Why are video cards so expensive in Canada?

[PascalT]

The difference in prices for video cards between the US and Canada is simply insane. I never understood why i can get a card in the US for 250.00 and pay 350.00 for it in Canada, plus taxes. Is there a reason for this? It's very frustrating.

 

[Appledrop]

the UK is worse, my brother just paid £434 (inc tax) for a 6800 ultra pcie, checking that on a currency converter, i see $814.0973, jesus that makes me sick.. and i paid £307$575.8706 for my Asus X800 Pro VIVO, {got so i cud mod to xtpe}, and that was a *special offer*....

 

[Mojo027]

That's one thing I hate about living in Canada it's so retarded.
6800GT's in the USA are around $390 retail I think. Now when you think of it as a direct dollar conversion, times by about 1.2 to get Canadian funds. That's around $468 Canadian. The cheapest 6800GT I can find in Canada is the eVGA on NCIX, it's on sale for $490. But most other cards, except that exact model at NCIX on sale, most run at about $540 - $600+. It's dumb, they just mark it up about $100 dollars just because it's Canada. I don't understand it.

If it wasn't for tariffs across the border, I would buy everything from ZipZoomFly. They ship to Canada.

 

[iversonyin]

The dollar is weak right now, so if u do currency converter....its not exactly accurate

And U.S. is a bigger market, so it is safe to assume we have more supplies here.

Good ol supply and demand.

 

[bcoupland]

The Canadian dollar is about 80-83 cents U.S. which is much higher than it was about 4 years ago. I've noticed that mostly everthing except computer part prices have gone down. Two years ago, the cost of a highly wanted game (like HL series or FF series, something like that) was $69.99 when it first came out. Now, all of the new games cost about 49-59 depending on where you shop.

 

[PascalT]

I'm curious to know what other canadians do about this issue when they want to buy a new card. Do people really go out and pay such a premium in canadian retail stores? I never have, never will.

 

[Cawchy87]

I have upgraded and built my computers for the past year (since I started doing that) by buying everything from the states. I refuse to pay inflated canadian retail prices. (see sig)

 

[PascalT]

I tend to agree, the problem are the customs. I had to pay fees more than i would have liked. do you buy from US Retail or just people?

I'd love to find a US store that would make sure i don't pay customs.

 

[Cawchy87]

From people only.

 

[KayKay]

I personally do my shopping at computer shops around the GTA. I've been doing this for years and I have only ordered one thing online, and that was some RAM for my brother from tigerdirect.ca

Nothing better than walking into a store and walking out with what you want. no customs no shipping no worries. The prices are good, not as good as the US, but they are definitely good.

 

[kamaboko]

the solution for canadians. trade meds for cards to the US.

 

[PascalT]

good idea!

 

[impemonk]

I believe it's like that sincec Canadian citizens get free healthcare. US wants to make a profit off all that "extra" money. It's been like that since the 1970's.

 

[PascalT]

we should raise our meds' price then..

 

[impemonk]

lol, not the best idea since the job market in the US sucks right now. Then again, I would think its no better in Canada as well.