Chas Hurst wrote:

So far no word on a on the $800 snow blower yet. I'm not holding
my breath.

There is nothing really available in Canada for less than $1000. At
that price, the best unit (based on spec) seems to be the Canadian
Tire unit (8.5 hp, 26" width).

In the USA, availability starts in the $750 - $800 range (6 to 8.5 hp,
24 to 26" width) and some decent units can be had for $900 (9 to 9.5
hp, 28" width).

Basically, for what you can get in the USA for $900 would cost you
$1200 in Canada.

What you can get in the USA for $700 - $900 would cost you $1000 in
Canada.

I bought a 8hp, 24" blower at Sears in either Dec 2005 or Jan 2006.
It was on sale - for $800. Who knows what it cost in the US at the
time, but it was probably something like $650.

------------------------------------

Lowes (USA)

11 hp, 30" $1100
9.5 hp, 28" $900
8.5 hp, 26" $770

Home Depot (USA)

Cub Cadet Z-700 10 hp, 28" $1000
Ariens Sno-Thro ST824E 8 HP, 24" $950
Ariens Sno-Thro ST624E 6 hp, 24" $750

Home Depot (Canada)

Cub Cadet (model not given) 8.5 hp, 26" $1200
MTD Pro 10.5 hp, 30" $1200
Murray 10 hp, 30" $1200

4 throwers @ $1000 (2 Toro, MTD, Murray)
- 6 to 8 hp, 26 to 27 "
- nothing in the $500 to $1000 range

Sears (USA)

9 hp, 28" $900 (on sale, reg price = $1050)
7 hp, 26" $730 (on sale, reg price = $800)
5.5 hp, 24" $700 (reg price)

Sears (Canada)

- Nothing less than $1000
- 1 unit at $1000 (9.5 hp, 27")
- 5 units at $1200 (9.5 - 11.5 hp, 24 - 30")

TSC (USA)

- 1 blower (8.5 hp, 30") but website won't give price

Meijers (USA)

- no snow blowers listed on website

Sams Club (USA)

- no snow blowers listed on website

Costco (USA)

- no snow blowers listed on website

Canadian Tire

- 1 unit between $500 and $1000 (5.5 hp, 22") $800
- 8.5 hp, 27" $1000
- 7 hp, 26" $1200
- 10.5 hp, 30" $1200