I’m continuing to post examples of good and bad prices in Canada for items between the USA and Canada. Today’s bad example is Onkyo. The new CS-V720 Micro system, a unique system because it features an optical input, is $349 USD at J&R, but is $729 CAD at Compu2000.

With the Canadian dollar trading at par for the foreseeable future, its always odd to see Canadian products cheaper in the USA than here. Obvious examples are cars (civic, rdx, rx350, etc.) and books.

Canada Goose jackets have maintained par pricing this season. With their jackets selling dollar-for-dollar between USA and Canadian retainers.

Their men’s jackets are available at Harry Rosen, Sporting Life, Holts and Uncle Otis.

Williams Sonoma represents probably the worst retailing pricing policies in Canada. The same products north of the border have ridiculous markups. Here’s two examples:

All-Clad Stainless Steel Multipot with Mesh Inserts, 12-Qt.

USA Price: $129.95 on sale

CDN Price: $199.95 on sale

Markup: 53%

All-Clad Stainless Steel Multipot with Mesh Inserts, 8-Qt.

USA Price: $99.95 on sale

CDN Price: $149.95 on sale

Markup: 50%

It’s important to note that unlike all the other d5 cookware, these multipots are made in China, not the USA. This probably explains why they are always “on sale”. I’ve never seen them priced at their normal price. However, the normal prices also exhibit the same pricing disparity, $200 USD for the 8-Qt, vs. $300 CAD. The 12-Qt is $235 USD vs. $350 CAD.

Bloor Street Market is the new Loblaws store that arised from the ashes of the Valu-Mart that was below the Manulife building at Bay and Bloor. The new store design does not really change the layout, but the store has gotten a fresh fascade with some stone facing, and new cabinets and counters. The butcher and fishmonger areas are much more approachable and there’s a large focus on convience foods (pre-cooked foods at the deli, salad bar, prepackaged ready-to-heat meals.

There’s quite a concentration of grocery stores on Bloor. With the new Market by Longo’s , a larger Rabba’s, the exclusive Pusateri’s and Whole Foods all a block away from this location. At least I have a lot of choices. What I like is that these are grocery stores, not supermarkets. There is no pharmacist, there is no 1 hour photo lab, no consumer hard goods – pure grocery. If they can concentrate on good, fresh product, they may get a lot of loyal customers who prefer to walk than drive to get groceries.

(pictures to be added shortly)