Is it better to buy gear at full price from MEC or at discount elsewhere?

Is MEC's return/warranty policy worth shelving out the extra money? I have bought things that did't work out for me, and I went and returned them a year or so later and get all the money back in giftcards. Their service is pretty good, but the price always gets me.

In this particular case, I have been eyeing the Osprey Talon backpack for a while now, and MEC still doesn't sell them with a discount, while Sportchek is selling it for 30 dollars less at the moment. if manufacturer already provide life time warranty (pay shipping yourself though), would you aim for the discounts?

What about gears of other 3rd party brands?