Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

That 60p per litre price converts to $0.96 per litre in Canadian funds.

If I buy milk at $3.79 for four litres that works out to be $0.94 per litre (58p per litre).

Even if I pay $3.99 for milk that works out to be $0.99 per litre (61p per litre).

So no, milk is not more expensive here.

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

Milk is that cheap everywhere around here. I don't buy it at Metro because it is one of the more expensive stores but even Fortinos, which is also expensive, sells milk for $3.99 (see above, as I grabbed some for my parents today).

And if anyone doesn't believe me I'll be at my parent's place later this evening and I'll grab the receipt, scan it, and post the image here as proof.

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

What the hell are you talking about?

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

If you're comparing lowest price against lowest price, you'd have to use 50p not 60p as the comparison. 50p litre milk is readily available in Tesco. Some other stores might even have cheaper milk (I haven't checked). But from what other posters have said, $3.79 is rock-bottom in Canada, and many pay more than that. I think most people on here would agree that milk is slightly more expensive in Canada.

Ok, it would seem that Iceland supermarket sells milk at 44p / litre, so that is the price you would have to be below. http://groceries.iceland.co.uk/fresh-whole-milk

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

Rock bottom price is $3.49 (for 4L) and it goes on sale at that price at some store about once a month. And if it is in their flyer (ie. if you can prove it by taking the flyer with you) stores like Walmart, No Frills, and Freshco will do a price match and meet that price (they all openly promote that they price match).

That rock bottom price works out to be $0.87 per litre which, when converted, works out to be 53p per litre. So if we are comparing rock bottom prices it is slightly higher here but not by much at all and average prices are about the same. But when one considers the fact that salaries are higher in Canada than they are in Britain, it takes a smaller portion of your salary to buy that milk here than it does in Britain.

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

Of course milk is more expensive in Canada, that's why Canadian's flock to their nearest Costco in the US and piss off all the locals. We have been branded milk piranha's

http://cdn.soundpublishing.com/daily...%20150x120.png

http://www.kirotv.com/videos/news/vi...-costco/vDx2N/

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

Salaries aren't always higher in Canada. Minimum wage is $8.25 in Ontario and 6.31 in the UK.

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

I think it's $10.25 in Ontario

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

Really? Let me google

Yes it is, so that's 6.35 pounds.

Ugh too many mojitos today to work out the implications.

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

:confused: Since when are all salaries higher in Canada?! My husband couldn't earn the same as he does here in Canada, he only went to the Canadian office because they kept him on the same salary, otherwise he'd have been on a lot less. Some salaries might be higher, but not all are.

Anyway, I'm not sure why we're all quibbling over a pint of milk or a £35 MOT. It seems that the statement made above about milk/dairy being more expensive in Canada is true, but as we all know there are other things that are cheaper.

Some think the UK is cheaper, some (well, Colchar ;):lol:) think Canada is, but most agree that it usually evens out in the end.

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

I think you're just inexperienced buying things, haven't learned all the tricks. :lol:

Food choice is bad in Calgary because of the shipping, not sure I'd say it's more expensive, depends on what you're buying. If only because GST is less than VAT and GST and VAT are applied to certain food items.

There is a free trade agreement, NAFTA, however duty is still applied to things that are outside of NAFTA (or the various other FTAs Canada has with latin American countries) and shipped through the US, so if you go to the US and buy something made in India, it's going to have tax applied.

If you buy stuff from the US, concentrate on companies that are GST registered, a lot of them are, then there are no customs brokerage fees. I know people who use mailbox companies in Sweet Grass etc. also so they go down there and fetch stuff.

Also in Calgary there is simply a lot of demand for used things because it's growing quickly, that is the reason why used cars are relatively expensive. Go to the US and buy one. www.riv.ca

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

That's because of protectionism in Canada, one of the main sticking points of the proposed Canada-EU FTA.

It's stupid because Canada produces three times as much food as is needed to feed the population, but other countries impose controls on Canadian imports because of the Canadian tariffs.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/Da...609/story.html

Small quantities are exempt, so hence everyone near the border goes to the US.

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

Thanks Steve_ : Hubby had researched buying cars from the US, but even with that, comes a whole load of import costs to negotiate. There is certainly A LOT more choice when buying from the US, and also the cars are in better condition the further south you look.....

Yes, no doubt we are inexperienced in knowing where to buy things, and what to look for, so its been good to read people's comments!

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

I honestly have no idea how much groceries go for in the UK, I compare with the US, Loblaw's (aka Canadian Superstore, etc.) seems to me generally cheaper than the US equivalents.

US gallon of Tropicana for example is $7.99 at Loblaw's, never see it that cheap in the US.

You need to shop around to get good deals (duh), buying on the web in Canada isn't the option it is in other countries because of the high postal costs and you can't avoid the tax, so it often makes more sense to go to a STORE. And imx you're better off sticking to Canadian stores rather than US chains. A good example being Vision's electronics instead of Best Buy/Future Shop.

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

A lot of private car sellers don't have service histories either, and all a service history will show you is that the oil has been changed every so many kms because that's pretty much all they do for most routine services. That said I've met a few private sellers who expect the value of their car to have increased since they bought it because it has been serviced or had parts replaced :confused:

Food wise we find some things are cheaper and some things are more expensive - just get a large freezer, join Costco and buy the special offers.....