Canadian Prices

[George Burnt]

I live in Ottawa Canada, and when I read that an American thinks stuff is
expensive, I must laugh. You guys don't know the meaning of the word.

When a hermit crab that is smaller than my finger nail cost $4.00, and I
need 150 of them you are talking $600 just for little tiny little hermits.
A protien skimmer that costs $100 in the USA costs $500 here. My 135 gal
aquarium is a money pit. I have put at least $6000 into it. and it is
pitiful compared to some of the pictures of your aquariums.

When I see some of the nice setups you guys have, I imagine you are all
millionaires! Some of your tanks would cost $75,000 here in Canada. When you
earn $12.00 per hour it does not go over very welll with the wife. (yes
dear, I know it is 6 month's salary, but look at the nice colors on the...
POW... right on the kisser)

Does anybody know of a place that ships to Ottawa Canada that will not put
me in the poor house. Or how about a LFS near the border, as I am only an
hour away from the border. If I buy livestock in the US, am I allowed to
bring it into Canada? Or do I have to hide it in the hubcaps going over the
border. I would like to hear from others in the Ottawa area to learn how to
save some $$, or to form a club of diy'ers so that we can learn from each
other and possibly save some money. Any help out there would be appreciated.

GB
poorer and poorer as the tank gets nicer and nicer

[Steve Sells]

try an Advertisement in the Local Newspaper to get a Local Salt club going.
then everyone Swap fragments. that is a good way to get interesting things
and save a few $$$

Steve

"George Burnt" > wrote in message
.. .
> I live in Ottawa Canada, and when I read that an American thinks stuff is
> expensive, I must laugh. You guys don't know the meaning of the word.
>
> When a hermit crab that is smaller than my finger nail cost $4.00, and I
> need 150 of them you are talking $600 just for little tiny little
hermits.
> A protien skimmer that costs $100 in the USA costs $500 here. My 135 gal
> aquarium is a money pit. I have put at least $6000 into it. and it is
> pitiful compared to some of the pictures of your aquariums.
>
> When I see some of the nice setups you guys have, I imagine you are all
> millionaires! Some of your tanks would cost $75,000 here in Canada. When
you
> earn $12.00 per hour it does not go over very welll with the wife. (yes
> dear, I know it is 6 month's salary, but look at the nice colors on the...
> POW... right on the kisser)
>
> Does anybody know of a place that ships to Ottawa Canada that will not put
> me in the poor house. Or how about a LFS near the border, as I am only an
> hour away from the border. If I buy livestock in the US, am I allowed to
> bring it into Canada? Or do I have to hide it in the hubcaps going over
the
> border. I would like to hear from others in the Ottawa area to learn how
to
> save some $$, or to form a club of diy'ers so that we can learn from each
> other and possibly save some money. Any help out there would be
appreciated.
>
> GB
> poorer and poorer as the tank gets nicer and nicer
>
>

[Marc Levenson]

Susan Wilson is up in Canada. She goes by Flame*Angel online, such as
ReefCentral.com I know for a fact that she frequents a Canadian Message Board
for reefing, and I think you need to contact her to find that board. Then
you'll be able to talk to people in your predicament and find out how they were
able to find some solutions.

Marc


George Burnt wrote:

> I live in Ottawa Canada, and when I read that an American thinks stuff is
> expensive, I must laugh. You guys don't know the meaning of the word.
>
> When a hermit crab that is smaller than my finger nail cost $4.00, and I
> need 150 of them you are talking $600 just for little tiny little hermits.
> A protien skimmer that costs $100 in the USA costs $500 here. My 135 gal
> aquarium is a money pit. I have put at least $6000 into it. and it is
> pitiful compared to some of the pictures of your aquariums.
>
> When I see some of the nice setups you guys have, I imagine you are all
> millionaires! Some of your tanks would cost $75,000 here in Canada. When you
> earn $12.00 per hour it does not go over very welll with the wife. (yes
> dear, I know it is 6 month's salary, but look at the nice colors on the...
> POW... right on the kisser)
>
> Does anybody know of a place that ships to Ottawa Canada that will not put
> me in the poor house. Or how about a LFS near the border, as I am only an
> hour away from the border. If I buy livestock in the US, am I allowed to
> bring it into Canada? Or do I have to hide it in the hubcaps going over the
> border. I would like to hear from others in the Ottawa area to learn how to
> save some $$, or to form a club of diy'ers so that we can learn from each
> other and possibly save some money. Any help out there would be appreciated.
>
> GB
> poorer and poorer as the tank gets nicer and nicer

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Kevin & Donna Sanders, M.D.]

That's one of the prices you pay for socialized health care. Everybody
forgets to mention that when they tout the Canadian model
Kevin

"George Burnt" > wrote in message
.. .
> I live in Ottawa Canada, and when I read that an American thinks stuff is
> expensive, I must laugh. You guys don't know the meaning of the word.
>
> When a hermit crab that is smaller than my finger nail cost $4.00, and I
> need 150 of them you are talking $600 just for little tiny little
hermits.
> A protien skimmer that costs $100 in the USA costs $500 here. My 135 gal
> aquarium is a money pit. I have put at least $6000 into it. and it is
> pitiful compared to some of the pictures of your aquariums.
>
> When I see some of the nice setups you guys have, I imagine you are all
> millionaires! Some of your tanks would cost $75,000 here in Canada. When
you
> earn $12.00 per hour it does not go over very welll with the wife. (yes
> dear, I know it is 6 month's salary, but look at the nice colors on the...
> POW... right on the kisser)
>
> Does anybody know of a place that ships to Ottawa Canada that will not put
> me in the poor house. Or how about a LFS near the border, as I am only an
> hour away from the border. If I buy livestock in the US, am I allowed to
> bring it into Canada? Or do I have to hide it in the hubcaps going over
the
> border. I would like to hear from others in the Ottawa area to learn how
to
> save some $$, or to form a club of diy'ers so that we can learn from each
> other and possibly save some money. Any help out there would be
appreciated.
>
> GB
> poorer and poorer as the tank gets nicer and nicer
>
>

[tech27]

Try these guys for hardware.
Don't know if they ship livestock but they might.(I've never needed to ask).


Oakville Reef Gallery
905-338-2782
278 Kerr Street,
Oakville, ON
L6K 3B3

[tech27]

"Kevin & Donna Sanders, M.D." > wrote in message
news:a36kc.3557$pJ1.2426@lakeread02...
> That's one of the prices you pay for socialized health care. Everybody
> forgets to mention that when they tout the Canadian model
> Kevin
>

Yes, it does put a strain on the healthcare system. Just imagine what a
barnaclectomy for a brain coral would cost if you had to pay for it
yourself.

[Chris Taylor]

Its the free Optirectumy that you get in Canada that sets Canadians apart.

They cut the adjoining cord between the eye and rectum, eliminates that
crappy outlook on life...



"tech27" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Kevin & Donna Sanders, M.D." > wrote in message
> news:a36kc.3557$pJ1.2426@lakeread02...
> > That's one of the prices you pay for socialized health care. Everybody
> > forgets to mention that when they tout the Canadian model
> > Kevin
> >
>
> Yes, it does put a strain on the healthcare system. Just imagine what a
> barnaclectomy for a brain coral would cost if you had to pay for it
> yourself.
>
>

[George Burnt]

"tech27" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Kevin & Donna Sanders, M.D." > wrote in message
> news:a36kc.3557$pJ1.2426@lakeread02...
> > That's one of the prices you pay for socialized health care. Everybody
> > forgets to mention that when they tout the Canadian model
> > Kevin
> >
>
> Yes, it does put a strain on the healthcare system. Just imagine what a
> barnaclectomy for a brain coral would cost if you had to pay for it
> yourself.
>
That was a good one.

The retail prices here in Canada have nothing to do with health care. What
Canadian's spend on health care, American's spend on the military, which
Canada hardly has. In fact a larger percentage of your tax dollar goes to
build bigger meaner weapons than we send to health care and the our military
combined, so no, that's not the reason why prices are more in Canada. I
think it has more to do with more competition in the USA. Many companies
(Both American and Canadian) feel that Canadians SHOULD pay more. A case in
point: a prizm protein skimmer sells for $69 on the USA site of Big Al's
http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/parent_category.xml?category_id=3203;pcid1=

Yet the same skimmer at the same (online) store in Canada sells for $200
http://www.bigalsonline.ca/catalog/parent_category.xml?category_id=3203;pcid1=

What does this have to do with Canadian health care? Even with aprox. 30%
exchange rate there is no reason for this nonsense. We also pay a 15% tax
(healthcare related maybe) when we buy it, so really what costs an American
$69.95 to buy from Canada, will cost a Canadian about $230.

Big Al's is actually a Canadian company, with headquarters in Ontario. So
to me it just does not make sense.A Canadian company will sell a Canadian
product to an American and ship it 3000 miles away for less than they will
sell it to a Canadian who will pick it up.

It is NOT tax related in any way. (I already checked)
All the way from the raw materials to the finished product the taxes are
comparable. Only at the retail level are our taxes higher, we also pay
slightly more income tax, but again, has nothing to do with retail pricing.

GB

[tech27]

Cross border prices are largely influenced by factors external to the
average consumer, such as wj\here the proct comes from originally, where it
is going, cross exchange rates, etc.

As a rule, what is good for the exporter is bad for the consumer/importer. A
high US dollar makes it good for Canadians selling to the US, but bad for
anyone buying from the US.



> Big Al's is actually a Canadian company, with headquarters in Ontario. So
> to me it just does not make sense.A Canadian company will sell a Canadian
> product to an American and ship it 3000 miles away for less than they will
> sell it to a Canadian who will pick it up.

You'd have to be a greedy prick like Big Al's. They also have to compete
with local sellers so that shapes the market.

>
> It is NOT tax related in any way. (I already checked)

Only to the end user. You can always figure out what the cost is before
taxes are levied at either end.

[tech27]

"Chris Taylor" > wrote in message
news:4i9kc.80$CP3.53@newsfe1-win...
>
> Its the free Optirectumy that you get in Canada that sets Canadians apart.
>
> They cut the adjoining cord between the eye and rectum, eliminates that
> crappy outlook on life...

You can have this reversed with a common medical procedure in the US, but
it's not covered. It's called a fecal shunt - where the crap is redirected
to your personality. Most people save money on the package deal which
bundles the fecal shunt with an arrogance enlargement and handgun implant.

(-;

[Snowman]

Hello,

I am in Montreal/Quebec and have ordered from
http://www.jlaquatics.com/, I do not remeber the name of the guy but,
he gave me a more then excelent service. I did not buy live stock yet
from there but will give them a try for sure.

I also bought live stock from http://www.sal****erconnection.com/ but
unfortunatly the box arrived banged up. 2 days after I lost the
elegance. The brain I odrder is half dead because it was broken in
shipping, I am lucky that he is healing well. Also the Hamer and frog
spwan where broken but are doing greate. I sent the picture of the
stuff and no news.

Good luck.

"George Burnt" > wrote in message >...
> I live in Ottawa Canada, and when I read that an American thinks stuff is
> expensive, I must laugh. You guys don't know the meaning of the word.
>
> When a hermit crab that is smaller than my finger nail cost $4.00, and I
> need 150 of them you are talking $600 just for little tiny little hermits.
> A protien skimmer that costs $100 in the USA costs $500 here. My 135 gal
> aquarium is a money pit. I have put at least $6000 into it. and it is
> pitiful compared to some of the pictures of your aquariums.
>
> When I see some of the nice setups you guys have, I imagine you are all
> millionaires! Some of your tanks would cost $75,000 here in Canada. When you
> earn $12.00 per hour it does not go over very welll with the wife. (yes
> dear, I know it is 6 month's salary, but look at the nice colors on the...
> POW... right on the kisser)
>
> Does anybody know of a place that ships to Ottawa Canada that will not put
> me in the poor house. Or how about a LFS near the border, as I am only an
> hour away from the border. If I buy livestock in the US, am I allowed to
> bring it into Canada? Or do I have to hide it in the hubcaps going over the
> border. I would like to hear from others in the Ottawa area to learn how to
> save some $$, or to form a club of diy'ers so that we can learn from each
> other and possibly save some money. Any help out there would be appreciated.
>
> GB
> poorer and poorer as the tank gets nicer and nicer

[David Liles]

www.aquariacanada.com <-- extremely great prices with extremely great
service (based in Ottawa)
www.jlaquatics.com <-- some as above (but based in Vancouver)

"George Burnt" > wrote in message
.. .
> I live in Ottawa Canada, and when I read that an American thinks stuff is
> expensive, I must laugh. You guys don't know the meaning of the word.
>
> When a hermit crab that is smaller than my finger nail cost $4.00, and I
> need 150 of them you are talking $600 just for little tiny little
hermits.
> A protien skimmer that costs $100 in the USA costs $500 here. My 135 gal
> aquarium is a money pit. I have put at least $6000 into it. and it is
> pitiful compared to some of the pictures of your aquariums.
>
> When I see some of the nice setups you guys have, I imagine you are all
> millionaires! Some of your tanks would cost $75,000 here in Canada. When
you
> earn $12.00 per hour it does not go over very welll with the wife. (yes
> dear, I know it is 6 month's salary, but look at the nice colors on the...
> POW... right on the kisser)
>
> Does anybody know of a place that ships to Ottawa Canada that will not put
> me in the poor house. Or how about a LFS near the border, as I am only an
> hour away from the border. If I buy livestock in the US, am I allowed to
> bring it into Canada? Or do I have to hide it in the hubcaps going over
the
> border. I would like to hear from others in the Ottawa area to learn how
to
> save some $$, or to form a club of diy'ers so that we can learn from each
> other and possibly save some money. Any help out there would be
appreciated.
>
> GB
> poorer and poorer as the tank gets nicer and nicer
>
>

[PaulB]

Nonsense. Canada spends less on health care than the USA.

It is the price they pay for having a dollar that is worth $.73 US. And
looking at the price for scarlet reef hermits online, $4.00CN is about
right.




"Kevin & Donna Sanders, M.D." > wrote in message
news:a36kc.3557$pJ1.2426@lakeread02...
> That's one of the prices you pay for socialized health care. Everybody
> forgets to mention that when they tout the Canadian model
> Kevin
>
> "George Burnt" > wrote in message
> .. .
> > I live in Ottawa Canada, and when I read that an American thinks stuff
is
> > expensive, I must laugh. You guys don't know the meaning of the word.
> >
> > When a hermit crab that is smaller than my finger nail cost $4.00, and I
> > need 150 of them you are talking $600 just for little tiny little
> hermits.
> > A protien skimmer that costs $100 in the USA costs $500 here. My 135
gal
> > aquarium is a money pit. I have put at least $6000 into it. and it is
> > pitiful compared to some of the pictures of your aquariums.
> >
> > When I see some of the nice setups you guys have, I imagine you are all
> > millionaires! Some of your tanks would cost $75,000 here in Canada. When
> you
> > earn $12.00 per hour it does not go over very welll with the wife. (yes
> > dear, I know it is 6 month's salary, but look at the nice colors on
the...
> > POW... right on the kisser)
> >
> > Does anybody know of a place that ships to Ottawa Canada that will not
put
> > me in the poor house. Or how about a LFS near the border, as I am only
an
> > hour away from the border. If I buy livestock in the US, am I allowed to
> > bring it into Canada? Or do I have to hide it in the hubcaps going over
> the
> > border. I would like to hear from others in the Ottawa area to learn how
> to
> > save some $$, or to form a club of diy'ers so that we can learn from
each
> > other and possibly save some money. Any help out there would be
> appreciated.
> >
> > GB
> > poorer and poorer as the tank gets nicer and nicer
> >
> >
>
>
>

[who]

>
> Big Al's is actually a Canadian company, with headquarters in Ontario. So
> to me it just does not make sense.A Canadian company will sell a Canadian
> product to an American and ship it 3000 miles away for less than they will
> sell it to a Canadian who will pick it up.
>


Actually this appears to be the way pharmaceutical companies operate in
the US. Our wholesale price for drugs is often double your *retail*
price in Canada. This is for the same drug from the same company. Go
figure.

[George Burnt]

> Actually this appears to be the way pharmaceutical companies operate in
> the US. Our wholesale price for drugs is often double your *retail*
> price in Canada. This is for the same drug from the same company. Go
> figure.

well the drug thing is to pay for the marketing of the drugs. The drug
companies invite doctors to "medical conferences" in the Caribean and also
advertise drugs in magazines and on TV. In Canada all that is illegal. so
what you are paying for with your inflated drug prices is advertising
Just like the auto industry. 1/4 of the price of a new car is advertising,
and another 1/4 is for the paint job!

A five dollar piece of plastic suddenly becomes $150 if you stamp "protien
skimmer" on the side of it.

GB

[Kevin & Donna Sanders, M.D.]

I know why drugs are cheaper in Canada. The Canadian government tells the
US drug companies either give us a big price break or we will have our own
companies produce the identical drug ourselves. The US drug companies
figure a little profit is better than none.
"who" > wrote in message ...
>
> >
> > Big Al's is actually a Canadian company, with headquarters in Ontario.
So
> > to me it just does not make sense.A Canadian company will sell a
Canadian
> > product to an American and ship it 3000 miles away for less than they
will
> > sell it to a Canadian who will pick it up.
> >
>
>
> Actually this appears to be the way pharmaceutical companies operate in
> the US. Our wholesale price for drugs is often double your *retail*
> price in Canada. This is for the same drug from the same company. Go
> figure.
>
>

[Kevin & Donna Sanders, M.D.]

For the last couple of years what you just wrote has been illegal due to the
PhRMA guidelines http://www2.mms.org/vitalsigns/sept02/yp2.html
Sure we have educational meetings in nice places but we have to pay for them
ourselves. Drug companies may sponsor some of the tuition but not the
hotel/airfare. at most they might have a dinner for us with a legitimate
lecture that our spouses can't even attend.

Its also a requirement that I have to spend 30 hours per year in continuing
medical education some of which I can get online, buy book, or locally but
the rest I have to travel

The part about the advertising may be true but it 's true for anything.
Look at your beer commercial that cost $2,000,000 during the superbowl and
think how much your beer price was raised to pay for it




"George Burnt" > wrote in message
. ..
> > Actually this appears to be the way pharmaceutical companies operate in
> > the US. Our wholesale price for drugs is often double your *retail*
> > price in Canada. This is for the same drug from the same company. Go
> > figure.
>
> well the drug thing is to pay for the marketing of the drugs. The drug
> companies invite doctors to "medical conferences" in the Caribean and also
> advertise drugs in magazines and on TV. In Canada all that is illegal. so
> what you are paying for with your inflated drug prices is advertising
> Just like the auto industry. 1/4 of the price of a new car is
advertising,
> and another 1/4 is for the paint job!
>
> A five dollar piece of plastic suddenly becomes $150 if you stamp "protien
> skimmer" on the side of it.
>
> GB
>
>

[Dinky]

"Kevin & Donna Sanders, M.D." > wrote in message
news:vF5lc.8750$pJ1.7533@lakeread02...
| I know why drugs are cheaper in Canada. The Canadian government
tells the
| US drug companies either give us a big price break or we will have
our own
| companies produce the identical drug ourselves. The US drug
companies
| figure a little profit is better than none.


Heh..like Wal-Mart.

billy