Why do a lot of Canadians shop in the States and a lot of Americans shop in Canada?

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Imaka

Haha! The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

Rockin' Mel S

I believe there is a bit of a novelty factor, every time my wife and I end up shopping in New York State, we like to see different products from those available in Toronto.

As for cost advantage, I think it works out cheaper for both to shop in each others country.

Canadians shop in the US to beat the higher taxes in Canada while Americans shopping in Canada can take advantage of their stronger dollar and apply for the GST tax refund when they cross back into the US. So either way both are keeping money from the taxman and that's OK by me.

Iamstitch2U

Well I live in Amherst, and you know that going to Canada is awesome because you can get the great candy bars, it is like a whole 'nuther country, because it is! There are different things available inToronto that you just can't get in Buffalo or up at the outlets. Stuff in Canada is expensive compared to stuff here, which is why you will always see so many Ontarion Plates at the malls especially the day after USA Thanksgiving...USA stores have huge sales compared to Canadian stores...go Bills, go Sabres! I grew in Cheektowaga between Cleve Hill and the Thurway!!!!

Veena

Shopping is merry making and economical too. In Canada Tax is 15%a nd in US it is 4%

oighrig

I think things like electronics are cheaper in the US even with the exchange rate. You have the big deparment/clearance stores that we don't normally have here. Also, the gas is cheaper by comparison, and some ppl like to check out the grocery stores etc. just for something different. I think Americans like to shop here b/c of the exchange rate and again for something different. And like someone mentioned, we have the best chocolate bars!;-) It's funny how we have such different food items, even Heinz ketchup up here is different. I am always shocked when I go to the States to see all the differences.

Church Music Girl

I live in California and visit my boyfriend in Ottawa pretty often. A part of each and every visit is a trip to the mall to check out Fairweather and Smart Set. They have great clothes that I can't find back home. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten compliments on stuff I've bought in Canada and sighs of disappointment when they find out where I got it.

Mephistopheles

I love the US. I like the poeople. It makes a change to visit. I like to visit and then I shop.

thatchickistoast

I think it's the different stuff that intrigues us. And the cheap milk in the US. And Americans have many more Ben and Jerry's flavours to choose from. I just came back from NH and I hit all the department stores there- I liked Target and there was this "Marshalls" department store there that was awesome. Oh and we can get Honey Nut Chex, Jack Daniels BBQ sauce, and hard iced tea all of which we can't find in Canada. And low fat poptarts and chips with NO fat!!! What's up with that???? I live about an hour away from the Maine border and everyone I know travels down once in a while to check out the deals. And holy crap I almost forgot the NO TAX in NH! That's pretty sweet.

Hold-Em

Maybe the currency exchange?

sagerider

Grass looks greener....

jtj

I think people do this for variety.

markus

There are deals to be had on both sides of the border. I used to cross to the US to get big appliance or computer purchases because the import taxes for those things were very high to Canadian retailers....the US usually comes here because the CAN dollar is worth less than the US dollar.

*áƒ¦â™¥Û© THEMIS Û©â™¥áƒ¦*

Because they probley, I mean, probably need variety, as it is the spice of life you know! I don't think it's a case of one being better than the other?

This is so much easier than having to cut and paste or post links, although the "I love Canada........" speech was tempting, er..I mean, touching!

Where'd the puppy go?

nellierslmm

I suppose mostly to get all the different things. There are so many places I like to go to in the US that I see advertised on TV that we don't have in Quebec.

Also, the exchange rate for canadians has gotten WAY better the past few years. And I think there's a way to save on taxes, too.

tiko

I think there are some deals for us Canadians visiting the US, and possibly for you coming to Canada. Maybe we all just like the variety cross-border shopping provides.

highschoolgal789

i kno ppl like that also.
it allows the person to say
oh i got this from canada/ us/ somewhere you can't buy it
kinda makes it more of a specialty purchase lol
plus its nice to get more designs from other places

asdf

people from canada go to the us because theres greater selection and better stores.
people from the us go to canada because of the exchange rate; they can get better deals.

Ryan

LOL. I got some friends they do this a lot. Once in Every 2 months they go to Buffalo.:) :) :) I asked them why?? They said it's just they want something different :) :):)

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