Parts pricing in the Great White North

[mzx]

There are many arguments about supporting your LBS, but can someone explain to me why one has to pay only about a half of what we pay up here for the same parts in the US (mail order stores, or their bike shops) - even for parts which are made right here, in our back yard - NW, Delta, etc. I would love to support locals, but I simply cannot justify paying double for the same stuff...any thoughts?

[SkunkworkS]

I use to think it was because most of the stuff is shipped up from the US, so there's import duties/fees and whatnot. Then distributors and finally bike shop markup.

But since then, I've noticed that even RaceFace parts are sold way cheaper in the US than in Canada. This is assuming that RF stuff is made in Canada which I doubt but I have no better example currently.

Feel free to correct me as I'd like to know for sure too.

[M@M]

i guess they figure they need to push the market down there more than up here.

[mzx]

Yeah, that's what got me p'ed off - RF products, Roach armour, and some other stuff I don't even remember.

[switch]

I find that it's mostly stuff being blown out that is cheaper from the online ordering. When my LBS blows out stuff, they'll have the similar low pricing. Otherwise, they are generally close to the online shops when it comes to costs of parts. However, in general, there is quite a big markup at bike shops.

But try finding a good price on a decent fork, from an online shop. You'll probably find similar, if not better, pricing here.

What online ordering often has, that I find useful, are small parts that are not always available here.