Try changing the Canadians coins in at a US Bank. Better yet, call one and ask them what they would give you if you walked up to one of their windows with a sack of $20.00 of Canadian coins.

The answer?

Nothing.

I just called my bank and they told me I'd get a total of $19.16...That's $0.958/USD...but ONLY if it was Canadian PAPER DOLLARS, not the coins. They won't take the coins and they said you have every legal right to refuse the foreign currency.

You're not getting your fair market value for your product if you take one dime, nickel or penny in Canadian.

Sure, the Canadians will take the USD...no problem...they just made $0.042 off your transaction.

Remember, that's TODAY'S Exchange Rate...I can't tell you what tomorrow's may be...and it's only good if you're a member of that bank, have an account and you want to wait 'til the Federal Reserve exchanges the paper first...that's the other kicker...you have to wait 'til the Fed turns the transaction around before you get your reduced-dollar's worth.

Isn't being International fun?

BTW, the exchange rate was a lot worse for the Canadians a few years back...I remember being told by another bank that they'd only give me $0.75/USD. That was, maybe, about 5 years ago.

I guarantee you...if that gal is right about their money soon being as valuable as ours, she won't be bringing in Canadian to buy her drugs...it would be stupid on her part then.

I'm thinking I'm going to hang on to those Canadians coins a little longer...hell, the way "O" is pushing his pet projects down everyone's throat, I might exchange my greenbacks for some Cunuckbucks really soon!!!! Yah dar' hey! Doncha' know!

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M. G. Burg
'10 - Dakota SXT - Daily Ride / ≈ 172.5K
.'76 - 450SLC - 107.024.12 / < .89.20 K
..'77 - 280E - 123.033.12 / > 128.20 K
...'67 - El Camino - 283ci / > 207.00 K
....'75 - Yamaha - 650XS / < 21.00 K
.....'87 - G20 Sportvan / > 206.00 K
......'85 - 4WINNS 160 I.O. / 140hp
.......'74 - Honda CT70 / Real 125
.
“I didn’t really say everything I said.”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ Yogi Berra ~

Ahhhhhh okay cool, thank you for posting this, I forgot about the coins and how our banks won't exchange them, it happened with me also when I came back from a trip to Australia and New Zealand and had all these 1$ and 5$ coins and the bank wouldn't take them.

Yes! being international is great fun! lol

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76 MG Midget
78 Datsun 280Z
86 Peugeot 505
01 Subaru Outback

“Owning a car is like owning a dog. Every now and then, it craps on the carpet — but it’s still your dog.” - Jeremy Clarkson

I think most Canadian businesses accept US dollars. Hell, in India, they'll take the US dollar. Just take their dollars.

By the way, on a related topic. I have a friend who was getting pissed that every time he gave a cashier a large bill, they would pull out the detector pen and check to see if it was a forgery. He bought a detector pen. When the cashier gives him back bills, he pulls out his pen and checks them. He says most cashiers take offense.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I go to Canada fishing once per year. I've never seen a place that won't accept US currency in Canada. For the most part, the US dollar has been worth more than the Canadian dollar.

But I don't follow mgburg's reasoning. Say right now the Canadian dollar is worth $0.80 in the US. If I am a bank and take Canadian money for exchange and I only give you $0.75 on the Canadian dollar I just made money. That is how the exchange stores work up on the border. They make money on both transactions, US to Canadian and Canadian to US. Most stores in the US just don't want to deal with the hassle since it is so rare anyone pays with another currency.

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2009 ML320 Bluetec
1985 300CD
1981 300TD

Past Mercedes
1979 300TD
1982 300TD
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1998 E430
1984 300SD
1980 300SD

The wife and I just got back from a road trip with a elderly Canadian man. I found him to be very accommodating, I even call Stephan "Pops"

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For the Saved, this world is the worst it will ever get.
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Clk's Ebay Stuff BUY SOMETHING NOW!!!

That was a few years back...that's why I never gave the banks my Canadians...I either pawned them off on other places of business or I mothballed them. I'd say I have about $20-$30 worth of Canadian laying around right now. If I head to Canada for anything in the future, I'd bring it along and get my "reduced" share out of it. I got taken when I took it to begin with...I'm not getting taken NOW because I know better now.

The problem the OP was complaining about was from a retailers' stand-point. Why should he, or his business, take it in the financial shorts when your own bank is going to be shorting you on what you give 'em...and you have to give them Paper Currency...no coins. Once the exchange rates switch over (USD worth less than Canadian), then watch who's *****in' about how much their paper/coin is worth...and watch the hassles they'll have trying to get their full value out of a long-ago transaction.

Their government won't be crying crock-tears for them, either...at least the banks won't.

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M. G. Burg
'10 - Dakota SXT - Daily Ride / ≈ 172.5K
.'76 - 450SLC - 107.024.12 / < .89.20 K
..'77 - 280E - 123.033.12 / > 128.20 K
...'67 - El Camino - 283ci / > 207.00 K
....'75 - Yamaha - 650XS / < 21.00 K
.....'87 - G20 Sportvan / > 206.00 K
......'85 - 4WINNS 160 I.O. / 140hp
.......'74 - Honda CT70 / Real 125
.
“I didn’t really say everything I said.”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ Yogi Berra ~

Jordaan - sounds like maybe you are seeing the worst among us? Is it a wealthy area in Cali? Lots of tourists? There are snobs in every culture.

It's true most places here take American cash, as historically it has been worth more. I have never brought Canadian cash with me to the US and expected it to be accepted. I usually get some American cash at my bank and then just use my credit card for everything.

Our dollar has been strong the past couple of years, and even over par at times. You might be seeing a change in attitude where some Canadians expect US businesses to accept the currency on par, or close to it, due to this relatively recent change in rate.

I'm just guessing here. You are probably just seeing some jerks.

I find most average Canadians and Americans to be pretty similar. More alike than not. Except for guns and healthcare. And maybe sports teams. And beer. And...I'll stop there.

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Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

Zeus, I have no idea lol I guess so, area wise it's wealthy and it's not, further down the road toward the east it's very wealthy but where the actual store is isn't anything special. The FEW Canadians that I get that don't hassle me with the currency are very nice and pay with a credit card, for a nice, smooth transaction and everyone is happy.

Yeah I find all of us similar pretty much, the only thing is driving, old B.C. drivers, lord have mercy I shouldn't even speak of such things XD I seriously think I can run faster than them driving on the road while they are here. Still like to take a drive up to B.C. and to Whitehorse during the winter, you know me and cold temps!

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76 MG Midget
78 Datsun 280Z
86 Peugeot 505
01 Subaru Outback

“Owning a car is like owning a dog. Every now and then, it craps on the carpet — but it’s still your dog.” - Jeremy Clarkson

Too bad...I do the same thing...if they have a problem with the money I'm handing them being any good, then I have every reason to be sure that what they're handing me is just as good. Those "pens" are sold at Office Depot and Staples. Not a bad thing to carry around with you...

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M. G. Burg
'10 - Dakota SXT - Daily Ride / ≈ 172.5K
.'76 - 450SLC - 107.024.12 / < .89.20 K
..'77 - 280E - 123.033.12 / > 128.20 K
...'67 - El Camino - 283ci / > 207.00 K
....'75 - Yamaha - 650XS / < 21.00 K
.....'87 - G20 Sportvan / > 206.00 K
......'85 - 4WINNS 160 I.O. / 140hp
.......'74 - Honda CT70 / Real 125
.
“I didn’t really say everything I said.”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ Yogi Berra ~

I can't take Canadian currency, our store doesn't accept it, and I've been told by our management not to take it.

Now if I didn't know your friend and saw them do that, I wouldn't think anything of it because he is just being careful, which I understand because we are too, but since he was getting pissed at cashiers (for doing their job) and checking bills and was only doing that to spite them, that's not right. We MUST check large bills because if they are fake, it's on us and we get written up for being 50$ or 100$ short in the drawer.

__________________
76 MG Midget
78 Datsun 280Z
86 Peugeot 505
01 Subaru Outback

“Owning a car is like owning a dog. Every now and then, it craps on the carpet — but it’s still your dog.” - Jeremy Clarkson

Now that's pretty funny...hadn't thought of that one. Might have to get me a detector pen.

Any idea where they sell them?

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Dirty pool Mr... dirty pool..... lol

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76 MG Midget
78 Datsun 280Z
86 Peugeot 505
01 Subaru Outback

“Owning a car is like owning a dog. Every now and then, it craps on the carpet — but it’s still your dog.” - Jeremy Clarkson

The only problem with this, is that the pens are useless. They will only catch the laziest counterfeiters, those who print something out on their injet printer with the paper that they normally use.

Take a twenty and rub corn starch on it. Now try your pen. The twenty is still real.

Printing with a clean printer on starch-free paper will give you a nice brown line on a fake bill.

Next, take an ultraviolet lamp and shine it on a number of bills in various denominations. That's one test, and looking for the security thread is another. Sure, anything can be copied, but the more stuff you check, the better -- but only if that stuff actually can discern a real bill from a fake.

L.O.L. to you both!

Also...certain things/places in the US take canadian quarters! Hahaha. You know, being silver, and round, and more or less the same size...sometimes people can't tell the difference if they aren't really paying attention. Or if you use a machine? I dunno. But I think I've seen that happen a few times.

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