eye8Ubutler
Maritime Provinces
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Joined: 09/14/2010
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FRIENDLY WARNING....and not ment to cause offence to anyone, just some down to earth reality info' for campers coming up from the good old USA!
Here in Canada purchasing fuel at the pump with a CC is far easier then in the USA.
100% outside of and around 99% inside of cities...allow you to pump first and walk in after to pay, both CC and cash.
Pumps do not request a zip code when paying at the pump with a CC.
Along the Canada/US border, all the usual big chain fast food joints and Canadian supermarkets in any town at or near the border will accept US cash, their 'checkout' machine does the calculation.
Certainly bring some cash with you anyway.
We have travelled around the USA and buying fuel at a gas station is far more complicated for us, then it will be for you when you travel around Canada buying fuel.
You will find that fuel here in comparison to the USA is around 20% more, to buy (I know because I live less then 15 miles from a border crossing!).
Food essentials are in comparison to the USA, again FAR more expensive...I sight...Milk, Cheese, Bacon and wait until you see how much you will pay for bread!!!
Make sure your spare wheel is 100%, here in Canada some of our roads look like they have just been 'carpet bombed!' LOL!!!
If you drink....alchohol is nearly everywhere in Canada, sold in governemnt stores at nearly 50% more then what it costs in the USA.
Why, because they are a tax source of course!
Enjoy your trip???
We always camp in the USA.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ 2007 (new shape)
4x4 Crew Cab VORTEC MAX (L76) 6.0L V8 4L70E 4.10 axle
factory NHT Max Trailering Package.
2010 Coachmen Freedom Express 280 RLS
"...a Waldorf Salad?, sorry we are fresh out of Waldorfs!".......BASIL FAWLTY.
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dsheets
Danville,Il
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Joined: 05/15/2004
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Will Tim Hortons take US cash?
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eye8Ubutler
Maritime Provinces
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dsheets wrote:Will Tim Hortons take US cash?
A big yes....in all communities on or very near the border!
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301TBS
Ontario, Canada
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Not sure, but will take debit, credit cards, and of course tims card.
2012 Crossroads Z1 271B
2009 F150 4x4,4.6,3v. 6spd. 3.73/9.75
Reese dual cam
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SideHillSoup
South Eastern British Columbia
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In B.C. you have to pay before you pump, that law was passed a few years back.
Soup
2006, Komfort 261FS
2007 Sierra SLE, 2500 HD / 4x4 / Duramax with a 6 speed Allison Transmission
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dsheets
Danville,Il
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made my day
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SWD
Land of Living Skies
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Joined: 06/07/2005
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In Alberta there are independent liqour stores and some gas stations will not take US credit cards. Carpet bombed roads are many in the rural areas of Saskatchewan, not so much in Alberta. One saving grace to all the high prices and taxation, is that we do have a better health care system than you guys do south of the border. So I guess its about even.
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SWD
Land of Living Skies
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301TBS wrote:Not sure, but will take debit, credit cards, and of course tims card.
Our local Tims dont take credit cards!
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301TBS
Ontario, Canada
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Nunavit?
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five'er
Canada
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Joined: 09/25/2006
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Tim Hortons DOES take US in almost every one I've ever been in and that must be in the thousands. I think most retail stores take US unlike in the US where I've never found them to take Canadain (no big deal).
I didn't find it much cheaper for produce/groceries, some of which was more than in Canada the last I went I.e. potatos and such. Maybe it's because we didn't buy much processed food, I'm sure maybe that is where the savings are. Except for the spray cheese.. can't beleive you guys still sell that stuff, reminded me of being a kid, we bought lots of that stuff!
Roads,well, I suppose it depends on where you call home and where you travel, I've found some pretty bad roads everywhere. Keep in mind that roads are provincial/state if not municipal. Roads are not Federal. You can tell most often where state/provincial, city jurisdictions start and stop simply by the condition of the roads.
Fuel and alchohol is cheaper in the US, that's a known, always been that way. I think if fuel and alchohol in the US went up to match or ours went down it would likely solve the long border crossing wait times  In Ontario it's sold by Brewers retail (The Beer Store) and LCBO loctions only (far from many so plan ahead). In some of the provinces you can get it at private locations such as in Alberta and I beleive Quebec. You will not find it sold in Walmart or in gas stations.  I did like that about the US.. One stop shopping.
I never had a problem paying at the pump in the US but I also knew the trick. As mentioned to use your card you need to enter a zip code and because we have letters it becomes confusing. Next time enter JUST the numbers of your postal code and then fill the rest with zero's. It worked for me everytime and filling there was every much as easy as here and yes cheaper too. Not often I leave the pumps with a smile.
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