Why does stuff in Canada cost more then the USA?

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Å‹oÑThÎµÑÅ‹

Because the minimum wage is higher than the U.S and higher standard of living, it's that simple, isn't it....

porn again

Currency is usually less in value, although lately it has been very close.

SteveN

One of the best examples I can give you of this higher cost is to look at the back of a paperback book or a calendar you just bought in a US or Canada bookstore.

My Far Side calendar shows the following:

Printed in USA
US $7.99
Canada $9.99
Australia $14.99
New Zealand $19.99

So why the big difference in price from one country to the other? Well some people have been hitting on the right answer, at least partially.

First, the currencies are worth different amounts in each country. Until this past summer, Canada's dollar was worth only about US$0.80 and so many of the products bought in Canada were more expensive to make up the difference. It was just the equivalent price in our currency.

Second, the costs of shipping a product from the US factory to a Canadian distributor was often more expensive (or at least that's what the manufacturers claimed), considering that they had to be stopped at the border for inspection and clearing customs, and fill out extra paperwork.

And finally, taxes. Canada has a much higher amount of taxes on corporations, importing, services, all the way down to the provincial sales tax. This pushes up the costs at the manufacturer, and at the cash.

This past summer, many companies had to lower their prices, especially for people who lived close to the border. Detroit, Buffalo, Plattsburg, Boston, and other cities saw busloads of Canadians going down to take advantage of our dollar being at parity with the US dollar. Car makers offered $3000 instant savings, Coles bookstores gave $1 off each calendar, and Hallmark was using the US price for its greeting cards here in Canada.

Hope that helps you.

lady

Depends on the exchange rate and also where in Canada someone lives. We just sold a boat to a Newfie. He did not blink twice at the cost as it would have cost him double in Canada. He also had to pay over $1,000 just to get his truck and boat on the ferry to get it back to Newfoundland. When I went to Montreal a few years back I found things to be cheaper based on the exchange rate at the time.

Karen C

NAFTA - the F for Free is a lie.

Because of the exchange rate
Right now, the US dollar is worth a dollar and 14 cents canadian
So US money is worth more

Just like how things look like they're "cheaper" in England, but the pound is worth almost double the US dollar.

Get it?

old lady

Because Canadians have to pay import duties on stuff that is brought into the country. Those duties are added to the cost of the goods. So if something costs $1 in the US, it will likely cost $1.25 in Canada. Currency fluctuations affect the price as well, but even when the Canadian dollar was higher than the US dollar, prices in Canada were higher than the US - all due to import duties and taxes.

*Kristen*

When you look at the back of something and it has the us price then a canadian price .. it's because canada uses a different currency.
So it's just giving the price in their currency, not necessarily that it's More expensive.

If you go over the border to a place like Niagara falls where it's heavily visited with people from the us & canada, you can pay in us or canadian currency.

PKJ

cause stuff in usa is of poor quality and exported from china but you get the best stuff in canada exported from india you see.

â™¥ Criss Angel Obsession â™¥

LOL. I asked my dad that today! I think it's because they have to ship a lot of products up there, so you are paying for that. Their currency is also less value.

lukeh

Canada uses a different currency. The inflation probably boosted it up more.

addme

probly cuz 1 dollar is like 2 cqandian dollars so do the math

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