Posted on 11/10/2007 2:33:10 PM PST by fanfan
Canadians Pour Over Border As Dollar Stays High
Another weekend, another mad dash out of town. But where in the old days that almost always meant the rush to cottage country, now our high flying loonie means it's the endless line-ups at the border. The Canuck buck ended a week that saw it briefly hit the once mythical 1.10 cents US mark. It's since sunk back to 106.7 cents U.S., a four cent drop. But that's still enough to get the shopping juices flowing and the Ontario license plates going.
Sue Mills is making a weekend of it and is leaving from the Bay St. bus terminal. "I'm going to Buffalo, New York, I'm actually going to see a show and do shopping and a few stores," she explains. She's armed with $150 in American cash - an amount she got for the price of just $144 Canadian.
Even with the higher dollar, that's still not a lot of money for what she's hoping to come home with. "Jacket, sweaters, a couple of shirts, jeans, and then $10 for food. I'll save somehow." Add that to the $40 bus ticket and the taxi to get to the mall, and that's pretty lean.
But Mills - and you - should also beware of what you're buying and when. Those with a conspiracy-bent will have their paranoia on fire if they do that cross border stroll. Regulars coming back from the Queen City say they've noticed customs officials seem to be checking Canadian cars a little more closely than they used to. That's because there are specific rules about what you can bring back depending on how long you've been away. If you don't pay attention, you may not be doing your duty. But you'll most certainly be paying it. (See chart below.)
Another warning: the long waits at the border mean some people are being forced to factor in an extra 30 minutes to an hour for all those delays. And that uses up gas. Check the current wait times here.
But Mills doesn't care. "It's a hassle having to deal with that," she sighs as her bus gets ready to go. "But that extra wait is worth it because the amount of money you end up saving taking the bus as opposed to driving, it works out a lot better."
“...but Im glad they make you happy.’
Well, I only look now; that’s all She Who Must Be Obeyed will allow! :)
But, the papers and media were all claiming that the high dollar was causing a huge trade deficit, and that is what was killing America. No one could afford to buy American goods, cars, luxury items, machinery.
Because of Reagan, they argued, America was in its death throes.
Now, the dollar is not so high, and America is once again in its death throes. Where are all the articles about how this is good for our manufacturing sector in reducing surplus goods?
The media only swings one way folks, and its always to take a swing at America.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Perhaps the low dollar will help with industry and manufacturing in the US, spurring the economy back to a position of strength. OTOH, the Chinese own the Western world right now, and if we don't stop that, the game is over anyway.
*sigh*
LOL.
No comment.
The Canadian media are full of hysteria, panic, and doom and gloom against their currency value rising. Some economics journalists there are screaming for investors to divest from Canadian stocks and to invest in American stocks.
The PM even scared Chinese investors away with his hint that Canada will start bringing the loonie down. That’s pretty loonie.
That’s a way of sucking up to American businesses, as the USA would buy products from there anyway. As freight fuel will only be going up most of the time, and Chinese people get ever higher wages, Canadian products will be the only sensible choices for American businesses.
Besides, Canada can be an oil exporter, if her politicians (Stelmach & co) will stop behaving like Venezuelans.
Revise practices to work with the naturally growing loonie, or suffer the consequences from vengeful investors in the rest of the world.
“Quebecois girls are pretty cute, if you like that dark-haired, Neve Campbell-ish look.’
Lovely girl! Reminds me of a girl named Celine a very, very long time ago! :)
Bored with Emery. eh?
Send all your girls down here to Delaware, we don’tg have a sales tax and we love to ogle pretty ladies.
Awwww, don’t cry ozzy,
Us Canadians are used to hardship, and this will only serve to make us stronger, better people.
:-D
I saved money today too! I stayed home and didn’t go to the mall.
The great thing is that she can go to Wal-Mart today and get everything on her shopping list and still stay within her budget. There was a time in my life when dropping $150 for a pair of pants was buying a cheap pair. Now I don't give a rat's patootie about labels and such...and the $13 chinos at Walmart are just fine. :-) Considering her shopping is injecting money into our economy and paying the wages of American workers, I'd say to her, "Cross the border as much as you like - and welcome!"
It’s only in its death throes when a Republican is in office.
Last time I was in Montreal I nearly got whiplash looking at all the pretty girls. What an amazing stash of pulchritude there is north of the border!
I just realized what a terrible mistake I’ve made by commenting that those Quebecois girls are cute. The subsequent comments make we want to go visit them, and I can’t afford it because the greenback is so low vs. the loonie!
My last trip up there I noticed that I didn’t see a single fat woman. Even the older ones were slim and in good shape.
I also noticed there was no fast-food joints and damn few restaurants of any kind.
No fast-food = no french fry butts!
She could do that at Wal-Mart here too.
That’s the problem for Canadian retailers.
The prices are down, but few people are checking, preferring to believe they can save money by buying in the US.
It's not true.
When I lived down there in the 70's Miami Beach would be packed with Canadian snow birds every winter.
Reminds me, I had business in Miami Christmas of 80, maybe 81, the year they actually had visible snow on the beach as far south as Ft. Lauderdale. Miami Herald had a cartoon that morning, street corner scene with everybody bundled up in ski-wear, one couple in the middle in shorts, flip-flops and a beach umbrella. Script was “Spot the Canadian tourists”.
I know lots of Canadians, mostly polite folk, even speak English, and they go home after a while, Don’t let it ruin your day, get in line and take some of their over-priced money while it’s still over-priced.
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