I've been trying to figure out Mesa's pricing policy in Canada, as the products available at my local stores are obviously above the conversion rate. The head I intend to buy, the Titan, the only one I could find is one that has had it's price reduced considerably, it's also one of the older models with the silver face, also features a headcase. All that considered it's still $2300. In comparison, a brand new model in the states is listed as $1850, in CAD that is $1938. I know I'm not gonna get it for that price, however, I would like to know what I'm working with haggling at my store. I'd also somewhat apply those guidelines or a matching cab. Anyways, I know this isent the most interesting subject, though I plan to buy a whole new rig by August, so I'd like to squeeze as much out of any penny, ha.
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Mesa Boogie Pricing help? (Canada)
- Thread starter ColeR91
- Start date
Canadian pricing has always been pretty crazy, but lately (past few years), wow, they are completely nuts. Not just Mesa, but most brands. In Montreal, Markbass & SWR just shot up 10-20% in past few weeks, no reason to explain this. Fender went a bit down in some stores, but not all. Strange as it may seem, it looks like small stores with not so well distributed brands are usually winners from what I can see. They seem to keep up with exchange rates & are most times also more helpful.
JBL products also just shot way up in Montreal, even though the dollar is closer to the USD than it had been for a while.
Prices are set in part by the store, part by suggested retail, and part by the distributor. The salesman has some room for negotiating, but usually not that much.
I don't know exactly how it is now, but in the early 90's, I worked consumer sales at audio/video/musical instruments stores. Markups (profits) in the TV/Video department was 10 to 18%, Audio sound systems was 35 to 50%, and Musical instruments was about 20 to 40%.
In Montreal, Steve's AND Italmelodie are Mesa dealers. Look them both up.
JBL products also just shot way up in Montreal, even though the dollar is closer to the USD than it had been for a while.
Prices are set in part by the store, part by suggested retail, and part by the distributor. The salesman has some room for negotiating, but usually not that much.
I don't know exactly how it is now, but in the early 90's, I worked consumer sales at audio/video/musical instruments stores. Markups (profits) in the TV/Video department was 10 to 18%, Audio sound systems was 35 to 50%, and Musical instruments was about 20 to 40%.
In Montreal, Steve's AND Italmelodie are Mesa dealers. Look them both up.
I'm also thinking of buying a Mesa product, I just did a quick comparison on buying here in Canada vs USA, I could pay 1752.00 CDN for a certain product or 1496.00, CDN from the US. As much as I want to support the local economy, this is just too much of a gap to cover. I do expect to pay a little more due to extra freight and paperwork to cross the border, but that's too much
I've looked into this. The answer is simple. Buy from the US. Canadian prices are based on marketing. We get charged more because we have a history of paying more. Simple as that.
Take a road trip to the US and buy it there. If you declare it when you come back across the border, you won't have to pay duty on it because it's covered under NAFTA (Mesa is built in the US). Again, if you choose to declare it, you'll be required to pay the gst and pst on the price, converted into Canadian dollars (which is very close to being at par again). Check your basic personal exemption amount with Canada Customs. I believe you're allowed $1000 per person after 5 days, but I'm not sure about that. You can't split one item over multiple people.
2nd option (my personal favourite)... buy used. Uses prices on Mesa gear are WAY lower in the US than in Canada. Buy from an American seller. You won't have to pay duty on it because it's used. You'll have to pay sales tax on it when it clears customs.
Take a road trip to the US and buy it there. If you declare it when you come back across the border, you won't have to pay duty on it because it's covered under NAFTA (Mesa is built in the US). Again, if you choose to declare it, you'll be required to pay the gst and pst on the price, converted into Canadian dollars (which is very close to being at par again). Check your basic personal exemption amount with Canada Customs. I believe you're allowed $1000 per person after 5 days, but I'm not sure about that. You can't split one item over multiple people.
2nd option (my personal favourite)... buy used. Uses prices on Mesa gear are WAY lower in the US than in Canada. Buy from an American seller. You won't have to pay duty on it because it's used. You'll have to pay sales tax on it when it clears customs.
Not sure if you pay PST tax from the US, I know you pay GST and 0 Duty (US made) For the record my example included freight and brokerage charges.
