US Shopping Resources for Canadians
You probably already know that you can save a lot of money if you buy from the US and ship to Canada. People are saving as much as 45% on goods like clothes, sporting equipment and even tires. But where do you get started? By signing up for a FREE MyUSaddress account, Canadians can take advantage of cheaper prices south of the border.
Canadians spend vast amounts of money online every year, and we want to make sure you’re getting the best deals available. That’s why we’ve put together a resource center to help make sure you have all the tools you need to effectively buy from the US and ship to Canada.
Want to see our full list of tools? Click here.
Choose the Right Debit or Credit Card
Even though the Canadian Dollar is stronger, international transaction fees will still increase the cost of your US purchases. While you can’t change exchange rates, you can lower your transaction fees by selecting the right card to make your purchases with.
While Canadians are used to the Interac debit network, many stores in the US are hooked into the global Visa debit network. TD Canada Trust, however, now offers access to both networks through their cards.
But you don’t have to switch banks to take advantage of US shopping. Many of the big five banks offer solutions that allow you to make easy international purchases. RBC, for example, offers Virtual Visa cards for online phone and mail order purchases, and BMO allows customers to make international purchases with their cards through MasterCard’s Maestro network.
Make sure to check with your bank for international fees and options.
Protect Yourself When Shopping Online in the US
While online US shopping has become a lot safer, there are still some scams out there. Here are a few of the signs you can look for to make sure you’re dealing with a legitimate vendor:
- Look for credit card password systems such as “Verified by Visa”
- Make sure they have a return/refund policy
- Look for a padlock at the bottom of your browser when checking out. This means the system is secure.
- Look for privacy and security policies.