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Krypto wrote:

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cxz wrote:

already been discussed as to why, and the answers provided by the "industry" are rather "thin" to put it lightly.

 

http://www.futureshopforums.ca/t5/TVs/US-TV-pricing-vs-Canada/m-p/172194/highlight/true#M10386

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The "thin" replies by the industry are only "thin" according to our perspectives as a consumer.  Guaranteed if you worked for them, it would make a whole lot more sense (and not just in reference to profits).  Fact of the matter is that the increased competition in the US, with a market that is ~10 times as big as ours plays a big role in it.  They can also make a greater profit in the US with a smaller profit margin per unit as they can in Canada.  And yes, there are extra packaging costs per unit in Canada.  It may not work out to be a lot, but it all adds up.  Don't forget, we don't just see the price differences in Canada for electronics.  Go check out the price of food, laundry detergent, clothing, fuel, etc.  It's all higher here than it is in the US.

 

But then again, we have public health care and don't have to worry about who will pay if we break a leg or something. 

 

And you know the crazy thing?  If you go to Europe, the same TV is also likely to cost a whole bunch more.

 

It just is what it is and if you choose to live in Canada, then these are the prices we pay.  If you want to support the American economy, that's you're perogative, but then you can deal with the repairs or finding warranty insurance on your own.  Oh, and don't forget to factor in the cost of medical insurance for the trip down there.  It's either that, or if you end up in a hospital while there to pick it up, that $1500 TV could have just ended up costing $10,000s more.

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First of all i am not asking for the same prices, that would be unreasonable. I know that there are costs that must be factored like bilingual packaging, fuel/transportation etc...But does that equate to the vast differences in pricing on some models? LOL it certainly does not add up. The extra cost for consumables that you mentioned are reasonable, however relatively speaking, the same cannot be said for certain cars and electronics, to name the two most prominent products with large gaps in pricing.

And about supporting the local economy. I am not guilted or will be guilted by the notion that buying in the states supports americans and not canadians. Since it would be extremely difficult and expensive to buy canadian all the time, i make a conscious effort where i think it is possible to do so in order to support local products and buying a overpriced panasonic simply because its being sold of a canadian shelf would be naive of me to do. Complaining does not result in lower prices, but taking business else where does. The onus should be on Panasonic to lower prices in order to be competitive and protect jobs, not canadians.

Furthermore, yes they pay more for health insurance, but what does that have to with panasonic tvs? What is the likelihood of you breaking a leg while in Buffalo? You are presenting unlikely circumstances, not to mention that there is something called travel insurance. For that matter why leave your house or drive your car? There is a miniscule chance you might be hit by lightining or get into a car accident.

Lastly, i would like to point out that no you are not on your own when it comes to repairs. In the very unlikelihood that your television needs repairs (panasonic is fairly relaible), there are plenty or reputable 3rd party supplementary warranty providers such as Mack. While on the topic of warranties, i will ask the same question i did in the last thread:

  10-22-2009 09:33 PM - last edited on 10-22-2009 09:37 PM

"On a seprate note, why does sony pick and choose what products are to be limited by "georgraphical boundaries (technically its a political boudary between us and the states)". For example, my ps3 which i purchased in detroit for significantly less was repaired here at MTC in whitby (or is it oshawa?), at sonys repair depot. Ill take an educated guess and say that vaio laptops and cameras do not have this limitation as well. Is it due to size or just video products like tvs?"

-of course many small electronics now cost the same (ps3) or are very close in pricing, which is somewhat of a step in the right direction...