Shopping in Buffalo

[mermaid&cinderella]

I would love to hear where you all shop when you hit Buffalo. I have done Walden Galleria but find there is nothing overly different there than in Toronto.
We also need to buy new running shoes for the family so I thought when we are in Buffalo would be best. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where we can get good quality brand name runners?

Thank you

 

[abdmom]

We just did a run this past weekend. After living in the States for the 15 years, except the last one, I miss my U.S stores.

Target is a good place to buy kids shoes. Not a huge selection though. My ds14 was shocked at the prices of runners in Toronto. When a teenage boy notices the price of things, you know it's really shocking. Target has similar shoes for about $29.

On this last trip, we found McKinley Mall in Orchard Park. It's not ginormous, but it has Sears, Macy's, JC Penney's, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Barnes and Noble and some other very good ones. There's another strip mall across the street from it. DD saw Justice over there, but due to time, we didn't go in.

 

[iluveeyore]

Go to Transit Road - there is Eastern Hills Mall, Walmart Supercenter (along with a large shoe store, dollar store, Michaels Crafts, Party store beside it), Target, Kohl's, Marshalls, and every restaurant chain you can imagine (love my Cracker Barrel). Only three exits past the Galleria and we always find great deals on everything. I shop every two weeks for groceries alone at the Walmart Supercenter (live only 5 min. from the border).

 

[alohamom]

We also do Transit road, lots of great places and bargains! I always print coupons to max my buying power(http://printable-coupons.blogspot.com/) and we usually find great deals on shoes at Famous footwear -If you sign up for the rewards card (free) you get email coupons for future use based on what you spend. They also sometimes have a buy one get one half off sale running which makes for great deals for my kids. The last time we were down they each got brand name running shoes (New Balance and Sketchers) and it was 65.00/US/total which I think is good deal compared to Canadian prices for the same product. Also, the Marshalls across the road from the Galleria has a larger than normal shoe section and my hubby like it there for his runners.

 

[Nicki828]

We always go to the Outlet Mall in Niagra Falls (Prime Outlets). There's also a huge Croc store across the road. We usually hit Target and Kohl's when we go. We sometimes go to the Galleria, and sometimes go to the Boulevard Mall.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Back in September my family and I went for the day to Buffalo and while we were at the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls I would say 90% of the people shopping there were from Ontario, because the majority of cars in the parking lot had licenes plates that said Ontario.

 

[minnie56]

Just back today...we went over yesterday. SHopped the Outlet Mall on the way over...then we went all along Main St in Williamsville lunching on a pretty patio restaurant and enjoying some nice boutiques to shop in. From there...we headed to our Hotel beside Walden Galleria and after check in we went across to WG. I was pretty underwhelmed by the Mall this time and in fact, the past few times. We enjoyed dinner tho at the Italian restaurant across from the Cheesecake Factory whose name once again escapes me! Today..after breakfast at Cracker Barrel..we shopped all along Transit Rd at Kohls, Stein Mart, Target, Tops etc etc....We had a great time!! Weather was good-prices were right!

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

Thanks for all your help 3 more days and I am shopping

 

[stitchfan23]

Honestly if you don't mind driving a little further go to Grove City in Pa. It is an outlet mall that is owned by Prime Outlets and it is fantastic. Better deals than in Buffalo and only 2 hours from the boarder plus there is no tax on clothes in PA. Well worth the extra time in the car and it is easily to get to right off the highway.

 

[shaycamp21]

How much (if anything) can you bring back if you just shop for the day? How much duty do you end up paying if you go over the limit?

 

[minnie56]

Technically, there is no allowance spending only a day there...but if you are around $50-$60 they usually let you through without a problem. If and when you pay anything, it is not duties...but rather GST/PST. So pretty negligable really.
We were down overnight earlier this week...spent approx $300-$400 each and they waved us through! Makes the times we are sent in to pay a little easier to take!

 

[dsneygirl]

Technically, there is no allowance spending only a day there...but if you are around $50-$60 they usually let you through without a problem. If and when you pay anything, it is not duties...but rather GST/PST. So pretty negligable really.
We were down overnight earlier this week...spent approx $300-$400 each and they waved us through! Makes the times we are sent in to pay a little easier to take!

Only goods manufactured in the US are Duty Free. So you could technically have to pay duty if they got picky and looked at where everything was made (China etc)

 

[minnie56]

True..but in the 5-10 times I cross a year it's never happened to me. They have not once even come to the car to see what I have.....just 'let's see your bills' and here's what you owe"..

 

[dsneygirl]

True..but in the 5-10 times I cross a year it's never happened to me. They have not once even come to the car to see what I have.....just 'let's see your bills' and here's what you owe"..

But you stated to the PP that they wouldn't be charged Duty which is not true. There is some officer discretion involved but under the legislation it is certainly possible.

 

[minnie56]

Of course it is possible..just unlikely.
Now if you bring across Electronics etc..there is a greater chance duties will be assessed. But they aren't terribly interested I have found in ladies clothes, kitty litter, and the odd food items I generally buy! So more often than not, we are talking taxes.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Technically, there is no allowance spending only a day there...but if you are around $50-$60 they usually let you through without a problem.

That's basically what we told we had coming back into Canada this past September after spending the day shopping there. However the only difference is the Customs agent looked in the back of our trunk, however I remember the lane we were in he was doing that to other cars.