SOME CONSUMERS
would be surprised if they
were to check prices and
warranties before consider-
ing a cross-border  elec-
tronics purchase, according
to local businessman Dave
Johnson.

By Pamela Lang
Features Reporter

_ “Electronics has changed a lot
in pricing,’’ he said, and those
changes have lead to a closer pari-
ty between prices in Canada and
the United States.

He added that a product has to
be about 35% cheaper in the U.S.
to create a break-even point for
the consumer when considering
factors such as transportation
costs, exchange rate, and con-
sumer protection.

“Some will get a deal, but most
are being taken.”’

As the local service centre for
many electronics brands, the
Dial-A-Movie stores {of which
Johnson is part-owner) have
received many requests for repairs
from consumers who made their
purchases across the border.

“They are confronted by having
no warranty,’ he said, adding
that buying in the United States
frequently leads to being short-
changed on a warranty.

Johnson explained that no mat-
ter where @ product is sold, the
serial number can trace it back to
the country where it was sold. The
warranty is determined not by the
manufacturer or the country
where it was made, but by the
government of the country where
it was sold.

A Canadian warranty can last
up to four times longer than the
equivalent American warranty.
Camcorders, primarily made in
Japan, typically have a 90-day
warranty in the U.S., while in
Canada the same product will be
required to have a warranty of
one to three years.

Johnson also said that while
Canadian-made electronics were
once considered inferior, there are
No reasons not to buy them now.
In fact, he said, most television
sets sold by his company are made
in Canada.

With the elimination of the
13.59% manufacturer’s tax when
the 7% Goods and Services Tax
was introduced, Canadian-made
electronics have dropped in price,
he added.

Other prices have been affected

THAT WAS
THEN ...

Friday, Nov. 20, 1992 - North Shore News - 25

RON MILLS of Heritage Oak and Pine says his company stocks
99% Canadian-made furniture.

PADRAIG Wool Slippers

Handcrafted in North Vancouver
? infant to Adult sizes from $19.99
B available at

PANBDACHidrers, Shoes|

CAPILANO MALL

NEWS phceto Nelf Lucento

Free standin:
and insert models
available

CONVENIENT

2 Elfa Baskets
° Wire shelving
« Accessories

simply by a changing industry: 7 4 at
Camcorders now start at $800 — * Siesniger closet

two years they were all over installed or Do-It-yourself
$1,200, he said. . : Mirror Doors .
Johnson’s bottom line: “if Melamine finish

eee ae Connttaee | ould be Showroom Open Nion-Sat. 9-5

Sart of what we a CANADIAN CLOSET

Part of what we are paying for
‘A family owned business since 1984”

with our tax dollar is the system
“8. 4385 Crown St. NVan. 986-4265

iD PINE & OAK FURNITURE
Br g KW OAKWORK Bat

e Dining recom tables and chairs

PINE H ARVEST « Large selection of futon beds
TABLES * Entertainment Centres * Bookcases

From 399 e Bedroom Suites »* Wardrobes
At CE. 9599) eet §=* BUNK beds » PLUS MUCH MORE !!

ECONOMY

Sarvice available for all gas apotiances.

SOLID PINE
BUNK BEDS

BLOWOUT, “BOO

furniture to fit your needsy
right in our factory.

HURRY! ff 1s | BEDS |
SALE | | 7081142 Boundary Rd., Burnaby

ENDS & ; {Across 2nd Narrows, left on Hastings , right on Boundary)

SGON! ee | fee PHONE 291-1488

NEEL
- OPEN: MON.-FRI. gam-6pm. SAT. 9am-Spm, SUN. 12noon-Spm.