Does the rising Canadian dollar affect you?

[Simpler Simon]

Did a quick search for this topic and the most recent thread was this (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=198628&highlight=canadian+dollar), but it's mostly focused on comic books and the topic is wider than that.

So the Canadian dollar just recently hit a 30-year high, and is equal to or slightly above the American dollar, depending on daily fluctuations. I'm not an economics major, so I have no idea what the long term effects of this boom will have on both countries, or how long it will last. I do know that as an average joe and consumer north of the border, prices on goods and services are starting to feel severely outdated and high. We're paying based on MSRP's that are still some 20% higher than their American counterparts. Even with retailer discounts, you're still paying quite a bit more than the actual dollar value should reflect.

Case in point: my mom was taking a trip last month and wanted to buy a book for the plane, but she balked when she saw the store prices. Why was she paying $11 for a book in Canada that only cost $8 in the US? Maybe that's simplifying things a bit, but I saw her point.

Thoughts? And how's this affecting people stateside?

[J'onn J'onzz]

It typically wouldn't affect Americans much aside from Canadian imports, which... there honestly aren't much of here.


Though it must suck having outdated prices not adjusted for (reverse) inflation.

[Lazerboy5000]

Well it all depends on the conversion factor. I didn't think that an American Dollar equaled a Canadian Dollor.

[The Falcon]

when you say the book cost $11 and $8, do you mean canadian or america?

cause if it cost 11 canadian dollars in canada and 8 american dollars in the US, then she's getting ripped off worse than the inflation curve seeing as a canadian dollar is worth more than an american dollar now. if the canadian dollor is worth 2 american dollars (i don't know if that's actually correct), then the book, in the united states, should only cost 4 canadian dollars if we are to assume the US price is correct. it's actually all up to the retailer, though

the rising canadian dollar shouldn't affect us in the US unless we import or export with canada. importing goods from canada will be more expensive to us as it would take more of our american dollars to purchase a canadian good. so, in essence, we'll be importing less from canada. on the other hand, we'll be exporting more goods to canada, since in comparison, our goods are cheap

example? i'll be drinking less canadian whiskey and canada will be drinking more american beer

[Simpler Simon]

if it cost 11 canadian dollars in canada and 8 american dollars in the US, then she's getting ripped off worse than the inflation curve seeing as a canadian dollar is worth more than an american dollar now.

That's pretty much it. The current exchange rate is 1CDN=1.01US. The best I've seen is some smaller comic chains re-pricing manga volumes at the US cover price, and bookstores offering a 20% discount on select Marvel/DC graphic novels to closer match the US price. But nothing suggests any major overhaul is coming with regards to other goods like electronics, music, and such.

I'm also curious how this will affect the Canadian film industry too, since many US productions always came to Canada for the cheaper costs. Will they use Toronto to double New York when it might cost the same to shoot in New York?

[Wanted]

if the canadian dollor is worth 2 american dollars (i don't know if that's actually correct), then the book, in the united states, should only cost 4 canadian dollars if we are to assume the US price is correct.Ouch... you're thinking of Great Britain Pounds. No way is the Canadian Dollar becoming worth twice as much as a dollar.

But, since most publishers have an office in and print from Toronto (or some similar city), it doesn't make sense that books should cost 20% more... at all. DVDs, those still have to be imported, so I can see the reasoning there.

If Canadian farmers sell wheat to American producers, that's pretty much the only area I can see (as of now) being affected by the change of exchange rates.

[The Falcon]

Ouch... you're thinking of Great Britain Pounds. No way is the Canadian Dollar becoming worth twice as much as a dollar.

But, since most publishers have an office in and print from Toronto (or some similar city), it doesn't make sense that books should cost 20% more... at all. DVDs, those still have to be imported, so I can see the reasoning there.

If Canadian farmers sell wheat to American producers, that's pretty much the only area I can see (as of now) being affected by the change of exchange rates.
actually, i think i was thinking of the euro... lol. just realized my major used to be economics. i'd have been rich if i stuck with it... canada rich

[Wanted]

Canada rich, America rich... is there a difference?

:D

[The Falcon]

Canada rich, America rich... is there a difference?

:D
there is now