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Canada sucks for musicians. Here's proof.

#41
ZenG said:
So they'll match a US advertised price dollar for dollar in Canadian? (50 bucks equals 50 bucks etc etc). I can't see that happening......
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Is this whole thread a troll? First a retired doctor that apparently doesn't know about exchange rates and now this?

Be serious. Of course they take the exchange rate into consideration. There's US dollar and Canadian dollar and Australian dollar ... they aren't the same. A few years ago the Canadian dollar was higher than the US, so at that time they'd have price matched directly.

As for your other post that the OP "doesn't want to buy from L&M... the prices are too high", I already showed that the price is *exactly* the same as in the US - $449 USD is $609 CAD - and that in fact Fender and most major manufacturers dictates that the price be the same at various retail outlets.
 
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#44
corndog said:
Las time I was in the local l&m, a road worn jazz was almost $1500. Over $1600 after tax for a mim bass.

I am in the market for another bass and wanted to buy Canadian made, all I can find is 3 options. Godin, which doesn't have a model that speaks to me, F-bass and Dingwall, also mucho $$$$ for Canadian made.

The cost of living in Canada is terribly high. I am tired of it as well.
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Have you checked out these?
Kinal Basses
 
#46
StayLow said:
Is this whole thread a troll? First a retired doctor that apparently doesn't know about exchange rates and now this?

Be serious. Of course they take the exchange rate into consideration. There's US dollar and Canadian dollar and Australian dollar ... they aren't the same. A few years ago the Canadian dollar was higher than the US, so at that time they'd have price matched directly.

As for your other post that the OP "doesn't want to buy from L&M... the prices are too high", I already showed that the price is *exactly* the same as in the US - $449 USD is $609 CAD - and that in fact Fender and most major manufacturers dictates that the price be the same at various retail outlets.
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Nope.

It was stated that the chain would match dollar for dollar any lower advertised price. I assume that to be Canadian prices only.

And as I already said.....even when the dollar was at/near par the prices were still going up.
 
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#49
ZenG said:
Nope.

It was stated that the chain would match dollar for dollar any lower advertised price. I assume that to be Canadian prices only.

And as I already said.....even when the dollar was at/near par the prices were still going up.
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A reasonable person would correctly presume that an exchange rate would still factor since as I pointed out a CAD dollar is not a US dollar. Dollar-for-dollar *only* works if you calculate the exchange.

As for your Ibanez example Ibanez being Japanese might originally be priced in Yen, not USD, so possibly you're not doing the conversion correctly. It's also disingenuous to compare an online retailer's asking price to a brick & mortar chain. What does one of Canada's major online sellers charge for that bass vs. Sweetwater? Or even Sweetwater vs. a local brick & mortar shop in the States?

Being a Japanese product (I think), it may also incur different shipping or duties to Canada than to the States or a major seller like Sweetwater might enjoy preferred discounts or Ibanez might not force price equivalency on its dealers.

In any case, if you go to any major retailer including L&M and show them what you can otherwise pay *in equivalent currency* for the same item delivered to you, they'll match it or come as close as possible, at least so close that you won't bother with online/shipping/etc.

When the US and CAD currencies were at par of course your local retailer wasn't going to lower their prices, especially since they probably paid for the merchandize when the dollars were imbalanced. Why not ask them instead of presuming the worst? Give them a chance to price match.

Try it and see. Common sense is also common in Canada, yes? Logic?
 
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#51
caligula said:
Have you checked out these?
Kinal Basses
Click to expand...
So you are really confirming the "mucho $$$" for Canadian made bass guitars. Those are sweet looking, haven't seen them before. When I win the lottery, I will consider them as a viable alternative to Dingwall.
There are Canadian alternatives, but not at the lower end of the scale. I pointed out Godin, they are comparable to MIA Fenders, and cheaper, at least in Canada. But no Canadian made alternatives to Squier or Epiphone. But there are no U.S. made brands that compare to these either. A some one said, First World problem. North American made instruments do not try and compete with lower priced Asian instruments, but they can and do compete at a higher price point. Just the way it is.
 
#53
I get that prices are higher in Europe and Australia, goods manufactured in North America are either flown or shipped at a big cost. The majority of Canadians live within two hours of the CDN/US border, with NAFTA we have duties waived on North American made goods going over any of the three border. Prices have always been higher in Canada, even when the dollars are on par (which wasn't to long ago). I wonder what the cost of that mim jazz would be if we didn't have NAFTA.

I used to be a serious mountain biker, and built my own bikes. It was cheaper for me to buy parts from the US, pay shipping and duties (if needed) and state and provincial taxes, than it was to buy from mail order in Canada.

Macleans magazine published a comparison on exact products sold in both the US and Canada a few years ago, it was a real eye opener. some items where as much as 50% more in Canada.

I live an hour away from VSN, and have checked them out, will keep an eye on them. Also will be checking out Kinal.

And to those who state we have free healthcare and drugs, nothing is free my friend..........nothing. we just don't take a credit card to the doctors.

Canadians typically have their tax-free day in Late June, so every dollar we earn up to that date goes to income/sales/property taxes of some sort. we have some of the highest taxes in the world, truth.
 
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#56
A few points...

-In my opinion, we Canadians get a lot of value for our high taxes. Personally I think it's a great deal.

-If you're unhappy with the current exchange rates, there are a lot of people and institutions you could blame aside from the Canadian state.

-L&M is a great company that we are lucky to have in Canada. I've always experienced great customer service, including warrantied repairs, available pretty much nationwide. Great for touring musicians.

-Used instruments are readily available and, at least where I live, prices are highly competitive.

There are certainly negative aspects to the industry, but I think it's far from the case that "Canada sucks for musicians". But what do I know... I've only made my living as a Canadian musician for a couple decades ;)
 
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#57
StayLow said:
Is this whole thread a troll? First a retired doctor that apparently doesn't know about exchange rates and now this?

Be serious. Of course they take the exchange rate into consideration. There's US dollar and Canadian dollar and Australian dollar ... they aren't the same. A few years ago the Canadian dollar was higher than the US, so at that time they'd have price matched directly.

As for your other post that the OP "doesn't want to buy from L&M... the prices are too high", I already showed that the price is *exactly* the same as in the US - $449 USD is $609 CAD - and that in fact Fender and most major manufacturers dictates that the price be the same at various retail outlets.
Click to expand...

they only take the exchange rate into consideration when the CDN$ drops. Prices in Canada never go down when our dollar is on par or is higher than the US dollar..
 
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#58
corndog said:
Las time I was in the local l&m, a road worn jazz was almost $1500. Over $1600 after tax for a mim bass.

I am in the market for another bass and wanted to buy Canadian made, all I can find is 3 options. Godin, which doesn't have a model that speaks to me, F-bass and Dingwall, also mucho $$$$ for Canadian made.

The cost of living in Canada is terribly high. I am tired of it as well.
Click to expand...
There is another option...
 
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