We pay higher taxes because of the social programs our left wing government offers, not because some people choose to import. If you want taxes to go down, then vote left wing. I can look at and argue the main points of globalization from both viewpoints, as both sides have very valid arguments. You, however, can only argue on an emotional level, without any rationale at all.

As for your investment banker friends, that is fine they feel that way, but if they are only able to look at an issue from one left wing veiwpoint such as yours, then they are obviously narrow minded and got their jobs through connections I went to a business school, and trust me, the majority of these students are capitalistic and would disagree with you. Besides, investment bankers only look at numbers and figures, and are not as knowledgable in things such as marketing. They are good at valuing stocks, bonds, comnpanies, etc.

As for your point about less revenue generated here, that is a very ignorant point. The service industry is now where the majority of employment lies, as our economy has adapted from manufaturing to services with globalization and the outsourcing of manufacturing jobs. I will state again, professional services is where the $ is these days, and your investment banker friends were smart in choosing that line of employment from a financial standpoint (although I'm sure they just love inputting data 14-16 hrs a day on a computer for the first 2 yrs of their career ). The inflow of employment in services has more than offset the outflow of manufacturing. Therefore, our economy has adapted, and overall the Canadian standard of living has increased!

[ October 30, 2004, 01:35 PM: Message edited by: Kool ]

 

Yes a lot of electronics are manufactured in Japan, but a lot of the North American distributers are based in the US, meaning a lot of the products come through the US first. This is the reason the products in question are priced lower in the US, less middlemen taking a piece of the pie.

However, why does it matter that I referred to the US? You are caught up on this because you obviously have ill feelings toward the US and argue on an emotional level as a result. Regardless, the products are coming from somewhere other than in Canada and I don't value any service the middleman (shops) can offer me. I prefer to buy driect, as I am an informed consumer. People like me should not be put down because we value low prices over customer service.

Again I will state I am NOT part of the target market of shops, whether they want to believe it or not. If they are suffering as a result of free trade and want to compete with the same value offering of international competitors, then it is time to find a competitive advantage on which to compete, as well as a new value proposition to consumers.

[ October 30, 2004, 01:25 PM: Message edited by: Kool ]

 

[quote]Originally posted by Kool:

Quote:

Yes a lot of electronics are manufactured in Japan, but a lot of the North American distributers are based in the US, meaning a lot of the products come through the US first.

as in american company yes
as in japanese comanys i say your wrong
the japanese company own the companys in canada
why would they ship them to the stated and then to canada

 

Many of the North American distributors for foreign manufacturers are located in the US, who then sell to distributors in Canada (This is especially the case for high end products for which many Canadian distributors are unable to make large enough purchases for due to a small market for high end products). While some foreign manufacturers sell directly to Canadian distributors, this is not the case in many instances. Take Rainbow, a German speaker company, for example. They sell to a distributor in the US, who then sells to Kankar in Canada to distribute. The same goes for DLS, and many other high end products (different distributors of course). While these manufacturers aren't Japanese, you get my point.

I did not say foreign (non-US) manufacturers NEVER sell directly to Canadian distributors, as there are several different distribution strategies a global company can use. However, regardless of how you look at it, you are being hypocritical, as purchasing products from foreign manufacturers goes directly against your generalized point of supporting Canadian business. $ is flowing out of Canada if you are purchasing foreign manufactured goods. If you truly feel you should support Canadian business, then only buy goods from companies that are headquartered in Canada.

And let me just clarify that most often I do not buy from US retailers, as this would require me to pay full retail price, shipping, customs, brokerage, etc It is a pain to get a product from a US retailer over the border without an amount that would make it more expensive than purchasing from a Canadian retailer. I make contacts with people that can get me dsicounts Why pay retail when all you have to do is watch the for sale forums [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[ October 30, 2004, 02:27 PM: Message edited by: Kool ]

 

[quote]Originally posted by Kool:

Quote:

However, regardless of how you look at it, you are being hypocritical, as purchasing products from foreign manufacturers goes directly against your generalized point of supporting Canadian business.

name one canadian head unit manufacturer
im refering to supporting the retailer
im sure you could live not supporting any local retailier
and our economy would do just fine if we do like you do
as i said the main distributors which are japanese so the bulk of sales they have distubution centers in canada and get product direct

and i never said i was anti american
i said i was pro canadian
you know the difference
i want jobs to be there for my kids
if everybody shopped like you do our economy would be down the **** hole

 

All of the head unit manufacturers I can think of are headquartered in Japan and by purchasing their products you are contributing to an outflow of $ from Canada [img]tongue.gif[/img]

And read what I write, because I said MANY, not ALL, foreign manufacturers sell to a North American distributor first, who then sells to a Canadian distributor. I even gave you an example.

It is easy to tell from reading your posts that you are anti-US. It was heavily implied when you mentioned the trade disputes (i.e. beef, lumber, etc.).

And get ready for the future, as global competition will only increase. Again you are not reading what I write as you keep pounding on your lost jobs rant. I will say this one more time. Our economy has, and continues to, adapt towards a service based economy. If you want your kids to have a job, then make sure they get post secondary education and choose a service-type job rather than a manufacturing type job. Professionals are paid very well [img]smile.gif[/img]

There will continue to be a need for the local shop, as there are many uninformed customers out there that value the customer service received in a shop. This is explicitly stated in a few of my posts. Again I will state, I AM NOT PART OF THE TARGET MARKET FOR A LOCAL SHOP. A business can not target an entire market. It is basic marketing! THEY ARE NOT CATERING TO MY NEEDS!

As I stated earlier, if I just give away money to support others, it will be to a charitable organization, not to something I place no value in such as high pricing and better customer service in a local shop.

[ October 30, 2004, 03:11 PM: Message edited by: Kool ]

 

as far as i understand it cool if i were to spend $110 at a local store a portion that i spend will pay for somebodys job as well as some of it will remain in our local economy

if i was as educated as you are i would spend my money abroad so that i could show people how i don't really give a **** about my local economy

has nothing to being educated or not
i beleive it is total self centered ignorance

 

Self centered ignorance? lol Self centered means I care about only myself, yet I have said in my posts I would give to charitable causes. Ignorance means I am uninformed, yet I think I have done a pretty good job proving I am more informed than you in this area.

I do care about the Canadian economy as I am a proud Canadian. [img]graemlins/cf2.gif[/img] However, paying the wages of the sales guy at my local shop is being wasteful with $ in my opinion. Besides, at several shops I have been to I know the products better than the salesmen. The unethical sales tactics of many commissioned salespeople was actually what put a sour taste in my mouth. That is what got me looking for deals in the forums when my interest in car audio first began. I'm by no means saying all salespeople are unethical, but I encountered several.

I'm sure the installers are more knowledagble than me with custom work, and this is where the most $ is for shops. However, I like to do my own installing as it is a hobby and it gives me a feeling of accomplishment to finish a job myself. I suppose next you will be telling me I should not participate in such a hobby so I can pay your wages

[ October 30, 2004, 06:08 PM: Message edited by: Kool ]

 

i don't get this i know more than the salesman mantality
do you need to go into a store to prove something
if you are so knowlageable go in buy what you want and leave

as in being informed you have yet to prove that the japanese distributors are warehoused out of the states

i have been in this industry for over 20 years and have been told by the canadian distributors that they get there stuff from japan

and as in your global theory is nice

but no matter how you look at it the more money spent at you own level
the more wealth there will be there
increasing the likely hood that some of that money will filter back to you and your local economy
that money also goes toward taxes the inturn pays more taxes
which then decreases the amount of taxes needed to keep the economy going

dons't take a marketing genius to figure that one out

 

I said a lot, not all.

RE, Adire, Kicker, RF, PG, JL...all US companies. Where they are manufactured is a different story, however. Maybe you think these brands are crap, but many Canadians buy these brands up here. Are they being un-Canadian for buying US products in Canada?

Bottom line, your points are contradicting. You want to keep our money here, yet it's ok to support Japan's economy by buying their stuff. As it was said before, many things that we use in Canada ultimately comes from somewhere else, so "buying Canadian" doesn't mean jack. Unfortunately, there isn't a whole lot of electronics that's Canadian and made in Canada. Besides, Canada's economy reflects on USA economy. If I buy from Future Shop, they buy from a distributor, and distributor gets it from a foreign country.

I think your blind patriotism is clouding your theory of economics. Why don't you paypal me some money and I'll go support my local retailer? It's pretty much the same thing if I buy something that's overpriced locally...it's like giving money away for the sake of someone's wages? They can worry about their own wages, thank you.