Canada vs. U.S. pricing: Why we often pay more (CBC Marketplace)

Originally broadcast November 22, 2013

"I'm afraid we're being gouged." Marketplace hits the road putting prices to the test in Canada and the U.S. checking in on products at some of the largest retailers. It’s no surprise that Canadians pay more than our friends south of the border for some items, including how we're being shut out of cheaper US car prices. You’ll never believe what we find on our cross border shop-a-thon.

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[mykullee]

Ha, remember when Canadian Dollars used to be close to the U.S. Dollars and when Target was in business in Canada?

[Mhel]

Lol I always wondered why the prices on magazines would say:
U.S. $4.99
Canada: $12.99
😔

[hissi-ugzh]

American Target Motto: Expect More, Pay Less!
Canadian Target Motto: Expect Less, Pay More!

[bvqween]

Had to pause when they said target was well known for their low prices...bish everything at target is overpriced. And their food selection is pitiful as hell

[Phlegethon]

You sent a guy to the US when you can just compare Walmart.com and .ca?

[ricardoflores]

There they forgot to mention that there is a huge tax difference between the US and canada as well as numerous more laws/regulations which increase the price of the products that are eventually sold in canada.

[Jeffb]

The world needs more of this high quality journalism. Thank you CBC.

[AdamSmith-gsdv]

Answer: the VAT tax, the USA doesn't have a 20% tax on all production stages of the product, you only have a one time 10% tax at the point of sale.

[UniteForgetLeftRight]

I took a overnight trip to Vancouver from Washington once and was pretty appalled by how much more expensive everything was. While being detained at the border for an hour I also learned about how many Canadians go to the US to buy groceries and stuff.

[frankyflowers]

The taxes are more there during every stage of retail from importing to shipping to retail. You have to pay for the free healthcare somehow.

[michaelalbrecht]

The Canadians would die crying if maple syrup was cheaper in the U.S.

[sthomaslewis]

Why are you comparing Bellingham with Toronto? You need to compare Bellingham with Vancouver.

[HaileyRivera.]

This is making me laugh so hard, I'm American and I thought things were expensive here, I guess to others that's cheap apparently.. 😂😂😂😂

[rockyb]

I can tell you that even after 8 years, there's still a huge price difference between the 2 countries

[ActualRICEE]

We are a family of 3 looking for air tickets to Halifax, Nova Scotia in August 2016
Vancouver to Halifax: $890 per person with taxes inclusive
Seattle to Halifax: $596 per person with taxes included
We had to fly out of our country to fly back in at a cheaper price!
We also had to spend 2 nights in a hotel in Seattle and pay for park and fly and factor in our gas going and coming from home and it was still worth it

[mygoldfisharegold]

you think your prices suck, try shopping in Australia

[topherd]

Don't ever buy a new car. Buy a certified used car. New cars are the biggest ripoff ever.

[irvin]

This isn't the case with just Canada, this is also happens with Australia.

[edmeyer]

Less people in Canada that's why it's so expensive government runs everything, more competition and people in the USA drives prices down

[Rueyful]

Thanks big government, taxes, heavy regulations, and state bureaucracy.