Absolutely not. But tell me how the CDN importer Gentec can bring in lines like the Zeiss Conquest into Canada and maintain competitive pricing with the US market place but when Korth brings in Leupold the have to add +25% premium? Is Korth still a good guy? Then Korth further protects is market space by forcing Leupold to deny warranty claims in Canada on legally imported Leupold products NOT brought in by Korth. Very reminiscent of the old days of Glock pricing in Canada, prior to when companies like Questar entered the game and destroyed the monopoly held by a sole source importer.
U.S vs Canadian scope prices
- Thread starter xxclaro
- Start date
This is a subject that spans a wide range of products, and Canadians' should quit acting like sheep, and demand competitiveness, and value for their hard earned dollars. If we don't start supporting our smaller retailers by saying no to big corporate price gouging, we will all be buying everything from Wallmart, cause they are just sitting in the wings waiting to capitalise. As we go south for our stuff it hurts the small business not big business, and I happen to like small business, it is the backbone of every comunity.
Korth and Leupold are companys' that will not get fat with any of my money.
Korth and Leupold are companys' that will not get fat with any of my money.
Prices
I just pruchased a scope today at Wholesale sports and it was $150 dollars less expensive up here than it is being sold for in the USA.
Just goes to show things aren't always cheaper south of the border - not to mention I didn't have to pay for shipping and wait 2 weeks.
I just pruchased a scope today at Wholesale sports and it was $150 dollars less expensive up here than it is being sold for in the USA.
Just goes to show things aren't always cheaper south of the border - not to mention I didn't have to pay for shipping and wait 2 weeks.
mightyhunter
CGN Regular
- Location
- Edmonton, Alberta
"Korth and Leupold are companys' that will not get fat with any of my money".
I feel the same way. Even before they came up with this new policy.
I have never bought they scopes and never will.
I feel the same way. Even before they came up with this new policy.
I have never bought they scopes and never will.
gunrunner8
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Kamloops, B.C.
X100! I compare the values very carefully and refuse to buy anything at "Canadian" prices as a matter of principle. Will not buy Leupold, Bombardier products, CAW made cars, anything made in China, S&W firearms, Cooper rifles, etc, etc....
mamma,, You are right Leupold is not the only one, just the biggest and worst. I have a nikon scope, but when I bought it the price was very close to US. If people used there heads and the computers that are right in front of them, they could simply buy products that are being sold here at proper prices.
gunrunner8,,I am with you, I was thinking about buying a chinese sks, but that isn't going to happen. I am trying to find some non chinese non corosive ammo, for my Russian, but the price is much higher, so it might be corosive chech for me.
It is your money,,, spend it as you wish, but for me, I worked too hard for mine so I will not just hand it over to Companies Like Korth, who are gouging.
I am happy to see these subjects come up here and there. It just shows that some people are paying attention.
gunrunner8,,I am with you, I was thinking about buying a chinese sks, but that isn't going to happen. I am trying to find some non chinese non corosive ammo, for my Russian, but the price is much higher, so it might be corosive chech for me.
It is your money,,, spend it as you wish, but for me, I worked too hard for mine so I will not just hand it over to Companies Like Korth, who are gouging.
I am happy to see these subjects come up here and there. It just shows that some people are paying attention.
We are one of the largest independant Leupold dealers in Canada. We buy at the same price as any other large volume dealer and are competive against other dealers in Canada. In spite of the higher prices in Canada this has become our best selling optics line in terms of units sold and $ value. Most consumers who buy from us see the relative value of Leupold products inspite of the price difference against lines that are closer in price to those offered in the US because of the unequaled warranty, service, selection and support in Canada. Don't kid yourself there are lots of dealers/distributors who would love to pick up the Leupold line in Canada direct from the factory (and they have tried) not to lower the price but to sell in a market that is very favorable to an optics line already accepted as one of the better deals in Canada and selling extremely well. This subject has come up before in previous forums and I understand that consumers would like lower retail prices and see the difference from the US as getting screwed by the distibutor/dealer. I get that, and can only say we mark up our Leupold products at the same rate as competing products. The business model that Korth Group has employed is presently working well as their sales volumes have been higher every year as they are one of the top selling Leupold distibutors in the world. I can't see that changing soon unless sales drop off substantially in the future. Basspro as a comparison, buys at the same rate as Korth and markets directly to the public. Inspite of this their retail price is the same or greater than many Canadian retailers who buy from Korth Group...and there is no warranty in Canada. Phil.
I am glad you have added to this Phil. Basspro are not doing us any favors either. It does not change the fact that there is a reason that more and more people shop in the US, and that is a result of overcharging Canadians. I beleive this is a distibuter issue, not the doing of the retailers. I can see that your business is good Phil, but that does not change the fact that many people buy in the US which over all affects retail in Canada, even yours. I am sure that you are aware that you are price checked.
I am sure you are right, and Korth's business is growing, but I am sure that I am right and the US purchasing is growing as well, and probably faster. I myself have purchased a scope, 2 pairs of binos, a range finder, and various hunting clothes from the US, saving myself close to $2000, and all it took was a little bit of leg work. This is only hunting related products, the money I have saved overall goes into the many many thousand$. This is not becasue I don't want to support local companies. I do support them whenever the like product is even close to the same price. The quad I ride came from the US, and I can tell you the dealer here is not happy with the price discrimination from the factory. I bought it from a dealer and landed it here for about $2000 under the dealer cost here.
One other thing that should be considered is the fact that Canadian Corporate taxes are lower here than in the US, much lower.
I am sure you are right, and Korth's business is growing, but I am sure that I am right and the US purchasing is growing as well, and probably faster. I myself have purchased a scope, 2 pairs of binos, a range finder, and various hunting clothes from the US, saving myself close to $2000, and all it took was a little bit of leg work. This is only hunting related products, the money I have saved overall goes into the many many thousand$. This is not becasue I don't want to support local companies. I do support them whenever the like product is even close to the same price. The quad I ride came from the US, and I can tell you the dealer here is not happy with the price discrimination from the factory. I bought it from a dealer and landed it here for about $2000 under the dealer cost here.
One other thing that should be considered is the fact that Canadian Corporate taxes are lower here than in the US, much lower.
The US in general is in difficult times economically and this is no more clearly evident than the retailers trying to sell product that is over supplied to a consumer who is reluctant to buy unless the price is rock bottom. With the advent of the internet it seems that most products will only be sold to the lowest bidder retailer who will try to make up lower profit per item by pure volume sales. This can work to a degree if the volume sales are there but as soon as the volume slows the profitability goes with it and the business will fail. We don't have the population base to support the continue low prices that are often evident in the US. If one merchant decides to sell at 10% over cost then everyone with deep pockets will do the same or even offer it at less of a profit until someone blinks or goes out of business which is more often the case. Leupold does not like it's products being discounted in the US and are very comfortable with Korth Groups Canadian pricing. Almost every product I compare (outside of my industry) has higher pricing in Canada than the US. Some product lines are the same or cheaper in Canada but that is not often the case. The explanation given is it's more expensive to do business in Canada and there is some truth to that. In reality it's the "value added" factor of being in Canada. We have always paid higher prices and because we are used to it, we will continue to do so in the future even with a par CDN dollar to the US. There is a greater expense in doing business in Canada...how much and what it should end up costing the consumer is the issue. In the end we all vote with our wallets. I am very aware of whar is going on in my industry with regards to pricing and will react to changes as they occurr. In the meantime I carry probably the largest selection of Leupold products in stock than any other retailer I have ever visited (including the US) because we expect to sell lots based of previous sales history. Phil
I have to disagree with you Phil. There are many sectors of the US economy that is in bad shape, but the firearms industry as a whole is not one of them. The population thing is not an valid argument in todays shipping of products. The manufacturers and distributors, simply charge more up here. Yes some of the costs are a bit higher here, but some of the costs are lower, as in corporate taxes for one. Instead of it being "value added" in Canada, it is actualy "price added". The quad I spoke of was bought in 2007 and was a 2007, I factered in the exchange difference of the day. This is when the US was still in high gear. I bought, did the exchange, and reshipped it up here for 2K less than the "dealer" cost here. There is something wrong with that, which is the manufacturer was and is gouging the Canadian dealers. I have spent 30 years of my adult life in retail, and am fairly well versed in these practices. As far as leupold goes to me they are just the worst of the scope business. They have managed to brand well up here, but that doesn't change the fact that they and Korth, are overcharging.
If they "overcharge" then the consumers will have the final say by not buying the product. It would be hard to convince them (Korth Group) to lower their wholesale prices when they just had a record year in sales. In the end you charge what the market will bear, if you can get more, why not. A comparison would be the EE when you list an item for sale and you receive a PM that your over charging...and before you know it, it has sold for the original "high" price. Like everone else in retail or wholesale...I want to make as much profit as possible on every item I sell. The limiting factor is what is the consumer willing to pay? Just like my EE comparison the seller wants as much out of the product as possible. I accept the fact that you and some others don't agree with me and don't like the situation but obviously our sales indicate the retail Leupold pricing in Canada is not a problem with most consumers. Phil.
Like Phil said, the market is bearing it. An item is worth what it is selling for. Prices go down with volume. Never leave money on the table. Leupold has a distribution agreement with a company that is selling for them, and the the distributor up here has a growing business. As in their revenue is going up. As in there is no need to change anything.
And Leupold is protecting their wholesaler, and that is normal in any retail business. If you buy from an American distibutor, you deal with the American warranty provider. Korth doesn't benefit from their sales and Leupold doesn't wholey susbsidize their warranty costs.
Give your head a shake, its deeper than you are.
And the firearms and optics industry has been hit hard. Are you kidding? And what does shipping have to do with distributor sales volume? Nothing, but keep swinging man, I want a BMW but they cost to much, and I think I am being gouged so they should cost the same as a Ford.
Its a free market and this subject has been beaten to death.
mightyhunter
CGN Regular
- Location
- Edmonton, Alberta
My brother bought a brand new BMW in the US for $31,000, The same model here in Edm. was $51,000. Go figure.
I recently purchased a new Silverado for about 1500 more in Canada once all haggling was done. Without a doubt the extra cash is worth it for me. This comparison always gets me when someone looks at sticker price of a vehicle in Canada and negotiate a deal in the states then complain about being gouged in Canada. Starting price and what you pay on a vehicle are rarely the same thing.
More to the point of this thread the extra cost of Leupold products is insignificant for me compared to the value of having a quality distributor and warranty centre on this side of the border. We all hope as consumers that we won't need warranty, but in reality even the best products have issues at times. Other than some people complaining that Korth are gouging us, the majority opinion seems to be that they provide great service and support for this line.
IMO there is a great value having local sporting goods stores. Beyond selling us product they provide local knowledge and service that you can't order from a website. To me that is worth a few extra sheckles to buy local. If it was a ridiculous amount I may change my tune. From what I've seen in the market it is mostly fair difference in price.
And as has been mentioned, if you don't like it don't buy it!
Why I buy American is this. If I want a product I want it now, not wait 6 to 8 weeks for Canadian dealers to get it in stock and at most of the time at a inflated price. As far as customer service I could not give a rats ass, I know what I want and do not have to be taken by the hand to be sold a product. If warranty issues do arise on a product there is ways to get warranty when it comes to the products purchased in the US. What it boils down to is it's your money, spend it the way you want but the savings are not nickels and dime but some serious dollars.
The service goes far beyond "holding your hand". Most employees at stores I frequent are involved in the local shooting/hunting community and can point you in the right direction to further your interest in the sport. Some even share reloading tips and recipes. But if you don't give a rats ass then keep on sourcing your goods elsewhere. Maybe if you're lucky one day all the evil local stores will close down.
