American vs Canadian pricing: is something finally happening?

glengine

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If it was worthwhile I would go south. Got one more year on the old warping M1K, then probably get a couple M8s. Not too worried about warranty, both will be visiting Linderman before I ride them. Where in the US is good for Canadian shoppers? In Alberta Dons speed parts, Ralphs and Chunks are the ones I have heard the best things about. Don't care to support my local dealer because there isn't one. I work hard to earn my income, I would like someone to work hard to earn my business. It would have to be a substantial savings for me to buy sleds in the states, but I would never rule it out.

From what i have found it is pretty tough to beat the pricing and service from don's for cat stuff.
 

KawisakiRider

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If it was worthwhile I would go south. Got one more year on the old warping M1K, then probably get a couple M8s. Not too worried about warranty, both will be visiting Linderman before I ride them. Where in the US is good for Canadian shoppers? In Alberta Dons speed parts, Ralphs and Chunks are the ones I have heard the best things about. Don't care to support my local dealer because there isn't one. I work hard to earn my income, I would like someone to work hard to earn my business. It would have to be a substantial savings for me to buy sleds in the states, but I would never rule it out.
I would think if you where going to buy 2 at the same time it would be worth it. As for the best place, the further south generally the cheaper.
I've never bought a sled/quad down south but I did buy a 2011 holiday trailer this spring from Ohio and only paid $22999. The cheapest I could find the same trailer in Canada was $39999 and it was in Quebec.
 

imdoo'n

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If it was worthwhile I would go south. Got one more year on the old warping M1K, then probably get a couple M8s. Not too worried about warranty, both will be visiting Linderman before I ride them. Where in the US is good for Canadian shoppers? In Alberta Dons speed parts, Ralphs and Chunks are the ones I have heard the best things about. Don't care to support my local dealer because there isn't one. I work hard to earn my income, I would like someone to work hard to earn my business. It would have to be a substantial savings for me to buy sleds in the states, but I would never rule it out.

why not send out a quote for a price to all the area dealers, let them crunch the numbers. i have done it before, can save ya a few $.
 

eclipse1966

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i am in the trading business and one reason we pay higher is because of transportation costs especially in ocean freight rates where the Americans can pay half the value that we pay. Once we pay the ocean freight cost then CP/CN have us over a barrel. We have complained to the transportation industry for years but it is falling on deaf ears :rant:
 

snopro

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I have to agree with that ..
Why not let you local dealer try to compete ... They work just as hard for there $$$..

Sadly dealers can not compete because they are not on a level playing field. If you buy in the States you're better to just go do it without your dealers knowledge so not to create hard feelings. It's like holding a carrot in front of his nose and then taking it away. Some dealers understand, some don't.
 

-lenny-

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I will definitely ask all the dealers reasonably close to me (none are local) for price quotes before I do anything. When I go to the US I have my 5th wheel behind me, so I would have to make another trip with the sled trailer. Fuel, time, pain in the ass. Like said, it would have to be a substantial savings before I would go. But to say I need to go to the local dealer just because he is local is bunk. Remember the part about earning business. It is not owed.
 

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I tried to buy a new sxs from a supporting vender here and he wouldnt budge for 90 bux he said been doing this for over 20 years and that is the price,so i found one 2 years newer and all accesories in for less than his 08 leftover was also have full warrenty not 90 days
 

TROLLCAT

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don't expect any changes soon from what I seen on the news last night (feds said we know the people are upset we'll look into it get back to yah before christmas)
 

imdoo'n

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you may as well check with dealers around your area, at least give them a chance, and you will find your down to a hundred or so difference. dealer has to make money to stay in business and warranty/service work is important. the us dealers may not sell to you(canuklehead)outright, but can sell a "used unit". your warranty is us only and your local dealer may put you at the back of the line. it is up to you.
 

TROLLCAT

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If you ride a CAT you won't need warranty OOPS
there I go thinking out loud again
 

MOMMA

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I work in a dealership and here are some observations I've made in the last few months. Our major suppliers, such as Polaris and Honda are answering the calls of the Canadian Consumer in response to our strong Canadian Dollar. Polaris is offering a price protection, and Honda Has come in with Lower prices for some of their 2012 inventory. I think we need to focus on our Canadian market and not deplete our own economy by cross border shopping. Save you a few bucks?.... sometimes.. but there are major disadvantages, and not just as it relates to the Canadian Economy. Take Honda Generators, for example. The Honda Generators in the states are actually different than the ones in Canada. They come in a tiny bit cheaper.. not a lot, but a tiny bit cheaper, but there are actually HUGE differences, one being a cold climate protection on the exhaust system. (it is actually about a 300.00cdn value for the cold climate kit) The Canadian ones have it, the Us ones do not. Snow blowers.. same thing check out the engineering of the Honda snow blowers in Canada as compared to the ones in the US. there are differences.. Our Honda Canada engineers are responding to the Canadian consumers input and trying to create a product in direct response.
Saving money is just a reality of life, so hopefully dealers respond to this. I have 4 kids, so believe me I shop very very carefully. Some dealers are on thin ice, as far as their own financial stability. I have noticed some sleds being quoted out at cost. Not sure if they are just trying to blow the units out. Great for the consumer in the short term, but your local dealer may be a thing of the past if they don't have the numbers to make a go of it during this season of instability.

Interdependence.... we are all connected some how... especially in the Motorsports industry.
 

glengine

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From the retail prices in the US for a new cat M8 compared to the price we paid for our 2012's this year there is less than 100.00 difference. And yah the dealers would give you a deal down ther from retail but even if i took the incentives from snocheck off the US price. I give cat credit for not making worth while to even bother lookin into the states to buy a sled if you are from canada casue it aint worth it to go south for one of there's. I just wish doo would also step-up to plate and quit screwin canadins on sled pricing up here when the s;eds are built in canada. But as long as people pay it and dont complain to there dealerships and also to BRP customer service why would they change it.

I agree totally with momma in the fact that there is a need to support dealers that earn your business, so that they will be around for the long haul when you need them. Also i know delerships that you buy a unit from and then you need parts or warranty stuff and you have a sled trip planned and time is tight and you talk to them and make it work so you can ride. If you bought the unit from the states and then took it to them you are alot less likely to see that happen. Right down to some dealerships will pulls parts off of a new unit to keep you goin if you bought from them. There are downsides to gettin from the us for sure as you can gaurantee your dealers in your "local" area wont be nearly as willing to go the extra mile for yah like pushin to get warranty on something that might be questionable. I have had dealerships go to bat for me for warranty stuff before and it sure is nice to have the extra support from them at times.
 
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