I bought a Detroit true-track D80 LSD and master OH kit direct from Randys ring and pinion last week too, because it was almost half what local shops wanted from me.

 

Um.. PDR is in Surrey BC... And so is PEAK...

 

On the same token, if we can get it for less than that ourselves, why can't shops, who most likely buy in bigger orders than individuals, not get a better pricing? This is the reality today, with our strong dollar. If Canadian shops want to stay in business, they need to realize that we no longer pay 50% more for American goods, and that if local shops are going to continue charging as such, they aren't going to survive. I've sunk a decent amount of money into my truck, and I have only bought one part locally. And guess what, they actually beat the price of american vendors. Everything else has come from BC (PDR) or the US (PDW, Turbo Resource, Bob Wagner, DDP, etc.) DPS tried to sell me a FASS that is $450 or so (HPFP) for $750. Went to PDR for it. I got prices from Alamo Turbo on turbos and wastegates that were $500 more per turbo, and 8 weeks out, and double the prices on the wastegates. Talk to Turbo Resource, he had turbos in stock, at much better prices. Wastegates, $335 for my 44mm vs $6 something from Alamo. I've heard numerous reports of SPS turbos from your guys in the $2k range, when PDW sells them for $1400. I can understand some mark up for frieght and brokerage (remember, duty is only on products outside the NAFTA countries, so please quit using that as an excuse for pricing of most products). but $600 more? Maybe for the uneducated guy who will pay anything. But when you start dealing with guys like us on the net, who read, and search, we know what its worth, and generally where to get it.

I'm not directing this at you personally, because I don't know you and therefore, have nothing against you. But getting taken advantage of on nearly everything we buy in this province is just getting retarded!

 

Couldn't said it better myself.....Good write up Tater.I know places business need to make a profit also,but the times are changing.Its about time we had a break in prices.Myself... I shop around and have started ordering out of the US more now.Business have to adjust and instead of a 100% markup they may have to take a 50% markup.Just like the large nut that goes in the centre of the Dana 80.Dodge wanted $70 each,Auto value wanted $55 each.Found the same nut in a Dana package at the Gear Store for $10 each.I don't pay the first price,I shop around...I agree with Tate.

 

Do you need a hug Tate? They are free in Red Deer, no brokerage!!!
Just kiddin Tate. On a serious note though, I know what you mean. It's frustrating to all of us North of the boarder. My uncle who lives in Twin Falls, Idaho can buy a Silver Bullit for $1800.00 and in Canada they are $2900.00?? Doesn't make sense when our dollar is just as strong or stronger? You can't tell me it costs $1100.00/turbo to get them here to Alberta??? I might be an oilpatch worker but I'm not a stupid one...

 

Very good topic. And i know for a fact that a certain vendor has quoted me on stuff that i paid over 1k less from the states. And not only that, they service was way better. I have delt with DPS,NADP,Big Dog, CT Performance, and some other plug and plays, and i can only name one that has taken the time to help a customer. Besides that point, I do get P/O'd that some vendors think that just cause we have a triving economey that we all make 100k+ a year and blow it on our trucks. I personally put alot of money into my truck cause it makes me a pile on money and ill shop for the best deal even if the vendor is from another country.

 

I'd say about 90% of the stuff on my ride came from the states/other out of town vendors cause price is cheaper/better service---you just have to look for the deals.I just order some ARP 625 Studs,they beat any price i could find and even agreed to ship through the post office to avoid brokerage fees and picked up the shipping cost too.My best deal was last year on a new Warm16.5TI winch---best price around here was 2000.00---out of the states(New Mexico)shipped to my door was 1400.00total---Who would you buy from?.Look for the deals because there are good ones to be had especially in the states with the way the economy is slowing down.My 2 cent---no flame or war intended.DW

 

If it wasn't for the oil money around, the big name shops in Alberta would be selling pencils at the airport. I try hard to buy local, but when its a $25 bus ride away from the Wet coast, how hard of a decision is that? No duty or brokerage from BC.. ????

 

This thread is right on the money-but it's not just diesel performance stuff, it's pretty much everything anymore. The Alberta Advantage seems to have disappeared into stupid markups and stupid people....I have 3 dealerships within a 60 mile radius of me. 1 of them charges OVER RETAIL for parts sold over the counter! The other 2 are are at retail-managed to buy enough stuff from 1 of them that I can get trade-level price now-but I pretty much have to supply part #'s to them if I want to get what I want the 1st time....Even noticed that the prices I have been getting from Cummins lately have been up there-I'm going to price the next stuff across the border somewhere and see what the difference is-bet I will be shocked.

Want my specific example? I had to replace a clutch around Xmas time-decided to try and buy it here in Alberta to save freight etc. and be an all-around good guy... SB Con OFE for a 6 speed-nothing out of the ordinary. I won't name out who I priced it through-everybody will probably figure it out anyways....$1400 and none in stock. Ordered it 10 minutes later from Josh @ PDR for $770 with inventory on the shelf....

You can't tell me that PDR, Peak, Bob Wagner etc. are losing money on every sale just to run everybody else out of business so they can corner the market....they are already doing a good job of that with their customer service. I have purchased from the above 3 with stellar results everytime-and I am sure that they are not the only outfits with this kind of customer service. I played the jobber parts game for 8 years or so and have a pretty good idea of the rules of engagement. There are a certain # of people that would buy from Osama bin Laden to save 2 cents and some, like me, that will pay a reasonable amount more for excellent customer service. Double the amount is not reasonable...and if you can get an awesome price and awesome service to boot, why wouldn't you wait for the Greydog to bring your stuff over the mountains?

The Internet is a boon for those of us that know what we want and are willing to put in the legwork to find it-and a boondoggle for those whose business model is shaped around young guys with tons of disposable income...my 2 cents anyways...

Jason

 

....all so true so true......I'm so disappointed in what we have to pay for stuff "locally"


almost 95% of the non-stock parts on my truck came directly from vendors in the US or directly from the manufacturer in the US.........save for the SBC DD and mag-hytech that I've ordered from PDR. Mark and Josh have treated me real good for a canadian supplier. Kyle at Randys ring and pinion in Washington State real good to deal with for canadian destinations. I paid $900 CAD for a brand new Detroit true-trac LSD and yukon gear master overhaul kit.SHIPPED.


I can't believe theres still morons around paying the grossly inflated pricing some canadian vendors are trying to put across. I for one will not pay it......I'm sick of it. I will pay the lowest price I can for an Item.


If me Mr Joe T. Normal idiot off the street, can call up some US company and get a 40-50% lower price than a Canadian company that may have bulk buying power........there is something VERY WRONG.......I don't care what it is. Its not that I can't afford to pay those gross inflated prices (because I ARE one of those oilfield shmoes that makes six digits) but I do NOT like the feeling of being RIPPED OFF

..........Ok I think I'm done for now. I feel a little better anyways.

 

It's nice to vent sometimes, ehhhh!!!

 

Ok....so well within 3 business days of order, I have in my hands my D80 cover. FOr $290 and change bought, shipped, taxed, and whatever.........

 

Look real nice Luke....

 

How ya liking the Adrenaline???

 

haven't turned it on yet.......still seating the HG. I want to be sure........I got the Pulse moniter sitting here waiting for that too.