Well buying a new house and caught the urge to get a spa.

The local Ottawa dealer has $3500-5500 round nordic spas and $8000-20000 fancy regular shaped ones.

Yet in the USA where for only a few more weeks I live, the price of the fancy ones are literally 1/4 or less then the Canadian stated prices. What gives. Is there something im missing thats obvious?

Have already emailed one person on ebay to see about shipping to canada costs or possibility. (just because they at least state a initial price vice playing the quote game at other sites). Ill also being driving through watertown and ogsdenburg, ny and will see if I can find a shop there to see what their near the canadian border prices will be.

Now just like cars, theres a vast price range but I cannot conceive of up to 1/8th the cost in the usa versus canadian just being reflected in quality of the brand.

So is there something im missing?

My guess would be Duties, Taxes, and anything but Fair Trade. The Fair part for you that is.

So is there something im missing?

The value of the currency? Not sure what the going exchange rate is, but I'd guess that has something to do with it as well.

Right now its about 1.10 to your 1.00. That would have accounted for up to 57% increase back 3 years ago but not any more. Duties not sure,, yes at border I could get hit in theory with 7% gst but not 300% tax.

I think a side issue is when it was 1.57 to the usd prices reflected that, but as it dropped, many conveniently didnt drop prices to match. Either way that would only account for the first 60% max of the mark up.

So many brands out there though, will have to become far more informed before buying and then compare same brand/model prices against each other.

I mean in theory if I check at the border and no major charges other then 7%. Curious as to the ship cost from lets say a new york state dealer to Ottawa would be.

When we are talking about 300-600% mark ups that is beyond crazy.

Course my lack of knowledge means I could be comparing shiny but cheap manufacter against top end top quality and also shiny manufacturer.

But if I could get one at 5k worth 20k in canada and pay 1k for shipping and border charges, you know what ill be doing.

i think you are comparing different spas - brand and model.
you need to compare same make and model for any comparison to be relevant - prices vary massively with cheap inflatable spas under $1000 up to well over $10,000 (here in Australia $3000 - $22000)
there are huge differences between all models
research what spa you want - then compare pricing

Here is something to consider. Arctic spas are made in Canada, so check their pricing. If it's a border related issue, you will see them cheaper in Canada. If not, you will still see them cheaper in the States.