In what is great news for our fellow Transformers fans in Canada as well as thousands of employees, two press releases today confirm that Toys R Us Canada is here to stay!
We noted in April that Fairfax Financial Holdings submitted a bid for the Canadian equity of Toys R Us according to the ongoing U.S. bankruptcy case. That bid ultimately proved successful.
Toys R Us Canada is now a proudly Canadian-owned and operated business employing more than 4,000 Canadians and Canada’s only exclusive coast to coast business with over 80 locations dedicated to kids and babies across Canada. As Canada’s leading toy and baby retailer, we are thrilled to be part of the Fairfax family and to now operate as a reinvigorated company that is 100% Canadian. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our valued customers for their loyalty with us over the last several months.
This news ironically arrives on the very same same day of the U.S. corporate headquarters liquidation sale and not long after Australia’s branch entered administration. Read the full press releases here and then join in the discussion threads on the 2005 boards!
Vagabond Elf
Yes? Canada is 2% larger than the US with 10% of the population. Driving a truck 300 km costs the same either way, but there's 10 times as many people paying to put something in that truck in the US. Of course Canadian shipping cost more.
Also, the US goverment limits USPS rates much more than the Canadian crown limits the CPC.
Is Amazon really ripping off the US Postal Service?
So it's two things: canuk shipping is really high, compared to the world – and US shipping is really low.
RKillian
I would almost consider ordering from TRU Canada online just to spite American retail. But I can't imagine they'd have many takers with the outrageous shipping barriers in place. You can mail five pounds of garbage from China for "free" but TPTB make it all but impossible to trade with another English-speaking western nation right next door.
Hexatron
If they bring on more TRU MPs I'll give them my money appart from that I can't spend much there. Granted this is more a dislike of MOST current hasbro products and not because of TRU. In my local TRUs transformers has, possibly, the smallest selection/display area compared to other lines. Honestly the Voltron and Power Rangers displays are bigger.
RodimusSupreme
I imagine so.
Rewind
It was at the height of the Beanie Baby craze so it was probably some boring duty fee or tax reason, but still it was hard not to laugh at the border agent.
RodimusSupreme
Rated X
Believe me I know why only the southern border is being targeted. Lets just say the threat is about protecting an endangered species…
Hoffman
Yeah, more or less. There can be some minor differences between like…New York and Arizona, but it's generally the same.
Which is really frustrating because the differences within Canada are massive. I actually had to jack up shipping rates to Newfoundland and the territories because the shipping rates would devastate an order for me.
And that's exactly why ecommerce has trouble growing here. It's really really hard to be competitive and profitable at the same time.
Henriquedematos
Woooosh
RKillian
It doesn't help that last time I looked into buying from you, Canada Post charged the same flat rate anywhere in the country. Folks in the Toronto or Montreal area would get more business from New Englanders (and vice versa) if we* weren't charged as if you were in Vancouver.
*I'm well aware that PA isn't considered part of New England but it's close enough to make my point.
mx-01 archon
That's the "PC" rationale to make it sound good to people not really paying attention. National security is not under threat in any way that a border wall will help with. Again, delving much further is against the board rules. Feel free to discuss in PMs or something.
Rewind
I drove to into Canada one time, many years ago, pre-9/11 when we didn't need passports to cross. On the way out of Canada the border agent asked me, very seriously, if we were transporting any Beanie Babies out of the country. Didn't ask about drugs, alcohol, firearms or food. Just Beanie Babies. That's one of my most favorite memories and it seems, at least tangentially, relevant to the discussion at hand.
Anyway, I'm happy for Canada. My list of reasons to move there just got a little longer.
Rated X
I dont think the answer is a political one…
Isnt the rationale for a border wall is to keep out threats right? Whos to say the northern border cant be exploited? Or am I missing something?
Hoffman
Yes, basically.
If you really have to ask, you're not paying much attention to the US political climate.
I'd give you an honest answer, but that would be against the board rules.
RodimusSupreme
That you, figuratively speaking, have to "wait in line" for, and if your condition worsens before you get to see a health care professional, and you die, oh well.
Rated X
Lol….I always wondered why nobody is calling for a border wall to be built between the US and Canada? Arent open borders considered such a threat? All those smugglers bringing contraband back into the US in the form of plastic crack.
Rated X
Well I guess they gotta pay for that free healthcare somehow, right?
Henriquedematos
God, I really hope we end up having that same luck here in Portugal. Congratulations to our Canadian friends!
Venixion
Meets up with Canadian Border Patrol.
State your business in Canada
You: We're here to buy your toys.
Proceed.
Ceasar121
I'm nowhere near Canada, and Toys R Us is just a company, but some part of me rejoices I may actually be able to take my child to a toy store other than Walmart someday.
Even if it requires a vacation to Canada for some toys I could buy for less off Amazon.