Oh please do share the name of your great LQS.
Many more of us may be able to support them! :)

I've been doing the same and using the 55% coupons at Michael's for blades and other needs.
Granted, it's pretty much the same as Fabricland ... if you buy at regular price, it's way too high.
However, they have % off coupons pretty much all the time. Plus sign up for their emails as you will get more of them, than you will receive at the cash register or in their flyers.

Bonus ....... a little known fact that Michael's has a Senior's Discount every day ... just be sure to ask.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by meanmom (Post 8015333)

Since some have discussed tarriffs and duty here, I have a question. I was wanting to send a gift to a quilter in the Netherlands. How do I find out if she will have to pay when I send the gift?

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The best way is to ask your friend. Yes, I know you may want it as a surprise, but perhaps you could just get into a discussion without letting her know the intent?

I have sent parcels to the Netherlands and the recipient was never charged anything on receipts. However, that does not mean that sometimes they are. Or that perhaps my valuation came in just under the line for the added fees.

Watson, I live in Eastern Ontario. Please pm me. I have a couple of suggestions.

I wonder what the wages are in the U.S to Canada . If that makes a difference. In Canada I believe the minimum wage is 14.00 dollars and hour now. What is the minimum wage in United States. I find that when ever you can increase for the cost of living ,,,, the cost of living goes up. So you can never really get ahead. Just curious.

This may be the reason we see New Brunswick tour busses at our local Marden's store. They hit all the Marden's that carry fabric and go home with a nice haul at much reduced prices. Marden's is in Maine for all of you "from away".

No one seems to have mentioned the different values of the dollar. I just checked and $.78 in the US is equivalent to $1.00 Canadian. That's almost 25%. That accounts for part of the difference.

bkay

Yes as bkay mentioned, the exchange rate is part of the problem. But as far as shopping online, it is postage that really hurts--even shopping a Canadian online store. Connecting Threads has free shipping if we spend over $75 US. And they charge Canadian taxes which takes care of the duty. So does Craftsy, altho their shipping is a flat rate. What annoys me is because of the way Craftsy's billing is set up, we are paying tax on the shipping cost too. I know it's only a small amount but it still irritates.

Sassylass, can you share the name of the husband and wife operated LQS? I'm wondering if it is the same one I use.

bkay: true, but Watson didn't say if that was already taken into account. Was it?

Watson: if you can figure out if shipping from the US is cheaper, I'd be happy to get what you want and ship it to you for reimbursement. We quilters have to stay together and I have seen your work here online....it's fabulous. Would be a shame to stunt that due to financial reasons. Maybe being in the Secret Pal Swap would be good for you? Just a thought :)

No, we still have UFOs - some have a lot, some have very few. Doesn't seem to be determined by cost of fabric!

Even with the exchange rate it is cheaper. If I'm paying $18.00 a metre (slightly more than a yard), plus 13% tax but can get it for 8.99 a yard, (Plus, usually they have 30% off at JAF when I shop),plus 30% exchange, plus 6% sales tax, you're still saving money.
My Mom lives on the border, so I go to visit her anyway and we make an afternoon of it with lunch and grocery shopping because you guys have some cool stuff in your grocery stores. :thumbup:

Thanks, Redstilettos, appreciate the thought!

Watson

supposed to have free trade but not sure if fabric is exempt. I have a US dollar VISA now and if I need stuff I buy mostly from the US because most of the time the shipping is free if you buy enough and although there is a significant
dollar difference just now the prices here for quality fabric is expensive. I have just heard about a company in Winnipeg cant remember the name but you do have to have a business to purchase from them. I have seen there fabric at a friends pace and it seems to be decent quality. I have to say though the quality of fabric from the US is fabulous for quilts!!