Change your money at a bank where such transactions are supposed to take place. If you are too lazy or arrogant to do that, then some people will probably preceive you as being too lazy or arrogant to go to a bank, even if most will still be polite and accept the usa cash, as they don't want to lose your business.
Is US currency used commonly in Toronto?
- Thread starter kmLover
- Start date
I agree, KMLover is being polite and doing the right thing by asking. A lot of people don't because they just get used to the idea that when travelling abroad they can use US currency like they do at home. Also, remember some Centeral American countries actually use US currency as their official currency.KBear said:
You are in Canada. Why would you use $US?
As a frequent visitor for almost a decade (now 11 days in Hamilton and Niagara Falls posting tons of reviews in those sections) I wouldn't dream of using $US and relying on Canadians to be nice and take $US from idiots that think they should welcome $US. This is Canada it is not the U.S.
In my experience of using various ATM methods the exchange rate charged is exactly the days New York currency exchange rate without a mark up.
The banks may charge ATM fees however. In my case I use in the U.S. Bank of America and use their no fee relationship with ScotiaBank.
I usually keep some extra Canadian cash at the end of each trip which that I take on my next trip in case I need before I get to a ScotiaBank ATMs, which my GPS quickly finds the closet one to me.
As a frequent visitor for almost a decade (now 11 days in Hamilton and Niagara Falls posting tons of reviews in those sections) I wouldn't dream of using $US and relying on Canadians to be nice and take $US from idiots that think they should welcome $US. This is Canada it is not the U.S.
In my experience of using various ATM methods the exchange rate charged is exactly the days New York currency exchange rate without a mark up.
The banks may charge ATM fees however. In my case I use in the U.S. Bank of America and use their no fee relationship with ScotiaBank.
I usually keep some extra Canadian cash at the end of each trip which that I take on my next trip in case I need before I get to a ScotiaBank ATMs, which my GPS quickly finds the closet one to me.
Everything you said here...
1) What is "special about the US dollars" is that HERE IN CANADA (where did I mention anyplace other than Canada specifiably? And if you think there are not plenty of countries where business...illicit and otherwise...is not done in U.S. dollars, perhaps you should get out more) the US dollar is worth more than the Canadian dollar. Now...currently...that gap is small, and depending on the day, closing...but you know that wasn't always the case. And...you also know that retailers and others typically offered exchange rates WAY in their favor. Hence, they were GLAD to see U.S. Dollars, because it meant an easy 10% additional profit for them
2) I don't know "most" of the people you know..."most" of the people *I* know do EXACTLY what I said...save their U.S. dollars for their next trip to the U.S. Indeed "most" of the people I know consider it a favor of sorts to receive U.S. dollars, because it helps to spare them that last minute trip to the bank prior to catching that plane to Florida, or hitting the QEW to head towards Buffalo / Niagara. Amazingly enough "most" Canadian banks have U.S. accounts where funds are held in U.S. dollars for just this purpose. Perhaps "most" of the people you know travel as little as you seem to.
3) Now...since the OP is posting on...what is this again?...a sex message board...my guess is he probably is primarily concerned about the acceptance of his dollars in the sex industry, along with the other places he mentioned. Since I think it is reasonable that he will spend less on...say...taxis...than he will on strippers and escorts, it probably is safe to say that the best guidance he has received so far in this thread was from..."omg"...an SP...who said that not only is she glad to take US dollars, but she offers an exchange rate (which I suggested he forgo, as compensation for any possible inconvenience)
In summary - I suggested that the OP keep his US dollars because MOST CANADIANS gladly take them, and frequently prefer them, for the reasons I gave. Now, if you don't -that is fine; I suspect he isn't looking to book an hour of your time.
Question: Is US currency used commonly in Toronto?
Answer: Yes
If he was also looking for feedback on what people might think of him because they are too chicken shit to open their mouths (oh wait...that is what you call "polite", isn't it?) and actually explain that despite the currency exchange rate sign hanging near the register they rather not, well he now has that too.
Final thought - Next time you want to find someone "self important", you probably won't need to travel any further than your bathroom mirror.
..proves my point about "anti American".KBear said:
1) What is "special about the US dollars" is that HERE IN CANADA (where did I mention anyplace other than Canada specifiably? And if you think there are not plenty of countries where business...illicit and otherwise...is not done in U.S. dollars, perhaps you should get out more) the US dollar is worth more than the Canadian dollar. Now...currently...that gap is small, and depending on the day, closing...but you know that wasn't always the case. And...you also know that retailers and others typically offered exchange rates WAY in their favor. Hence, they were GLAD to see U.S. Dollars, because it meant an easy 10% additional profit for them
2) I don't know "most" of the people you know..."most" of the people *I* know do EXACTLY what I said...save their U.S. dollars for their next trip to the U.S. Indeed "most" of the people I know consider it a favor of sorts to receive U.S. dollars, because it helps to spare them that last minute trip to the bank prior to catching that plane to Florida, or hitting the QEW to head towards Buffalo / Niagara. Amazingly enough "most" Canadian banks have U.S. accounts where funds are held in U.S. dollars for just this purpose. Perhaps "most" of the people you know travel as little as you seem to.
3) Now...since the OP is posting on...what is this again?...a sex message board...my guess is he probably is primarily concerned about the acceptance of his dollars in the sex industry, along with the other places he mentioned. Since I think it is reasonable that he will spend less on...say...taxis...than he will on strippers and escorts, it probably is safe to say that the best guidance he has received so far in this thread was from..."omg"...an SP...who said that not only is she glad to take US dollars, but she offers an exchange rate (which I suggested he forgo, as compensation for any possible inconvenience)
In summary - I suggested that the OP keep his US dollars because MOST CANADIANS gladly take them, and frequently prefer them, for the reasons I gave. Now, if you don't -that is fine; I suspect he isn't looking to book an hour of your time.
Question: Is US currency used commonly in Toronto?
Answer: Yes
If he was also looking for feedback on what people might think of him because they are too chicken shit to open their mouths (oh wait...that is what you call "polite", isn't it?) and actually explain that despite the currency exchange rate sign hanging near the register they rather not, well he now has that too.
Final thought - Next time you want to find someone "self important", you probably won't need to travel any further than your bathroom mirror.
I usually make a point of exchanging some $$ on my way to TO. However on several occasions the Really Cool Wife and myself have found ourselves spending more $$ than we planned on a lovely and persuasive dancer. In these cases they have been more than happy to take our US $$ along with the Canadian $$. Besides since it appears that it is taken anywhere in TO whats the problem for the Canadian person using it in TO when they have received it for services.
On the flip side, even when the exchange was far in favor of the US $$, many US merchants would offer deals for Canadian $$ at par. Basically we want each other's business and are willing to accept each others $$, which is far better than not having received the business at all.
On the flip side, even when the exchange was far in favor of the US $$, many US merchants would offer deals for Canadian $$ at par. Basically we want each other's business and are willing to accept each others $$, which is far better than not having received the business at all.
She does not say she offer an exchange rate. However, I am sure that if you booked a lady for a few hours, and slipped them $1000US or so, they would be quite happy. Same for spending US 20s at the strip club, the ladies will be happy to take them. No doubt about that.MLAM said:
You are alone in that thought on this Canadian board. For everyday spending the local Canadian currency is much preferred.MLAM said:
However, if you want to continue spending US dollars with the attitude that you are somehow doing people a favor, "they love "our" money" then carry on. However, it is not the US dollars that people liked, but the favorable exchange rate that they could pocket, and those days are gone.
Most places will accept american money but give canadian change. I just thought I would add my comments to this.kmLover said:
Canadian money is not accepted in the US and Canada should take a stand and do the same by not accepting their money here. I say, if you want to come here do like we have to do, get the countries money before you come because I'm sick of hearing americans whine all the time about getting canadian change when using US money to buy something.
For what it is worth...
It WOULD be pretty stupid to expect US in return...
"Canadian money is not accepted in the US and Canada should take a stand and do the same by not accepting their money here."
It wasn't being done out of largess...it was being done because the establishments in question benefited from doing so. And...again for what it is worth...there are places close to the border in the US that do in fact accept Canadian for the same reason...it just doesn't take very long to travel south before you encounter establishments that DON'T benefit from doing so....
...I am not even REMOTELY suggesting that business should provided US in return change.Mr. Piggy said:Most places will accept american money but give canadian change. I just thought I would add my comments to this.
Canadian money is not accepted in the US and Canada should take a stand and do the same by not accepting their money here.
I'm sick of hearing americans whine all the time about getting canadian change when using US money to buy something.
It WOULD be pretty stupid to expect US in return...
"Canadian money is not accepted in the US and Canada should take a stand and do the same by not accepting their money here."
It wasn't being done out of largess...it was being done because the establishments in question benefited from doing so. And...again for what it is worth...there are places close to the border in the US that do in fact accept Canadian for the same reason...it just doesn't take very long to travel south before you encounter establishments that DON'T benefit from doing so....
Some places real close to the border like Niagara Falls, Ny will, but you don't have to go very far south before it's not accepted.MLAM said:
My comment about the canadian change was because I overheard an american in London one day complaining that he was getting change in canadian when he used US money to buy whatever it was. He was actually demanding american change and that pissed me off so I had a few words for him that he didn't like.
US currency isn't in common use for everyday transactions, it's so easy to get Canadian funds.
Some people will gladly accept US funds because they want your business, not because they are overjoyed at getting a better currency which is the case in many countries.
Some people will gladly accept US funds because they want your business, not because they are overjoyed at getting a better currency which is the case in many countries.
Most businesses will accept US currency... and will give back Canadian change. Businesses are doing you a "favour" by accepting it and make a small percentage by giving an unfavourable exchange rate (par or less)
WOW…this topic has gotten hot. See I'm not one of those stuck up American jerks. I do not want to be rude and inconvenience someone because of my laziness to change my currency over to Canadian currency. I do bank at Bank of America, so I can withdraw funds from a Scotia ATM free of charge.
Someone brought up a good point of if I was going to any other country I would automatically know that I need to switch currency. So, I guess it should be no different for Canada. I will exchange some of my money here and look into the ATM locations where I can get more.
Thanks for the help, because this is my first time in Canada.
Someone brought up a good point of if I was going to any other country I would automatically know that I need to switch currency. So, I guess it should be no different for Canada. I will exchange some of my money here and look into the ATM locations where I can get more.
Thanks for the help, because this is my first time in Canada.
That reminds me of the time I was in a St. John’s liquor store (a long way from the U.S. border) and some Americans from a cruise ship where a head of me. Given that they were spending a couple of hundred bucks, the store was willing to look up the exchange rate and give it to them. However, the Americans actually had the nerve to complain about getting their change back in Canadian dollars, asking how they could use them (the cruise ships only stop for a few hours). It amazes me that people visiting another country would have the nerve to complain that they don’t get change back in their local currency. This is after the store holds up the line to give them the going exchange rate! In addition, the cruise ships come from all over. There is no way a store could keep all the currencies needed.WinterHawk said:
KMLover, ignore the negative comments. There is nothing wrong with asking such a question before coming. Indeed now is the time to ask, not after you get here.
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As a side note, because I come to Canada so much to enjoy the sexual freedoms you have that we don't in the U.S., I called most of the major Canadian banks to try and set up a bank account to transfer funds to when in Canada. This was before I learned of the BofA/Scotia connection and BofA was already my main bank in the U.S.
Checking on setting up an account, I could not do it online but had to come in to a bank and set it up but talking to other bank officers was flatly told they don't set up such accounts for just tourists. Obviously Canadians can have a $US account in many banks to make it handy for them in the U.S., but I found it odd I couldn't find a Canadian Bank to set up a $CDN account for me as a visitor to Canada.
But after finding the BofA/Scotia agreement that is a better option with no fees and the true exchange rate not marked up.
Checking on setting up an account, I could not do it online but had to come in to a bank and set it up but talking to other bank officers was flatly told they don't set up such accounts for just tourists. Obviously Canadians can have a $US account in many banks to make it handy for them in the U.S., but I found it odd I couldn't find a Canadian Bank to set up a $CDN account for me as a visitor to Canada.
But after finding the BofA/Scotia agreement that is a better option with no fees and the true exchange rate not marked up.
Good point, but I deal with this all the time under the U.S. Patriot Act since I'm in the security business. We clear folks by getting their pictured drivers license or passport and compare against the known terrorist list and running a check to be sure social security number is legitimate.someone said:
The key to money laundering is knowing the person and suspicious activity in an account (transferring large amounts to a suspect country for example), but don't think Canadian money laundering laws as strict as U.S. (could be wrong) and a tourist account with small amounts ($1000 or less) wouldn't think would be a issue. But I suspect there isn't enough demand for such accounts for Canadian banks to deal with it.
This reminds me of the time I was in Mexico and an American complained that a shop owner wanted payment only in American dollars. She said he should accept his country's currency. The shop owner said he's not in business to be patriotic. He's in business to make money.
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