So, I just found out that Animated toys will still have the obscene 50% mark-up in Canada. Are there any good toy sites that A) ship to Canada and B) have shipping rates that are lower than the mark-up to make it worthwhile?
As a proud Canadian fan of Transformers I proudly must answer your question with a no, there are no online-retailers like you describe that I know of or have heard of or could even imagine fitting your criteria. And what is this 50% markup you speak of? $10 + $10 = $15? I mean, prices are higher, but they're not what I would call obscene and unless the rules of math have changed there's no 50% markup unless you're shopping at cheapo's penny-pinching imporium.
http://www.cybertron.ca/boards/showthread.php?t=7061 Don't deluxes cost $10 in the states? $10 with 50% mark-up is $15. On the current exchange rate, they should cost $10.30, tops. Paying a MINIMUM of an extra $5 per toy (an extra $10 on Voyagers, and for Leaders... *shudder*) gets expensive if you plan to get a dozen or more.
Retail prices are fixed they don't float (why do so many have a hard time comprehending that). So it doesn't matter what the US dollar value is vs. the Canadian dollar. A deluxe costs $15.
Um, I think the poster means that 50% of $10 is $5. 10+5=15. 10 + 10=100% markup. Anyway, if you can wait for a TRU sale I'm sure a decent price will come along. Though I totally agree that we're getting screwed on pricing in Canada. The better US exchange has meant nothing for us, except cheaper comics/books I think. And 50% is a huge amount even though its on a small item.
Bull. The exchange rate was better than a 50% mark-up before Animated was even announced, there's no way they can justify claiming they ordered the things before the dollar improved.
BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!! OK... now that I've had a chance to compose myself... No. It sucks, but what are you going to do?
A few months ago, Walmart begged to differ on that; that's why they brought the prices down on some TFs to be more in line with their US retail counterparts... Not sure why they stopped that...
Like I said, the US-Can. currency exchange rate doesn't matter. Unless the product in question is manufactured in the USA. Then it can matter. Anyway. I said these prices are fixed, but set would be a better word to use. Now either Hasbro or some industry association sets the MSRP. Based on parameters that I don't have know SFA about. But if I were to guess the cost of distrobution (which is higher in Canada) would be a big factor.
Nobody's forcing you to buy the Animated figures early. Our domestic Transformers generally have a higher MSRP in Canada than the US, even with the currency exchange rates (except for once-in-awhile sales, which would make them on par with US MSRP at best). Patience is a virtue. It seems a lot of members here lack that. The plastic crack is running high. Prices: (US/Cdn) Deluxe 10/15 Voyager 10/30 Ultra 30/40 Supreme 50/70 If anyone can correct it (or add to it), please feel free to do so. You might be better off doing a bulk order from an online retailer then split the lot up equally with other local collectors. This would ideally reduce the cost of shipping.
You could always check the Junkion here also. If you wanted to buy the lot of 1st wave figures, you may be able to get them here from a member cheaper with shipping to Canada. For example, I have an order that I was set to cancel, but with the free shipping to me and no sales tax, it's a good deal. I know I'd have no problem helping out members to the north.
