Canadian Running Shoe Prices -- what gives?

[ultraslacker]

the bricks-and-mortar vs online applies to some items, but not really to shoes. I can walk into a specialty running store in bellingham and still save about 30% on my shoes as opposed to buying here. They're not quite as cheap as holabird, but pretty close.

True dat ... though, how much would it cost you to travel to Bellingham and back ? :wink:

Since I don't go there for shoes, nothing. I go there when I'm already in the area for something else (usually races, but it could also be a general shopping trip). Last time I was passing through there I picked up my Inspires for $100.

[HCcD]

the bricks-and-mortar vs online applies to some items, but not really to shoes. I can walk into a specialty running store in bellingham and still save about 30% on my shoes as opposed to buying here. They're not quite as cheap as holabird, but pretty close.

True dat ... though, how much would it cost you to travel to Bellingham and back ?

Since I don't go there for shoes, nothing. I go there when I'm already in the area for something else (usually races, but it could also be a general shopping trip). Last time I was passing through there I picked up my Inspires for $100.

You can get the Inspire 6 off the RR Clearance Online for $49.99, if they have your size ...

They are now reduced down to $103.00 at the store that I work at now vs $149.00 at the other retailers ... So, yeah, the Retailers do have the option in lowering their margins, should they feel the desire ... So, I guess it is the Consumer's decision and choice to shop where they get the most bang for their Loonies, eh !!!

[Fast Trax Flunky]

They are now reduced down to $103.00 at the store that I work at now vs $149.00 at the other retailers ... So, yeah, the Retailers do have the option in lowering their margins, should they feel the desire ... So, I guess it is the Consumer's decision and choice to shop where they get the most bang for their Loonies, eh !!!

Unfortunately, our desire to lower the margins gets overwhelmed our desire to, you know, continue existing as a business. And eat.

[HCcD]

They are now reduced down to $103.00 at the store that I work at now vs $149.00 at the other retailers ... So, yeah, the Retailers do have the option in lowering their margins, should they feel the desire ... So, I guess it is the Consumer's decision and choice to shop where they get the most bang for their Loonies, eh !!!

Unfortunately, our desire to lower the margins gets overwhelmed our desire to, you know, continue existing as a business. And eat.

And, as a result, may leave a lot of p-t staff out on the street ... which may result in reducing the amount of little shops and keeping the Bigger Player's around, which means less competition and, in the end, lead to even more higher prices for the consumer ....

[Plods]

(OP here). Thanks all.

I did look around Ottawa -- Sports 4, Bushtuckah, etc. -- and no men's Kinvaras at less than $129. It's a bit frustrating, as I would prefer to buy here.

Interesting though, I was looking at trail-running shoes, and La Sportiva Wildcats seem to be priced very similarly in Cda and the US. This suggests to me that there might be something to the notion that the price-differentials are driven by manufacturers or distributors (or I wonder if the tariff structure is different somehow for European companies importing to the US and Canada?).

Anyway, I did buy the Kinvaras through Amazon. Ordered Friday, here by Monday. $103. Saved about $43.

E.

[HCcD]

(OP here). Thanks all.

I did look around Ottawa -- Sports 4, Bushtuckah, etc. -- and no men's Kinvaras at less than $129. It's a bit frustrating, as I would prefer to buy here.

Interesting though, I was looking at trail-running shoes, and La Sportiva Wildcats seem to be priced very similarly in Cda and the US. This suggests to me that there might be something to the notion that the price-differentials are driven by manufacturers or distributors (or I wonder if the tariff structure is different somehow for European companies importing to the US and Canada?).

Anyway, I did buy the Kinvaras through Amazon. Ordered Friday, here by Monday. $103. Saved about $43.

E.

I find that weird, 'cause the regular price for the Kinvara's at the Bushtukah is $119.00 and, if you use the current Val-Pack coupon, there is an additional $10.00 discount for regularly priced shoes ... or a 10% Club Discount, if you are a member on a registered club ...

[Plods]

I saw them at $129. Weird or not.

But I am not really trying to stir up a dispute about how much the shoes cost at Bushtuckah -- more just hoping to get some understanding of why the US and Canadian shoe markets are so different.

E

[HCcD]

I saw them at $129. Weird or not.

But I am not really trying to stir up a dispute about how much the shoes cost at Bushtuckah -- more just hoping to get some understanding of why the US and Canadian shoe markets are so different.

E

Next time you need shoes, head down to the Kanata location ...

[ceileigh]

(OP here). Thanks all.

I did look around Ottawa -- Sports 4, Bushtuckah, etc. -- and no men's Kinvaras at less than $129. It's a bit frustrating, as I would prefer to buy here.

Interesting though, I was looking at trail-running shoes, and La Sportiva Wildcats seem to be priced very similarly in Cda and the US. This suggests to me that there might be something to the notion that the price-differentials are driven by manufacturers or distributors (or I wonder if the tariff structure is different somehow for European companies importing to the US and Canada?).

Anyway, I did buy the Kinvaras through Amazon. Ordered Friday, here by Monday. $103. Saved about $43.

E.

I find that weird, 'cause the regular price for the Kinvara's at the Bushtukah is $119.00 and, if you use the current Val-Pack coupon, there is an additional $10.00 discount for regularly priced shoes ... or a 10% Club Discount, if you are a member on a registered club ...

Does it have to be an Ottawa based registered club? Could RM get to be a registered club with Bushtukah?

[HCcD]

(OP here). Thanks all.

I did look around Ottawa -- Sports 4, Bushtuckah, etc. -- and no men's Kinvaras at less than $129. It's a bit frustrating, as I would prefer to buy here.

Interesting though, I was looking at trail-running shoes, and La Sportiva Wildcats seem to be priced very similarly in Cda and the US. This suggests to me that there might be something to the notion that the price-differentials are driven by manufacturers or distributors (or I wonder if the tariff structure is different somehow for European companies importing to the US and Canada?).

Anyway, I did buy the Kinvaras through Amazon. Ordered Friday, here by Monday. $103. Saved about $43.

E.

I find that weird, 'cause the regular price for the Kinvara's at the Bushtukah is $119.00 and, if you use the current Val-Pack coupon, there is an additional $10.00 discount for regularly priced shoes ... or a 10% Club Discount, if you are a member on a registered club ...

Does it have to be an Ottawa based registered club? Could RM get to be a registered club with Bushtukah?

If enough people mention RM, we could likely get a Club Status .. Though, in the meantime, anyone could just go to TriRudy.com and register free .. it's a "virtual" Club but, estabished ... If you are looking for the pink kinvara's for women, they have beeen marked down to $95.00/pair ...