Thanks for the inital replies.
The reason that Leupold scopes (and any US made product) is so expensive up here is because of the exchange rate. For a while last year, we paid a $1.65 for each US dollar and that made imports very expensive. On top of that, I understand there is a 7% duty (notwithstanding the so-called Free Trade agreement). :-D The dollar has rebounded now due to a healthy Canadian economy and the exchange rate is currently about $1.35 and the difference is dropping almost daily. However, thanks to the fact that they hold existing stock paid for at high rates, they are rather slow to drop the prices (I hope those folks at Wholesale Sports in Calgary are reading this....Am I the only one that notices prices are very quick to rise but slow to fall?) Perhaps if I wait until spring, the prices will bne more in line. :wink:
That M1 Long Range in 3-10 (which would be a perfect fit for my needs) is $1250 at a discount retailer here as opposed to the $685 being quoted by Jon from Optics Zone. The Canadian price should be around $925 at todays exchange. Yes, we are being taken advantage of by retailers that have a smaller market and a shrinking one (shooters and hunters are a dying breed up here thanks to gun control and school teachers that preach to our children that hunting is cruel and terrible....I know first hand about that, my neice is one of those teachers. On top of that, everytime someone is murdered with a knife (which are far more common than firearm murders here), the TV news show a picture of a gun. When do you suppose the leftists will start asking for registration of knives?
Nikon scopes are not very common up here. In fact, it has been years since I have seen one at a gun shop. The big sellers are Leupold and Bushnell with a few German brands and the odd Tasco through in for a bit of choice.
Again thanks for your input and please excuse my venting.... :oops: