I’m laughing today. Not so much in a ha-ha-funny way, but more in an “unbelievable” way 🙂
See, I’d been thinking about how much fun it is to have Global Purchasing Power, specifically in regards to Amazon. Let me explain.
A couple of years ago Adam Ant released a box set of his works but I had trouble finding a copy. A few weeks ago I tried once more to get it off Amazon but it was unavailable at .ca and at .com I decided to try their market place as a last-ditch and found the best price to be from a .ca one who was starting at $38 (plus s&h) whereas .com was at $48 (plus s&h). However, in reading the details and realizing it was coming from the uk, I smacked myself in the head in realization that Adam is from the uk which means it should definitely be in stock at amazon.co.uk. Guess what? It was. And after purchase AND s&h and conversion to Canadian funds, the cost came out to $35. Score!
I’d been using the .com and .ca trick for a while now, getting stuff from .com for a lot less than .ca in many cases. This was my first foray into .uk and I must admit it’s great being able to get “accounts” at each of those sites with all my info intact.
Now, the funny part. I won an amazon gift certificate recently and was asked my choice for either .com or .ca. As I’m won’t to do, I went through my wish list to get those expensive items that I’ve always wanted but didn’t think I could allow myself. The first, namely, being the complete ST:TNG series. The difference was about $50 cheaper at .com so I asked for that (there were two items on my list, the second being about $50 less at .ca)
My certificate came today and I applied it to my .com account and then checked my cart… the price had gone up by $45!!! ack! I gained nothing by having a .com certificate especially if it ends up that I pay customs charges on it when it comes in! I could have gotten a .ca account and easily paid for both items from there.
Too funny. But at least it’s also more fun than playing Gas-Lotto these days (trying to find the cheapest gas station in the area…)