A Rant from Canada... about prices

I am looking for a digital camera with a larger optical zoom factor,
for use when cruising to attempt to catch photos of whales, shore
features, etc. Several choices are available. My rant is using only
one of the choices, simply because I know the precise numbers for that
camera. The rant has to do with price!

I sent the following to those named when the press release was issued
in both the U.S. and Canada, although I would be surprised to get an
answer. I object to the highway robbery involved in the Canadian
prices, obviously... and the message makes it clear.

Does anyone know what the WHOLESALE price for this camera happens to
be in both the U.S. and in Canada, since the press release only covers
the 'suggested' retail price.

-------------------

The camera in question below is the FujiFilm S8000fd, which hit the
marketplace in last month.

We will start off with the press release in Canada and the press
release in the U.S. for the FujiFilm S8000fd camera, issued on July
26th. On that day the exchange rate was

Currency Unit CAD per Unit Units per CAD
=========================== ============ =============
USD United States Dollars 1.0536227976 0.9491062668

Since on that same day this same press release was issued in BOTH
countries, it is easy to make a direct comparison of the retail prices
shown in the two press releases.

The U.S. press release shows a retail price of $399.95 which equates,
on that specific date, using the above conversion factor, to Canadian
$421.40, yet the price shown in the Canadian Press Release is $469.99

NOW the situation has changed...

Rates as of 2007.10.02 20:09:21 UTC (GMT). Base currency is CAD.

Currency Unit CAD per Unit Units per CAD
=========================== ============ =============
USD United States Dollars 0.9977915989 1.0022132889

so U.S. $399.95 is now equal to Canadian $399.07 yet the price is
obviously staying up there, since the camera is on sale for as little
as $284.00 in the U.S. and no less than $444.63 in Canada TODAY!

Wth the U.S. and Canadian dollars at par, I personally find these
types of price differential unacceptable, and will be buying the
camera where I pay the least, whether or not that is what FujiFilm
likes.

Feel free to communicate my dissatisfaction with the price set in
Canada to FujiFilm in Japan, where the prices likely are really set,
and to FujiFilm in both the U.S. and Canada.

On Donnerstag, 4. Oktober 2007 16:32 RsH wrote:

I am looking for a digital camera with a larger optical zoom factor,
for use when cruising to attempt to catch photos of whales, shore
features, etc. Several choices are available. My rant is using only
one of the choices, simply because I know the precise numbers for that
camera. The rant has to do with price!

This is nothing else than ripping off the customer! I recently returned from
a vacation from the US. Over there the 2008 Mercedes C-Class is advertised
at around $ 31,000, while here in Germany it is slightly below ¤ 40,000.

On Oct 4, 5:32 pm, RsH wrote:
I am looking for a digital camera with a larger optical zoom factor,
for use when cruising to attempt to catch photos of whales, shore
features, etc. Several choices are available. My rant is using only
one of the choices, simply because I know the precise numbers for that
camera. The rant has to do with price!

I sent the following to those named when the press release was issued
in both the U.S. and Canada, although I would be surprised to get an
answer. I object to the highway robbery involved in the Canadian
prices, obviously... and the message makes it clear.

Does anyone know what the WHOLESALE price for this camera happens to
be in both the U.S. and in Canada, since the press release only covers
the 'suggested' retail price.

-------------------

The camera in question below is the FujiFilm S8000fd, which hit the
marketplace in last month.

We will start off with the press release in Canada and the press
release in the U.S. for the FujiFilm S8000fd camera, issued on July
26th. On that day the exchange rate was

Currency Unit CAD per Unit Units per CAD
=========================== ============ =============
USD United States Dollars 1.0536227976 0.9491062668

Since on that same day this same press release was issued in BOTH
countries, it is easy to make a direct comparison of the retail prices
shown in the two press releases.

The U.S. press release shows a retail price of $399.95 which equates,
on that specific date, using the above conversion factor, to Canadian
$421.40, yet the price shown in the Canadian Press Release is $469.99

NOW the situation has changed...

Rates as of 2007.10.02 20:09:21 UTC (GMT). Base currency is CAD.

Currency Unit CAD per Unit Units per CAD
=========================== ============ =============
USD United States Dollars 0.9977915989 1.0022132889

so U.S. $399.95 is now equal to Canadian $399.07 yet the price is
obviously staying up there, since the camera is on sale for as little
as $284.00 in the U.S. and no less than $444.63 in Canada TODAY!

Wth the U.S. and Canadian dollars at par, I personally find these
types of price differential unacceptable, and will be buying the
camera where I pay the least, whether or not that is what FujiFilm
likes.

Feel free to communicate my dissatisfaction with the price set in
Canada to FujiFilm in Japan, where the prices likely are really set,
and to FujiFilm in both the U.S. and Canada.

Not to mention Fuji is moving, lock stock and barrel to COMMUNIST
CHINA from Japan.
Think anyone will see a price reduction when the labour costs drop by
90%?

"RsH" wrote in message

I am looking for a digital camera with a larger optical zoom factor,
for use when cruising to attempt to catch photos of whales, shore
features, etc. Several choices are available. My rant is using only
one of the choices, simply because I know the precise numbers for that
camera. The rant has to do with price!

I sent the following to those named when the press release was issued
in both the U.S. and Canada, although I would be surprised to get an
answer. I object to the highway robbery involved in the Canadian
prices, obviously... and the message makes it clear.

Does anyone know what the WHOLESALE price for this camera happens to
be in both the U.S. and in Canada, since the press release only covers
the 'suggested' retail price.

-------------------

The camera in question below is the FujiFilm S8000fd, which hit the
marketplace in last month.

We will start off with the press release in Canada and the press
release in the U.S. for the FujiFilm S8000fd camera, issued on July
26th. On that day the exchange rate was

Currency Unit CAD per Unit Units per CAD
=========================== ============ =============
USD United States Dollars 1.0536227976 0.9491062668

Since on that same day this same press release was issued in BOTH
countries, it is easy to make a direct comparison of the retail prices
shown in the two press releases.

The U.S. press release shows a retail price of $399.95 which equates,
on that specific date, using the above conversion factor, to Canadian
$421.40, yet the price shown in the Canadian Press Release is $469.99

NOW the situation has changed...

Rates as of 2007.10.02 20:09:21 UTC (GMT). Base currency is CAD.

Currency Unit CAD per Unit Units per CAD
=========================== ============ =============
USD United States Dollars 0.9977915989 1.0022132889

so U.S. $399.95 is now equal to Canadian $399.07 yet the price is
obviously staying up there, since the camera is on sale for as little
as $284.00 in the U.S. and no less than $444.63 in Canada TODAY!

Wth the U.S. and Canadian dollars at par, I personally find these
types of price differential unacceptable, and will be buying the
camera where I pay the least, whether or not that is what FujiFilm
likes.

Feel free to communicate my dissatisfaction with the price set in
Canada to FujiFilm in Japan, where the prices likely are really set,
and to FujiFilm in both the U.S. and Canada.

VAT.
--
"You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog
will give you a look that says, 'My God, you're right!
I never would've thought of that!'"
--Dave Barry
http://www.bobhatch.com
http://www.tdsrvresort.com

On Thu, 04 Oct 2007 17:32:10 -0400, RsH wrote:

I am looking for a digital camera with a larger optical zoom factor,
for use when cruising to attempt to catch photos of whales, shore
features, etc. Several choices are available. My rant is using only
one of the choices, simply because I know the precise numbers for that
camera. The rant has to do with price!

I sent the following to those named when the press release was issued
in both the U.S. and Canada, although I would be surprised to get an
answer. I object to the highway robbery involved in the Canadian
prices, obviously... and the message makes it clear.

Does anyone know what the WHOLESALE price for this camera happens to
be in both the U.S. and in Canada, since the press release only covers
the 'suggested' retail price.

-------------------

The camera in question below is the FujiFilm S8000fd, which hit the
marketplace in last month.

We will start off with the press release in Canada and the press
release in the U.S. for the FujiFilm S8000fd camera, issued on July
26th. On that day the exchange rate was

Currency Unit CAD per Unit Units per CAD
=========================== ============ =============
USD United States Dollars 1.0536227976 0.9491062668

Since on that same day this same press release was issued in BOTH
countries, it is easy to make a direct comparison of the retail prices
shown in the two press releases.

The U.S. press release shows a retail price of $399.95 which equates,
on that specific date, using the above conversion factor, to Canadian
$421.40, yet the price shown in the Canadian Press Release is $469.99

NOW the situation has changed...

Rates as of 2007.10.02 20:09:21 UTC (GMT). Base currency is CAD.

Currency Unit CAD per Unit Units per CAD
=========================== ============ =============
USD United States Dollars 0.9977915989 1.0022132889

so U.S. $399.95 is now equal to Canadian $399.07 yet the price is
obviously staying up there, since the camera is on sale for as little
as $284.00 in the U.S. and no less than $444.63 in Canada TODAY!

Wth the U.S. and Canadian dollars at par, I personally find these
types of price differential unacceptable, and will be buying the
camera where I pay the least, whether or not that is what FujiFilm
likes.

Feel free to communicate my dissatisfaction with the price set in
Canada to FujiFilm in Japan, where the prices likely are really set,
and to FujiFilm in both the U.S. and Canada.

I totally agree, and it looks like FujiFilm was doing some price
gouging on the first day.

But most manufacturers (including car makers, and probably many
others) initially set their prices fairly close to the U.S. price
(after conversion) and then are reluctant to change them when currency
values change. Since the U.S. dollar has been sliding for years due to
deficit spending to pay for Bush's hobby, and is likely to continue to
do this, there isn't going to be much change in the situation for the
foreseeable future.

I don't know how the Fujifilm warranty works, but the Canon warranties
are valid freely across the U.S./Canada border. So buy at B&H or
Adorama. Canon's Canadian repair depot will not question its origin if
it has a valid U.S./Canada warranty. Obviously S&H eats into some of
your gains, and there could be difficulties with shipping delays and
returns, but generally you can save big that way.

So fight back and buy in the States if it makes sense.

Ed

On Oct 4, 5:32 pm, RsH wrote:
I am looking for a digital camera with a larger optical zoom factor,
for use when cruising to attempt to catch photos of whales, shore
features, etc. Several choices are available. My rant is using only
one of the choices, simply because I know the precise numbers for that
camera. The rant has to do with price!

I sent the following to those named when the press release was issued
in both the U.S. and Canada, although I would be surprised to get an
answer. I object to the highway robbery involved in the Canadian
prices, obviously... and the message makes it clear.

Does anyone know what the WHOLESALE price for this camera happens to
be in both the U.S. and in Canada, since the press release only covers
the 'suggested' retail price.

-------------------

The camera in question below is the FujiFilm S8000fd, which hit the
marketplace in last month.

We will start off with the press release in Canada and the press
release in the U.S. for the FujiFilm S8000fd camera, issued on July
26th. On that day the exchange rate was

Currency Unit CAD per Unit Units per CAD
=========================== ============ =============
USD United States Dollars 1.0536227976 0.9491062668

Since on that same day this same press release was issued in BOTH
countries, it is easy to make a direct comparison of the retail prices
shown in the two press releases.

The U.S. press release shows a retail price of $399.95 which equates,
on that specific date, using the above conversion factor, to Canadian
$421.40, yet the price shown in the Canadian Press Release is $469.99

NOW the situation has changed...

Rates as of 2007.10.02 20:09:21 UTC (GMT). Base currency is CAD.

Currency Unit CAD per Unit Units per CAD
=========================== ============ =============
USD United States Dollars 0.9977915989 1.0022132889

so U.S. $399.95 is now equal to Canadian $399.07 yet the price is
obviously staying up there, since the camera is on sale for as little
as $284.00 in the U.S. and no less than $444.63 in Canada TODAY!

Wth the U.S. and Canadian dollars at par, I personally find these
types of price differential unacceptable, and will be buying the
camera where I pay the least, whether or not that is what FujiFilm
likes.

Feel free to communicate my dissatisfaction with the price set in
Canada to FujiFilm in Japan, where the prices likely are really set,
and to FujiFilm in both the U.S. and Canada.

Half of Toronto is going to Ellicottville (NY) for Thanksgiving. So
slip a few bucks to someone going down to the slopes and have them
pick one up for your or mail order it and have it shipped to their
condo so you can have it next week when they return home.

Plus, if you order it from a non-New York source, you won't pay any
sales tax.

On Thu, 04 Oct 2007 17:41:35 -0700, Pat
wrote:

Half of Toronto is going to Ellicottville (NY) for Thanksgiving. So
slip a few bucks to someone going down to the slopes and have them
pick one up for your or mail order it and have it shipped to their
condo so you can have it next week when they return home.

Plus, if you order it from a non-New York source, you won't pay any
sales tax.

1. I was just there last week Monday to Wednesday for shopping, and am
will aware of that.

2. I have a son who lives in Utah, and will order and have it shipped
to him, as I will be meeting him at the cruise ship in November... so
I know I won't pay any sales tax that way... and since I will be out
of Canada for more than 168 hours, my exemption will be C$750 when I
return, so the camera will be exempt from GST, PST, duty and customs
brokerage fees.

The point of the rant is that expecting us to overpay in Canada is
plain stupid! It is almost as if the Japanese think we are dumb and I
suspect enough Canadians are indeed paying these silly prices that
they win even if some of us do go to the U.S. to buy.

FWIW

RsH

On Oct 4, 9:52 pm, RsH wrote:
On Thu, 04 Oct 2007 17:41:35 -0700, Pat

wrote:
Half of Toronto is going to Ellicottville (NY) for Thanksgiving. So
slip a few bucks to someone going down to the slopes and have them
pick one up for your or mail order it and have it shipped to their
condo so you can have it next week when they return home.

Plus, if you order it from a non-New York source, you won't pay any
sales tax.

1. I was just there last week Monday to Wednesday for shopping, and am
will aware of that.

2. I have a son who lives in Utah, and will order and have it shipped
to him, as I will be meeting him at the cruise ship in November... so
I know I won't pay any sales tax that way... and since I will be out
of Canada for more than 168 hours, my exemption will be C$750 when I
return, so the camera will be exempt from GST, PST, duty and customs
brokerage fees.

The point of the rant is that expecting us to overpay in Canada is
plain stupid! It is almost as if the Japanese think we are dumb and I
suspect enough Canadians are indeed paying these silly prices that
they win even if some of us do go to the U.S. to buy.

FWIW

RsH

If you asked, I would imagine that the answer is something to the
effect that Canada is less than twice the population of New York, so
they have to put a completely separate distribution system in place
for the country.

RsH wrote:
I am looking for a digital camera with a larger optical zoom factor,
for use when cruising to attempt to catch photos of whales, shore
features, etc. Several choices are available. My rant is using only
one of the choices, simply because I know the precise numbers for that
camera. The rant has to do with price!

EDIT....

Wth the U.S. and Canadian dollars at par, I personally find these
types of price differential unacceptable, and will be buying the
camera where I pay the least, whether or not that is what FujiFilm
likes.


Currency exchange has nothing what's so ever to do with it. On the
average it costs 20% more to run a business in Canada, due to higher
taxes, higher wages and health taxes. It costs more to ship within
Canada due to higher fuel taxes.

Your theory is flawed as Canada and the USA have different tariffs on
imports from Japan/China or wherever the camera is made.

The currency rate has zero to do with it, try your same theory to the
European or UK market. You'll have an eye-opener. Often the price looks
the same, but that's in £ or €

RsH wrote:


I sent the following to those named when the press release was issued
in both the U.S. and Canada, although I would be surprised to get an
answer. I object to the highway robbery involved in the Canadian
prices, obviously... and the message makes it clear.

Does anyone know what the WHOLESALE price for this camera happens to
be in both the U.S. and in Canada, since the press release only covers
the 'suggested' retail price.

In no particular order:

1. Operating expenses in Canada are higher because of our labour laws
(more protective, though not as bad as, eg, France) and higher taxes
than the US.

2. The distributors in Canada (for no reasonable reason other than the
above) have historically charged higher prices. Because:
-a lot of the distribution from Japan goes through the US, so higher
handling costs
-they get away with it

3. Canada has a lower pop density than the US, so distribution costs
over volume are higher.

4. The inventory of goods in Canada imported when the CAD $ was lower
have not flushed out of the system yet.

5. Merchants (whether distribution or retail) are reluctant to lower
prices, regardless of the higher value of the $, unless there is a
specific pressure to do so.

6. Normally I would add that it isn't that the CAD$ is so high, but that
the US$ is so low... however the CAD$ is also at a high point v. the
Brit Pound and other currencies...

Shop and ask and you get deals. Avoid Henry's in Toronto... they've
totally lost it price wise (actually haven't checked in a while).
Vistek are a little higher than they could be, but probably competitive
if the shipping charges weren't so high.

Cheersa,
Alan

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