US dollars acceptable?

[zeke10]

I'll be visiting Vancouver in a couple of weeks, and wanted to find out if US dollars are an acceptable form of cash donation (with conversion rate accounted for)?

Or do I need to convert all currencies to Canadian $$? Just curious.
It's not too much of a hassle either way.

 

[badbadboy]

I can't find the thread but there was a discussion about this in recent memory. SP's typically want to be paid in C$. Victoria Jolie started it but the thread is gonzo for some reason. There are extra fees for converting USD to C$ by our banks.

If it's not a hassle, get the new plastic brown $100's

 

[bcneil]

You should probably get Canadian cash. I know I dont like getting american cash from anyone I dont know.

 

[luvsdaty]

i take it when i'm carving down at the causeway, but i just squirrel it away till our loonie goes back down again.

 

[mcdead]

I just don't like American cash period. This is Canada, the local currency are Canadian Dollars. Americans don't take Canadian dollars, why should we accept theirs?

I worked in the tourist industry for a few years. And every day a american expects and demands that we as candians accept american dollars to pay and change back. for starters it is illegal to get american change back and we take american money rated at the till as a service. but we have to give canadian change back by law and get yelled at constantly. i have been yelled at over handing back three cents, yes, three cents. so please just go and get some cash from the bank before you come to Canada, so you can have some pocket change. then when you're in Canada hit a atm. note the banks wont take the canadian change, so just buy a coffee and leave the rest as a tip.

 

[Big Dog Striker]

Just go to the nearest currency exchange at YVR or Downtown to change your US$ to CDN$. Only takes a few minutes. :nod:

 

[87112]

You know USA people feel they own the world. The language and currency are expected to be king of the universe. They dont call us ugly Americans for nothing.

 

[Bartdude]

Back when the loonie was low, nobody seemed to mind being paid in American dollars. Now that we're at parity, somehow it's not good enough.

 

[violetblake]

Yeah I definitely prefer Canadian cash. Even if the conversion rate is accounted for, it's just the best method to have it for a number of reasons. It's not the end of the world if it's American, but having Canadian cash when we meet is much appreciated

 

[Trevor2136]

It's a respect thing. Where can you in the United States just nonchalantly whip out a $50 red one and expect someone to accept it? Our money is "funny" remember. Yet Americans feel they can go anywhere in Canada and act like their dollar is our legal tender when it isn't.

Taking money out an airport is stupid and way overpriced. Unfortunately you can't pay hookers with VISA lol but generally their exchange rates are the best vis-a-vis actual currency exchange.

Bellis Fair, get over it.

Why rip the guy for asking a question?

 

[Big Dog Striker]

I'm sure the Euro at par would be very acceptable to the ladies. :eyebrows:

 

[Big Dog Striker]

Airports anywhere in the world are the worst places to have money exchanged, next worst banks, then local currency exchange places.

So where do you exchange your foreign currency then??

 

[Dickson]

So where do you exchange your foreign currency then??

I am constantly changing money from € to £ to USD to CND to SEK. I have bank accounts in each so that I can draw down in the local currency. If I have to change money I usually do it at a discount exchange then a bank and last at the airport. I write off the charge and the enchange as a business expense.

There has been times that SP here in Vancouver have accepted my USD and even € but I try to put in local currency as much as possible. It is normally the tip or if she is staying longer and I do not have Canadian on me that I have to reverit to other currency.

 

[Dgodus]

Not sure about Nebraska. On the east coast, when I was young we'd travel down to Maine for all the big outlet stores. They'd accept Canadian currency, you could find alot of gas stations and restaurants that would take it at par as well. I think the loony was .85 then, I don't fully recall. Personally now I'd just rather get American currency the odd time I go.

 

[kso_wiz]

Totally legitimate question. I think you should just ask your SP individually. Some might want the option, some might not. If it were me, I would want the option to consider. I forget the exact stat, but isn't it true that something like 80-90% of Canadians live within an hour of the US border. So, the Nebraska comparison doesn't really work. I'm within a hour of the CDN border, we see lots of Canadians paying with CDN money here. No biggie, most tourist related businesses (and I believe pooning would count in that category) are happy to accomidate their clients that way.

 

[Ms. Yoko Anna]

I have been paid In US cash a few times, and I usually take for 1/1 exchange rate just to avoid hassle.

Though, I have been paid with counterfeit US cash.
It was in Calgary, by Korean client, he said he got the money from his Chinese friend.
I don't know if counterfeit money production is going on among Asian gang (?) in Calgary, but I was furious.
Amount was $800.

I would suggest all girls to be extra careful when receiving US cash.

For pooners, spending extra 15min of your time to stop by at a currency exchange will be appreciated.

 

[storm rider]

Great points. Also if an SP goes to the US (Vegas ) or Mexico on Vacation regulary, they might enjoy having the US cash on hand. Saves the fee's at the bank.

Thats exactly the way I look at it...if an SP does accept US cash and then puts it aside and saves it for a trip to the USA she ends up with less problems later as well as a nice vacation fund.

I have been paid In US cash a few times, and I usually take for 1/1 exchange rate just to avoid hassle.

Though, I have been paid with counterfeit US cash.
It was in Calgary, by Korean client, he said he got the money from his Chinese friend.
I don't know if counterfeit money production is going on among Asian gang (?) in Calgary, but I was furious.
Amount was $800.

I would suggest all girls to be extra careful when receiving US cash.

For pooners, spending extra 15min of your time to stop by at a currency exchange will be appreciated.

Sorry you got burned Yoko...counterfeit currency is not just restricted to US currency though...I myself have had many fake bills given to me when making a purchase when I got my change and have refused them and asked for another and wierdly enough a friend of mine got a fake $50 given to him from an ATM once.....I will say that US currency is worse for counterfeiting because they only use 1 color of ink for all demoninations.

On the flip side I wonder what an SP's reaction would be if a client wanted to pay in gold bullion LOL

SR

 

[Bartdude]

It's a respect thing. Where can you in the United States just nonchalantly whip out a $50 red one and expect someone to accept it? Our money is "funny" remember. Yet Americans feel they can go anywhere in Canada and act like their dollar is our legal tender when it isn't.

Again - this attitude likely didn't annoy people THAT much when you were getting $.30 to $.50 extra on every USD. Now all of a sudden it's an issue. It's got much less to do with 'respect' than it has to do with value.

 

[Ms. Yoko Anna]

On the flip side I wonder what an SP's reaction would be if a client wanted to pay in gold bullion LOL

SR

If someone brings me a gold coin, Canadian maple leaf quality of 1oz, I will be happy to offer over night at my Victoria incall .

 

[SFMIKE]

What I have been doing for about 14 years:

I have an account with a Credit Union and for several years I went to the CU at King Ed and Cambie. Then I realized that Vancity was also a Credit Union and they are everywhere. There is never a fee for my card at any credit union anywhere in the US and Canada. Any funds I have left over I keep for the next trip.