How come every thing costs more in Canada?

Question

When ever i look at a price on a book or something it will say some like 3.99 in US 5.99 in Canada. Why is that?

Answer 1

First of all, "everything" is not more expensive in Canada. You specifically mentioned the price of a book. When publishing companies published those books (and older magazines you might find), the American dollar was stronger and worth more than the Canadian dollar.

Since publishers set the template for books and magazines months in advance, they were anticipating that the American dollar stay as strong as it was. They were wrong.

If you go to stores in Canada you will now see "Stronger Dollar Sales" or discounts. For instance, a lot of book stores are selling books at the American price or offering a discount on them.

Since it would be very costly to change the price on books to match the dollar, stores are trying to please the consumer by lowering these prices. If they didn't, what would stop Canadians from buying these things online, or making mad dashes to the borders to go on a U.S. shopping trip?

Other products in Canada have other reasons for why they may or may not be more expensive. Someone mentioned the minimum wage. One thing I can comment on is the "waitress wage" that is imposed in many states in the U.S. Waiters in some states make $2.00 or a bit more, and have to count on tips. No where in Canada that I know of does that.

Someone else said we have more money in our pockets. In some ways this is true. I agree that since we aren't paying for health care, we don't have to be as concerned about health expenses draining us when we least expect it.

Anyway, you specifically asked about a book. The dollar and the publishing dates are the ONLY reasons that was happening. If you look at magazines and books now, you'll start seeing one price for both countries. Finally, we can read for the same price as Americans.

Answer 2

because their "winning" in the best economy thingy. like there money is worth more than ours. and that's why u.s. keeps uping our prices because the want to be number one in the world. but nope canada is!

Answer 3

Back when that book was printed - two years ago? - the US dollar exchange was much higher than it is today. That's been the case for decades - it's only recently the US and Canadian dollar have been at par.

Book distributors can't change the cost or selling price of a book that was printed two years ago, they can only print new "at par" prices on NEW books. Economists believe this dollar parity isn't going to last long, so book distributors are hesitant to change their pricing matrix - it's a complicated and expensive process.

Newly manufactured products from the US are arriving in Canada now at lower prices, and you'll see this reflected in products as they arrive in stores. Retailers who aren't lowering their prices are rare.

Answer 4

Cost of shipping in most cases. And taxes in Canada. It's all blended into the final price.

Answer 5

it just is. we gotta learn to live with it!! and tst4tst4 how many times have i told u to stop hatin on canada and get a LIFE!

Answer 6

Basically it boils down to competition and government intervention, as compared to the US.

There is less completion in Canada (fewer store chains competing against themselves) and more government intervention (higher taxes, tougher regulations to open new businesses)

Answer 7

Canada has a different market than the US.Canadians have more money in there pockets and retailers can get more for there products.It`s a free market supply and demand set the price.Books in Canada are sold at the American price .Since the Canadian dollar it parity with the US Canadian consumers have stopped buying books and have been demanding the lower price.

Canada `s Healthcare is a major reason why Canadians have more money in there pocket.

Answer 8

Because they could get away with it

Higher mimimum wages,

Tax payer funded medical care

Tax payer funded pension plan

Tax payer funded employement insurance

The cost of doing EVERYTHING in government twice for the "pleasure" of living in a bilingual country

and a thousand little things that I can't even guess at all add up to higher prices in SOME things.  I have shopped in the states and some things are more expensive than here

Answer 9

i'm really not sure, but I know that some books that were printed a few years ago are like that because of the currency. a few years ago the american dollar was higher than the canadian one so those were the prices so that both dollars payed the same value for the book. now i really don't know. i think its so that they make more profit.

Answer 10

Because that book was printed in US, and US wants its money to be super

Answer 11

In Canada, the minimum wage is an average of 8$ compared to 5.85 in the us. To pay the employees, companies need to charge more to make enough to pay the employees and still make a profit. That's my point of view anyways....

Answer 12

Their cost of living is so much higher.

Answer 13

canadian wages are higher than in the US

Answer 14

You need to compare the Currency rate.

Answer 15

Higher cost of living.

Due to free healthcare I bet.

Answer 16

different money, plus canada sucks