Doing a bit of research I noticed the following:
Since I use to live in the States, and I live near the border in Vancouver and still maintain a PO Box and bank account in the states, I tend to notice the fluctuations in the relative cost of goods in Canada and the US. The fluctuations can be wide or not - with no obvious rhythm or reason. For instance, Toyota Cars are generally a little more than the conversion rate but a Toyota Prius is tons more in Canada. Books in Canada are also much more expensive. And so on. Up, down and just right.
With that in mind it was interesting to note that Long and McQuade sells Fender Standard Stratocasters (MIM - Made in Mexico) for about $480 Canadian, while the *cheapest* site in the US for a MIM Stat sell them for $400 US before shipping. Counting the Savings in Shipping and free full setup, that puts L&M selling MIM Strats for about the cheapest US price after conversion. Pretty Cool. Why? Don't ask me. L&M have buying power but not compared to the largest US Chains like Guitar Center.
Make the MIM Strat in Canada one of the best deals out there.
-steve
Since I use to live in the States, and I live near the border in Vancouver and still maintain a PO Box and bank account in the states, I tend to notice the fluctuations in the relative cost of goods in Canada and the US. The fluctuations can be wide or not - with no obvious rhythm or reason. For instance, Toyota Cars are generally a little more than the conversion rate but a Toyota Prius is tons more in Canada. Books in Canada are also much more expensive. And so on. Up, down and just right.
With that in mind it was interesting to note that Long and McQuade sells Fender Standard Stratocasters (MIM - Made in Mexico) for about $480 Canadian, while the *cheapest* site in the US for a MIM Stat sell them for $400 US before shipping. Counting the Savings in Shipping and free full setup, that puts L&M selling MIM Strats for about the cheapest US price after conversion. Pretty Cool. Why? Don't ask me. L&M have buying power but not compared to the largest US Chains like Guitar Center.
Make the MIM Strat in Canada one of the best deals out there.
-steve