Canadian Meters

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Erica & Carter

Erica & Carter

Member Since 2016
Hey guys,

I was just curious as to what meters you guys are using in Canada? As you might already know, I'm from Canada (going back in the next year) but I currently live in the US.

I'm using the popular Relion Confirm, but to my knowledge, the "Relion" brand is only in the US?

Is there a way to keep the Relion Confirm and get strips online? I buy my strips on ebay anyways but I have to make bids and I don't know if all sellers ship to Canada etc.

Just would like recommendations on a good/affordable meter I can have in Canada. :) I'll probably try accessing it before I move.
 
Hi Erica. You are correct that the Relion brand is not available here in Canada and the popular ADW where a lot of U.S. folks get their strips for one of the Relion meters does not ship up here. Whether other eBay sellers would ship to Canada or not probably depends on the seller. The cost of shipping to Canada may also render that option more expensive than buying locally.

The least expensive meter/strips available here in Canada is the Bravo available HERE but it is available online only at this retailer so you'd have to make sure you always re-order strips before running short. The meter has had good reviews for humans.

Most folks up here use either Bayer, AccuCheck, One Touch or Freestyle meters and unfortunately the strips are far more expensive than the Relion brand. Costco, Walmart and Great Canadian Superstores have the cheapest prices for strips. Some folks get their strips at Shoppers Drug mart on Senior Days (10% discount) which is great if you qualify or have a senior family member or friend willing to purchase for you.

Unfortunately, while our insulin is considerably cheaper, we make up for those savings and more with the cost of testing supplies. I would suggest you buy your meter up here because some of the models differ here and you don't want to end up with another meter for which strips may not be available.
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
Hi Erica. You are correct that the Relion brand is not available here in Canada and the popular ADW where a lot of U.S. folks get their strips for one of the Relion meters does not ship up here. Whether other eBay sellers would ship to Canada or not probably depends on the seller. The cost of shipping to Canada may also render that option more expensive than buying locally.

The least expensive meter/strips available here in Canada is the Bravo available HERE but it is available online only at this retailer so you'd have to make sure you always re-order strips before running short. The meter has had good reviews for humans.

Most folks up here use either Bayer, AccuCheck, One Touch or Freestyle meters and unfortunately the strips are far more expensive than the Relion brand. Costco, Walmart and Great Canadian Superstores have the cheapest prices for strips. Some folks get their strips at Shoppers Drug mart on Senior Days (10% discount) which is great if you qualify or have a senior family member or friend willing to purchase for you.

Unfortunately, while our insulin is considerably cheaper, we make up for those savings and more with the cost of testing supplies. I would suggest you buy your meter up here because some of the models differ here and you don't want to end up with another meter for which strips may not be available.
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Thank you for the info!

I'll check them out.

Are the human meters in Canada still more affordable than the AT2 overall? I have the AT2 because that's what I originally bought but I'm so used to using a human meter now that I'd probably still prefer a human meter.
 
Oh wow! You were not kidding about the prices LOL I've lived in the US for 2 and a half years I totally forget sometimes how much expensive everything is until I look or when I'm up there visiting....
 
Erica & Carter said:
Are the human meters in Canada still more affordable than the AT2 overall? I have the AT2 because that's what I originally bought but I'm so used to using a human meter now that I'd probably still prefer a human meter.
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Erica, the AT2 strips here are $69.19 plus 13% tax ($78.18) for 50 strips so even more expensive than in the U.S. What I did was purchase the Freestyle Lite meter as a backup. The FS Lite strips will work in the AT2 meter but will not be as accurate as is possible 75% of the time. I am 99.9% sure the FS Lite and AT2 strips are one and the same. The difference is that the strips have been batch tested to determine what code to use on the AT2 meter to get the most accurate results. We know of 4 cat codes on the AT2 meter so you stand a 25% chance of getting the most accurate results. The rest will be a bit lower (around 5% lower - somewhere between the AT and human meter readings). There are some members using the FS strips in the AT meter regularly. While I'm not suggesting you do so, it is an option. I use the ATs as my main meter but I love the idea that I can run out and get strips on the fly if absolutely necessary. And, in the event of meter failure, strips for either meter will work in both. If you decide to use the FS strips in the AT meter you need to be sure to control test each new batch of strips to ensure the readings are within established parameters.

So yes the human meters are still more affordable to use here.
 
I imagine it would be o.k. for someone in the US to buy the cheaper strips and then resell them to someone in Canada? Would it make sense to coordinate and exchange of that sort via the forum? I know Canada Post can be super slow, but that might still be a cheaper option.
 
Madrona and Leda said:
I imagine it would be o.k. for someone in the US to buy the cheaper strips and then resell them to someone in Canada?
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My concern would be getting the packages across the border consistently. While you can bring a reasonable supply of strips across the border with you on the pretense they are for your personal use, ongoing shipments of multiple packages of strips might start raising eyebrows and lead to duty &/or taxes or worse, confiscation so it might more trouble than it's worth.
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
My concern would be getting the packages across the border consistently. While you can bring a reasonable supply of strips across the border with you on the pretense they are for your personal use, ongoing shipments of multiple packages of strips might start raising eyebrows and lead to duty &/or taxes or worse, confiscation so it might more trouble than it's worth.
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I see, that, unfortunately makes sense. Borders are such an interesting problem--I'm so close to Victoria, but because of the border it is sometimes much easier to go to Seattle than to Vancouver or Victoria.
 
do you have anyone in the us that can get packages for you and then ship over to canada? that way you could still buy off ebay or in the states.
 
Madrona and Leda said:
I see, that, unfortunately makes sense. Borders are such an interesting problem--I'm so close to Victoria, but because of the border it is sometimes much easier to go to Seattle than to Vancouver or Victoria.
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I'm actually from Vancouver and moving back there which is maybe an hour and a half away from the border. I'm wondering if it would be worth it to just drive over the border once a month and pick up Relion Confirm strips from the closest Wal-Mart? Which I think would be in Bellingham...
 
scoobydoox said:
do you have anyone in the us that can get packages for you and then ship over to canada? that way you could still buy off ebay or in the states.
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No we don't really have anyone here in the US that would do that. My wife's mom would be the only person here and she definitely wouldn't remember or be bothered lol
 
In another instance, I wouldn't be be opposed to the Bravo meter being that I have been buying LARGE quantities of strips in advance. Does the shipping on those take longer does anyone know?
 
Erica & Carter said:
I'm actually from Vancouver and moving back there which is maybe an hour and a half away from the border. I'm wondering if it would be worth it to just drive over the border once a month and pick up Relion Confirm strips from the closest Wal-Mart? Which I think would be in Bellingham...
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It looks like there is a Walmart in B'ham, and I can't think of one that would be closer. That's probably a surer way of doing it than having them shipped across the border.
 
Madrona and Leda said:
It looks like there is a Walmart in B'ham, and I can't think of one that would be closer. That's probably a surer way of doing it than having them shipped across the border.
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I'm just wondering overall on like gas and stuff if it would really save in the long run or equal out to the same amount. I'll have to run it through trip planner app or something to see how much gas I would need to use.
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
My concern would be getting the packages across the border consistently. While you can bring a reasonable supply of strips across the border with you on the pretense they are for your personal use, ongoing shipments of multiple packages of strips might start raising eyebrows and lead to duty &/or taxes or worse, confiscation so it might more trouble than it's worth.
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I got hit with a fairly large customs duty tax bill on my most recent order from a US site. Always order the same items. I order from them a 3-4 times a year and this is the first time I got hit. Ended up paying more than if I had ordered from a CDN site.
 
Red said:
I got hit with a fairly large customs duty tax bill on my most recent order from a US site. Always order the same items. I order from them a 3-4 times a year and this is the first time I got hit. Ended up paying more than if I had ordered from a CDN site.
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Eep, that doesn't sound good. :eek:
 
Erica & Carter said:
Does the shipping on those take longer does anyone know?
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I know a couple of members who ordered from them and didn't have any problems with the delivery but exactly what the timelines are I am not sure. You have the choice between Canada Post and courier at checkout so that will no doubt make a difference. Given they are only dealing in medical stuff, I would hope that their delivery would be pretty quick and reliable.
 
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