with an XX$$ order. Some of them its as little as $250.

No freight (let alone international freight) and no brokerage fees make a huge difference in landed product cost.

Jim

Why is this subject in the lounge as it is a reef related discussion.

Jim I contacted a CTB (Certified Transportation Broker) this morning after I read your post.

Here are the facts: Example

The cost to ship a truckload of dry goods (45,000 pounds) from Los Angeles to Vancouver versus to cost to ship from Los Angeles to Seattle is only $500.00 more. The trucking company absorbs all border fees in that cost).

In other word it adds a penny to the cost of the food that I referenced earlier.

With the fact that the dollar is at $1.039, it makes no difference at all.

Car are a compleatly different story, there are numerous fees that need to be paid as well as forms for customs, inspections and so on. But with the drasticly different prices for cars between the us and canada you still save a load of money.

Exactly, look at bombardier (sp?) they are in big **** with the goverment for selling the products at a huge price difference, up to 40% in some cases. This is also a company that gets government funding.

To be quite honest I was totally shocked at the fact that there was only a $500.00 difference in 46,000 lbs of dry goods.

What this means is that we should be paying the same price American hobbyists pay for aquarium products.

The fact is we are paying substantially more.

I checked out a few other things as well. (quickly and I am no expert)
Seattle store lease rates are the same as Greater Vancouver.
Electricity is cheaper here.
Average US salaries are $12,00 per hour
Truck fuel is higher here.

There is no justification for paying higher prices here whasoever.

As a consumer the best thing you can do is spend your money where you think you're getting the best value and service. A loss of buisness will make them adjust their pricing or cease to exist.

I order from the US on a weekly basis and have seen some minimal savings on stuff I buy from there.

I had a client come for a tattoo last week and ask me for a discount seeing as I pay less for supplies now than what I paid the last time they were here. I pollitely declined and asked the client to take their money to the US and enjoy the better value that he may get for it now and sent him on his way.

He's called me twice since then and I've told him that I'm much too busy.

As a consumer he made his choice just as I did as a retailer (of sorts.).

I guess what I'm saying is......... If you think you can get it cheaper from the US and it's worth your time and effort to do so, then do it. Just keep in mind that this will all ballance out at some point and if you dammage the relationship with the vendors that you've dealt with for a long time you may not be able to repair that when things are normal again. Try dealing with warranties and such with your US supplier.

Just a thought.

FWIW, I'm a aquarium supplies consumer and not a vendor of any type.

I am not suggesting that we abandon purchasing from LFS.

The issue is very simple
Someone is pocketing the huge savings we as hobbyists are losing.

If it is the importers or wholesalers, our local LFS should put pressure on their suppliers or look around for better suppliers.

If is the LFS and online stores that are pocketing the savings, they must understand that if they do not pass it on to us, we will take our business elsewhere, across the border only if necessary.