Canadians - Where do you purchase your own equipments in Canada?

It seems that Canadian stores are ripping us off like crazy but if there are any HONEST, REASONABLY PRICED canon equipments for sale, please share. :P

Canadian prices are certainly more expensive, but if your purchase out of province, you can avoid paying PST, and shipping is usually pretty cheap. Also, at most places you can bargain a bit. And then there is the used market.

Since you're in White Rock, you can easily order from the States and have your stuff shipped to Point Roberts, WA for pick up. You still get robbed by our lovely Customs Office, but the amount you pay will still likely be cheaper than what you would pay locally.

I'd love to support local business whenever I have the chance. But when the price difference is too much, I have to choice but to purchase from elsewhere.

-Lik

I have bought virtually every piece of gear I have (check my gear list if you want) from Camera Canada. They have always been competitive and there customer service is excellent. The only time I haven't bought from them is when the item is not available from them (Kirk heads for instance).

I have always maintained that if you are intent upon doing a steady pace of adding gear it is to your advantage to try and pick one retailer and build a relationship with them. It will work to your advantage. If you jump all over the map to save a dollar here or there you show no allegiance to anyone and they won't (nor should they) try and cut you a deal.

I've always tried to support our own industry in Canada. Even when there were a few dollars to be saved by going cross border I stayed at home. I would have to save a very significant amount to shop outside of the country. The few cross border purchases I have made have on occasion been met with courier issues, additional charges, just to name a couple. It's just not worth it to me.

This is a personal choice as to where you will buy. My conscience tells me to spend my money here.

Sheldon, I agree that it would be ideal to build a relationship with a single retailer, but would argue that this only make sense if you are dealing with a local dealer. By maintaining a steady relationship with a local dealer, you would most likely receive better customer service from them, especially should things go wrong with your gear. By purchasing out-of-province, however, I don't see how that is drastically different from buying from the States. If there is an equipment problem, you'd still have to ship things back and forth, and that is a major PITA.

I would imagine that things might be slightly different for you, judging by the extensive gear list you have under your profile. However, for those of us who do not have 7 bodies, 16 lenses, and a ton of other equipment, we probably wouldn't be able to command the same amount of attention from a dealer, local or otherwise. Might as well save a few bucks, you know?

-Lik

http://www.photoexpert​.com price matches and is in Delta. He had the 580Ex II in stock before anyone else and it was priced the same as Camera Canada. Plus no shipping.

For the record, I should indicate that I bought my 300D kit locally 4 years ago, and when I upgraded this year, I bought my new toys from a local dealer as well.

When a piece of equipment is easily cheaper by 30% or more down in the States, it's hard to justify not purchasing from the cheaper store.

-Lik

http://www.simonscamer​as.com
They're based in Montreal - so you'll only pay GST. $10 Shipping + authorized dealer.

http://www.thecamerast​ore.com/
Based in Alberta, also $10 Shipping. Some items may be priced higher than simons.

I haven't actually made any purchase yet from either store - but they have good reps here: http://www.redflagdeal​s.com

Hmmm.... I *might* be over in Toronto soon and was thinking of getting myself a little something while out there. Even if the prices are more than in US they would be better than UK.

So any suggestions to where would be a good place to go and who also sell second hand stuff, would be great.

The biggest store in Toronto is Henry's (http://www.henrys.ca)​, but they aren't really the cheapest. In fact, I wouldn't say they are cheap at all -- they mostly just do standard Canadian prices. You'd want to visit their Downtown Superstore for the greatest selection.

Price-wise, Vistek (http://www.vistek.ca) is about the same as Henry's.

If you don't mind heading out of Toronto, Camera Canada (http://www.cameracanad​a.com) in London, Ontario is about 3 hours west of Toronto. Their prices are quite good, but is obviously a bit of a drive out. If you are driving to Detroit, however, London would be on the way.

-Lik

I've bought from both Simons (Montreal) and The Camera Store (Calgary) and both are excellent; I live in Ottawa.

I used to live in B.C. and Leo's on Granville Street, Vancouver was an excellent place to buy - also had (has?) an excellent used selection.

My US purchases have been from B&H and KEH.

dlemkow wrote in post #3236897
I've bought from both Simons (Montreal) and The Camera Store (Calgary) and both are excellent; I live in Ottawa.

I used to live in B.C. and Leo's on Granville Street, Vancouver was an excellent place to buy - also had (has?) an excellent used selection.

My US purchases have been from B&H and KEH.

May I ask where I can find Leo's? I live in Vancouver and I've been looking for used/discount bins to dig through.

Thanks!

EDIT: I think I found their website. Thanks! http://www.leoscamera.​com/

Thank you to all Canadians who have commented. It's ridiculous to see how lenses are marked up in Canada. I am trying to buy the Canon 85mm f/1.8 and I've researched. B+H sells it for $336, Canadian store sells it for $599. What kind of deal is this? The currency rate is going down like crazy.. I guess everyone is greedy now. From oil companies to even a small camera store.

For local, in-person purchases in Vancouver, I'd say that Broadway Camera on Broadway (& Oak) is the cheapest place to purchase. However, you have to take into account that their customer service is generally not as good, and it is totally easier to bargain with them if both you and your sales person are Chinese. As far as customer service is concerned, Kerrisdale Camera in Kerrisdale (& West Boulevard / Yew) and Beau Photo on West 6th (& Fir / Granville) are far superior.

I've also had some very good experience, both in terms of price and service, with Sunny Electronics on Fraser (just south of 41st). However, you have to realize that they are not a camera store -- they are really a consumer electronics store that also sells cameras on the side. Camera products generally have to be ordered directly from Canon's Calgary warehouse, but I have found these guys to be excellent.

Also, Don, I don't think it is the little retail stores that are trying to be greedy. They are merely trying to live by earning the small margin that they deserve. Rather, it is due to the fact that everything is more expensive here in Canada. Should we chalk it up to Canon Canada gouging us? Maybe, or maybe not.

-Lik

I was reading this thread with interest.
I have been seeking purchase of the canon ef 24-105 f/4LIS lens.
yesterday..
Went to one place in southwestern ontario previously mentioned where used and new go hand in hand ....where I purchase my camera stuff new or used and got a trade in price offering on a bought new 10 month old 28-105 f/3.5-4.5II USM(the good one) of laughly...$50.00
I got more for my FD bags of stuff taken in separately
I hadn't told them as yet what lens I wanted to trade in on....they never asked.
She just says well we could give you fifty dollars on a lens you want
I walked otta there with my cash in pocket.

I don't mind supporting the canadian industry, but the only relationships I was able to establish with the canadian sellers can be described as this:

They give me a discount on their overinflated price which still costs more than something shipped from US. Not much incentive.

Might as well order it from the states and just donate the money I saved to the local photo store.