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 That's Shaw policy...to deny.  A few times I got an older tech for my internet to come in and he was brutally honest but of course, head office disagreed with him.   I knew he was telling the truth.  He was probably a shop steward or something with Shaw who wasnt afraid to say it like it is. However, I doubt Telus is better, probably worse.
   

How did Craig's List get so popular.  Last year I had no idea what Craig's list was.  Now, they have things for sale, personals, you name it.  It's also all across North America.  

 Here is an article in the Toronto Sun.  For the most part, I have no use for these items:

[span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder_article_NavWebPart_Article_ctl00___SubTitle1__" class="subhead1"]Many items such as cellphones, games, golf bags  are considered `free' under Customs Tariff Act[/span][span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder_article_NavWebPart_Article_ctl00___Credit1__" style="text-transform: uppercase;"]
[/span]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 OTTAWA– Golf bags, microwave ovens, plastic toys, cellphones, video games.[/p] Guess what? You don't have to pay duty on any of these items when you return from a shopping trip to the United States, or anywhere abroad for that matter.[/p] Even if you go for only a few hours, or you blow your personal exemption of $50 for a 24-hour trip or $400 for 48 hours or more, you're only required to pay Canadian taxes on many common items.[/p] Few Canadians are well briefed on the extensive list of items that are considered "free" under the Customs Tariff Act, and it's no surprise. Even officials at the Canadian Border Services Agency can't easily rhyme off a list of top duty-free items without first doing some research.[/p] It's all based on complex international tariff agreements, as well as specific free-trade deals between Canada and others. Tariffs on goods from some developing countries are also low or non-existent.[/p] When a shopper drives back to Canada and declares his or her loot at customs, agents must go through hundreds of pages of detailed descriptions of what percentage duty is owed on a particular item.[/p] For example, downhill skis and boots are considered duty-free, as long as they're made in a country that is considered a "most favoured nation," which includes most of the world. China, Japan, and other key manufacturing centres are among them. Curiously, cross-country skis are slapped with a 7.5 per cent tax – that is, unless they're made in the United States, Mexico or other free-trade partner countries.[/p] That's when it pays to pay attention to the label.[/p] Products that are made in the United States, Mexico, Chile and Costa Rica – countries we have a free-trade agreement with – are generally duty-free. That means the silver jewellery from Taxco, or those New Balance runners made in American factories, can be purchased without fear of a big bill at the border or airport.[/p] David McCaffery, CEO of Ottawa-based wedding dress manufacturers Justina McCaffery Haute Couture, says the business has been taking advantage of duty-free for years. There is no duty on silk.[/p] "One of the best things about the silks is that they come in from different parts of the world. We're able to take the product and make the dresses and ... there's absolutely no duty because it's 100 per cent silk that we're using," said McCaffery, married to designer Justina.[/p] But even the McCafferys  had no idea about how many personal items they could bring back without duty.[/p] Officials suggest shoppers keen to save money do a little research before they leave home.[/p] "If they know the item they're specially looking to purchase, and they want to know what duty they'll face, they should call the line," says Chris Williams, of the Canadian Border Services Agency.[/p] That line is the Border Information Service – 1-800-461-9999. The more patient shopper can take a gander at the Customs Tariff descriptions, on the Canadian Border Services website [a href="http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-commerce/tariff-tarif/tariff2007/01-99/tblmod-1-e.html"]here[/a].[/p]Here's a list of some of the items that can be brought across the
 Canada-U.S. border without paying duty. (Canadian taxes always apply.)

 . Almost anything made in the United States or Mexico

 . Toys, including puzzles, trains, dolls, action figures

 . Video games

 . Cellphones

 . Antiques

 . Most kinds of original art

 . Downhill skis and boots

 . Toasters
 . Breadmakers

 . Electric irons

 . Artificial Christmas trees

 . Billiard tables

 . Chess sets

 . Office furniture

 . SLR and instant cameras

 . Unset diamonds, pearls and precious stones

 . Golf bags made mostly of synthetics.

 . Books

 . Glassware (including crystal)

 Source: Canadian Border Services Agency

[/p]
   

 There is a lot of hype and the media does a good job promoting the shopping in the US.  I enjoy going for the drive and to fill up....that relaxes me.  Some deals to be had on food like tools,  milk, ice cream, and other dairy products but nearly  as much as before.  People seem to feel compelled into buying something in the US because they have travelled that far  so they must buy things to justify the trip.  I think big ticket items can be a good deal as is auto supplies too. Years ago the Costco USA had designer glasses considerably cheaper than in Canada.  Like everything you have to know your prices but I wonder how many actually do when they shop in the US?

Having said that, Canadian retailers are starting to catch up on the selection of clothing apparel.  I saw on the news that they are trying to attract more customers to buying electronics locally.  It's also true that many Vancouverites have a lot of disposable income or just charge things on their credit  card and get even more into debt.

I was thinking about getting the Nexus pass but now I am wondering.  With the dollar the way it is, it probably won't be long before the Nexus lane will have long line-ups too.
   

 Yeah PC. the selection really is much better in the US but unless there is something  that I really MUST have I usually pass on it.  Back in the day we did  a lot of  our shopping in Bellingham for the variety and selection but nowadays that doesn't seem to be the case any more for what we want or need.

  Like purelife said, we have the Queensborough outlets which are just as good.  I think as we get older, I think we are not into the designer labels so much. But, I like going to the US because it's like a mini getaway.  Even in Vegas we went to the factory outlets all of them...even the one near the Nevada California border and there was not much we bought.  The deals are not their.  I think Bellis Fair, Target, and Ross have better deals. [/DIV]