posted on March 25, 2001 07:50:51 PM new
Ok, I get lots of International bidders. I'm not picking on our friends up north, but they do seem to complain a lot about the exchange rate, and how the Canadian Dollar is very low, or at an all time low, against the U.S. dollar. It does seem like people in other countries don't have this problem, or don't mention it.
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My Canadian friends...what's the truth? Is the Canadian dollar at all-time lows. Is it low compared to the last 10-30 years? Is there some difference between exchange rates on Canadian vs. U.S. Dollar that's different from exchange rates on other International currencies vs. U.S Dollar? Or is it that our northern friends just can't put up with the fact that the Canadian Dollar just does not equal the U.S. dollar?
posted on March 25, 2001 08:02:00 PM new
It is at an all time low right now.I am a seller from Canada and to tell you the truth I could not be happier about the entire situation.If I was a bidder from Canada it would not be a nice situation but in that case I would likely buy here in Canada where my dollar is still a dollar simple as that!For sellers though you will here no complaints,at least not from this one.Thank you Americans!!!!
posted on March 25, 2001 08:24:40 PM newbut they do seem to complain a lot about the exchange rate
Let's see, I sell an item to an American for $1.00, and my bank gives me a $1.55, oh ya, I'm sure you'll hear lots of us Canucks complaining about that.
posted on March 25, 2001 08:43:57 PM new
It sure sucks as a buyer. I just paid an extra 59 cents on the dollar to buy a US$ MO. I don't bid too much anymore. It has to be an exceptional bargain to bother.
posted on March 25, 2001 08:45:30 PM new
Help me to understand, and pardon the ignorance. >
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At McDonald's, I pay $1.19 U.S. for a medium soda. In Germany, it's 2.1 marks. How much is it in Canada? If it's $1.19 Canadian I understand the exchange complaints(from bidders, not sellers). If it's $1.50-1.75 Canadian you'll have to explain further.
posted on March 25, 2001 09:04:53 PM new
Haven't been to McDonald's for a while so don't know their prices, but I think a med. pop is about 1.19 or 1.29, guess that's similar to the States. But then the pop is made in Canada. It's importing that's a killer.
The CDN$ is at an all-time low. vs US$ (and probably many other currencies as well). There was a time, I think in the 60's, when it was worth more than the US$; not much, something like 1.02 or 1.03.
I don't pretend to know how the value is calculated, but it seems one reason for a low dollar was our high national debt. But during the 90's Canada's economy boomed like in the States and the gov't ran huge surpluses and paid down some of the debt, but the dollar never increased in value (maybe a couple cents). Guess there is a lot more to it but hell if I know Like others have pointed out, it is a good time for sellers but not buyers.
Jim - I think a Big Mess is going for around 1.99 - 2.19, not sure.
posted on March 25, 2001 09:28:12 PM new
OK, let's try again. Nothing imported.
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A room at a medium motel, like Holiday Inn, Ramada, Marriot, etc., is usually around $79-99 U.S. here in the states. How much is it in Canada?
posted on March 25, 2001 09:42:23 PM new
Assume the exchange rate right now is $1.55 canadian to $1.00 US.
You go to Canada for one night and get a hotel room for $155.00 a night (that's a medium nice hotel in a major city). If you are from the USA, you will pay $155.00 canadian, but with the exchange rate you actually pay only $100.00 in your USA currency.
posted on March 25, 2001 11:46:52 PM new
So at the Best Western, if you are visiting Canada from the US, you will be paying around $38.00 US dollars.
We sometimes splurge and go to Canada for a weekend in the winter, the hotels have winter rates and you can stay in a five star hotel for less than 100 (US)bucks a night. You feel like a movie star!
Other than that, we ALWAYS stay at Best Western! Love 'em, love 'em, love 'em!
posted on March 26, 2001 06:38:49 AM new
Currencies are dropping all over the world against the USD, Canada being no exception.
The Canadian dollar has been on a decline since the early 1970's. In 1960 we were ranked 2nd wealthiest nation in the world measured by per capita GNP. Today we are ranked about 20th - quite a decline during a long peactime economic boom.
As for the low dollar, this would be a great benefit on eBay IF people were buying more at better prices...but presently they are not.
The strange thing is, most of my better prices were acheived by Canadian and International buyers. In my experience Americans are very price sensitive, and competition is too tough in that market - if I only acheive $10 US for a $50 item, dollar values mean little in the end.
posted on March 26, 2001 08:16:39 AM new
Hope this helps..
3 years ago, we wanted to spend time with my wife's family from Canada. So we rented large, one-bedroom cabins in New Hampshire, which was a good meeting place. We paid $500 for the week.
2 years ago, we went to Trout Lake in Canada and paid $350 Canadian for a large 3-bedroom cabin on a lake. It was an extra 2 hours of driving, but we saved at least $300 (I'm sure the New Hampshire place would have been up to $550) and with the extra rooms, we were even able to take along another niece. Not to mention that food and other items were also cheaper.
This year we are thinking of going back for a month at $100 Canadian.
The other think I love about Canada, and especially Montreal, is that after I read about what their government does, I appreciate ours so much more.
Haven't been to McDonald's for a while so don't know their prices
Probably a good thing, I found this today an thought you might be interested. Looks like you made a good decision.
McDonald's Lawsuit Claims Rat Head in Burger
March 27, 2001 2:53 pm EST
By Cameron French
TORONTO (Reuters) - McDonald's Canada is being sued by a Toronto family that claims a severed rat's head was found nestled between the toppings of a Big Mac that was about to be eaten by a nine-year-old girl.
The $11.2 million lawsuit against McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Ltd., a wholly owned unit of McDonald's Corp., came about after an incident the family alleges took place in June 1999 at a Toronto outlet of the hamburger chain.
After biting into the Big Mac, Ayan Abdi Jama noticed the remains of the rodent, "complete with eyes, teeth, nose and whiskers," says the statement of claim. It adds, "the rat and the Big Mac sandwich were partially ingested by Ayan."
The lawyer for the family said the ordeal has been a horrible experience for the child.
"Obviously, it's going to impact how they see restaurant food for the rest of their lives," said Ted Charney. "From a parent's point of view, how would you feel if you watched your child take a bite out of a rat's head?"
The experience left Jama suffering from "extensive psychiatric damages," the claim says.
In a statement, McDonald's Canada said: "The quality and safety of our food is paramount to every aspect of our McDonald's operation. McDonald's will defend itself to the fullest extent of the law."
When contacted by Reuters, the branch manager had no comment, but mentioned the restaurant had passed health inspections.
Toronto restaurant sanitation has been under close scrutiny in recent months, as health officials have implemented a restaurant grading system aimed at improving public perceptions of food preparation. The system was introduced after a 16-week inspection blitz last year that resulted in 60 restaurant closings, many for various rodent infractions.
The allegations have not been proved in court, and on Monday a judge dismissed the claim against senior company officers and McDonald's Corp., parent company of McDonald's Canada. Left to be decided are claims against McDonald's Restaurants of Canada and the restaurant's assistant manager, who, the claim says, tried to confiscate the burger upon discovery of the rat's head.
McDonald's Canada estimates it serves more than three million customers each day.
posted on March 27, 2001 02:39:13 PM new
I say we buy Canada & officially make it part of the U.S. No more headaches about shipping costs, paying customs fees & incorrect money orders.
Like others have pointed out, it is a good time for sellers but not buyers.
