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Author Topic:   Money

Bruce Boehle posted 07-28-2000 07:49 AM ET (US)
Having not been up to Canada before, or out of the country for that matter. Am I better to find a bank down here to exchange the american dollars or wait till I get up there?
Are there banks on Manatoulin? Suggestions?
Bruce
Backlash posted 07-28-2000 08:27 AM ET (US)
Bruce,
From past experence, I would suggest putting everything on credit cards...you will get the best exchange rate.
Steve
kingfish posted 07-28-2000 10:51 AM ET (US)
Other/additional option is to stop at a duty-free shop as you cross into Canada, a visitor's center (I know both the Soo and Sarnia have these) or a Canadian bank. All three give the maximum amount of exchange. Retailers don't, for all sorts of good reasons.
lhg posted 07-28-2000 02:30 PM ET (US)
Steve is correct in saying "charge" everything that you can. However, I always bring some Canadian cash with me, for those kind of items where you need the cash. I then try to use up what's left at the end of the trip. You can also get it at a major commercial bank where you live for a reasonable rate. Foreign currency exchanges are bad news.
dfmcintyre posted 07-28-2000 10:01 PM ET (US)
Bruce -
Since I'm here on the border town (Port Huron), what the others are saying I'm in agreement with. We usually take about $300 canadian for both weeks, and charge much, as that way you get bank rate. If you go to a decent sized bank where you live, you can order up canadian funds.
We've never been refused using VISA or M/C. There are even ATM's on Manatoulin!!.
Don
Bruce Boehle posted 07-29-2000 05:20 PM ET (US)
Thanks,
Bruce & the family!
jimh posted 07-29-2000 11:53 PM ET (US)
One thing I have noticed in Ontario is that VISA is more widely accepted than MasterCard. I finally found the reason for this: the main bank offering the VISA merchant account is an "English" bank; the main bank offering the MasterCard account is a "French" bank. There is a little anti-French sentiment around, particularly on the North Shore. If you are coming via the SOO, you might notice that most of the road signs around there DO NOT have the French equivalent on them. At least they didn't last time I passed through.
--Jim Hebert
Arch Autenreith posted 07-30-2000 12:02 AM ET (US)
I have to say one last time that it's real depressing no being able to make the NC2000. The next one can't come fast enough. Take some good pictures and post them!
Bruce Boehle posted 07-30-2000 12:18 AM ET (US)
Arch,
I'm quite sure that Jim will have enough photos for all to enjoy!
Bruce

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Author	Topic: Money
Bruce Boehle	posted 07-28-2000 07:49 AM ET (US) Having not been up to Canada before, or out of the country for that matter. Am I better to find a bank down here to exchange the american dollars or wait till I get up there? Are there banks on Manatoulin? Suggestions? Bruce
Backlash	posted 07-28-2000 08:27 AM ET (US) Bruce, From past experence, I would suggest putting everything on credit cards...you will get the best exchange rate. Steve
kingfish	posted 07-28-2000 10:51 AM ET (US) Other/additional option is to stop at a duty-free shop as you cross into Canada, a visitor's center (I know both the Soo and Sarnia have these) or a Canadian bank. All three give the maximum amount of exchange. Retailers don't, for all sorts of good reasons.
lhg	posted 07-28-2000 02:30 PM ET (US) Steve is correct in saying "charge" everything that you can. However, I always bring some Canadian cash with me, for those kind of items where you need the cash. I then try to use up what's left at the end of the trip. You can also get it at a major commercial bank where you live for a reasonable rate. Foreign currency exchanges are bad news.
dfmcintyre	posted 07-28-2000 10:01 PM ET (US) Bruce - Since I'm here on the border town (Port Huron), what the others are saying I'm in agreement with. We usually take about $300 canadian for both weeks, and charge much, as that way you get bank rate. If you go to a decent sized bank where you live, you can order up canadian funds. We've never been refused using VISA or M/C. There are even ATM's on Manatoulin!!. Don
Bruce Boehle	posted 07-29-2000 05:20 PM ET (US) Thanks, Bruce & the family!
jimh	posted 07-29-2000 11:53 PM ET (US) One thing I have noticed in Ontario is that VISA is more widely accepted than MasterCard. I finally found the reason for this: the main bank offering the VISA merchant account is an "English" bank; the main bank offering the MasterCard account is a "French" bank. There is a little anti-French sentiment around, particularly on the North Shore. If you are coming via the SOO, you might notice that most of the road signs around there DO NOT have the French equivalent on them. At least they didn't last time I passed through. --Jim Hebert
Arch Autenreith	posted 07-30-2000 12:02 AM ET (US) I have to say one last time that it's real depressing no being able to make the NC2000. The next one can't come fast enough. Take some good pictures and post them!
Bruce Boehle	posted 07-30-2000 12:18 AM ET (US) Arch, I'm quite sure that Jim will have enough photos for all to enjoy! Bruce