Where to buy in Canada ??

[beauregard]

I am located in Montreal, I am in the market for a 20D, I don't want to order from the states because of customs, can anyone suggest a merchant anyhwere in Canada ?

[yenoram]

Try the following:

http://www.cameracanada.com/

http://www.thecamerastore.com/Pages/indexII.html

I spoke with "the camera store" yesterday and they hadn't received their 20D shipment and their waiting list is 40 people long.

My guess is Henry's (http://www.henrys.com) will probably received the first shipment.

[drisley]

One of the best, most highly regarded camera shops in Canada is actually located in Montreal.
It's called Simon's Cameras... http://simonscameras.com

[DaveG]

I am located in Montreal, I am in the market for a 20D, I don't want to order from the states because of customs, can anyone suggest a merchant anyhwere in Canada ?

I'd find a camera store in Montreal, if I was you. The 20D's will be selling for $1999 Cdn, in Canada, period. And that will be ANYWHERE and EVERYWHERE in Canada. So even if you buy it at Vistek, Henry's or your local shop, you'll pay the same. At those other places you'll also have the previledge of paying for shipping, which you obviously won't if you buy it in Montreal.

My feeling was (and continues to be) that buying the camera body in Canada is a smart move. If something is going to break it's more likely to be the camera than a lens or other assessory. If it does have to go in for repair you could bring it back to the local shop and they'll send it off for you, once again keeping some money in your pocket. If you have to send it to Canon directly or back to say Vistek, then the shipping's on you!

[yenoram]

I agree with Dave that the price in Canada is likely to be the same everywhere. Not only that, the $2000CDN price compares favourably to the $1500US price even at today's exchange rate. At today's exchange rate, it will cost you $1,973CDN to buy $1,500US so it looks like the Canadian price for this camera is pretty much on par with the US price :D

That being said I would still seek to purchase from out of province to avoid paying PST. My understanding is that as long as the supplier doesn't have a location in multiple provinces there is no requirement for the seller to collect PST. Of course buying from PST-free Alberta (i.e., The Camera Store) will ensure you don't pay PST.

[beauregard]

I have known about them for 35 years, and I've never liked their service, I was there recently for an urgent buy and I must say they're not getting better

[DaveG]

I agree with Dave that the price in Canada is likely to be the same everywhere. Not only that, the $2000CDN price compares favourably to the $1500US price even at today's exchange rate. At today's exchange rate, it will cost you $1,973CDN to buy $1,500US so it looks like the Canadian price for this camera is pretty much on par with the US price :D

That being said I would still seek to purchase from out of province to avoid paying PST. My understanding is that as long as the supplier doesn't have a location in multiple provinces there is no requirement for the seller to collect PST. Of course buying from PST-free Alberta (i.e., The Camera Store) will ensure you don't pay PST.

Yeah you're still going to pay GST and the shipping cost will half that PST savings. And the first time you send it away there goes it all. For $70 (half of the 7%) I'd buy from Fred down at the local.

[drisley]

It's actually cheaper for me to buy the 20D online in Canada than from B&H.
First of all, with the conversion rate, the price is almost equal.
Shipping from the US would be atleast $60, while from CameraCanada it's only $15.
Also, you pay GST and PST from the states, but only GST from CameraCanada if you live outside Ontario.
I think I would save almost $200 buying the 20D in Canada vs BH Photo.

As far as Simon's is concerned... they were awesome when I bought my camera there this year.
However, in subsequent calls about lenses, etc, they seemed to show that usual french "attitude". They sounded like you were wasting their time when you asked questions, even questions about price and availability.

[IanD]

beauregard,
Try L. Lauzeau on St Hubert. Talk to Michel. Good people. Another good shop is Royal Photo on Bellechase I believe.

[Persian-Rice]

Buy from camera Canada I will tell you why.

If you buy locally, first of all, it will be hard to compete with the prices of cameracanada. Second, if you purchase it from another province, you will not be charged any pst. Now considering this is a $2000 camera, that is quite a heft chunk.

Cheers.

[beauregard]

Like I said before, I've known them since I was a kid taking my photography course in the Cegep's of 1971/2 (gee ... I'm old), back then, they were the only choice in town but now, we got internet ... sorry guys ... you'll have to try harder ...

[drisley]

The only real camera shop in my town has prices that are SOOO ridiculous, I often phone to check just for giggles.
As an example, the 70-200F2.8L is almost $3900! :shock: :lol:

[beauregard]

If we agree that if the camera needs repair at one point, it has to be sent to Canon by the owner, than the price becomes the only important criterium and if buying from another province saves you the PST, than shouldn't that be the obvious strategy ??