cross border shopping

[MamaLema]

Just wanted to give everyone a little price comparison for some stuff we bought in Pennsylvania. I am not comparing 2 different stores. I am comparing Walmart to Walmart

Listerine Total Care Mouthwash
Canada $8.75
US $4.97

Nature's Path Organic Oatmeal
Canada $4.57
US $2.42

Nesquik Syrop
Canada $4.89
US $2.00

Cooler on Wheels
Canada $33, the "handle" is too short for my 7 year old to pull
US $20, pull out handle

Bean Bag Chair
Canada $19, it's just the cover, you have to buy your own beans to fill it with
US $15

Thermos insulated lunch bags
Canada $9.97
US $4.88

Annie's Organic Macaroni and Cheese
Canada $2.47
US $1.50

DC brand running shoes for DS14
Canada $95 + HST
US $55 no tax

European Step Ladies Sandals
Canada $89.99 + HSt
US $35 no tax

I could go on all day!
I don't care if they blame gas prices, the economy or whatever other excuse they use. There is no reason for 100% markups

On a side note, I always love grocery shopping in the US. My new find, maybe they've been out for a while, I just didn't know about them - Jalepeno Cheetos

 

[chipscamping buddy]

How about the importation fees, brokerage fees, GST, government duty fees, CBSA inspection fee (if they open it) and shipping ON TOP of the cost of the item. Property taxes, business licenses, fees, permits and other costs, along with endless red tape and regulation, which carries substantial costs of compliance. Excessive payroll taxes to support all the "free" programs and the health care system.

What was your question?

 

[Ted in Halifax]

I think the point is that if you are a Canadian traveling to the US on vacation .... and since you are permitted $750 a person (assumes that you are traveling 7 days in US) .... then stock up at Walmart.

A family of 4 could bring back $3,000 worth of stuff with an amazing savings.

Ted

 

[lizabu]

Ya, I know lots of people who do most of their shopping in the US. I used to live in a border town and would get gas over there too. Sadly I am now 2 hours away and don't have time for all that driving.

 

[cari12]

We live near the border and can save 30-40 cents per litre on gas -and our tank is nearly 100 litres. We go down almost every week. We do a little shopping each time but I should really do more and look for items that are a big savings. You really need to know your prices though.

 

[monkey30]

Well start comparing Walmarts across big cities and u maybe surprised as well. We have a 45 min drive to 2 different smaller cities, given the chance we go to Wainwright they are almost half the price of Camrose simply because there is a No Frills beside it which brings down the cost big time.

We discovered if the Walmart or Superstore or really any other grocery store in fact is in a area with no compition they jack the prices up as people a lot of the time shop for convince not sales. Its part of life. Try living in a small town with one store, and see what your prices are I pay $7.15 for a 4L of milk while in Camrose we can get the same milk for $4.50

 

[rbbs]

If I were an American visiting Canada I think I would have to go on a huger strike and ride my bike to get around. The marins are just that different....I don't see an upside for an American comming up to Canada anymore as it would come across as one big gauge job and they wouldn't be able to cross back over soon enough! Now with a lower dollar even moreso

 

[Gigi22]

Yes, things do cost more in Canada. To those who attribute the higher costs in Canada to our healthcare system -- well, only in part. A lot of the price difference has to do with economies of scale, Canada has about 1/10th of the population of the U.S., and huge distances between many population centres. Our prices are established with the idea that the U.S. dollar is (historically) worth more than ours. When our dollar goes higher, things get out of whack. Nice for Canadians travelling to the U.S., not so nice for businesses based in Canada that export to the U.S.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

If I were an American visiting Canada I think I would have to go on a huger strike and ride my bike to get around. The marins are just that different....I don't see an upside for an American comming up to Canada anymore as it would come across as one big gauge job and they wouldn't be able to cross back over soon enough! Now with a lower dollar even moreso

When the US dollar was worth 1.50 CDN ... US citizen traveling here got value for their money. With the exchange the way it is now, there is a real challenge to get value. Things go in cycles .... clearly we are an oil currency now.

Also, Gigi22 is correct. Economies of scale etc are more responsible for the price difference ... the problem now is that our dollar buys a dollar US, not .67, so the difference has become very evident. Also, we now can see major US retailers take notice of Canada and are heading here on Mass. Several examples of this will be clear in the Halifax area over the next few years.

 

[rbbs]

http://www.gasbuddy.com/gb_retail_price_chart.aspx?time=24 (plot US vs CDN gas prices)

Everytime the US gets close to $4 per gallon it causes an uproar so not surprising that they would be shocked to come up here and pay over $5. I used to see US plates up here all the time doing cross border shopping....now when I see a US plate I wonder what the heck they are doing up here Looking forward to driving on fumes to get over the border to get me some cheap US gas I guess I can't complain though as I have heard about the prices of gas in Europe and especially France...clearly the economies of scale are broken in Europe!

 

[SaraMc]

you have to also remember that our standard of living in Canada is much higher. Min wages, housing costs are all far more $$ then they are in the states.
However we dont have to pay to see the doctor and if we have a baby we get a year off work paid, not just 6 weeks off.

We live near the border and we go over a lot, get gas and usually kids clothes and some groceries. But you need to know your prices of things, When we were looking at Ipads they were only $30 more expensive than in the states. Coach ( reg, not the outlet) is the same price in both countries. Michael's lowered a whole bunch of their stuff to match the US price , some retailers are lowering prices, but I wouldnt hold my breath to see all US retailers lower their prices. It should be interesting to see what Target does as they enter Canaada next year.

 

[minnie56]

Well, I bought a book at Chapters yesterday and still the USD pricing inside was $23.99 and CAD was $30.00. Needless to say--I am not buying it here! By the time you add HST, nope, not doing it. And will fill up my tank when I am there too! The salesgirl told me 'it's publishers taxes' on Canadian books. Well, that's nice. Find someone else to buy them!

 

[Ted in Halifax]

Wasn't just a year or so ago that book sellers used the US price in Canada for a while ... I think they keep the price higher because we are use to paying it. I'm doing some major shopping when I cross the border in the summer!

 

[DaniB]

Yes, and I believe Wal-Mart still honours the US price on books. It's been awhile since I purchased a book at Wal-mart, but the last time I did I paid the US price.

 

[Ken_Breadbox]

Last time I was in Michigan I got into a discussion with a local about prices. He was flabbergasted that we pay $4.17 for a little over a gallon of milk when it's often $1.99 there, also $2.35 vs. .88/dozen eggs. So I asked him what the minimum wage was. $7.40, he said. Well, it's $10.25 here. Then we got into the whole health care thing, and he kind of saw my point.
I have nothing against buying American, so long as it isn't milk. Last time we were at WDW I insisted on organic milk to get away from all the BGH and other Monsanto treats in their regular milk...

 

[minnie56]

We are just such passive people...we shut up and put up. Same with gas, instead of boycotting we just suck it up. I now time my Buffalo trips with needing fuel I am afraid..may as well get an added bonus.

Truly-I seldom buy in Canada anymore and that's rather sad.

 

[rjan67]

I am not currently exchanging much of my paycheck (I work in Michigan). I buy most things (groceries, clothes etc) in the U.S -Meijers, Target, Sam's etc.

 

[talicskai]

I was in Buffalo last weekend and the savings are great ~ especially @ Kohl's......there were 7 of us and we spent about $1500 US combined......the hair colour I buy here for $15.97 was $7.97 @ Walmart ~ exact same packing! Even the Armour All was cheaper.......I filled my tank for $47 there and it costs over $70 here to fill......

On the flip side ~ my son has had 4 surgeries and I have never had to pay a dime for them.........I still buy my major purchases here but if I have a chance to buy there ~ I'm gonna do it!

 

[SnowWhite]

Just wanted to give everyone a little price comparison for some stuff we bought in Pennsylvania. I am not comparing 2 different stores. I am comparing Walmart to Walmart

Listerine Total Care Mouthwash
Canada $8.75
US $4.97

Nature's Path Organic Oatmeal
Canada $4.57
US $2.42

Nesquik Syrop
Canada $4.89
US $2.00

Cooler on Wheels
Canada $33, the "handle" is too short for my 7 year old to pull
US $20, pull out handle

Bean Bag Chair
Canada $19, it's just the cover, you have to buy your own beans to fill it with
US $15

Thermos insulated lunch bags
Canada $9.97
US $4.88

Annie's Organic Macaroni and Cheese
Canada $2.47
US $1.50

DC brand running shoes for DS14
Canada $95 + HST
US $55 no tax

European Step Ladies Sandals
Canada $89.99 + HSt
US $35 no tax

I could go on all day!
I don't care if they blame gas prices, the economy or whatever other excuse they use. There is no reason for 100% markups

On a side note, I always love grocery shopping in the US. My new find, maybe they've been out for a while, I just didn't know about them - Jalepeno Cheetos

Yes Jalapeno Cheetos are a MUST!!!

 

[Cdn Gal]

We go over at least once every 2 weeks to shop. We love the savings and the selection of items that you just don't see up here!