US Christmas Shopping?

[Melody]

That dollar of ours is looking good - anyone going to do some cross-border shopping this year?

I think most fish equipment is far less down there. Electronics are too I believe. What else is a real bargain across the lines?

[Carlos the Aquanut]

Yup..in fact I am going down on Sunday..anyone want anything?

Hmmmmm I need to find a shop that sells Marineland BIO spira.....

[Melody]

I'll PM my Christmas Wish List so you can choose a lovely gift for me :) .

BioSpira is standard stock in the US fish stores I believe, so it shouldn't be a prob to find it. Probably the chain stores would be a good place to start.

[CACAdmin]

Well, for what it's worth, I'll put my 2 cents in. Unless I'm travelling to the US on holiday, I tend to spend my money in Canada whenever possible (even if it costs me more). I like to put Canadian dollars back into Canadian pockets. So, my Christmas shopping will be done this side of the border (as per usual).

To each his/her own, however and I'm not faulting anyone for doing what they must to make their dollar go further. It's not easy to balance the budget these days.
Regardless where you spend your money this Christmas, just remember, more than the gift, it's the thought that counts! :Holiday-17:

[hp10BII]

Well this weekend were the big Thanksgiving Sales across the line. The significant other and her minions trekked down Friday morning for a full day's shopping. Bargains for sure, but so were the huge line-ups.

I'll do both, but Boxing Day sales up here though. Already making my wish list for BD sales.

[Melody]

I forgot about the Thanksgiving sales! Good deals galore.:D And you're not going to supervise? She didn't give you that "But Darling, I'll be shopping for you so you can't come." line, did she? ;)

[Melody]

Hmmm... could be a whole lot of US shopping coming up:

Scotiabank chief economist sees Canadian dollar topping 90 cents U.S. in 2007 (http://channels.aol.ca/finance/article.adp?id=20061127183809990009)

Maybe it will make our retailers a little more competitive. They've profitted from our weak dollar for years and Canadian prices are through the roof.

[hp10BII]

I forgot about the Thanksgiving sales! Good deals galore.:D And you're not going to supervise? She didn't give you that "But Darling, I'll be shopping for you so you can't come." line, did she? ;)

She done good. Everybody else was going nuts and the lineups were horrendus but all she came back with was a sweater.

[Melody]

What a good girl! Wonder where she stashed the rest of the stuff? :DevilGrin:

A sweater is a good choice for this weather - smart lady ya got there.

[ckmullin]

.

[GaryofMontreal]

I'm waiting to see how it pans out, but I just made an out of country purchase of digital aquarium thermometres for my fishroom with some money I was given for Christmas. I decided to say 'beep the US", and traced the ones I wanted to their distributor in China. If it works, I will have saved 85% off their price over here. If it doesn't, I'll be out very little money.
I'll know in a few weeks.
My local retailers sell American or Canadian branded goods manufactured in China. You can't win. I have a local retailer I respect and from whom I will buy most of my equipment, even if it is cheaper in the US when I go there. I buy all my food from the US, partially because of price (25% the cost here) but also because the online specialty stores there have products I can't buy in Canada.

[Ursus sapien]

avatar surprise, Gary! Great teeth:-)

My preference is to buy from local vendors first, and locally produced if possible (like those cool washable bicycle dust masks made in a Vancouver sweat shop:-)

Whenever possible, I buy/trade for used equipment and tanks; as long as the item can be bleached or otherwise disinfected.

When all else fails, I admit to giving in and buying brand new, from the States or Taiwan.

[h2osanity]

Wow, so much for fast held ethics. I posted my "Keep my money in Canada" vote and then just today made arrangements for a CO2 diffuser to come up from the States. :tongue:

Not available in Canada. Wonder if they need a Canadian distributor? Hmmmm...

[mikebike]

I bought 3 "Finex" brand heaters off Ebay a couple of year ago.
The fist one died after 8 month #2 at 13 months and the third one at 17 months.

I was not impressed with their one year guarantee.