Shopping in the States

[kmmum]

Hi

My Husband and I are going over to the states shopping this weekend.. Just wondering on some suggestions on where to go.. well besides Target! LOL.. I was thinking maybe a mall?.. outlet mall? Also, what type of things do you buy that you can't get in Canada??

Thanks.. Sarah... who really wishes she was flying out to see the MOUSE his weekend

 

[ronandannette]

Hi...

We're going to Kalispell for the weekend (not exactly the retail capital of the United States, but it's a doable drive...). I'm definitely going to Target, and have been recommended to try Ross and TJ Maxx, which I believe are kind of like Winners only cheaper. I'm primarily after summer clothes and shoes. What are you looking for?


Annette

 

[snickerboo]

Not sure what area you're visiting.....

 

[photomama]

If you are going to Buffalo - try out Bone Fish Grill for dinner!!! and if you like spicy food you must get the Bang, Bang Shrimp for an appetizer. They also make the best martini's

 

[dancin Disney style]

Hi...

We're going to Kalispell for the weekend (not exactly the retail capital of the United States, but it's a doable drive...). I'm definitely going to Target, and have been recommended to try Ross and TJ Maxx, which I believe are kind of like Winners only cheaper. I'm primarily after summer clothes and shoes. What are you looking for?


Annette

TJMaxx is Winners. It's all the same company and the stores are identical. Marshall's is the upscale Winners.

 

[lisalonglash]

Are you in BC? Ontario? Where you're coming from/going to will affect the answers you receive

We're in BC, 5 minutes from the WA state border. We go to Wal-Mart, Target, Barnes & Noble, Bellis Fair Mall, etc.

LOVE shopping in the US - especially with our dollar at par

 

[katiesmom2]

Burlington Coat Factory is good too, if there is one near where you are going. If you are going to Walden Galleria, there is one right near there.

It's not only coats, but everything - and at really great prices.

 

[ronandannette]

Not sure what area you're visiting.....

Kalispell, Montana - 3 hours south of the Alberta boarder...

Annette

 

[tgropp]

We just got back from Frankenmuth and my wife and daughter did their shopping at the Birch Run Mall and in Saginaw. They claim that their bargains in the U.S are great compared to Canada. I had a hard time believing it until I was in a Loews store and come across a barbque that I want to buy in Canada. It is a Weber Spirit A-310 and sells for $619.00 plus tax ($700.00). That same barbeque was selling for $399.00 ($424.00) with tax at Loews. That is $275.00 difference and the dollar is basically at par. Until some of our Canadian retailers wisen up, people will continue to flood the border. There are still better deals on items in Canada but if you are spending lots of money, do your homework as it could save you a lot of money by shopping in the states and give you a free weekend shopping trip.

 

[JackJack08]

We just got back from Frankenmuth and my wife and daughter did their shopping at the Birch Run Mall and in Saginaw. They claim that their bargains in the U.S are great compared to Canada. I had a hard time believing it until I was in a Loews store and come across a barbque that I want to buy in Canada. It is a Weber Spirit A-310 and sells for $619.00 plus tax ($700.00). That same barbeque was selling for $399.00 ($424.00) with tax at Loews. That is $275.00 difference and the dollar is basically at par. Until some of our Canadian retailers wisen up, people will continue to flood the border. There are still better deals on items in Canada but if you are spending lots of money, do your homework as it could save you a lot of money by shopping in the states and give you a free weekend shopping trip.

LOVE Lowes!! Just thought I should mention, we just bought wood in the US for a fence we are building. We saved a ton. Fence board here at Home Depot $2.76. In the U.S. $1.32. AND no duty. That is a big savings when buying hundreds of boards. The 2x4's were a lot less too....I just can't remember.

 

[ronandannette]

Just HAD to post for the information of any Southern Albertans who have never experienced "boarder shopping". (FYI to Southern Ontarians, we generally do not do this here as we are not in near proximity to American population centres).

We just got back from a weekend in Kalispell, MT. (5 hours south of Calgary through the Crowsnest Pass). This is not a big town by American standards, but I was blown away by how many retail options they have. Kalispell has roughly the same population as Okotoks, but has more stores and services available than Lethbridge. Wow. I simply COULD NOT BELIEVE how much less these people are paying for stuff than we are.

We re-vamped our entire summer wardrobes including 8 pairs of shoes (family of 3), bought linens, small appliances, H & B aids, sporting goods and several great toys for our son. Tallied up the chits for customs and had only spent +/- $700.00 .

Why didn't we do this sooner? I offer a heartfelt apology for every time I've silently disdained boarder shoppers from the East and BC lower mainland . We're tentatively planning to go back for our Christmas stuff.

Annette

 

[sunshinemummy]

I love shopping in the US and plan trips a few times a year just to shop. I have been to Disneyland and Vegas already this year and both times we did tons of shopping. My favorite stores are JCPenney's, Kohls, Macy's, Target, and Bath and Body works....these are my never miss stores. We are planning a Kalispell trip soon and renting a place in Whitefish, great to know we can do some shopping. I'll be heading back to Vegas in Nov to buy winter stuff...I love the selection I get in the US and on par makes things great!

 

[Ham Ham]

Hi

My Husband and I are going over to the states shopping this weekend.. Just wondering on some suggestions on where to go.. well besides Target! LOL.. I was thinking maybe a mall?.. outlet mall? Also, what type of things do you buy that you can't get in Canada??

Thanks.. Sarah... who really wishes she was flying out to see the MOUSE his weekend

What part of the largest undefended border are you planning on shopping in?

 

[endy]

I go to Great Falls, Montana a couple times a year & usually spend a full day or two on our way back from California.
Lots of deals to be found. Especially near the end of August when they start clearing out summer goods.

 

[ronandannette]

I love shopping in the US and plan trips a few times a year just to shop. I have been to Disneyland and Vegas already this year and both times we did tons of shopping. My favorite stores are JCPenney's, Kohls, Macy's, Target, and Bath and Body works....these are my never miss stores. We are planning a Kalispell trip soon and renting a place in Whitefish, great to know we can do some shopping. I'll be heading back to Vegas in Nov to buy winter stuff...I love the selection I get in the US and on par makes things great!

No Macy's or Kohls in Kalispell, but they've got everything else and a Ross and TJ Maxx. JC Penny & Bath and Body Works are in the mall in the centre of town; everything else is along the highway in a big box type of layout. I'd bet money you'd find a better selection of "winter stuff" there than in Vegas too...

Annette

 

[LoveDopey]

I'm glad I stumbled upon this. We are planning to go over the border this summer just to shop. DD15 has worn a uniform to school for the last 3 years and in the fall she'll be going to a school where she can wear "regular" clothing so to say the least she wants to shop til we drop. Which has better shopping -- Kalispell or Great Falls. We're coming from Edmonton, stopping one night in Lethbridge.

 

[pl'smama]

Does anyone know if there is an American Girl doll store near the border shopping areas? I am in the Toronto area and have heard you can get them in some stores? Thanks for your help.

Suz

 

[sunshinemummy]

There are American Girl stores in LA, NY, Chicago, Dallas and Atlanta...that's it! We went to the AG store in LA and it was amazing, my DD and I had a blast.

 

[Angiet]

We just got back from a weekend in Kalispell, MT. (5 hours south of Calgary through the Crowsnest Pass). This is not a big town by American standards, but I was blown away by how many retail options they have. Kalispell has roughly the same population as Okotoks, but has more stores and services available than Lethbridge. Wow. I simply COULD NOT BELIEVE how much less these people are paying for stuff than we are.

We re-vamped our entire summer wardrobes including 8 pairs of shoes (family of 3), bought linens, small appliances, H & B aids, sporting goods and several great toys for our son. Tallied up the chits for customs and had only spent +/- $700.00 .

Why didn't we do this sooner? I offer a heartfelt apology for every time I've silently disdained boarder shoppers from the East and BC lower mainland . We're tentatively planning to go back for our Christmas stuff.

Annette

I am in Edmonton and are planning on going to Montana for the July long weekend. Where do you stay while in Kalispell?

 

[ronandannette]

I am in Edmonton and are planning on going to Montana for the July long weekend. Where do you stay while in Kalispell?

We stayed at the Red Lion Hotel, which is adjacent to the town's mall on I-93. I'd recommend it, although we did have a couple of issues. The staff really had a "can do" attitude though, and they were more than willing to satisfy us. Of all the hotels I checked out on Expedia and Travelocity, this one is BY FAR the best for location. The rate was unbelievable too, but I think it goes up some after their Memorial Day. If I had to pick a 2nd choice it would probably be the Hilton, but it was more expensive and not near as central.

Annette

P.S. The entire hotel is non-smoking and the only food venue (a restaurant just outside the hotel in the mall) is HORRIBLE!!