That's just what happens when you work in retail for so many years; you get to know that supply and demand just screws up everybody and everything. The us prices are less because their dollar is worth more; it would be the same price really... we would have to pay more canadian dollars to get to that us price.

Well if you check B&H's website and check their prices you would find that some of the lenses they sell actually cost between 30 to 50 percent less than those being sold here in Canada I really doubt that US dollars is worth that much more. I am not complaining or anything just find it a bit strange. The retail business is quite interesting at least whole a lot more interesting than restaurants even though basically they are all the same course there is also supply and demand in the restaurant business as well. I mean there is a HUGE demand for junk food here in Canada so that's why there are so many fast food restaurants here etc etc etc xD

Calculate it and see... after buying it from the us, however, you pay a crappy customs fee + a shipping fee. It really isn't that much of a "better deal" in the states. Some things are though. It depends how much it is. If it's in the thousands of course it's going to show quite a difference. Restaurant you're only dealing with one thing: food. In a retail store, you're dealing with multiple things; food, furniture, clothes, electronics, etc.

I know retail stores are much larger in scale and have to handle with a lot more things at the same time like importing stuff and all that. From what I have heard 99% of the stuff that are being sold in Walmart are made in China xD. I personally think the retail business is whole a lot more interesting and exciting than stupid restaurant business in which all you do all day is either taking orders from rude customers or making food -.-

Well it's the same if those Americans order stuff from Canada, they would have to pay customs and all that crap as well. I was just wondering why the prices are lower for those who live in the States hmm and of course you could always drive across the border and buy those lenses or other stuff and bring them back without paying the custom fees or whatever.

Haha - it's not that easy. You can't just drive to the states, buy a thousand dollars worth of stuff, and drive back. There's actually a limit you're allowed to spend when you're over there. We went over for a weekend (that's 3 sleeps) and our limit was 500 dollars a person. The longer you stay the bigger your limit. If you go over you just have to pay tax, I think. Can't remember what that it is called, though. It's basically the same shitty fee you pay for when you buy something there and get it shipped; the customs fee.

This post was edited by chantal7 on May 30 2009 01:21pm

VAT ?
e/ Value added tax
But it is a general thing all over the world. Otherwise I would have bought everything when I was in London. xD

This post was edited by Qhotex on May 30 2009 01:23pm

I'm not sure... everything you buy has tax. Unless this tax means what I was trying to explain earlier.

This post was edited by chantal7 on May 30 2009 01:26pm

Well the thing is I don't think they know what you guys BROUGHT over there. Like if you bring your camera there and a lens you could bring back the same camera but with TWO lenses without them noticing. I think it's the same if I go back to Sweden and I bring the camera and all the accessories with me I doubt they would know whether if I bought them in Sweden or else where... That limit thing really sounds stupid and I am sure most people would just ignore it

You just have to use it, and not leave it in its case. xD

yeah of course. Back when I lived in Sweden I have heard people asking relatives living in the States to buy cameras and other electronics and send them to Sweden as gifts that way they wouldn't have to pay duty.



This post was edited by Futurama on May 30 2009 01:37pm