robatthelake
Vancouver Island
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Joined: 08/24/2003
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I have purchased the last 3 RV's in the States. All have been at significantly lower prices than what was available in Canada.
The First was a Brand New Fifth Wheel which at the time was a model that wasn't all that common here so the fact that there were none to be had without placing a "Special Order" left Us with little choice but to visit a dealership an Hour South of Vancouver who actually had several in stock.
The Importation was then and still is a very simple process!
The Second was a well used ,but sturdily constructed Motorhome which provided Us with 7 Wonderful Winter Vacations and is still going strong for another owner. The Same Rig Used and in Canada was on the Lot for $30,000. Cad back when Our Dollar was at 85 Cents U.S. We bought Ours for $8,500. USD or slightly less than $10,000 Cad.
The Third and Our Present Rig cost $42,000 U.S. two Years ago. I haven't even considered what it would sell for in Canada and really could care less. We will keep it for at least another Five Years. Then it will go to another deserving Home!
I absolutely refuse to accept the excuse that things must cost more in Canada than in the USA because of this, that and the other reason.
As to the "CSA" certification . Everything in Our Rig is constructed to the same CSA standards regardless of whether it is sold in Canada or the USA. We are talking Stove, Fridge,Furnace,A/C ,Plumbing ,Wiring and Vehicle Chassis. There is Zero difference !
CSA is an International Testing and Certification organisation. Yes it started as the Canadian Standards Association, which was a benchmark for excellance but to think that somehow products such as RV's needs to have an overall approval is just another misconception.
Oh by the way those Dometic Duotherm Comfort Control Centers have Electronics designed and built in Canada. They cost Less to purchase in the USA than here in Canada. CSA Approved!
Rob & Jean
98 Dutch Star Diesel Pusher ..92 Tracker 4X2
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GeoffW
Alberta, Canada
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The only issue with buying from the States is Warranty... just like when you buy a vehicle. The reason dealers cannot match the US pricing in all units is becasue we actually pay more then what dealers are listing for. It seems crazy but it is true. Canadian dealers are being charged more then American ones. We are getting better and we will do our best to match... but sometimes we can't. Also you have to remember it costs around $4,000 to bring one up. Just the veiw from the other side of the fence!
Cheers!
Happy Trails!
-Geoff W
2012 Ram 1500 Big Horn
2011 Palomino Banshee B-3
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gitane59
Ontario, Can
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Joined: 02/21/2004
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GeoffW wrote:The only issue with buying from the States is Warranty... just like when you buy a vehicle. The reason dealers cannot match the US pricing in all units is becasue we actually pay more then what dealers are listing for. It seems crazy but it is true. Canadian dealers are being charged more then American ones. We are getting better and we will do our best to match... but sometimes we can't. Also you have to remember it costs around $4,000 to bring one up. Just the veiw from the other side of the fence!
Cheers!
With the dollar at or above par I don't buy your explanation. If Canadian dealers are indeed paying wholesale that much more than their American counterparts then the Canadian dealer need to sharper their negotiating skills.
If I was in the market for a new unit today I would accept a 10-15% premium to keep dollars in Canada but no way would I accept a 20% or more premium and that's what I was looking at b4 I bought my current unit.
I am still seeing a 20 plus % premium on high-end Carriage units between a Ontario dealer near me and current US prices so the market is still very un-balanced.
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GeoffW
Alberta, Canada
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That is fair. 10-15% is acceptable. There are dealers who do try to keep competitive. I would like to keep all business in Canada if we could. Prices have come down and its great for Canadian consumers. I have sold cars too, its crazy to see the difference again because Canadian dealers get the short end of the stick. Maybe we do need someone who can negoaite a bit better at the helm. Because I agree for the most part the market is unbalanced (where I work we try to price match as hard as we can). The other thing is we did buy trailers before the dollar did what it did so we can't lose our shirt on them too. Its transport/duty that kills us. Again, just the view from the tther side.
Cheers!
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gitane59
Ontario, Can
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Interestingly on the way home tonight I actually heard a radio advertising spot from a Port Huron Michigan car dealership advertising both his sales and service on a Canadian radio station with his radio spot directed solely to Canadian customer's offering customs documentation and delivery services to Canadian purchasers as well as after sales warranty and service support.
I am glad you are striving to be competitive, however more dealers needed to pay attention to the changing market conditions and trends as the playing field changes.
When I tried to purchase my current RV in Canada 4 years ago several Canadian dealers simply and abruptly refused to continue negotiating with me upon knowing I was also looking in the US.
Are you saying there is an importation duty applied to new RV's by the Canadian government when they are imported by dealers prior to first retail sale?
If so what is the rate and do you have a link to the regulations showing that fact.
I understand cross border administrative costs and brokerage fees for importations that Canadian dealers must absorb are costs the US dealers are not subject to but basic transportation cost per km/mi of the unit cross country should not be dramatically different going to Idaho/Utah than going to Alberta from say Elkhart Indiana should it?
* This post was
edited 07/15/11 04:55pm by gitane59 *
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duramaxdelight
everywhere
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gitane59
In refrence to your comment on the duty by the cdn gov. - with
NAFTA I don't think they would do it.
Duramax 2011
2011 Cameo 37resls
"To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own"
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Edzzed
Cloverdale area of Surrey BC Canada
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A lot of the reason things are more expensive here is simple. There is so much competition in the USA that they sell for less profit than they need to make their overhead and sell here for more to make up the overhead and more. This goes for all imports, be it R/V's, trailers or widgets. I buy in Canada when possible but a 78.00 cost vs. 107.00 in Canada means I ship stuff to Hagen's then cross to go get it and have yet to pay anything at the border, I try to keep costs under a 100.00 and make one trip a week. Been over a year since I bought gas in Canada. There has been news stories about how Canadians are propping up USA border towns revenues. Ed
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wilber1
Abbotsford B.C. Canada
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Joined: 12/16/2002
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Canadians get walked on all the time when it comes to pricing. I buy quite a bit of stuff in the US and have it shipped to an agent just across the border then pick it up myself. I just bought a 5th wheel tailgate for my new truck. It was on sale at Camping World for $289. A local RV dealer quoted me $430 CAD for the same piece. That's a ridiculous difference. The best price I could get on Timbrens for my old truck was in the US. They are made in Canada.
"Never trust a man who has not a single redeeming vice" WSC
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gitane59
Ontario, Can
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It appears as though more and more provinces are now offically accepting either the CSA Z-240 or RVIA America Standards. The supposed monopoly or legality of maintaining the CSA stranglehold in Canada is now eliminated in Alberta, PEI and according to one RVIA report the British Columbia provincial government is also close to accepting RVIA standards.
See attached links
Alberta
PEI
And it appears that without any fanfare as of July 1 2011 Ontario is now accepting the RVIA standard as well. The wording of the new Recreational Driver Licensing Requirement's law that came into effect July 1 2011 includes the acceptance of either standards.
Quote "The towed RV must be Transport Canada compliant and manufactured to either CSA Z-240 or Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (of America) standards."
July 1 2011 Ontario RV Driver Licensing Announcement
I have not found any RVIA announcement for Ontario yet, but have sent an email inquiry to them.
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gsjk
St Albert Alberta Canada
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From what I know there are many reasons for such a price difference
between Canadian and USA pricing and it is not usually price gouging by the dealer.
The fact is the manufacturer charges the Canadian dealers a premium
for units sold in Canada. Then of course you have shipping added as well.
In order to protect the Canadian Dealers and help them to keep the sales in Canada, the warranty will only apply to units that were sold in Canada.
In some cases;
If you bought the unit in the USA you must bring it back to the USA for any warranty work.
Some manufactures have instructed their dealers in the USA that they are not to sell new units to Canadians for import.
Some get around this by selling very slightly used that they have had in stock for a while.
In general
We as Canadians are going to pay more if we buy in Canada.
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