US Prices Vs Canadian Prices

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KJM said:
Must depend what you're buying. I recently did the same, and Motomummy was about 25% cheaper when looking for a chain and sprocket kit. I realize those savings can dissapear in a hurry due to import fees, but I haven't been nailed when buying from mm in the past. Customer service from both stores was great, and I would prefer to buy locally, but the savings is pretty much the exact cost of speedo drd so it's hard to justify it.

That said I have got some SMOKING deals from Dave at Competition Cycle in the past.

If any other local vendors reading this have any good deals on quality chain and sprocket kits, please pm me as I still havent pulled the trigger.
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Funny because that was exactly what it was on. Chain, Sprockets, Brake Pads, Speedo Healer.
 
There are only 2 stores I would check on pricing locally before I pull the trigger on US online stores.
They are Sturgess Cycle in Hamilton, and Speedworx (Racer5) in Markham.


Sometimes Canada's Motorcycle (online store based in Quebec) has good deals, just have to search for it.
 
matt123 said:
A coworker just tried to get a Busa shipped to Canada for her husband because he wanted an American Color scheme.Turns out Suzuki wouldn't do it because I was too much hassle for them.When asked they said there wasn't enough riders here for them to bother shipping it to our market and they they would have to go to Detroit and get it themselves.Now Im done with Suzuki and wont be getting another one.It's the same story with everything Canada's market share is to small and not worth it for big companies to go out of there way event at a premium in some cases
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I don't understand this.

You're done with Suzuki because the Suzuki Canada wouldn't take a Suzuki U.S bike, run it through testing and do all the paperwork to get a color bike that is unavailable in Canada?

Do you understand the concept that Suzuki Canada and Suzuki U.S are two separate corporations and that Suzuki Canada is not going to go to all the effort to bring a U.S. bike into Canada?
 
i've used kinek to receive my items in the states. closest one is 5 mins away from rainbow bridge (6th st). they have other locations which can accomodate bigger shipments. basically if it fits through a normal size door they will accept it. if bigger then they would direct you to another location (ie: warehouse size).

i chose kinek primarily because the people have been very nice and accomodating and not rude. there are notification features once your package has arrived (ie: email, txt, and even a phone call). 5$ per item minimum. price increase by weight, if i remember correctly a 60lb item will cost between 8-10$. i suggest to call the local place after signing up on the site.

my experience with the other places which will be unnamed, is that they were quite rude and dismissive and long lineups specially for saturday pickups and everyone just seems quite irritated dealing with customers (ie: phone calls, during pickup etc).
 
5:12 said:
my experience with the other places which will be unnamed, is that they were quite rude and dismissive and long lineups specially for saturday pickups and everyone just seems quite irritated dealing with customers (ie: phone calls, during pickup etc).
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I use usaddressinc.com. 5$ a package and nothing but super friendly staff that I've dealt with. They're about 12mins over the rainbow.
 
Glen at fsmotorcycle.com is a great guy to deal with. Very good prices on Speigler brake lines for example.
 
Kuro said:
I'm in the market for some new gear and I've been researching on the stuff I want.

So I'll go to a site like revzilla.com or something, check out all their reviews... OK Great. Cart is full of stuff I want and happy with prices. Then I'll go the local store (cuz I'm one of those people who enjoys instant gratification) to buy the gear.. but find that the prices were way higher. So much higher that if I paid for shipping from a store in the states, and paid duty, it would still be cheaper than buying it locally. (Although after all that, not buy that much) Sometimes if you're lucky, your package may slip by without you having to pay duty/customs.

I hear alot of people shipping stuff to a US address near the border and then picking it up there for a nominal storage fee... but what gives? Whats the reason for the huge difference in pricing?

Last time I checked, 1 CAD wasn't far off from parity.
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Do it all the time. In fact doing it tomorrow and saved $80 on a DP Race seat. Go to Kinek.com to find a shipping place you like. Some only charge $5 per box and hold it for 30 day for free.
 
We all know if the US online retailer uses UPS that you'll get hit with the customs, duty and HST. If the online retailer uses United States Postal Service, what do you pay?


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Kuro said:
Well I want to support the local stores... If they have no choice and there is a good reason for it, I might be more inclined to buy locally. If they're just gouging us, then I'll go through a bit more hassle to save a few hundred bucks.
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The reality is all businesses exist to make a profit. The cost to operate a business in Canada is higher. If the business owners made huge profits due to the mark up the market is willing to accept, don't you think there would be more businesses? A lot of the smaller shops have closed and the big boys are centralized to help keep their operating cost low.

The retailers know of the competition down south and will either try to swing a deal or walk as it doesn't cover the cost to do business. And they also know there is a convenience and cost to make a run for the border. Fuel, time, money, add it up and see how much that burns into the savings. Bridge toll depending on crossing is $3.50 (one or both ways) US mail address fee, $5 give or take, 30 - 60 minutes wait give or take and possibly each way. Cost of fuel (time it right and gas up on the other side) meal(s) etc. To some, it's relatively cheap. To others, it's just more cost and a hassle.


I'm fortunate and travel with a company vehicle and can expense most of the cost. I just have to coordinate the timing with work.

I'm not a fan of Internet purchases for gear as I prefer to try things on and I'm a bit leary with fit and sizing from Internet sources. Not all large sizes for the same brand fit the same for example.

Anyways, I can't say if the owners of Canadian Retail business castles are any bigger than those in the USA. But, I can assure you, no one is doing it for charity.

It does take a lot of dough to own and operate a retail business. It's not easy or everyone would be doing it. That is for sure.
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