US prices for tools are so-o-o-o cheap with our dollar at 85 cents. The Makita 6347 is CDN$350 + 15% tax = $400. Amazon is $199-$25, free ship, no tax $174=Cdn 210. All I have to do is drive to Vermont for Christmas and pick it up.
I want a Bosch 3200 washing machine. Cheapest in Toronto is $1525+deliv
+tax $1782. US mail order $1100 no tax free deliv = Cdn$1320 - $460 difference. SWMBO thinks putting on the roof racks from Rutland to Toronto is nuts and I'm afraid she's right. But anything that fits in the trunk is fair game. :-)after 48 hours, $200 duty free, afer 7days, $750, (plus flat 7% on next $300 in either case (+gst/pst))
I suspect that US prices will rise sharply next year when the impact of the depreciated US dollar can not longer be tolerated by foreign exporters.
my 2¢ worth Nigel