Shopping for the Holidays South of the Border?

So, you want to support local merchants and you want to take advantage of the weak US dollar? I, along with many neighbours and friends, make an effort to support local business especially on Bloor Street, Bathurst and Dupont in the Annex, but it really is infuriating to pay inflated prices on purchases in Toronto from stores like GAP, Indigo, Zellers, Toys R Us, etc.,. Is it really worth the trip south? Take a few minutes on-line and you will see the differences. Include the fact that the state of Pennsylvannia has no sales tax on clothing and you've just cut your costs by 15%!

While home for US Thanksgiving, I asked my thrifty family from Ohio (Yes, they voted for Gore and Kerry.) for some tips for Canadian shoppers. Here are a few of their suggestions:

1. Skip Buffalo

2. If you are willing to drive 3.5 hours to Erie, Pennsylvannia, get off at exit 24 (Peach Street) and you will find just about every store under the "Big Box Sun" and a little further down the road is the Mill Creek Mall which includes a Dillards (similiar to the late Eatons) and Macys among others. Be sure to check out Wegmans grocery store if just to experience grocery aisles that could fit an 18 wheeler. At Wegmans, the energy efficient light bulbs were less that half what we pay in Toronto.

3. If you are willing to drive 4.5 hours to Grove City, Pennsylvannia; there you will find one of the best outlet malls on the continent according to someone at outletmall.com.

4. From me, the best time on the weekend to cross the border into Canada, avoiding some of the extremely long waits, is Saturday or Sunday before noon and very late at night.

5. From me, shop prepared, make a list and price check. Not everything is cheaper in the US. On some things the price is so close, it's not worth the effort.