Black Friday is just two days away and B.C. retailers are slashing their prices to entice shoppers to spend money locally.
Even so, that won’t stop some shoppers who insist it’s still cheaper to shop in the U.S. But heading south of the border, doesn’t necessarily guarantee a better deal.
After years of watching Canadian customers spend their hard-earned dollars across the line, local retailers have adopted a new attitude – if you can’t beat them, might as well join them.
At Oakridge Mall, more than two dozen stores are offering special Black Friday deals, and since it isn’t a holiday here tomorrow, some of those sales have started already.
Some retailers are offering the exact same promotions on both sides of the border.
At Old Navy, the price differential is higher.
For example men’s and women’s jeans will be going for $19 and hoodies for $15. But Canadians are paying about 25 per cent more for exactly the same thing.
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Global News also price checked a couple of toys.
The Disney Princess Dolls are on sale at Superstore’s Black Friday event for 8 dollars each. In the U.S., you can find them for as low as 5 dollars.
Lego is another product which always seems to be at a premium here.
Walmart has the creative building kits for $20 Canadian, but $15 in the U.S.
Electronics are some of the most popular items on Christmas lists.
For the first time, Best Buy is holding a Black Friday sale with prices they claim will rival Boxing Day.
“So many Canadians cross the border, and we want them to shop with us,” says Janine Ball with Best Buy Canada. “Why cross the border when we have amazing deals here?”
That’s not just a sales pitch. Global News found Canadian pricing on electronics to be very competitive.
The Samsung 39″ LED TV is $398 at Best Buy on both sides of the border.
A 50″ LED TV is just under $700 Canadian and American.
And the Canon Rebel Eos T3 with a lens is $400 at staples. That is 50 cheaper than the US.
“Our shoppers are becoming more educated by the moment, and if they go online, they will be pleasantly surprised at the fact that they are really going to find deals of exceptional value, and again even cheaper here,” says Ball.
But the most worthwhile investment may be to avoid the shoving and pushing at the aisles that has now become synonymous with Black Friday south of the border.
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