Apple Canada Price Gouging?

BUY NOW!

2008-12-08T11:11:00.003-05:00

There's good news and bad news for this update.

The good news is, well Canucks, we're finally getting some payback after being gouged all these years. Yes, we're getting a break on the pricing.

The bad news is, it's primarily due to the tanking Canadian dollar.

If you look at the table you'll see that we get some darn good deals, particularly on the more expensive items such as the Mac Pro. We're talking hundreds of dollars on some items.

It's fair to say that these deals won't last long. Apple will no doubt revise the prices more in line with the exchange rate (and no worse we hope) when the products are upgraded. The Mac Pro is overdue for an update and it wouldn't surprise me that MacWorld Expo San Francisco in January will see some product announcements.

Don't take financial advice from me, but I doubt if we'll see dramatic improvements in the exchange rate soon. So if you can live with the older models, now may be a good time to buy.

Latest Gouging Data

2008-12-08T11:10:00.002-05:00

Apple Canada Price Gouging?

Updated	2008-12-08				Max	1%
Exchange Rate (USD/CAD)	1.25708				Avg	-16%


Product	U.S.A.	Canada	Should be	Gouged	With 13% tax	%
AirPort Express Base Station	99.00	99.00	124.45	(25.45)	(28.76)	-23%
AirPort Extreme Base Station	179.00	199.00	225.02	(26.02)	(29.40)	-13%
Aperture 2	199.00	199.00	250.16	(51.16)	(57.81)	-23%
Apple Cinema Display 20"	599.00	699.00	752.99	(53.99)	(61.01)	-8%
Apple Cinema HD Display 30"	1,799.00	2,099.00	2,261.49	(162.49)	(183.61)	-8%
Apple LED Cinema Display 24"	899.00	999.00	1,130.11	(131.11)	(148.16)	-13%
Apple Remote Desktop 3.2 (10 clients)	299.00	349.00	375.87	(26.87)	(30.36)	-8%
Apple Remote Desktop 3.2 (unlimited clients)	499.00	599.00	627.28	(28.28)	(31.96)	-5%
Apple TV 160 GB	329.00	349.00	413.58	(64.58)	(72.97)	-18%
Apple TV 40 GB	229.00	249.00	287.87	(38.87)	(43.92)	-15%
Apple Wireless Keyboard	79.00	79.00	99.31	(20.31)	(22.95)	-23%
Apple wireless Mighty Mouse	69.00	69.00	86.74	(17.74)	(20.04)	-23%
Final Cut Express 4.0	199.00	199.00	250.16	(51.16)	(57.81)	-23%
Final Cut Server (10 clients)	999.00	999.00	1,255.82	(256.82)	(290.21)	-23%
Final Cut Studio 2	1,299.00	1,499.00	1,632.95	(133.95)	(151.36)	-9%
iLife '08 Single User	79.00	79.00	99.31	(20.31)	(22.95)	-23%
iMac 20" 2.40 GHz	1,199.00	1,299.00	1,507.24	(208.24)	(235.31)	-16%
iMac 20" 2.66 GHz	1,499.00	1,599.00	1,884.36	(285.36)	(322.46)	-17%
iMac 24" 2.80 GHz	1,799.00	1,899.00	2,261.49	(362.49)	(409.61)	-18%
iMac 24" 3.06 GHz	2,199.00	2,299.00	2,764.32	(465.32)	(525.81)	-19%
iPod Classic 120 GB	249.00	279.00	313.01	(34.01)	(38.43)	-12%
iPod Nano 16 GB	199.00	219.00	250.16	(31.16)	(35.21)	-14%
iPod Nano 8 GB	149.00	169.00	187.30	(18.30)	(20.68)	-11%
iPod Shuffle 1 GB	49.00	55.00	61.60	(6.60)	(7.45)	-12%
iPod Shuffle 2 GB	69.00	75.00	86.74	(11.74)	(13.26)	-15%
iPod Touch 16 GB	299.00	329.00	375.87	(46.87)	(52.96)	-14%
iPod Touch 32 GB	399.00	429.00	501.57	(72.57)	(82.01)	-16%
iPod Touch 8 GB	229.00	259.00	287.87	(28.87)	(32.62)	-11%
iWork '08 Single User	79.00	79.00	99.31	(20.31)	(22.95)	-23%
Logic Studio	499.00	499.00	627.28	(128.28)	(144.96)	-23%
Mac Mini 1.83 GHz Combo Drive	599.00	649.00	752.99	(103.99)	(117.51)	-16%
Mac Mini 2.00 GHz SuperDrive	799.00	849.00	1,004.41	(155.41)	(175.61)	-17%
Mac OS X Server (10 clients)	499.00	499.00	627.28	(128.28)	(144.96)	-23%
Mac OS X Single User	129.00	129.00	162.16	(33.16)	(37.47)	-23%
Mac Pro Base	2,799.00	2,899.00	3,518.57	(619.57)	(700.11)	-20%
MacBook 2.0 GHz	1,599.00	1,749.00	2,010.07	(261.07)	(295.01)	-15%
MacBook 2.1 GHz White	1,299.00	1,399.00	1,632.95	(233.95)	(264.36)	-16%
MacBook 2.4 GHz	999.00	1,149.00	1,255.82	(106.82)	(120.71)	-10%
MacBook Air 1.6 GHz 120 GB HD	1,799.00	1,999.00	2,261.49	(262.49)	(296.61)	-13%
MacBook Air 1.86 GHz 128 GB SSD	2,499.00	2,749.00	3,141.44	(392.44)	(443.46)	-14%
MacBook Pro 15" 2.4 GHz	1,999.00	2,149.00	2,512.90	(363.90)	(411.21)	-16%
MacBook Pro 15" 2.53 GHz	2,499.00	2,699.00	3,141.44	(442.44)	(499.96)	-16%
MacBook Pro 17" 2.5 GHz	2,799.00	2,999.00	3,518.57	(519.57)	(587.11)	-17%
MobileMe Single User	99.00	109.00	124.45	(15.45)	(17.46)	-14%
QuickTime 7 Pro for Mac OS X	29.99	37.99	37.70	0.29	0.33	1%
Shake	499.00	579.00	627.28	(48.28)	(54.56)	-9%
Time Capsule - 1 TB	499.00	529.00	627.28	(98.28)	(111.06)	-18%
Time Capsule - 500 GB	299.00	329.00	375.87	(46.87)	(52.96)	-14%
Xsan 2	999.00	1,099.00	1,255.82	(156.82)	(177.21)	-14%
Xserve	2,999.00	3,199.00	3,769.98	(570.98)	(645.21)	-17%

Change the name of this blog?

2008-10-16T10:01:00.000-04:00

Hmm, with the plummeting Canadian dollar, it looks like we're actually getting a deal for a change, instead of getting royally screwed. I know this won't last, but it will be interesting to see how fast Apple adjusts their prices when most of the Canadian prices are equivalently cheaper than the U.S. price. Historically, Apple only adjusts prices when they refresh a product. We'll see.

P.S. Why such a long time since I last updated?

My last post was at the end of April and I usually update once a month. I was going to update near the end of May but not much was happening. Then my personal life was turned upside down when two immediate family members died within six weeks of each other. Then my daughter needed to get settled in a "fixer-upper" apartment to start university, and finally, I'm out of a job due to budget cutbacks. Recession? What recession?

Yup, I've had better years.

iMac upgrade brings gouging sidegrade

2008-04-30T19:35:00.000-04:00

While the iMacs got a speed bump, Apple Canada customers felt that bump in the rear as Apple Canada continues to price gouge around 100 loonies. I guess Ted Rogers must be driving a hard bargain to let His Steveness sell the iPhone in Canada. Apple Canada has to make up the profit from somewhere.

Yes, it will be interesting to see if we can compare Canadian and U.S. iPhone sales given the myriad ways of pricing cell phones. But whatever, you and I both know that both Apple Canada and Rogers Wireless will stick it so far up Canadian customers' butts that we'll be able to view the iPhone screen from the inside of our heads.

Siooma Apple Canada.

More price drops, more gouging. Yawn.

2008-02-26T19:12:00.002-05:00

The iPod Shuffle 1 GB dropped substantially in price from USD$79/CAD$89 to USD$50/CAD$55 and was joined by the 2 GB Shuffle at USD$69/CAD$75. Those $6 we shell out to Apple Canada for each and every Shuffle, just for being Canadian, gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling – the same feeling you get after being slapped in the face.

The iMac 24" 2.8 GHz dropped USD$$50/CAD$60 but that wasn't enough of a drop in the CAD price to bring parity. Nope, Apple Canada still gouges by 9% ($200 with tax).

The Canadian price for the MacBooks and MacBook Pros dropped $100 across the board, except for the high-end Pros, which saw a $200 price drop. But, we're still being gouged about $80 for the MacBooks and $150 for the Pros after taxes. Apple Canada just can't bring themselves to do the right thing.

I think there must be much whining, moaning, and groaning at Apple Canada HQ for every Canadian price drop. It hurts them so much to even acknowledge how badly they've been gouging us before. Yet, they're comforted by the fact that they still gouge Canadians an average of 11% over the U.S. price.

To Apple Canada let me say just one last thing – siooma.

Aperture 2 brings price drop

2008-02-12T19:39:00.000-05:00

Apple upgraded Aperture 1.5 to version 2. With the upgrade came a price reduction of USD $100 and CAD $150 resulting in price parity. One can conclude from this that Apple does believe that U.S. and Canadian prices should reflect the exchange rate. Or, one could conclude that this is just a coincidence and that Apple Canada prices things pretty much any way they want.

MacWorld 2008 Price Analysis

2008-01-17T21:30:00.002-05:00

Am I the only one that was disappointed with the announcements? Oh well, Apple can't hit home runs every time. I have many thoughts on the products, but this is not a product analysis blog, it's a price gouging watch blog.

The Apple TV dropped in price:

Product	Old CAD	New CAD	Old USD	New USD
Apple TV 160 GB	$450	$350	$400	$330
Apple TV 40 GB	$330	$250	$300	$230

Still gotta gouge, don't ya Apple Canada?

I'm not really sure if the iPod Touch Canadian price was lowered or if I had a bug in my script. I'll refrain from comment on this item.

The MacBook Air and Time Capsule products were added to the list. Of course, Apple Canada absolutely must gouge us. I guess us Canucks are paying for the huge expansion going on at the Apple campus in Cupertino. How this benefits us is a bit of a mystery.

At least we know what to expect from Apple Canada. They will consistently gouge us.

But there's one more thing (on this blog, if not the keynote)…

Has Apple Canada forgotten about WebObjects??? This product has lead the gouge list since I started this months ago. It's priced hundreds of dollars more (over 50%) than the U.S. price. Maybe there are no web developers in Canada so Apple Canada doesn't feel the need to lower the price. Or maybe, any sane developer buys the product in the U.S. or as a registered Apple Developer. Whatever the reason, you've got to admire Apple Canada's chutzpah.

MacWorld Products

2008-01-15T21:26:00.000-05:00

Please have patience while I upgrade the price list from the MacWorld announcements. Things are really busy at work and at home, so I'm a bit pressed for time (I haven't even had time to watch the keynote). Tomorrow, hopefully…

Pre-MacWorld updates — still gouging

2008-01-09T18:21:00.000-05:00

Apple surprised much of the media by releasing a new Mac Pro and Xserve a week before MacWorld San Francisco. So, let's see what they've done…

The first thing in the chart is that Apple Canada is no longer gouging on the Apple Quad-Channel 4Gb Fibre Channel PCI Express Card. They dropped it from $1180 down to $1000, the same as the U.S. store. About time.

Apple Remote Desktop saw a big price reduction on the U.S. store down from $500 to $300. Nice to see since this product was way overpriced. And Apple Canada's new price? It dropped from $600 to $350. Still $50 more than in the U.S. and this for a piece of software. It costs no more to sell this product in Canada than in the U.S., yet Apple Canada continues to gouge us. What a bunch of jerks!

The Mac Pro basic unit before customization saw a big jump on the U.S. store from $2500 to $2800, but it is a more capable unit. Apple Canada's price is $2900. Apple Canada believes that Canadians need to pay 3% more for this product than their U.S. customers. Hey Apple, if you want that price difference, I will in fact pay it. Just bend over so I can shove it up your arse — 100 Canadian loonies should do it.

The new Xserve is the same price on the U.S. store at $3000. But the robber barons at Apple Canada are gouging us for another $200 at $3200.

Let's face it folks. Apple Inc. is subsidizing their customers on the backs of Canadians. That's nepotism at its worst. I guess the execs at Apple Canada like to make the big bucks by gouging their customers. Either that or they don't want to see a price disparity but haven't got the gonads to stand up to His Steveness.

Take it or leave it Canada.

Waitin' for MacWorld

2008-01-08T18:44:00.000-05:00

Just cooling my heels waiting to see what Apple will announce at MacWorld and to see if Apple Canada is still going to gouge us. They should at least use this opportunity to address the ridiculous disparity of items that haven't been changed in months. Get with it, Apple!

New version of Final Cut Express brings price drop

2007-11-16T10:52:00.000-05:00

Apple upgraded Final Cut Express from version 3.5 to version 4. There was also a price drop from $300 to $200 that was reflected in the Apple Canada store too.

The upgrade price dropped in Canada to match the U.S. price, but the U.S. price did not drop to reflect the lower price of the full version. Instead of being one third the price of the full version, the upgrade now costs you 50% of the full version. We knew Apple couldn't get everything right.

Great YouTube Video

2007-11-06T09:53:00.000-05:00

Reader boris has created this awesome video. Take a look.

Record high gouging

2007-11-06T09:39:00.000-05:00

Congratulations go out to Apple Canada for hitting a new record high of gouging Canadians 70% more for WebObjects and an average of 23% across the board.

Apple is using the Great Canadian Apple Corer® to ream you out of hundreds of dollars on PowerBooks, monitors, and software.If you were to go out today and buy a:

Mac Pro Base
Apple Cinema HD Display 30"
iWork '08 Single User
Apple Wireless Keyboard
Apple Wireless Mighty Mouse
.Mac Single User
iPod Touch 16 GB

Apple Canada would be proud to gouge you to the tune of $1051 more than U.S. customers, and the Canadian governments would take an additional $147 for a total of almost $1200. Think of what else you could buy with that money.

Well done, Apple. You've maintained your prices in spite of negative consumer and political publicity. You're a role model for all Canadian retailers.

New .Mac Pricing — still being gouged!

2007-10-29T11:45:00.001-04:00

Apple lowered the .Mac pricing but for some bizarre reason, it's still higher than in the U.S. even though the Canadian dollar is worth 4.6¢ more than the U.S. dollar.

Product	Old CAD	New CAD	USD
.Mac Family Pack	$230	$200	$180
.Mac Single User	$140	$110	$100

I guess Apple Canada's moto is, “We gouge less.” But they still gouge.

The average for all sampled products is now 19% compared to the 15% when I first started watching this over a month ago.

Why does His Steveness hate Canada so much?

OS X Leopard price parity

2007-10-16T23:34:00.000-04:00

Apple Canada has made Mac OS X Leopard available for preorder on the Apple Canada store and priced it the same as the U.S. store at $129. With the exchange rate, it should be about $126, but who's going to quibble over $3?

This jibes with what some people were saying in that Apple only updates pricing on new product releases or updates. That doesn't make their gouging on other products right, it's just what they do. Like it or shop in the States.

Apple discussion thread removed?

2007-10-04T11:00:00.000-04:00

I tried to view the thread titled, “Canadian Prices a 40% premium!!”, over at Apple's discussion forums but when I try to view it, it says I'm not authorized. It seems the thread has been removed.

Well, it is their support forum so they can suppress complaints about pricing if they wish. I guess they really don't want people to be aware of what's going on. They must be embarrassed and know what they're doing is wrong, otherwise they'd want to hear from their customers.

See Google's cached page, or click the image on the right.

Help spread the word

2007-10-03T09:25:00.000-04:00

Canadians need to be informed about Apple Canada's price gouging.

Please get the word out to your friends and other web sites. Scroll down to the bottom of the table and click the email icon to tell your friends.

Sites who are helping to get the message out:
Geek Culture (one of my favourite cartoons).
Macintouch (Scroll to Sep. 27, 2007).

Let me know if you see other sites helping out.

Welcome – prepare to weep

2007-09-26T20:00:00.000-04:00

The Apple Canada online store has historically charged far more for some products than is warranted by the Canada/U.S. exchange rate for no apparent good reason. Apple remains silent on why that is.

From a consumer perspective, this is price gouging. Plain and simple.

Since most products are shipped from China, the shipping to Canada or the U.S. should be the same, especially since the air cargo flights come through Alaska.

I wanted to see how bad the gouging really was so I cobbled together a perl script to grab the pricing data of a few products from both the Canadian and U.S. stores. Pass that through Excel and what you see here is the product.