Price Reductions at Henrys in Canada

Can you beleive it! Henrys is actually trying to respond to the fact that the Canadian dollar is so strong. They have made a number of price reductions on Canon (and Nikon) gear. I am not sure the reductions are enough to to stem the tide of Canadians purchasing their equipment in the U.S. The walk in off the street type customers will appriciate a break.

I wonder if they are taking the hit or if Canon is actually reducing the price to them...or a combination of both.

SunTsu wrote in post #4234651
I wonder if they are taking the hit or if Canon is actually reducing the price to them...or a combination of both.

I think they are taking the hit. See below for explanation.

I've been following the price drops here: http://www.photoprice.​ca/price-drops/man=00001

Whenever a manufacturer drops the price, all stores seem to drop their price on the same day.

Curiously, if you look at the Canon PowerShot digital cameras, multiple stores move their prices on the same day, so that seems to tell me that Canon is pushing a lower price to them.

When Nikon dropped all their prices last week, it was across the board, with all stores dropping their price on the same day.

SunTsu wrote in post #4234651
I wonder if they are taking the hit or if Canon is actually reducing the price to them...or a combination of both.

It definitely sounds like them. They're advertising it as their decision.

And I agree that we would notice it across the country if it were driven by Canon themselves. Henry's is not one to lead the local market in pricing unless that means being the highest.

It's funny, their price on say, the 70-200/2.8IS is still like $500 more than at BH.

drisley wrote in post #4238439
It's funny, their price on say, the 70-200/2.8IS is still like $500 more than at BH.

Of course economies of scale do enter into the equation. B&H likely sell more 70-200 f/2.8 IS lenses in a month or two than Henrys moves in a year. I'm not making excuses for the high prices at Henrys (and other Canadian retailers) just adding another point to the discussion.

Canadian retailers still have a long way to go.
A 580EX is listed for $678 after taxes here.
B&H is $360. What a price gap.

Ardant wrote in post #4234813
I think they are taking the hit. See below for explanation.

I've been following the price drops here: http://www.photoprice.​ca/price-drops/man=00001

Whenever a manufacturer drops the price, all stores seem to drop their price on the same day.

Curiously, if you look at the Canon PowerShot digital cameras, multiple stores move their prices on the same day, so that seems to tell me that Canon is pushing a lower price to them.

When Nikon dropped all their prices last week, it was across the board, with all stores dropping their price on the same day.

Yah....good point, Ardant. That makes total sense.

It's crazy that exchange rate today was CAD1=USD0.94 and I am still seeing the OLD 580EX at Best Buy in Canada selling for $649. That's almost double what you can get the NEW 580EX for in the States.

According to my local dealer Canon Canada has made no hints, and definitely no moves, towards reducing their prices to the dealer (and, therefore, to the Canadian consumer).

As for prices, I just purchased an 85mm f/1.8 from B & H. Here are the comparisons of pre-tax prices:

Henry's - $549.99 Canadian
Vistek - $539.95 Canadian
B & H - $314.95 US (after applying a $25 US rebate).

At today's exchange rate, the B & H price comes to approximately $294.00 Canadian. That's $245 cheaper than Vistek, and $255 cheaper than Henry's.

My lens, btw, came to a grand total of $399.13 Canadian, and that was AFTER shipping (USPS International Expedited), taxes (HST), and customs ($5 handling fee - no duty or brokerage). Had I purchased from my local dealer, I would have paid $539.95 (they match Vistek prices for me) plus 14% HST for a grand total of $615.54. So, I saved $216.41 Canadian by buying from the US instead.

Henry's has a LOT of price reducing to do before they get to that point.

WalMart in Canada has started selling books and cards (that have both US and CDN prices on them) for the US price - usually about a 20% difference. In an interview I saw last night a store manager said they were getting a cut fom the distributor.

I think it'll take awhile for others to follow suite to stop CDN's from crossing the border to shop. Even other books stores like Chapters are not doing anything yet to follow Walmart's initiative.

I live about 100 yds from the Peace Arch Crossing and its a fight to get across with all the shoppers heading south.

For those that are willing to shop at Henry's still, they are now also offering free shipping for the month of November.

I will be buying my XTi from Henrys. I think they are a pretty good store with good prices (or they will match/beat prices).

About a month ago the XTi body was $750 it has dropped down to $700. (I'll be getting it for $650 cause I'm buying a few more things and getting a deal).

Local store in town (Maxwells) is also selling the XTi body for $700, so I think Canon has in fact dropped the prices, but it just may take time to see it in all the stores.

The price of Sigma lenses at Henry's has gone down.

I just printed off 3 sheets with prices from B&H and will be going to a huge camera show this weekend. I want a 580EX II and 3 pocket wizards, and maybe some more stuff. Henry's needs to sack-up, when a 580 is almost half the price!!!!! Sounds dumb, but I have a bad feeling they will not want my money, SAD!!! SOUTH IT GOES!

Its official! Henry's flat out refused to take my money! End of story.