Uppity Canadian Bitch.

[Vancouver Femme Fatale]

Apparently that's what I am for stating on a US board that I would no longer be accepting US currency while the exchange rate is volatile; I had a couple weeks earlier said I did accept it when a discussion about paying Canadian providers in US currency had come up, and thought I should indicate the change in policy.

This came about when I realized today that American currency was worth quite a bit less percentage-wise than it had been last night when I received it. Also, when I did the exchange, the guy said it would continue to fall.

I had some clown urging people to be 'patriotic' and not see me over this. I'm sorry, but that really pissed me off. Here this guy is talking about being 'patriotic' in order to punish me for politely asking that I be paid in my own country's currency.

 

[baltimoron]

Didn't these guys ever hear of ATMs?

I'm an American and whenever I go to Canada, I make a beeline for the ATM. This usually gets you the best exchange rate, anyway.

I'm always amazed, especially in Niagara Falls, when I see Americans using US cash to pay for stuff. You're at the mercy of the merchant to decide the exchange rate. You're more likely to get ripped off if you use US cash.

Just use an ATM. Talk to your bank about which Canadian ATMs you can use for free. Don't be Clark Griswald. When in Rome ...

 

[MarkII]

I'm an American I make a beeline for the ATM. This usually gets you the best exchange rate, anyway.

You're at the mercy of the merchant to decide the exchange rate. You're more likely to get ripped off if you use US cash.

Well..we knew you were from the US by the tone of your post.

You bitch about fluctuating rates..try being Canadian when you have American clients! The rate goes up and down every day, yet we have to report it as income ...and our version of the IRS can look up the closing day rate price..something we cannot do...and declare more tax money is due.

Back to you Mr American....so you're complaining that Canadians...(just curious...is that ALL of us or the select few retailers you chose in inflict yourself upon?) are taking advantage of you? You come to Canada...you're already anywhere from 12-20% to the good on exchange but we rip you off for 1-3 %??

My advice..stay home in the land of the free.

You are free to shop there...we don't shop in the US anymore...why should you shop here?

Ya ya ya...a bunch of you will piss on me for my anti comments.

I get tired..real quick..of Americans trying to portray themselves as "everyman" and their dealings with a few Canadians as representative of the entire country.

To make a quick..and not thread stealing comment:

In New Orleans at night...women are being raped, fires are being set and people are dying by gunfire. Toronto certainly does not have the best record for gunfire this summer. But I know in my heart...if this happened in Toronto....it would so safe, it would be squeaky. THAT is the fundamental difference between Canada and the US. We don't shoot in desperation.

Yes..for those that wish to point it out, the people still left in New Orleans ARE desperate for food and water. Faced with the same situation..ya I'd loot for food...I'd steal to feed my family.

But they have something else going on. Lawless factions simply having fun.

It's easy to sit back here in Toronto and pass judgements..but I have to believe that a great deal of the people left behind during the storm were already known to Police. I don't think we are dealing with simply the impoverished. Whether ANYONE likes it, there are some people who just feed off violence or the potential of violence.

From what I see on the news...this is happening. How does rape in a Civic evacuation Centre happen? Who the fuck in the middle of a storm and the conditions that follow that will think of rape? That is one sad Mother!

Back to the original topic....after reading the above....we have NO sympathy for an American saying I got ripped off for point 5 to one percent.

Nite all..sleep well

 

[MarkII]

Femme....I do wish I lived in Vancouver right now...you are not wrong.

I know so MANY americans that are such great people..and a few are assholes! (I know many Canadians I would hesitate to introduce to othes.)

You have unfortunately dealt with the lower half so to speak.

You're not wrong....you have the right to demand dollar parity. Just tell them upfront at booking..if you pay in USD I will check 30 mins before the session fo the last rate quote and charge accordingly.

Seriously....

Where has our society gone when Sp's are checking conversion rates 1/2 hour prior to booking? Are they all to become accountants now?

Have to admit...i llike the sexy biz suit/slutty combo,,,lol

For the clients..JUST PAY! You got HAPPY!

To the SP's etc..just take the money and don't whine. The dollar amounts are going to fluctuate so much over the next few years..it will all work out in Canadas favor. Besides,,,how many actually report rhe income?

I know..(cause 90 % of my biz is from the US)...not that long ago when I got a 38% bonus for USD! Try explaining that , as I am to CCR right now...that it dropped before I paid them, there fore it should be priced at the conversion price not the market price. They disagree...and so do I! The battle continues! They are right...it should be conversion at the time of billing...but who can keep track! I'd need another 2 accounting people just to focus on conversion rates.

Be well Femme!!

Not an easy road you'r trying to take on. Hopefully you'll work out a solution. I honestly believe SP's should just set a USD and CAn rate...adjust based on a six month average. They bitch...send them home!

 

[Meister]

Apparently that's what I am for stating on a US board that I would no longer be accepting US currency while the exchange rate is volatile; I had a couple weeks earlier said I did accept it when a discussion about paying Canadian providers in US currency had come up, and thought I should indicate the change in policy.

This came about when I realized today that American currency was worth quite a bit less percentage-wise than it had been last night when I received it. Also, when I did the exchange, the guy said it would continue to fall.

Just advertise that you are accepting US dollars at par.

LOL

Seriously, in the last month the dollar has fluctuated between .82 and .84. So on a 200 dollar session it would fluctuate 4 dollars. Is it worth pissing off the US customers about something they have no control over? Also, what the hell does the bank teller know about which way the CDN/US exchange is going. Super rich investor guru Warren Buffet has lost billions (!) predicting exchange rates this year.

Here is a hint:
- add exchange risk to your posted US rate
- if you are earning sufficient US dollars, time the market
- customer is king

 

[nfnative]

MarkII sounds like the "ANGRY CANADIAN" Seems our American friend was just pointing out the obvious....and being courteous by using the currency of the Country he's in. Seems fair enough......why would you get pissed over someone making a comment like....you're at the mercy of the merchant for exchange rates.....come to Niagara Falls buddy, the merchants here have been ripping off tourists for years (especially Americans with the exchange rate) When the exhchange rate was about 40% a little while ago, I saw signs at "merchants" that offered 10%. That's not 2-3% thats 200-300% difference over what the ATM was offering.

 

[fjdude]

Unless you people are dealing in ten thousands you're not losing a lot due to f/x swings. Why make such a big deal?

 

[Meister]

Ask the American's if they will accept Canadian Currency (at par) when you visit the US. And if they accept Mexican currency, or British currency.

Then remind them what is sauce for the goose, is sauce for the gander.

It's called customer service. Our company sells a lot to the US and we quote in US dollars and don't charge for brokerage and duty etc....., we absorb it. I guess it all depends on how badly you want the US customers and the 10:1 market size. While the 10:1 market size is not relevant for a SP in Vancouver it does make sense however for her to make it easier for the US customers. In our case we bend over backwards to accomodate the Americans.

 

[Lil'Miss]

Whoa, MarkII, you sound pretty angry. Hopefully my american tone is ok for you
I agree with you guys, if an American is going to use money in Canada, and vice versa, use that country's currency. It's not that big of a deal, even if you get a bad exchange rate, it's a small price to pay to be able to enjoy the sights of another country so easily. DenWa and I just got back from an overnight stay in Windsor, which is about 20 minutes away from our house. You don't even have to get out of your car to exchange money, so why not make it easier on the people you give money to and use their currency.

Miss

 

[Mikehorn]

and our version of the IRS can look up the closing day rate price..something we cannot do...and declare more tax money is due.

http://www.bankofcanada.ca/en/rates/can_us_close.html

 

[Vancouver Femme Fatale]

I agree with you guys, if an American is going to use money in Canada, and vice versa, use that country's currency.

Thank you.

 

[ruck]

In New Orleans at night...women are being raped, fires are being set and people are dying by gunfire. Toronto certainly does not have the best record for gunfire this summer. But I know in my heart...if this happened in Toronto....it would so safe, it would be squeaky. THAT is the fundamental difference between Canada and the US. We don't shoot in desperation.

Yes..for those that wish to point it out, the people still left in New Orleans ARE desperate for food and water. Faced with the same situation..ya I'd loot for food...I'd steal to feed my family.

But they have something else going on. Lawless factions simply having fun.

It's easy to sit back here in Toronto and pass judgements..but I have to believe that a great deal of the people left behind during the storm were already known to Police. I don't think we are dealing with simply the impoverished. Whether ANYONE likes it, there are some people who just feed off violence or the potential of violence.

I'm a proud Canadian and reading comments like this makes me feel slightly upset. Why would you mark this lawlessness as a sign of American attitudes or society? Let me tell you that for the most part, Toronto would probably act the same way. Even when the Jays won the first world series, a riot broke out. A goddamn celebration turned into a riot with lots of violence and looting. So how do you suppose that Toronto would fare better in a situation where it's basically you against the rest. That's what it's like over there. It's called survival of the fittest.
It's deplorable that women are getting raped and people are being murdered. It's absolutely gut wrenching to see the bodies lying dead on the ground as others fight for scraps of relief.
In, Alberta I believe, quite a few years ago, there was a heavy snowfall that turned into a flood situation. My buddy was part of the reserve armed forces. There were soldiers being deployed to that "lawless" area with orders to "shoot" looters when spotted. Lawless panic isn't central to a certain country due to society or attitude, it's an event that can occur when even the basic needs for survival are strapped and everyone is left to fend for themselves. I like to think I'd be above all that, certainly raping is out of the question, but in that situation, perhaps I would shoot someone for the food they have in their hands. Whose to say. It's all about basic need to survive.

 

[buckminster]

The New Orleans mayor said there are a bunch of strung out junkies looking for a fix that are the ones breaking into drugstores and hospitals and gun shops, causing all the problems. And don't belive for a minute that those Jamician thugs in TO would just chill out and become model citizens if the same circumstances happened there.

New Orleans Mayor Transcript of radio interview which is very revealing:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/02/nagin.transcript/index.html

On the same topic, did you know that the levees were only built to withstand a Cat 3 hurricane?

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/09/01/orleans.levees/index.html

Sorry to hijack the thread but I found this info very interesting and timely.

 

[Malibook]

This came about when I realized today that American currency was worth quite a bit less percentage-wise than it had been last night when I received it.

If you don't want to accept US$ that is your business but it makes no sense to me.

What do you consider "quite a bit percentage-wise"?
I doubt it was more than 2%.

Why don't you just do what every business that accepts US$ does and that is offer less than the official exchange.
If the exchange rate is 1.2:1, simply offer 1.1:1.
Even 1.15:1 would more than cover any single day swing in the exchange rate.

Even if you offered the official exchange rate, if you charge $200, isn't it better to end up with $198-$196 instead of $0.00?

 

[Questor]

And don't belive for a minute that those Jamician thugs in TO would just chill out and become model citizens if the same circumstances happened there.

I am sure idiot white guys that like to blame blacks for their problems would be out there looting as well.

If you don't want to accept US$ that is your business but it makes no sense to me.

What do you consider "quite a bit percentage-wise"?
I doubt it was more than 2%.

Why don't you just do what every business that accepts US$ does and that is offer less than the official exchange.

I agree with Malibook on this. VFF, I can see how the attitude of some of your clients would be as annoying as hell. And then to get short changed when you go to the bank with their US$, even if it is a small percentage, that would not be fair. So charge them a bit of a premium if they want to do their banking with you. Calculate the correct exchange on their US$ and add $5 or $10 on top of it if they are paying in US currency. That's fair to you and its not ripping them off. You are in a service industry. I am sure your clients will appreciate the convenience.

 

[Don]

MarkII sounds like the "ANGRY CANADIAN" Seems our American friend was just pointing out the obvious....and being courteous by using the currency of the Country he's in. Seems fair enough......why would you get pissed over someone making a comment like....you're at the mercy of the merchant for exchange rates.....come to Niagara Falls buddy, the merchants here have been ripping off tourists for years (especially Americans with the exchange rate) When the exhchange rate was about 40% a little while ago, I saw signs at "merchants" that offered 10%. That's not 2-3% thats 200-300% difference over what the ATM was offering.

yeah I'm scratching my head over MarkII's comments also. I am trying to see where baltimoron said anything even remotely derogatory about Canada. If anything he was coming down on Americans for not figuring out that using an ATM to get Canadian cash is actually better for them.

Maybe I missed something?

 

[ruck]

yeah I'm scratching my head over MarkII's comments also. I am trying to see where baltimoron said anything even remotely derogatory about Canada. If anything he was coming down on Americans for not figuring out that using an ATM to get Canadian cash is actually better for them.

Maybe I missed something?

You did. Baltimoron said the retailers in Niagara Falls "rip off" the US customers. That's a pretty bold statement. In any high traffic tourist area everything is more costly. So why shouldn't the exchange rate be the same?
It's all nickels and dimes anyways.

Here's a little side note. When the loonie was introduced, American retailers used to scoff and reject payment. This comes from first hand experience. When I was in Buffalo, I tried to buy gum using a loonie. Normally Canadian currency was welcome, at that time anyways, but the loonie was rejected and I was asked if it was chocolate covered in tin foil.

 

[Vancouver Femme Fatale]

Even if you offered the official exchange rate, if you charge $200, isn't it better to end up with $198-$196 instead of $0.00?

Yeah. It would be even better if people used the currency of the country they are in rather than dithering over to what degree I should be free-lancing as a goddamn bank teller.

Is it really that hard?

Sheesh!

 

[baltimoron]

You did. Baltimoron said the retailers in Niagara Falls "rip off" the US customers. That's a pretty bold statement. In any high traffic tourist area everything is more costly...It's all nickels and dimes anyways.

No, that's not what I said.

First statement: You're at the mercy of the merchant to decide the exchange rate.

Meaning it's the retailer's decision as to what the exchange rate is (i.e. price list in both CAD and USD), which may or may not be close to being what you'd see on XE.com or an arbitrary determinant. The bank (i.e. your ATM or credit card) will have a better guarantee of offering a more accurate exchange rate. Now, who are you going to trust more, your hometown bank, or Joe's Canadian Souvenirs?

Second statement: You're more likely to get ripped off if you use US cash.

If you use Canadian cash, then there's no debate over the exchange rate and one less dimension for a rip-off.

Those nickels and dimes add up, BTW, considering hotel, rental car, food, SCs, SPs, etc.

Also, here's the statement from the official Niagara Falls tourism web site:

It is recommended that visitors to Niagara use Canadian funds. The rates for currency exchange vary in different establishments and there are no laws that enforce these rates of exchange.

http://www.niagarafallstourism.com/traveltips.html

 

[Meister]

Yeah. It would be even better if people used the currency of the country they are in rather than dithering over to what degree I should be free-lancing as a goddamn bank teller.

Is it really that hard?

Sheesh!

You just don't get it. Why don't you quote an extra 15 or 20 US dollars over and above what you are expecting to get at the bank. 90% of the guys wouldn't argue since they get the convenience.

Double Dipping.

Pays for 4 packs of smokes or 20 bags of chips.