They cost somewhere between 2€ to 3€ per pod here in Rome, which is about 2,8 - 4,2 CAD. I am not sure if you can find it any cheaper or cost more where you are... It is certainly not a regular everyday item, and they are not always found in regular supermarkets, though some of the bigger, well equipped ones may carry them. We usually go to a vendor who specializes in spices from the world in a market, or a gourmet/imported food specialty shop to find them. I know the bottled extracts and vanilla sugars and such are much more spread and easier to use, but the flavour from real vanilla beans are really special, you just have to try it to believe it. It is anything but a "plain old vanilla".