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Buy your Kites in Canada. Exchange Rates & Other Considerations

Buy your Kites in Canada. Exchange Rates & Other Considerations

Great canadian Kite Company - kite shopOnce in a while we get a call from a customer who comes across a American price on a kite and thinks they are getting a great deal... until they get their credit card statement!

Some of these folks don’t understand how exchange rates work and when the smoke clears, what they thought was a great deal ends up costing them much more than they bargained for.

What's the scoop?  Well, kites generally trade in US dollars, and as such, when our Loonie is soft it makes kites a little more expensive.  This being the case, buying kites in Canada can help you avoid credit cards surprises and customs costs and delays.

Of the many things we are proud of at the Great Canadian Kite Company. we take pride that we can compete well with often larger US kite retailers. Sometimes though, Canadian kite shoppers believe better deals are to be had south of the border, BUT we are working hard to make sure that we are your first choice for quality kites and kite accessories!

Before you make that purchase from the USA, consider:

Exchange Rates - There are many currency converters online.  It is important to understand that these converters will give you a rates based upon the most recent close of the currency market and do not include the fee that your credit card issuer charges for processing the exchange.  This could be anywhere between 2-5% in addition to the online exchange rate.

Current exchange rate + Credit Card Exchange Fee x  Cost of item in US Dollars = cost in Canadian funds.
(example:  1 US dollar = $1.30 Cdn. + 3 cents C.C. exchange Fee x $100 US = $133 Cdn)

 As indication only, here is the Bank of Canada's Online Currency Exchange Calculator

Shipping Cost - Free Shipping on US sites usually mean in the continental USA, and don't usually apply to Canada.  In general, the shipping costs (in adjusted currency) are very similar and often you will receive your kite sooner from us.  Unfortunately, your order from the States can be at the mercy of Canada Customs and their processing volume.

Import Costs & Fees - Many folks have expressed surprise of having to pay more for their item at time of delivery.  Many report Sales Tax (GST or HST) payable at time of delivery.  Some have been hit with broker costs and processing fees from $25 - $80 depending on how their kites are shipped.

After-Sale Service -  We pride ourselves on "being there" even after the sale is done.  Don't misunderstand me, many US kite retailers are great as well, but as your home-grown Canadian Kite Shop, we can generally address your concerns, part requirements, etc. and get them delivered to you faster and always at a competitive price.

Returns & Exchanges - Great Canadian Kite Company has one of the most generous return and exchange policies and making your exchange or return is faster and easier than doing so back to the USA.  Shipping costs are often significantly less and turn around times much faster!

Special Orders - We have a good inventory of in-stock kites and accessories.  Many of these are elite kites from some of the Best Kite Makers in the world.  We choose our suppliers very carefully and have endeavoured to build good relationships with them.  As such, if we don't have that special kite you want in stock; we are often able to special order.  Quickly and easily!

Canadian Jobs & Canadian Economy -  We are a family owned and operated Canadian Kite retailer based in Taber, Alberta.   We support kite events and charities in Canada.  When you buy from us you are supporting Canadian small business, who in turn invest in the local economy.

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Kite Flying is for Lovers!

flying Kites at Writing on Stone Provincial ParkThis year Andrea and Mike (owners of the Great Canadian Kite Company) are celebrating 30 years of marriage!   They are often asked what the secret to staying married so long is - to which Andrea usually responds -WINE! Lots of wine! LOL!

They will also tell you that developing hobbies and things to do together (aside from work and racing the children) allow you to make time to have fun together!  Kite flying is one of those activities that have provided many hours of fun for them.

Mike enjoys launching the larger single line kites and making a bit of a display.  HeGreat Canadian Kite Company flying kites
enjoys his dual line and quad line sports kites as well.  Andrea tends to reach for her quad-line Revolution kite.  It’s not unusual to find them flying in a local soccer field, or a provincial park somewhere.

The two like flying together and are working away at some semblance of a quad line kite team - which usually ends with laughs and one or two oops!   It has been good for communication, even if that communication involved a few colourful metaphors!

One lesson Mike had to learn was to relax more with his kites when flying with his family.  It took him a while to realize that kite flying needs to be fun for all involved and getting too uptight about the kite getting damaged, or how involved the family was tended to suck a lot of joy out of the family time.

Mike came to realize that kites can be fixed, and with the right attitude even untangling kite line can be a Zen experience too.  It is so great to help your children and friends learn to fly kites.  The big smiles as they complete their first loop is worth the effort!

Mike and Andrea snuck away last evening to a local park with their Rev kites - and even being eaten alive by mosquitos - they had a great time.

It was especially good for Andrea.  She has a stressful job in healthcare with long hours.  She has found flying kites is a great way to unwind, deal with stress and have some fun!  “Even setting up the kite, attaching lines is relaxing.” She said.

Great Canadian Kite Company is owned and operated by a Canadian family of kite flyers - people who enjoy kites - together.  Running one of Canada’s best online kite stores is just an extension of that passion.

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Canadian Dollar & Kite Prices

Great Canadian Kite Company!As anyone who has been watching the value of the Canadian $$ versus the American has noticed, it appears as if the days of parity have disappeared for a while.  While in many ways this is good news for the Canadian manufacturing and the resource sectors, it will begin to impact prices on our imports, and yes, this includes kites!

I am preparing for my trip to the Kite Trade Association International (KTAI) meeting in Las Vegas at the end of the month.  I will be meeting with a number of kite manufacturers to see the latest, hottest kite products coming to the market.  We work closely throughout the year with our suppliers to ensure we are in the loop and you can access some great kites. 

(Watch our Facebook Page for Posts from Vegas starting Jan. 29)

Many of the manufacturers are also seeing their manufacturing costs increasing and some are being squeezed for manufacturing time forcing them to anticipate demand much further in advance than before.  Of course these cost get passed on down the line. We are seeing our product costs and the Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) of many of our kite products firming.  In addition, the Canadian dollar's relative weakness compared to US currency is putting increased pressure on kite prices in Canada.

We are fortunate for a number of efficiencies that allow us to continue to offer some of the best kites and accessories at really competitive prices - even with the US retailers. Purchasing your kites and kite accessories from the Great Canadian Kite Company will ensure:

  • Competitive pricing
  • Quality products & service
  • In house parts
  • Special / Custom Orders - Quick & Easy
  • Easier exchanges and returns (See our generous Return Policy)
  • Prompt After Sale Service
  • No surprises like extra fees, taxes and duties
  • No exchange rate shock on your credit card statement
  • Your Orders don't get bogged down clearing Customs

Great Canadian Kite Company is celebrating almost a decade in the Kite business, and we have taken pride in doing the best job we can to provide quality kites and accessories at FAIR, competitive prices.  The best part continues to be the opportunity to serve many, many of you over again!  We are so grateful for your patronage!

Below is a graph showing the change in the relative value of the Canadian dollar to the US.  Typically, we as consumers do not pay this price on our credit card purchases, as the card issuers generally charge 1-5% for margin.  Check with your credit card company for further details.  

As a courtesy, here is a link to RBC to demonstrate what might be indicative of a consumer exchange rate. Exchange Calculator

 

Graph source: https://www.google.ca/finance?q=CADUSD

 

 

 

 

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Why People Choose Great Canadian Kite Company?

Repeat business, and customer referrals from happy satisfied customers like you help us continue to offer quality, affordable kites and kite accessories. Your kite flying experience should be awesome and our goal is to help you get the most out of the products you need and want.  We don’t just sell kites, we fly them too.  We are small town folks, with small town values like honesty, integrity and hard work.  It’s no accident that we work hardto provide professional service, and an e-shopping experience that provides value to you.

Here are just three ways we add value to your purchase with Great Canadian Kite Company!

We sell great kites!  We are really serious about this.  We work with reputable kite manufacturers who stand behind their products and have inventory for parts.  

We choose kites that provide great value  performance and quality at a fair price.  We don't raise prices only to put them on sale, nor do we increase our prices to offer free shipping!

No hassle shipping!  Some competitors offer free shipping but check the fine print!  Often these offers don't include Canada and often don't mention the custom brokerage costs when the kite is delivered.

 

 

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Setting up your New Dual-Line Stunt Kite

With summer coming to an end and fading into autumn, we managed to get some breathing time to get out to the kite field today, a lovely day in Taber, Alberta, Canada.  

Jake and I took the opportunity to do a home-spun video on setting up your new dual-line stunt kite.   The kite used in this video was a trick machine by Into the Wind - The Trickster - a super cool kite loaded with features for the intermediate pilot.

We have also included a short bit on the anatomy of a stunt kite but we will be doing video's specific to this subject and many others in the weeks to come!

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