Donation in US dollars

[monkey_master]

Anyone make a donation in US dollars (American currency for the search engine)?

Visiting for work and not sure how much $ the Canadian ATM will spit out.

 

[Akila Besos]

I don't think it should be a problem because the SP can convert it later at her own bank. Atleast in my opinion

 

[xmontrealer]

I'm sure most of them would be more than happy to take your US dollars at par lol...

 

[JeanGary Diablo]

Anyone make a donation in US dollars (American currency for the search engine)?

Visiting for work and not sure how much $ the Canadian ATM will spit out.

If you're visiting Canada from the US, it's always best to exchange US dollars for Canadian dollars at your bank prior to coming over.

Currently, US$1 = C$1.25, so as an American visitor, the exchange rate favours you.

I cannot stress this enough: US dollars are not legal tender in Canada. If you wish to buy an item or obtain a service in Canada for C$125, unless the person on the other end is willing to give you a break, you cannot hand them US$100 and expect them to honour the exchange rate. Legally, they have the right to charge you US$125 for an item that is $C125 -- why would you want to pay US$25 more than you have to?

On top of this, the person/business you're giving US currency to has to now go to their bank and exchange the US money you gave them for Canadian currency, and they get dinged with a surcharge for this.

I repeat, always bring Canadian currency with you to Canada. It saves everyone -- yourself included -- a lot of headaches.

 

[kstanb]

it would be a bad idea to pay in USD

either she will take it at par or at a ridiculous low value to round it; you will end losing money

better go to your local (US bank) and tell them you need "X" amount of CAD; it should take them no more than 48 hours to have the cash ready

 

[xix]

No matter where you travel in the world always carry 100-300 US. I call this the 911 money or emergency. Once I arrive at the airport I seek the ATM or Exchange Currency office and exchange 100 US to local.
The ATM in the city maybe down or in a shady area. And the Taxis from Airport to hotel want local money. Once I am ready to see a lady I will with drawl from the ATM to local money.

There is no time for Woke in traveling or when dealing with money.

 

[kherg007]

I think some agencies will take US dollars (Toronto Passions?). They post the rate in US dollars. Some others will take them at par. Some indies might. But do NOT assume they will do so. Thus ask first.

At the border those kiosks are good. The casinos too. A bank will do some, but not a lot if you are not a customer of that bank. (I think once scotia bank gave me an exchange of only $US 200.). Also if you exchange over $1k (is it 3k now?) You have additional paperwork. The money exchange at the airport is crap. Once I was offered CAD$88 from USD$100. Later got CAD128 from that US$100 downtown.
Good luck!

 

[MTPockets]

If you are in the US, there are better places to exchange your money than the bank. In the Detroit metro area, the best I have found is Foreign Currency Exchange Services, 251 E Merrill St Ste 238 Birmingham, MI 48009, (248) 594-6655
Business website
www.fceservices.com

Fair rates - immediate service for amounts up to $ 1200.00 CDN - for higher amounts - call ahead and make sure they have it. I've never waited more than day for higher amounts and usually just drop in for 1K or less.

 

[y2kmark]

If you're visiting Canada from the US, it's always best to exchange US dollars for Canadian dollars at your bank prior to coming over.

Currently, US$1 = C$1.25, so as an American visitor, the exchange rate favours you.

I cannot stress this enough: US dollars are not legal tender in Canada. If you wish to buy an item or obtain a service in Canada for C$125, unless the person on the other end is willing to give you a break, you cannot hand them US$100 and expect them to honour the exchange rate. Legally, they have the right to charge you US$125 for an item that is $C125 -- why would you want to pay US$25 more than you have to?

On top of this, the person/business you're giving US currency to has to now go to their bank and exchange the US money you gave them for Canadian currency, and they get dinged with a surcharge for this.

I repeat, always bring Canadian currency with you to Canada. It saves everyone -- yourself included -- a lot of headaches.

Seriously? Maybe in TO or Barre or someplace, but in Niagara everyone takes US money and many prefer it, though exchange rates can vary. Two best ways to get CAN$ is at the Casino or use a Canadian Bank ATM, though some have started to tack on fees....

 

[Jenesis]

I personally will not take USD. I have no way to verify the bills are real. I don’t know enough about US bill security to be able to tell.

 

[kherg007]

I personally will not take USD. I have no way to verify the bills are real. I don’t know enough about US bill security to be able to tell.

Yair i remember coming from oz (where we went plastic in early 90s and go lavendar, blue, red, yellow, white/ green for 5, 10, 20, 50, & 100, respectively...also the notes are of different sizes) and realising you have to actually read the money in the usa as its all the same colour and size lol. However, there are some shades now going on and once you're used to it you can discern the notes pretty quick.

 

[JeanGary Diablo]

Seriously? Maybe in TO or Barre or someplace, but in Niagara everyone takes US money and many prefer it, though exchange rates can vary. Two best ways to get CAN$ is at the Casino or use a Canadian Bank ATM, though some have started to tack on fees....

You're correct; I should have mentioned that in border towns -- especially Niagara Falls -- there are exceptions. But people coming from the US to Toronto should definitely change their money in the US first to avoid hassle/getting ripped off.

 

[Beagle_]

Poor baby. Its not that hard lol.

 

[y2kmark]

I personally will not take USD. I have no way to verify the bills are real. I don’t know enough about US bill security to be able to tell.

Easy enough to get info on security features over the net. It also represents less of an issue if you can trust the person handing you the $. In TO it probably doesn't matter much, but in Niagara not accepting US$ would surely reduce your income...

 

[Thackeray]

Just withdraw CDN at an ATM here. Convert in airport on the way home or give your last SP a large tip to dump remainder.

All SPs will take USD at par but it’s stupid.

 

[y2kmark]

Just withdraw CDN at an ATM here. Convert in airport on the way home or give your last SP a large tip to dump remainder.

All SPs will take USD at par but it’s stupid.

That's TO, and that's today, there have been several times in the past (1 post 9/11 I think) when the exchange rate WAS par. Because anyone exchanging money takes a little cut you can generally arrive at an amount that represents just a little more than the asking when converted back to CAN$ and less than the amount needed to obtain the Can currency. If she goes over herself from time to time it's win-win-win...

 

[Jenesis]

Easy enough to get info on security features over the net. It also represents less of an issue if you can trust the person handing you the $. In TO it probably doesn't matter much, but in Niagara not accepting US$ would surely reduce your income...

If I was in NF it would be different but I’m not so I decline.