Canadian Retailers Pricing in USD - Page 4 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

CliffFletcher · 01-19-2016, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducay

I imagine they'll flip back to CAD pricing as soon as that becomes advantageous, and collect on the backend.

Actually, they've been using US dollar price banding for about seven or eight years now.

CorsiHockeyLeague · 01-19-2016, 09:32 AM

The funny thing is that board games are pretty good value even at the higher prices SB apparently charges for them. I've only bought a couple of things there, and they were Xmas gifts, so I didn't even notice any of this.

Looch City · 01-19-2016, 09:37 AM

I bought Catan last year on Amazon for $27. Now I'm seeing it in stores for $70+ when it used to be $40-50. Can't see how that's worth it anymore.

Cecil Terwilliger · 01-19-2016, 09:44 AM

I notice that retailers using USD are most often a rip off. As others have mentioned, and I've noticed this especially in the comic book store industry, that when the loonie is at par they still charge more (USD plus 25% seems to be a common one). And when our $$ is low they charge Western Union type rates. Obviously not all are like this as mike has already referenced his store tries to keep pricing fair.

A place like Chapters though is actually the worst. Even when our dollar was par and the USD/CAD prices weren't being adjusted on books to match Chapters just left all their prices in CAD. It's hilarious. Who in their right mind is going to pay $39.99 for a book priced at 24.99 in USD that they can get on Amazon for 22.99?

Hack&Lube · 01-19-2016, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mickey76

The Sentry Box is really something, my wife and I were in Calgary a few months ago and stopped in for the first time on a Sunday afternoon. It was full of people gaming, people painting (I have no idea what) and the selection was amazing. We browsed for a few hours and neither my wife or I are really gamers. I will say though she squeezed my arm a little tighter the first time we walked past a gaming table.

Squeezed your arm tighter out of joy or fear?

Hack&Lube · 01-19-2016, 10:33 AM

Is it actually legal to have retail shelf items listed in a foreign currency only to find that it is being converted at the till?

It seems to me that there would be laws against that.

mikephoen · 01-19-2016, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Is it actually legal to have retail shelf items listed in a foreign currency only to find that it is being converted at the till?

It seems to me that there would be laws against that.

We have signs posted throughout the store. No one is trying to trick the customer. And yes, of course it's legal. You can price everything in bitcoins or bottle caps if you want. There are stores that don't have prices on anything, and you have to ask someone, like car dealerships and some high end furniture places.

Slightly off topic, but I was blown away by the fact that Kit and Ace doesn't accept cash as a payment option. Now that is weird to me...

CorsiHockeyLeague · 01-19-2016, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iggy City

I bought Catan last year on Amazon for $27. Now I'm seeing it in stores for $70+ when it used to be $40-50. Can't see how that's worth it anymore.

I actually don't think it's that bad; even if you only played it ten times, at two hours a game, that's $3.50 per hour of entertainment. But yeah, you can definitely get it for under $50 pretty easily.

I've been looking around for a copy of Puerto Rico. To my great surprise, the Anniversary Edition sells for about $300.

mikephoen · 01-19-2016, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

I actually don't think it's that bad; even if you only played it ten times, at two hours a game, that's $3.50 per hour of entertainment. But yeah, you can definitely get it for under $50 pretty easily.

I've been looking around for a copy of Puerto Rico. To my great surprise, the Anniversary Edition sells for about $300.

I don't normally solicit sales on message boards that I frequent... but since you asked, we sell Puerto Rico for $44.99 (Canadian dollars) at the NW location of Phoenix Comics. The cheapest on Amazon.ca is 57.77 (plus 29.99 shipping).

One of the best board games of all time in my opinion.

cam_wmh · 01-19-2016, 11:51 AM

Newb here.

I haven't played a good boardgame in eons. mike, would "Puerto Rico" be the one to get?

ken0042 · 01-19-2016, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikephoen

Slightly off topic, but I was blown away by the fact that Kit and Ace doesn't accept cash as a payment option. Now that is weird to me...

I only took one semester of contract law in college, but I seem to recall at the time it was against the law for somebody to not accept cash as payment; as long as the denominations were correct. (Meaning you couldn't pay with more that a certain number of pennies, etc.)

Kjesse · 01-19-2016, 11:53 AM

The amount of vitriol pointed at businesses who price in USD -- where they get their supply from -- amazes me. Sure you can get deals on amazon etc etc., but if Sentry Box has been using US price tags for years good on them... its being more honest with their customers. If you want a store like that to remain in Calgary (and I understand it has a pretty spectacular inventory) where you can browse and immediately buy, support it. If you don't, don't. But their policy seems to be fundamentally honest and supports a small but strong niche.

Kjesse · 01-19-2016, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

I only took one semester of contract law in college, but I seem to recall at the time it was against the law for somebody to not accept cash as payment; as long as the denominations were correct. (Meaning you couldn't pay with more that a certain number of pennies, etc.)

Still is the law: http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/a...52/page-1.html

mikephoen · 01-19-2016, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Newb here.

I haven't played a good boardgame in eons. mike, would "Puerto Rico" be the one to get?

It's truly a great game, but it might be a little on the complicated side if you haven't played board games much. Settlers of Catan is a good game to start out on, especially if you're trying to find one to play with your wife or to introduce new people to boardgames that are better than Monopoly etc.

If you're more experienced and looking to play with other experienced board game players, then Puerto Rico would be a great one to try.

There's a board game thread in the Food and Entertainment sub forum as well, and there is lots of great talk about the many great games out there in that thread.

mikephoen · 01-19-2016, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

I only took one semester of contract law in college, but I seem to recall at the time it was against the law for somebody to not accept cash as payment; as long as the denominations were correct. (Meaning you couldn't pay with more that a certain number of pennies, etc.)

Interesting... they flat out refused my cash there. And I had pretty close to exact change.

CliffFletcher · 01-19-2016, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Newb here.

I haven't played a good boardgame in eons. mike, would "Puerto Rico" be the one to get?

Puerto Rico is an excellent game. I've played and rated almost 400 games, and own 150, and Puerto Rico is firmly entrenched in my top 10. However, it is a brain-burner. You need to make a lot of forward calculations, and be aware of what your opponents need and the actions they're likely to take. Experienced players will absolutely destroy newbs.

So I wouldn't recommend it as a something to ease in a group of people new to hobby boardgaming, or who just want to play casually. Games like Settlers of Catan, Through the Desert, and Ticket to Ride are more accessible and forgiving.

CorsiHockeyLeague · 01-19-2016, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikephoen

I don't normally solicit sales on message boards that I frequent... but since you asked, we sell Puerto Rico for $44.99 (Canadian dollars) at the NW location of Phoenix Comics. The cheapest on Amazon.ca is 57.77 (plus 29.99 shipping).

Sold... only issue is when I have time to get in there when you're open.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Newb here.

I haven't played a good boardgame in eons. mike, would "Puerto Rico" be the one to get?

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikephoen

It's truly a great game, but it might be a little on the complicated side if you haven't played board games much. Settlers of Catan is a good game to start out on

Catan's a good game (there's a reason it seems to be the gold standard), but it depends on who's playing. It can get really tense if the people who are into it are highly competitive. When I go back home, I basically cannot play it if both of my Cousins (brothers) are playing.

Ticket to Ride (or TTR Europe) are good gateway games. Catan's a better game on the whole, but those two are more accessible.

PsYcNeT · 01-19-2016, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by driveway

Who the hell is still playing 3.5? Pathfinder dude.

3.5 + Tome Of Battle is better than Pathfinder IMO, but dif'rnt strokes and all that.

mikephoen · 01-19-2016, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Sold... only issue is when I have time to get in there when you're open.

Catan's a good game (there's a reason it seems to be the gold standard), but it depends on who's playing. It can get really tense if the people who are into it are highly competitive. When I go back home, I basically cannot play it if both of my Cousins (brothers) are playing.

Ticket to Ride (or TTR Europe) are good gateway games. Catan's a better game on the whole, but those two are more accessible.

We have pretty convenient hours, 9:30 AM to 10:00 PM Monday to Friday, 10:30 to 8:00 on Saturdays and 11:00 to 8:00 on Sundays. Parking in the back.

mikephoen · 01-19-2016, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Puerto Rico is an excellent game. I've played and rated almost 400 games, and own 150, and Puerto Rico is firmly entrenched in my top 10. However, it is a brain-burner. You need to make a lot of forward calculations, and be aware of what your opponents need and the actions they're likely to take. Experienced players will absolutely destroy newbs.

So I wouldn't recommend it as a something to ease in a group of people new to hobby boardgaming, or who just want to play casually. Games like Settlers of Catan, Through the Desert, and Ticket to Ride are more accessible and forgiving.

Through the Desert and Ticket to Ride are also great games and highly recommended! Dominion is also an amazing game, and not too hard for new players to learn. A slight step up from the above ones, but not a huge step. One good thing about Dominion is that people who are bad at it will still have fun playing it, and won't realize how badly they are losing until you score the game at the end. And then you start the next round and all is forgotten!