Re: [Paddlewise] Run for the border

Wes Boyd wrote:

> At 06:22 AM 6/1/00 -0700, malisle wrote:
>
> >
> >You'd better check to see if it's all the sales tax that can be refunded
> or just
> >the GST, i.e., the federal tax.  I believe it's this 7% federal portion
> that is
> >refundable, but I could be wrong.
>

At one time Ontario sales tax was refundable; I thought it still was (it was
considered good for tourism).  Wendy says it ain't so I'd suggest it's
worth double checking.

>
> Another thing I discovered this morning is fees for conversion between US
> and Canadian funds -- one local bank charges 20%!!! (Needless to say, I did
> not avail myself of their services . . .)  A credit card company I just got
> checking with charges 1%. That's do-able, I guess . . . beats twenty percent.

If you don't want to use the credit card, exchange your money in Canada.

I'll never understand the difference between US and Canadian banks on currency
exchange.  Here we can get US credit cards, US bank accounts, exchange money
in just about any big city bank within driving range of the US border.  We cash
US cheques (checks?) with ease.  In the US, you get hassles on exchange, usurious
(word?) exchange rates, long waits and hassles on cashing Canadian cheques etc.

I've always thought it odd that the Canadian companies (at least one that I know
of) would have such a big difference between what they charge here versus the
US.  I would have though some near-border US vendor would cry foul and bring
in the NAFTA police.  I can't see someone in, say, Detroit, beating the price of the
same kayak in Windsor and being able to stay in business.

Mike

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