An interesting article in regards to Canadian shoppers in the US (sales, buying) - City-Data Forum

ckhthankgod · 12-31-2011, 08:01 AM

Canadian shoppers, drawn by the variety and prices of products, flock to Syracuse to shop, dine, stay -- and fly | syracuse.com

Does this concern Canadians or the economies of the places these people come from? I know it has been going on for a long time, but I wonder what the attitudes are in regards to this.

BIMBAM · 12-31-2011, 09:07 AM

It's all about the price points. Until recently, the American dollar was worth more than the Canadian dollar and so prices for consumer goods were higher in Canada. A book that cost 15 dollars in US would be set at 18 dollars in Canada. Now our dollar's worth more but the retailers have all been uniform in not lowering to American price points. Sales taxes are added on after the sticker price, not included, so they're not part of that equation. Bottom line, we're getting gouged by the retailers who are charging us too much despite the strength of our currency so it makes sense we'd go South to get a fair price. If they lose business it's their own fault for not charging us fair sticker price.

tarp · 12-31-2011, 09:30 AM

And then having the nerve to ask if you want a plastic bag at checkout, and charge you 5 or 10 cents for it. As if I am going to carry all my items in my pockets. No thanks, I'll do my major shopping stateside and the bags are free too.

Average Fruit · 12-31-2011, 09:42 AM

Cross border shopping is a waste of time and money, IMO. By the time you factor in gas, duty, taxes and other miscellaneous cost, depending what you bought it will cost the same or more than if you bought in Canada.

As for variety- most of the American stores are now in Canada, this wasn't the case 15, 10, even 5 years ago. Why would I drive 4-5 hours to Syracuse and shop at Bath and Body works, Old Navy, Walmart, TJ Maxx and Victoria Secret when I can do the same in Toronto. (And before someone way that TJ Maxx is not in Canada, Winners and Marshals are own by the same company and sells the same crap.) The only thing the american stores do have more variety on is sizing.

netwit · 12-31-2011, 12:22 PM

Apparently it's not really affecting our economy.

Trips to U.S. hurt here - a bit; Cross-border shoppers not having a big impact on Canadian merchants, Statistics Canada says - St. Catharines Standard, Niagara Region, Sun Media - Ontario, CA

According to this article, cross-border shopping accounts for about 2% of retail sales.

I don't personally cross the border in order to shop. It sounds horrendous

ckhthankgod · 12-31-2011, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Average Fruit

Cross border shopping is a waste of time and money, IMO. By the time you factor in gas, duty, taxes and other miscellaneous cost, depending what you bought it will cost the same or more than if you bought in Canada.

As for variety- most of the American stores are now in Canada, this wasn't the case 15, 10, even 5 years ago. Why would I drive 4-5 hours to Syracuse and shop at Bath and Body works, Old Navy, Walmart, TJ Maxx and Victoria Secret when I can do the same in Toronto. (And before someone way that TJ Maxx is not in Canada, Winners and Marshals are own by the same company and sells the same crap.) The only thing the american stores do have more variety on is sizing.

I wouldn't think that those in the Toronto area would come to the States for shopping. In my area, it's generally those from Kingston, Ottawa/Gatineau, Brockville, Belleville, Cornwall, Peterborough, etc.

Also, there are some stores that were mentioned in the article that are relatively local, like Wegmans Supermarkets, which is based out of Rochester. Some might go to say Armory Square in Downtown Syracuse too. This has been going on for a long time, but could increase as the Carousel Center mall expands.

Average Fruit · 12-31-2011, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

I wouldn't think that those in the Toronto area would come to the States for shopping. In my area, it's generally those from Kingston, Ottawa/Gatineau, Brockville, Belleville, Cornwall, Peterborough, etc.

Also, there are some stores that were mentioned in the article that are relatively local, like Wegmans Supermarkets, which is based out of Rochester. Some might go to say Armory Square in Downtown Syracuse too. This has been going on for a long time, but could increase as the Carousel Center mall expands.

People in the Toronto area do go to the state to shop. The novice shoppers will go to Buffalo, while the experience/hardcore shoppers will go to Erie, PA.

I can't see why someone will drive 2 to 3 hours to shop at Wegmans. I can see someone who live right at the border doing so. There's nothing special about Wegmans.

YtownGuy · 12-31-2011, 05:52 PM

I've got two sisters in the Toronto area who go to Pennsylvania to buy clothes a few times each year. There is no sales tax on clothing in Pennsylvania and they shop at a factory outlet centre.

tarp · 12-31-2011, 08:56 PM

PA has no sales tax on clothing and shoes. Expensive clothes (over $500 per item I believe) does have sales tax. It makes sense to go to PA if you're planning on buying lots and lots of clothing and shoes. With no sales taxes, and prices 25% to 50% cheaper than in Canada, the gas cost is negligible. Even better if you live in Hamilton or Niagara.... in that case you'd be stupid to do major shopping locally. Several of the Canadian border guards at Fort Erie have themselves told me they do all their shopping in the states.

ckhthankgod · 01-01-2012, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Average Fruit

People in the Toronto area do go to the state to shop. The novice shoppers will go to Buffalo, while the experience/hardcore shoppers will go to Erie, PA.

I can't see why someone will drive 2 to 3 hours to shop at Wegmans. I can see someone who live right at the border doing so. There's nothing special about Wegmans.

Not all Wegmans are the same. I believe the one that Canadians go yo is the biggest supermarket in the US.