Cross-border - tips?

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#4598094 - 03/17/10 11:11 AM Cross-border - tips?
civiclvr civiclvr Post Master Sr Registered: 03/11/02 Posts: 3922 Loc: DFGland	So, we're taking a little cross-border shopping trip tomorrow. Hopefully, the girls last the ride down and back without vomiting. Otherwise, I may have to myself. Pretty much know where we're going to go to shop (and Cheesecake Factory for lunch ), but anyone have any tips on getting back across w/o getting busted for duties. Last time we came back, it was 9pm and I told the guard in the booth that we had bought about $80 between the two of us (which was true). He made us pull over, pay duties, and have our car searched. Me, my wife, toddler and baby in the car...do we look like hardcore shoppers or terrorists? He seemed like a cocky ass (who wears sunglasses at 9pm?), but that was really frustrating. I didn't mind paying duties - we look for deals that are worth it even with duties - but I hated having to wake up the baby and have our car searched. Even the guards doing the searching felt sorry for us and did a cursory search before letting us go. Still - what do you guys say when you're bringing stuff back. Do you lower the value that you actually spent? Say nothing at all? Or just be completely honest and hope for the best? _________________________ -------------------------------------------------- I have only been wrong once in my life and that was when I thought I had made a mistake.
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#4598148 - 03/17/10 11:33 AM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: civiclvr]
TheRealCSnapper TheRealCSnapper Post Master Supreme Registered: 12/05/02 Posts: 31956 Loc: Toronto, Canada	honesty is the best policy... unless you're bringing in thousands of dollars worth of shit back....
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#4598155 - 03/17/10 11:35 AM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: TheRealCSnapper]
c2k c2k Post Master Supreme Registered: 05/21/00 Posts: 19349 Loc: Wiesloch-Walldorf, Germany	shrugs, just avoid going to the french booth. I find that everytime I go into one I get harassed. Just be honest and sometimes you'll be fine. It's all in the tone and attitude you are presenting. Or they could be just having a eral shitty day. _________________________ Who cares
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#4598183 - 03/17/10 11:42 AM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: c2k]
SuPeR-MaRiO SuPeR-MaRiO Post Master Sr Registered: 06/28/01 Posts: 6459 Loc: Toronto, Ontario	My thought is always lie. Whether you tell them you didn't purchase anything, or simply lower the amount you did purchase, you should lie. Here's my thought on that, what is the worst that can happen financially? They will make you pay what you owe. If you tell them the truth it's the same outcome. So why not take the risk and possibly pay less or none at all? The only thing is if it provokes you getting searched. But even telling the truth can get you searched. So what's the difference? By the way, to my knowledge there is no penalty for lying that I am aware of. If there is, someone correct me.
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#4598199 - 03/17/10 11:47 AM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: SuPeR-MaRiO]
Eddie_82 Eddie_82 miataist Post Master Supreme Registered: 01/09/03 Posts: 38130 Loc: Ca�ada	Originally Posted By: SuPeR-MaRiO My thought is always lie. Whether you tell them you didn't purchase anything, or simply lower the amount you did purchase, you should lie. Here's my thought on that, what is the worst that can happen financially? They will make you pay what you owe. If you tell them the truth it's the same outcome. So why not take the risk and possibly pay less or none at all? The only thing is if it provokes you getting searched. But even telling the truth can get you searched. So what's the difference? By the way, to my knowledge there is no penalty for lying that I am aware of. If there is, someone correct me. http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5056-eng.html#s6x5
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#4598214 - 03/17/10 11:50 AM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: Eddie_82]
SuPeR-MaRiO SuPeR-MaRiO Post Master Sr Registered: 06/28/01 Posts: 6459 Loc: Toronto, Ontario	I figured there had to be a penalty, I just never looked into it. You can tell I don't cross border shop much. Thanks for the link.
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#4598283 - 03/17/10 12:14 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: civiclvr]
f22b-dohc f22b-dohc Post Master Supreme Registered: 09/09/05 Posts: 11227 Loc: canadia	nice on cheesecake factory. last time there was no room for the cheesecake i cross lewiston when i go to buffalo and dont get hassled. last time we pulled over, we paid 40 bucks in tax. which is worth it considering there was a lot of shit she bought _________________________ JB weld is your friend Chewbacca makes me yawn Yawn "rolling -----on my 2.0, with the rag top down so my hair can blow..."
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#4598389 - 03/17/10 12:41 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: SuPeR-MaRiO]
Hatorade Hatorade pheggit Post Master Supreme Registered: 11/05/99 Posts: 26935 Loc: Toronto, ON	Originally Posted By: SuPeR-MaRiO My thought is always lie. Whether you tell them you didn't purchase anything, or simply lower the amount you did purchase, you should lie. Here's my thought on that, what is the worst that can happen financially? They will make you pay what you owe. If you tell them the truth it's the same outcome. So why not take the risk and possibly pay less or none at all? The only thing is if it provokes you getting searched. But even telling the truth can get you searched. So what's the difference? By the way, to my knowledge there is no penalty for lying that I am aware of. If there is, someone correct me. Is this a serious post or are you just fucking around? I have one word for you; blacklist. _________________________ '07 997.1 GT3 '08 E90 M3 '11 E90 d '02 Rota Grid - 195-55-16FR (RIP) '04 Volk GTC - 245-35-19F/275-35-19R (Sold to a farm boi) I thought Spark* was a robot from the old movie and I kind of remember seeing him telling some engineer showing the equation for a clear metal that the guy would event years later* - porschetr
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#4598464 - 03/17/10 12:59 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: civiclvr]
Alpha-Trion Alpha-Trion Post Master Sr Registered: 06/10/02 Posts: 6962 Loc: Milltown	I always try to find the fastest moving line... its usually a customs officer that doesn't give a crap and just sends people through. If its <$200 than I usually declare it, but if its more, I try to sneak it over. Haven't been searched yet, but asian/brown folk usually have this notorious distinction for not declaring their goods, therefore we get targeted and searched more often.
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#4598487 - 03/17/10 01:07 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: Hatorade]
SuPeR-MaRiO SuPeR-MaRiO Post Master Sr Registered: 06/28/01 Posts: 6459 Loc: Toronto, Ontario	Originally Posted By: Hatorade Is this a serious post or are you just fucking around? I have one word for you; blacklist. I was being serious. Yes I know it sounds stupid, but as I said I didn't know if there were any penalties. In addition, I don't cross border shop often and so I've only had to declare anything a couple of times in the past decade or so. As for Blacklisting, I wonder if every single person who is caught with items that they didn't declare is put on a list. And even so, whoop-dee-doo. You got me for the sweater I didn't declare to pay $5 tax on. Put me alongside Bin Laden for the most wanted
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#4598541 - 03/17/10 01:19 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: SuPeR-MaRiO]
Screamin' Type-R Screamin' Type-R The R stands for exactly what you think it does. Post Master Supreme Registered: 02/20/01 Posts: 48200 Loc: T.O. - Canaduh	i've brought a bunch of stuff thru...new and used car parts (small shit like a BOV to a whole bumper at times lol), and the usual clothes/shoes/electronics like most ppl...i can say i've been 'lucky' a few times coming back over. granted usually the CDN. side is always easier and well...lazy lol. if anything i get checked MORE going IN to the US...wtf? dude is inspect my empty trunk/spare tire area? durr...useless powertripping fucks. maybe it's when i dont shave for a week and have a tan in summer...then i have the terror suspect look? i dunno. coming into Canada, half the time i've been, it's a younger patrol person, feet up on the counter, or they're doing their homework. i get the usual 3-4 q's and they send me on my way. when i was younger i would BS and say nothing (that was lucky more than anything), and i'd go thru...usually with car items. but i think it's best to at least claim SOMETHING...even if it's a 1/4 the amount, this works easier with clothing and scuh items since u can show some receipts, and the rest just untag and wear or add to luggage. as for car items, i just claim it (unless it's uber small, i just say i was visiting family/friends or there for meetings for work lol). so for a large item, just tell them it's used auto part (hopefully appears used), and u bought it from a swap meet or ebay...they then ask the value, give them some low BS amount, and they usually let you go. show them some paperwork/email/online receipt for it if they ask, and you can go. also depends on length of stay...if you know you're gonna bring lots of shit over, just stay longer/overnight to make it 24hr's to bump the total amt allowed up (i forget how much the amt's are). that can help too IF you get checked/asked to pay tax. also depends i guess how shady you look to them...guess i go over better than some of you fuckers =p lol...and if speaking to them, do so confident, have your paperwork/passport in your hand out the window, take your sunglasses off and stare them straight in the eyes when speaking, with short/consice answers. frenchie line is fine with me...lol i speak it fluently, and when you do with the guard, it's sooooo fuckin laidback/buddybuddy, you're right on thru lol... _________________________ "Ban low performance drivers, not high performance cars"
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#4598547 - 03/17/10 01:21 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: SuPeR-MaRiO]
Hatorade Hatorade pheggit Post Master Supreme Registered: 11/05/99 Posts: 26935 Loc: Toronto, ON	It's quite clear that you don't travel often. Once you get blacklisted you will get searched all the time when you cross customs. Whether you are flying or just driving across. So really, is saving a few bucks really worth it? Not to mention they have the right to confiscate as well. I travel often enough and saving $50 does not out weigh the future hassles. _________________________ '07 997.1 GT3 '08 E90 M3 '11 E90 d '02 Rota Grid - 195-55-16FR (RIP) '04 Volk GTC - 245-35-19F/275-35-19R (Sold to a farm boi) I thought Spark* was a robot from the old movie and I kind of remember seeing him telling some engineer showing the equation for a clear metal that the guy would event years later* - porschetr
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#4598564 - 03/17/10 01:26 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: Hatorade]
Screamin' Type-R Screamin' Type-R The R stands for exactly what you think it does. Post Master Supreme Registered: 02/20/01 Posts: 48200 Loc: T.O. - Canaduh	oh, but those that have it the best are ppl living in the boonies. i know one old fart, had his own shop for GM parts/fiero shit, etc. - he lived outside of ottawa...forget where...maybe near the syracuse, US border...but used a crossing close to his place...dead quiet one, and they knew all the bordergaurds on a first name basis. dude would tell me he'd bring trailer loads of parts....drive right on back into Canada...fucker. _________________________ "Ban low performance drivers, not high performance cars"
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#4598596 - 03/17/10 01:36 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: Screamin' Type-R]
TheRealCSnapper TheRealCSnapper Post Master Supreme Registered: 12/05/02 Posts: 31956 Loc: Toronto, Canada	the last time i went to Buffalo to party with some US CSI-ers, i was asked so many f'ing questinos going there... Guard - Where are you going Me - Buffalo G - Why Me - A friend's birthday G - How do you know him Me - Online Car club G - Where does he live Me - Buffalo... XYZ street or something G - What do you do Me - web project management G - Where Me - Suncor Energy G - What does your friend do Me - I think he's currently out of a job G - What did he do Me - not sure G - What are you bringing in Me - Nothing...oh wait, a 6 pack. G - okay. go ahead. SERIOUSLY. I'm a pretty clean cut looking guy. My car was a little dirty, but the details was a little over kill i think. I had nothing to hide, so i didn't care but it was just annoying.
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#4598613 - 03/17/10 01:42 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: Screamin' Type-R]
Astroboy93 Astroboy93 Post Master Jr Registered: 07/09/02 Posts: 1666 Loc: Toronto, ON	As said above, do not lie, being black listed is not worth it. On day trips I find < $100-200 they let you pass without paying, especially if you have a few people with you. Coming into Canada is the easiet. I'd bet 50% of the time I'm not even asked for a passport. If you are going to Walden Galleria first, cross at the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie. Just went last weekend and got searched when coming back, first time ever. Spent $100, no duty/taxes paid, but they searched the car and us. My fault though, said I was only over for a couple hours to buy the Shamrock Shake from McDicks (which was true). They grilled me on my FRS radio like asking where the other one is and who am I communicating with LOL.
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#4598632 - 03/17/10 01:45 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: Screamin' Type-R]
OracerO OracerO Post Master Sr Registered: 10/07/02 Posts: 3949 Loc: GTA	i tell them the truth. A slimed down truth though. Either way, it's not that big of a difference.
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#4598634 - 03/17/10 01:46 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: TheRealCSnapper]
civiclvr civiclvr Post Master Sr Registered: 03/11/02 Posts: 3922 Loc: DFGland	Hmm..I guess experience is varied. We'll also likely be buying some baby and kids' stuff (clothes and gear). I've heard that stuff is exempt from duties. Wonder if we should just say we went over to buy baby stuff and maybe they'll let us pass on through...? _________________________ -------------------------------------------------- I have only been wrong once in my life and that was when I thought I had made a mistake.
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#4598643 - 03/17/10 01:47 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: civiclvr]
A2B-Lexus A2B-Lexus Post Master Supreme Registered: 04/19/01 Posts: 45604 Loc: Raptors Land	Originally Posted By: civiclvr So, we're taking a little cross-border shopping trip tomorrow. Hopefully, the girls last the ride down and back without vomiting. Otherwise, I may have to myself. Pretty much know where we're going to go to shop (and Cheesecake Factory for lunch ), but anyone have any tips on getting back across w/o getting busted for duties. Last time we came back, it was 9pm and I told the guard in the booth that we had bought about $80 between the two of us (which was true). He made us pull over, pay duties, and have our car searched. Me, my wife, toddler and baby in the car...do we look like hardcore shoppers or terrorists? He seemed like a cocky ass (who wears sunglasses at 9pm?), but that was really frustrating. I didn't mind paying duties - we look for deals that are worth it even with duties - but I hated having to wake up the baby and have our car searched. Even the guards doing the searching felt sorry for us and did a cursory search before letting us go. Still - what do you guys say when you're bringing stuff back. Do you lower the value that you actually spent? Say nothing at all? Or just be completely honest and hope for the best? What a dick move by the boarder guard. I've been honest all the times I've been over and I've been searched once and taxed but that is probably out of 20 or so times from as far back as I can remember. I always tell them what I spend and they usually just tell me to "have a nice night" after answering their tipcial stupid questions.
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#4598656 - 03/17/10 01:50 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: A2B-Lexus]
Screamin' Type-R Screamin' Type-R The R stands for exactly what you think it does. Post Master Supreme Registered: 02/20/01 Posts: 48200 Loc: T.O. - Canaduh	i think it also depends on how many Mexicans you're hiding in the car too _________________________ "Ban low performance drivers, not high performance cars"
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#4598668 - 03/17/10 01:53 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: Screamin' Type-R]
Alexandre Alexandre Wish I could have my old name back Post Master Supreme Registered: 04/28/05 Posts: 15457 Loc: Toronto	If i go shopping with my gf we wear scrubbed out clothes that we would otherwise donate, buy new clothes, put then on, throw out old clothes and then declare a reasonable amount. Haven't had problems, i only have problems when i go alone, then they take my fucking car apart. _________________________ WTF? $\:\/$
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#4598679 - 03/17/10 01:56 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: Alexandre]
OracerO OracerO Post Master Sr Registered: 10/07/02 Posts: 3949 Loc: GTA	what happened ? you got your car taken apart? did they put it back together?
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#4598691 - 03/17/10 02:01 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: Alexandre]
civiclvr civiclvr Post Master Sr Registered: 03/11/02 Posts: 3922 Loc: DFGland	Originally Posted By: Alexandre If i go shopping with my gf we wear scrubbed out clothes that we would otherwise donate, buy new clothes, put then on, throw out old clothes and then declare a reasonable amount. Haven't had problems, i only have problems when i go alone, then they take my fucking car apart. Disposable clothes...I like that idea. That's usually why I don't wear a watch when I go down...always interested in picking one up. Problem is, a lot of the times I don't find one I like (or the ones I like are too $$ read: Tag), so I end up wondering what the hell time it is all day long... $\:\/$ _________________________ -------------------------------------------------- I have only been wrong once in my life and that was when I thought I had made a mistake.
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#4598759 - 03/17/10 02:23 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: OracerO]
Alexandre Alexandre Wish I could have my old name back Post Master Supreme Registered: 04/28/05 Posts: 15457 Loc: Toronto	Originally Posted By: OracerO what happened ? you got your car taken apart? did they put it back together? They took my civic into some warehouse looking building and made me wait in a room for 45 minutes. Got my car back and half the panels were loose, my trunk was a mess, glovebox items were on the floor, etc. _________________________ WTF? $\:\/$
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#4598789 - 03/17/10 02:34 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: Alexandre]
Eddie_82 Eddie_82 miataist Post Master Supreme Registered: 01/09/03 Posts: 38130 Loc: Ca�ada	Originally Posted By: Alexandre Originally Posted By: OracerO what happened ? you got your car taken apart? did they put it back together? They took my civic into some warehouse looking building and made me wait in a room for 45 minutes. Got my car back and half the panels were loose, my trunk was a mess, glovebox items were on the floor, etc. The same thing happened to a friend of mine but I think it was more like 2 or 3 hours. It was also a Civic
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#4598798 - 03/17/10 02:36 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: Alexandre]
A2B-Lexus A2B-Lexus Post Master Supreme Registered: 04/19/01 Posts: 45604 Loc: Raptors Land	Originally Posted By: Alexandre Originally Posted By: OracerO what happened ? you got your car taken apart? did they put it back together? They took my civic into some warehouse looking building and made me wait in a room for 45 minutes. Got my car back and half the panels were loose, my trunk was a mess, glovebox items were on the floor, etc. CTU probably contacted CSIS about some Russians smuggling radioactive rods to make a dirty bomb. /24 $\:D$
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#4598807 - 03/17/10 02:39 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: Alexandre]
Choco 'Nuck Choco 'Nuck Proud Member of BLM Post Master Supreme Registered: 07/10/01 Posts: 17571 Loc: Somewhere out there	Never had a problem, and I go to the US frequently. Just tell them the truth, its not worth being blacklisted.
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#4598812 - 03/17/10 02:41 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: A2B-Lexus]
Alexandre Alexandre Wish I could have my old name back Post Master Supreme Registered: 04/28/05 Posts: 15457 Loc: Toronto	I think it had more to do with the fact that I was crossing the border at a very random time. Guy alone, crossing at 7am all scrubbed out, etc. I was wearing scurbs because i was going to be installing parts in a freaking parking lot. Once they let me go, oddly enough there was a ford expedition border patrol truck that followed me for about 30 minutes after. _________________________ WTF? $\:\/$
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#4598820 - 03/17/10 02:44 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: Alexandre]
Screamin' Type-R Screamin' Type-R The R stands for exactly what you think it does. Post Master Supreme Registered: 02/20/01 Posts: 48200 Loc: T.O. - Canaduh	vas, lets you and i head down with our rides...m@dtyte s2k and mTree, each car riding on 4 spare tire wheels...lulz...135/75/13 whaaaaaat. then head to the rim/tire shop, buy/install some badass rims and head back over after a simple 'visit'. _________________________ "Ban low performance drivers, not high performance cars"
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#4598828 - 03/17/10 02:46 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: Screamin' Type-R]
Alexandre Alexandre Wish I could have my old name back Post Master Supreme Registered: 04/28/05 Posts: 15457 Loc: Toronto	pffft i am down...except i am unemployed and can't afford rims or the gas to go to buffalo _________________________ WTF? $\:\/$
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#4598846 - 03/17/10 02:50 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: Alexandre]
Screamin' Type-R Screamin' Type-R The R stands for exactly what you think it does. Post Master Supreme Registered: 02/20/01 Posts: 48200 Loc: T.O. - Canaduh	oh yeah, sorry...well you suck then. k, i'll drive...you take the $5 casino niagara bus with all the 65+ yr old asians lol .... _________________________ "Ban low performance drivers, not high performance cars"
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#4598878 - 03/17/10 02:58 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: Screamin' Type-R]
Alexandre Alexandre Wish I could have my old name back Post Master Supreme Registered: 04/28/05 Posts: 15457 Loc: Toronto	Chip in $10 so i can build that freaking hut that everyone thinks will fall apart. _________________________ WTF? $\:\/$
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#4598921 - 03/17/10 03:15 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: Alexandre]
Screamin' Type-R Screamin' Type-R The R stands for exactly what you think it does. Post Master Supreme Registered: 02/20/01 Posts: 48200 Loc: T.O. - Canaduh	done. don't forget the gas $ you'll need to go to and from rona/homo depot/brAfasco/crappy tire/home hardware all the time too from your build site.... _________________________ "Ban low performance drivers, not high performance cars"
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#4598972 - 03/17/10 03:27 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: Screamin' Type-R]
f22b-dohc f22b-dohc Post Master Supreme Registered: 09/09/05 Posts: 11227 Loc: canadia	Originally Posted By: Screamin Civic k, i'll drive...you take the $5 casino niagara bus with all the 65+ yr old asians lol .... hey!!!!!!!! fuk u, my rents go on those buses. --i've had to pick them up once _________________________ JB weld is your friend Chewbacca makes me yawn Yawn "rolling -----on my 2.0, with the rag top down so my hair can blow..."
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#4599025 - 03/17/10 03:41 PM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: f22b-dohc]
civiclvr civiclvr Post Master Sr Registered: 03/11/02 Posts: 3922 Loc: DFGland	^^I think those are called "money buses" by the casino employees. _________________________ -------------------------------------------------- I have only been wrong once in my life and that was when I thought I had made a mistake.
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#4608998 - 03/22/10 11:02 AM Re: Cross-border - tips? [Re: civiclvr]
civiclvr civiclvr Post Master Sr Registered: 03/11/02 Posts: 3922 Loc: DFGland	Quick update - ended up getting back w/ no problems. The border guard asked us how much we spent, and I told him roughly what it was - about $100 between the wife and I (mostly her) and about half that on the kids (cheap bastard parents). Curiously, he asked us how often we go into the U.S. I figure they ask that to see if you're lying vs. what they have in their system. If you tell them a much lower frequency than what's on record, they'll figure you're hiding something and it's cavity search time. But...I didn't tell him about my special little purchase... Have always wanted one of these. I got a great deal on it and couldn't pass it up. Not bling at all, and my new daily watch. Another tip - if you're planning on crossing the border, use the hotline that they provide to get an update on bridge traffic (800-715-6722). It easily saved us at least an hour and a half of border wait times between heading down and coming back, by rerouting to a different bridge. Can't believe we never knew about it before... _________________________ -------------------------------------------------- I have only been wrong once in my life and that was when I thought I had made a mistake.
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