WHY?
#22
Originally Posted by Aully
Fabric in Canada is a lot more expensive than in the US, We pay aprox $16 a meter for fabrics where you pay $5 a yard. That is whay I mainly shop online and order from the US it is still usually cheaper with shipping too. :)
#23
I remember when Canada switched to the metric system. My kids learned metric in school but I learned the other system. It was really hard for me at first as I had to convert everything into yards and pounds instead of metres and kilograms. And gas used to be sold by the gallon here too. Unless you had a new car, you had this sticker you put on your speedometer to convert the speed. Those were the days! LOL
#24
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 110
Originally Posted by Aully
Also our quilting stores here have to pay an 18% customs fee to them shipped here, that is why the tend to get marked up so high, which is crazy. :(
#25
Originally Posted by IrishNY
The currency has basically 'even' for a number of years so it has stopped being a real factor these days.
The US was going to go metric at one point but there was such push back that it never happened. It also dawned on the powers that be that it would cost a lot to change the system - all new traffic signs and mileage markers in meters, new gas pumps that measure in liters, new scales in kilos, new odometers and spedometers in cars, etc. That's probably what really killed the idea.
Regarding fabric, I would prefer to get 3 less inches and pay half or one-third of the cost. ;) I have a cottage in Canada so spend lots of time there and don't know how you guys afford to quilt at all. I love finding a quilt shop up there but can almost never bring myself to buy anything.
The US was going to go metric at one point but there was such push back that it never happened. It also dawned on the powers that be that it would cost a lot to change the system - all new traffic signs and mileage markers in meters, new gas pumps that measure in liters, new scales in kilos, new odometers and spedometers in cars, etc. That's probably what really killed the idea.
Regarding fabric, I would prefer to get 3 less inches and pay half or one-third of the cost. ;) I have a cottage in Canada so spend lots of time there and don't know how you guys afford to quilt at all. I love finding a quilt shop up there but can almost never bring myself to buy anything.
This is true. After living in other countries and also vacationing in other countries... I probably never would be a quilter with the prices they have to pay for fabrics. Why it's so high is beyond me but I surely agree with Irish NY and find that the basically 3 inches difference is no matter at all to me....but the prices certainly are. We get a lot more for our money here in the US in regards to fabrics, notions and many other things. It's just one of those "it is what it is and nothing will change the facts" things. It's also the same way with the customs and postal fees the overseas and Canadian people have to pay...no amount of griping will change the facts that their particular country will do what it does. We all just have to live with what whatever it is.
#26
There are three countries in the world that do not use the metric system -- Liberia, Myanmar, and the United States. Canada went metric in 1970.
Even way back when fabric was sold by the yard here in Canada, it was still more expensive than in the US, mostly due to exchange rates, import duties, and taxes. That will never change. Thank heaven for on-line stores!
If I buy good quality 100% cotton quilting fabric locally, it costs me anywhere from $12.00/m (solids) - $24.00/m (for hand-dyed imported batiks). On top of that, I have to pay a 13% sales tax.
And I say again, thank heaven for on-line stores!
Even way back when fabric was sold by the yard here in Canada, it was still more expensive than in the US, mostly due to exchange rates, import duties, and taxes. That will never change. Thank heaven for on-line stores!
If I buy good quality 100% cotton quilting fabric locally, it costs me anywhere from $12.00/m (solids) - $24.00/m (for hand-dyed imported batiks). On top of that, I have to pay a 13% sales tax.
And I say again, thank heaven for on-line stores!
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: NYS Finger Lakes Region
Posts: 1,178
Our son was in an experimental class way back when the US thought they would convert. He was not exposed to any US measurements of yd, inches, oz. etc. When he went to college he went into nursing so was at a great advantage. However, he needed help to learn the traditional way when he needed to purchase supplies for a project. He felt silly as an adult being taught standard measurements.
#29
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,659
I think it is practical to know both metric and US measurement systems.
It isn't all that difficult - - - -
If one balks at the idea, our (USA) money system is "metric"
Think of 1.00 as the basic unit
0.01 is the centi- prefix (1/100th)
0.10 is the deci- prefix (1/10th)
0.001 is the milli- prefix (1/1000th)
10.00 is the deca- prefix (*10)
100.00 is the hecto- prefix (*100)
1000.00 is the kilo- prefix (*1000)
There are, of course, more prefixes. But it isn't all that hard.
A meter is approximately a yard.
A liter is approximately a US quart
I'm looking at the Measurement page in my Encarta dictionary - interesting reading. It has also made me more aware of differences and that there is more than one kind of "ounce", for example.
It isn't all that difficult - - - -
If one balks at the idea, our (USA) money system is "metric"
Think of 1.00 as the basic unit
0.01 is the centi- prefix (1/100th)
0.10 is the deci- prefix (1/10th)
0.001 is the milli- prefix (1/1000th)
10.00 is the deca- prefix (*10)
100.00 is the hecto- prefix (*100)
1000.00 is the kilo- prefix (*1000)
There are, of course, more prefixes. But it isn't all that hard.
A meter is approximately a yard.
A liter is approximately a US quart
I'm looking at the Measurement page in my Encarta dictionary - interesting reading. It has also made me more aware of differences and that there is more than one kind of "ounce", for example.
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Manchester, NH
Posts: 701
Originally Posted by Sadiemae
They sneak the metric measurements in on us thinking we will change, but it has never worked out that way. i.e. pop and water 1 liter/2liter There was a big push for metrics way back when in I was in HS, but I think we are quite stubborn when it comes to changing.
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