It is often perceived that American retailers have better sales than their Canadian counterparts. Shoppers looking to make their holiday gift budget stretch even further often head over the border or shop on American websites. Though the deals may be enticing they don’t always add up to savings.  Plus it’s hardly green shopping once you increase your carbon footprint and carbon emissions by driving so far to find bargains or having products shipped to you from long distances.

When going shopping over the border you have to take the exchange rate into account. Yes, the Canadian dollar is strong, making shopping in the US seem enticing. Savvy shoppers should check with their credit card companies to see what their exchange rate is and if there are any additional fees for using the card internationally. Something else to take into account is the price of gas and the amount of fuel used. Depending on where you chose to shop it could be quite costly, not to mention the negative effect on the environment for the trip. Also, when you cross the border you have to declare your items and pay duty and HST on them. What happens if any of the items you purchased have to be returned? Another trip across the border is the result. When calculating your savings these additional fees must be considered. 

If online shopping is something you consider, don’t think that the sales hold up exactly. Once again you have to take into account the exchange rate from American to Canadian dollars. On top of that there are shipping and handling fees. Yes, some retailers do give free shipping over the holiday season (including Planet Forward) on orders over a certain amount, but that is not true for every retailer. Canadians should note that when a product has to cross the border, there are additional frees to consider like duty, and brokerage fees. These fees might not seem like much when the product is being delivered, but you have to take returns into account. If you have to pay for the shipping and handling on the return of the item that again cuts into the savings you incurred.

Online shopping has become more popular than ever this year and many retailers have adopted the “Cyber Monday” sale in Canada.  Even “Black Friday” the traditional start of the American holiday shopping season that takes place the day after Thanksgiving has taken root north of the border. This means that there are more bargains to be had in Canada this holiday season and if you’re looking for green products then you need to check out Planet Forward’s sale. Many retailers are fighting to keep consumers shopping locally and not lose them to American retailers.

When shopping locally you save on gas and reduce carbon emissions by not having to drive quite as far to shop. Also, there is no exchange rate to be taken into account. You’re also helping to strengthen the local economy, increase consumer confidence, and create seasonal employment. This holiday season in order to get the best deals you have to take everything into account. Speaking of great deals, we want to offer our loyal green blog readers 70% off the Planet Forward line of green products this holiday season, meaning everything in our store is less than $10.  Enter coupon 2011SAVE70 at checkout for huge 70% off savings on reusable stainless steel bottles and thermals, reusable bags, organic fashions, green cleaning kits and more. Happy holiday shopping.
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Planet Forward is an online retailer of ethically-made, earth-friendly products designed for everyday use with a distinctly urban feel. Products include reusable stainless steel bottles, stainless steel thermal travel mugs, waste-free lunch bags, reusable shopping bags, Make-it-Yourself toxin-free Green Cleaning kits, organic fashions and other accessories. SALE 50% OFF ALL PRODUCTS – SHOP NOW  !