Topic: Off to the US shopping on Monday

[Cord]

Let’s hope the auto makers don’t launch a counter suit for when the dollar was $0.65.

That suit happened 5 years ago and is still ongoing. Except it was US consumers that sued the exact same parties that are currently being sued by Canadian consumers.

[initial_D]

Think that trial is just under way, 5 long years later, complete 180 Degree turn around on currentmarket condition now. Most people don't even have those cars anymore. Lawyers are the ones cashing in.

[sailor723]

Sailor, Did the US Sube dealer obtained the recall letter for you or did you get it yourself?

US dealer provided a "printout" from the Subaru internal database showing status(no outstanding recalls) of that specific VIN.

[Benhaze]

Sailor, Did the US Sube dealer obtained the recall letter for you or did you get it yourself?

US dealer provided a "printout" from the Subaru internal database showing status(no outstanding recalls) of that specific VIN.

Good to know. I'm a little surprised that was sufficient for our government. I would have expected a formal letter with a signature from someone at the Canadian head office would be required. Thanks for the info.

[Giant Dwarf]

Took the short drive to Wuffalo on Saturday to do a bit of shopping.  I think the merchants at the Galleria have quickly clued in to the vast numbers of Canadians who have infested their mall.  The "sale" prices for the most part were not so good.  I bought a pair of shoes (the same pair is about $35 more in Canada) and my wife got a nice pair of boots, but otherwise, there was nothing so spectacular a deal that we just had to have it.  In fact, I deliberately held back thinking for the sake of an extra few bucks, it's worth not having to sweat at the border wondering if I'm going to have to wait in lineups to pay a pitance of duty on my measly purchases.

As it happened, I didn't have to.  Our $150 total apparently was too small for the border guard to worry about and he happily waved us on our way.

I will say this:  I've never been so ashamed to be a Cdn.  The number of times I heard the ignorant hill-billy masses (must've been from Sodsbury or something ) arrogantly exclaim their disgust in the fact that the retailers weren't accepting Cdn dollars.  Well duh.  Did they ever?  In your shop in Peterborough, do you just accept American dollars?  When you take a trip to Dominican Republic or England or Japan do they take Cdn dollars there in the stores?  So why the hell should these poor shop keeps be responsible for having to go and exchange the funds you were too lazy to do before coming across the border?  Just because the value is at par doesn't make it legal tender in another country.  Ignorance is bliss I guess.  And the way they were carrying on though... it was as if they had personally been responsible for the US dollar's decline.  (sigh)...

[1TSX]

Took the short drive to Wuffalo on Saturday to do a bit of shopping.  I think the merchants at the Galleria have quickly clued in to the vast numbers of Canadians who have infested their mall.  The "sale" prices for the most part were not so good.  I bought a pair of shoes (the same pair is about $35 more in Canada) and my wife got a nice pair of boots, but otherwise, there was nothing so spectacular a deal that we just had to have it.  In fact, I deliberately held back thinking for the sake of an extra few bucks, it's worth not having to sweat at the border wondering if I'm going to have to wait in lineups to pay a pitance of duty on my measly purchases.

As it happened, I didn't have to.  Our $150 total apparently was too small for the border guard to worry about and he happily waved us on our way.

I will say this:  I've never been so ashamed to be a Cdn.  The number of times I heard the ignorant hill-billy masses (must've been from Sodsbury or something ) arrogantly exclaim their disgust in the fact that the retailers weren't accepting Cdn dollars.  Well duh.  Did they ever?  In your shop in Peterborough, do you just accept American dollars?  When you take a trip to Dominican Republic or England or Japan do they take Cdn dollars there in the stores?  So why the hell should these poor shop keeps be responsible for having to go and exchange the funds you were too lazy to do before coming across the border?  Just because the value is at par doesn't make it legal tender in another country.  Ignorance is bliss I guess.  And the way they were carrying on though... it was as if they had personally been responsible for the US dollar's decline.  (sigh)...

We were at the Galleria mall last Sunday. 7 people bought over $350 worth! 

[dorin]

I will say this:  I've never been so ashamed to be a Cdn.  The number of times I heard the ignorant hill-billy masses (must've been from Sodsbury or something ) arrogantly exclaim their disgust in the fact that the retailers weren't accepting Cdn dollars.  Well duh.  Did they ever?  In your shop in Peterborough, do you just accept American dollars?  When you take a trip to Dominican Republic or England or Japan do they take Cdn dollars there in the stores?  So why the hell should these poor shop keeps be responsible for having to go and exchange the funds you were too lazy to do before coming across the border?  Just because the value is at par doesn't make it legal tender in another country.  Ignorance is bliss I guess.  And the way they were carrying on though... it was as if they had personally been responsible for the US dollar's decline.  (sigh)...

Actually, shops in Peterborough do routinely accept US dollars.  Same for many stores in Ottawa.  It really isn't all that unreasonable to expect stores in a border town to accept the other country's currency.  Why one would want to pay the extra exchange rate mark-up in a store is another question but it's an alright thing to expect.

[2latecrew]

Most stores I can think of in Halifax have lomg had a little (the current exchange rate we accept US Dollars at IS:) sign that signifies they take US dollars. If you know you get tourists its common sense to do it. Maybe even make a little on the excange. To KNOW you'll get tourist sales but them lose it becuse you aren't prepared to tke the $ is just stupid.

I'm not saying you need to take every currency but come on you have to know that Canada/US border town will have this issue and be a smart business person..unless cof couse you have so many sales and are making too much money that you can afford to turn people away.

[Accordingly]

Took the short drive to Wuffalo on Saturday to do a bit of shopping.  I think the merchants at the Galleria have quickly clued in to the vast numbers of Canadians who have infested their mall.  The "sale" prices for the most part were not so good.  I bought a pair of shoes (the same pair is about $35 more in Canada) and my wife got a nice pair of boots, but otherwise, there was nothing so spectacular a deal that we just had to have it.  In fact, I deliberately held back thinking for the sake of an extra few bucks, it's worth not having to sweat at the border wondering if I'm going to have to wait in lineups to pay a pitance of duty on my measly purchases.

It's not surprising that the US border merchants have quickly adapted to our new-found purchasing power. This is not much different from Canadian border towns (for example, Niagara on the Lake) in the days of a 70cent Canadian dollar. There, I found prices to be, at times, outrageous (restaurants, merchandise). While I would expect higher prices in tourist areas naturally, I felt they were particularly high to take advantage of US visitors (who would still find the prices a deal when considering a 70cent Canadian dollar at the time).

It may be worth travelling a little further. 

[Zombie]

Does any one know what is the best way to convert your Canadian currency to American when buying a car in the US?
Is your bank exchange rate your best and or only option?

[ovr50]

Does any one know what is the best way to convert your Canadian currency to American when buying a car in the US?
Is your bank exchange rate your best and or only option?

I would assume the seller in the US will require a US dollar draft or bank transfer so I suspect you will end up dealing with one of the large Cdn banks. No problem, they do this stuff all the time, and your exchange rate will be about as good as you can get.

[gord_boyd]

I remember buying a 30 foot sailboat and if asked at border you are required by some law to declare any transfer expected over 10K at U.S. Customs.

[sailor723]

Does any one know what is the best way to convert your Canadian currency to American when buying a car in the US?
Is your bank exchange rate your best and or only option?

I would assume the seller in the US will require a US dollar draft or bank transfer so I suspect you will end up dealing with one of the large Cdn banks. No problem, they do this stuff all the time, and your exchange rate will be about as good as you can get.

Most banks discount their commission on larger amounts. It was 1% on amounts over 10K vs 2% when i've done it in the past

[sailor723]

I remember buying a 30 foot sailboat and if asked at border you are required by some law to declare any transfer expected over 10K at U.S. Customs.

I've always understood that to apply if you were carrying over 10K in Cash,bearer bonds or a bank draught made out to cash. Easiest thing to do is an electronic transfer directly into the dealer's account or Fedex a US dollar bank draught

[ovr50]

For those pursuing this, the Edmunds.com forums have good threads going currently on buying in the US and importing into Canada. Lot's more informative than here on this site.

[Giant Dwarf]

I will say this:  I've never been so ashamed to be a Cdn.  The number of times I heard the ignorant hill-billy masses (must've been from Sodsbury or something ) arrogantly exclaim their disgust in the fact that the retailers weren't accepting Cdn dollars.  Well duh.  Did they ever?  In your shop in Peterborough, do you just accept American dollars?  When you take a trip to Dominican Republic or England or Japan do they take Cdn dollars there in the stores?  So why the hell should these poor shop keeps be responsible for having to go and exchange the funds you were too lazy to do before coming across the border?  Just because the value is at par doesn't make it legal tender in another country.  Ignorance is bliss I guess.  And the way they were carrying on though... it was as if they had personally been responsible for the US dollar's decline.  (sigh)...

Actually, shops in Peterborough do routinely accept US dollars.  Same for many stores in Ottawa.  It really isn't all that unreasonable to expect stores in a border town to accept the other country's currency.  Why one would want to pay the extra exchange rate mark-up in a store is another question but it's an alright thing to expect.

Hmm... fair enough.  I guess what really agitated me was the holier-than-thou attitude the people were putting forth and the disgust when the Cdn funds weren't accepted. 

Anyhoo... an educated (and prepared) customer can do well in the States... but not EVERYTHING is a bargoon.  Much of what I was looking to spend can be had in Canada for very nearly the same $$$, so I'll spend here instead.

[safristi]

 Dire straits....Money @ par and chicks fer FREE................