Cross Border Shopping Experience - A Review

[katie333]

Hi all

There's been a lot of buzz lately about the benefits and viability of conducting cross border coupon shops. I did my first one yesterday and wanted to share my experiences. I'll preface this to say that I travelled with a friend (who shared the gas and border expenses) and while I have cross border shopped in the past, this was my first time using coupons.

Preparation:

• Like couponing in Canada, couponing across the border requires preparation. I was able to buy a US paper in my hometown for the weeks of May 15th and 22nd, and also had some US coupons ROAKed to me by a fellow SCer.
• I used the site couponmom to get access to flyers and coupon match ups. They list the match up by referencing the date the coupon was in an insert to made it easy to identify coupons from the 2 weeks I had. 2 weeks worth of inserts gave me hundreds of coupons!

The Good:

• Going on a Sunday morning was great! We arrived at the border at 9:30 am to zero line ups and found that every store we intended to shop at was open.
• I was able to buy 2 more papers which again, were stuffed full of inserts. I also bought the magazine allyou @ Walmart for $1.88 and personally got about $50+ of coupons from it.
• Rite-Aid - joined their loyalty program online and it saves me 10% off Rite-Aid brand products. In addition, they sent me a ton of printable coupons so I was able to get their version of polysporin for a grand total of 49c.
• Walgreens - used their Register Rewards program to get a fabulous deal on Reach toothbrushes. It's a bit complicated but basically, you get a Catalina at the end that pays out depending on what you bought. The end result of this was that I paid $3 for 9 toothbrushes.
• Walmart - wow, what a treasure trove. Like here, overages and trial sizes are in play so I got full size body wash as low as 38c and spent a grand total of $50 for $80 worth of stuff. I should also state that $80 worth of stuff is the American price. The cost in Canada I would estimate was about $120.
• Kroger - got to experience the magical double couponing (only coupons valued up to 50c, these are considered premium for a lot of Americans). I spent $11 here for $28 worth of product.

The Bad:

• Nothing really, I was very happy with the huge haul and the prices I paid.

The Bottom Line:

• OOP $72, gas costs of $5 ($15-$10 from my friend), border toll charges of $3 = $80 total USD which I actually paid $75 for.
• Estimated value of purchases $224. Also saved an additional 5% on the taxes (our 13% vs their 8%).
• Hard to value = a great day of fun and bargain hunting with my friend

Welcome any questions or comments.

[PrincessCoupon]

actually, our dollar is worth more so your $80 is actually around $78

do they get an insert of coupons every weekend, or just flyers?

[MercuryBlue]

actually, our dollar is worth more so your $80 is actually around $78

do they get an insert of coupons every weekend, or just flyers?

I thought the same thing.

Perhaps the OP was referring to the difference in prices? Despite our higher dollar, items are often cheaper in the US overall. IE- You might pay $7 here for something that retails for $5 there. So it would be pretty easy, I think, to pay $80 in the US on products that would cost $120 if bought in Canadian stores.

Question for OP: I've never actually driven to the US (I don't live anywhere near a border), but always wondered about duties/restrictions. I know you can't bring Kinder Eggs into the US (weird random fact) or fruits and veggies, etc. Did you have any problem with bringing any of your purchased items back over the border?

[harbie]

Great deals! That's why I wont live anywhere that is not close to the border! DH and I have Nexus and cross at least once a week (sometimes just for gas since we can save about 40c per litre by doing it!!!) and we do ALOT of shopping while we are there

[katie333]

actually, our dollar is worth more so your $80 is actually around $78

do they get an insert of coupons every weekend, or just flyers?

The $ difference was the 5% I was alluding to, I think I'll clear that up in the original post. I also now calculated the savings of the tax difference and I've got a final figure that's even higher.

They get 1-4 inserts virtually every weekend except before a holiday (so July 3rd they will have no inserts for example). The inserts themselves are massive, about 3x the thickness of ours, so there are lots to choose from.

[katie333]

I thought the same thing.

Perhaps the OP was referring to the difference in prices? Despite our higher dollar, items are often cheaper in the US overall. IE- You might pay $7 here for something that retails for $5 there. So it would be pretty easy, I think, to pay $80 in the US on products that would cost $120 if bought in Canadian stores.

Question for OP: I've never actually driven to the US (I don't live anywhere near a border), but always wondered about duties/restrictions. I know you can't bring Kinder Eggs into the US (weird random fact) or fruits and veggies, etc. Did you have any problem with bringing any of your purchased items back over the border?

Yes it's very much the difference in their regular price vs our regular price that drove some of the savings I realized. I have an eye condition, and so I have to buy preservative free drops. Here, I pay $17 for a package of them. In the States, the regular price was $8.47 and I had an additional $2 off coupon. It's also the greater product availability that I like ... have you ever seen a commercial for something that you never find in stores?

To the question ... in my experience, the border guards are pretty good. I'm always honest with them, never buy any alcohol, tobacco or fruit/veg and have never had a problem (or been asked to pay taxes or duty). I believe they see MANY Canadians crossing to get their groceries. Milk for example is $2.27 per gallon.

[pskov]

Hi,
I am new to border shopping, but VERY interested to go.
I have some questions - like what is it - "border costs of $3 = $80 total USD which I actually paid $75 for" ? Do I need to pay to enter to US?
Other - on map I see only private roads after border - do they have free roads/hws - Niagara Falls border.
Sorry, really new to this.
Actually, I want to go with my kids (know-not smart, but have no choice), for first time just for first quick shopping and just to drink a coffee and take a look from other side to Niagra.
Lena

[katie333]

Hi,
I am new to border shopping, but VERY interested to go.
I have some questions - like what is it - "border costs of $3 = $80 total USD which I actually paid $75 for" ? Do I need to pay to enter to US?
Other - on map I see only private roads after border - do they have free roads/hws - Niagara Falls border.
Sorry, really new to this.
Actually, I want to go with my kids (know-not smart, but have no choice), for first time just for first quick shopping and just to drink a coffee and take a look from other side to Niagra.
Lena

I cross the border at Sarnia and there is a $3 toll to pay to cross the bridge. All the bridges/roads leading into the US on this side of Ontario have a fee. Not sure about Niagara area, perhaps someone else knows that answer. The reference to 'actually paid for' is because the USD is a bit cheaper than Canadian right now so the currency is less.

[atashi]

I'm also wondering wondering about the "border cost".............. i've crossed the border several times but was never charged.... is the border cost new?

[katie333]

I'm also wondering wondering about the "border cost".............. i've crossed the border several times but was never charged.... is the border cost new?

I've been charged a toll every time I've crossed in Sarnia for the last 5 years. I think some border crossing charge no toll, and it's up to the government or whomever to determine this. It's not new but I did want to factor in all the costs of making the trip.

When I crossed into Washington state on a recent trip to Vancouver, I'm pretty sure I didn't pay a toll there.

[jesswarren]

Every time I go to the States it's through Niagara and I've yet to pay a bridge toll. Now right after the bridge to go anywhere you start to pay bridge tolls but not right at the crossing.

[lucy16076]

Good Job Katie!!! I did a border shop last week as well & used some of the coupons I had saved from the papers i bought...they are sooooo full of coupons on the weekend! I went to Krogers & took advantage of their 10 for $10 sale on many items, which I could mix & match to make up 10 items....then used coupons!! I also got 12 pints of raspberries for $12 (but I see they are on for $1.00 somewhere this week here at home), milk for $2.19 (gallon jug which is about 4 ltrs), 2 dozen eggs at $1.00 each, & a couple other things!
I was wondering about double coupon day. I will have to look that up for Kroger & Meijers....
R
PS...thank you for the kind words about the ease of crossing the border...lol...and you're right....they don't really mind about cross border shopping!! So many do it everyday!!!

[carmanelectric]

I was thinking about doing this since there is such a better opportunity to stack coupons and more coupons. I think I am going to try and coordinate a trip to the states sometime in 2012.

[hopeinfaith]

Hi,
I am new to border shopping, but VERY interested to go.
I have some questions - like what is it - "border costs of $3 = $80 total USD which I actually paid $75 for" ? Do I need to pay to enter to US?
Other - on map I see only private roads after border - do they have free roads/hws - Niagara Falls border.
Sorry, really new to this.
Actually, I want to go with my kids (know-not smart, but have no choice), for first time just for first quick shopping and just to drink a coffee and take a look from other side to Niagra.
Lena

I've crossed into Niagara Falls NY and also Watertown NY. For Niagara Falls there is a 3.25 toll fee, but it is only on the way back. You pay nothing to get from Ontario to New York. For Watertown there is a 2.50 toll fee going each way, so 5.00 total to go there and back.

Also wanted to mention to the above if you are going alone with your kids... if you share custody of your kids with anyone (whether you are currently still dating/married to them or not) you will need a letter from the other parent that is notarized to cross the border. I think sometimes they may not ask for it but they are totally within their rights to refuse you if you do not have it.

[crowsnest]

I've crossed into Niagara Falls NY and also Watertown NY. For Niagara Falls there is a 3.25 toll fee, but it is only on the way back. You pay nothing to get from Ontario to New York. For Watertown there is a 2.50 toll fee going each way, so 5.00 total to go there and back.

Also wanted to mention to the above if you are going alone with your kids... if you share custody of your kids with anyone (whether you are currently still dating/married to them or not) you will need a letter from the other parent that is notarized to cross the border. I think sometimes they may not ask for it but they are totally within their rights to refuse you if you do not have it.

I was just coming on here to post that. I cross from alberta to montana about every week, and have never had a notorized letter, but I always bring a signed letter anyway. I get asked for it about 30% of the time, but it is a small border crossing - a busier one might ask 100% of the time. This is the what I use:


[date]


The purpose of this letter is to confirm that I, [parent] am fully aware and give permission for my child, [name] (born [date]), to travel outside of Canada with his mother/father/grandparent [name] for the day of [date]. I further agree that they may make any emergency medical decisions in my absence.

Please contact me at any of the following phone numbers should there be any questions or concerns.

[home]
[cell]



[name & signature]