* $25.00 in Free groceries with purchase of 12 specially marked STOUFFER'S® products will include $15 in Free Nestlé and/or other branded product coupons and a $10 grocery gift card to the store you select at registration. Limit 2 offers ($50 total) per email, per household. Offer expires January 31, 2011 @ 12:00 pm ET.
https://www.stouffers-rewards.ca/en/
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Disney without a Ticket
Of course we had to stop at Disney on our way from Nashville to South Florida, but we didn’t have any birthdays this time, so we couldn’t get a FREE ticket. So what were we to do? Well, I’ll tell you! There are a lot of great FREE activities around the Disney World Resort that make you feel like you’ve experienced Disney without ever stepping foot in the parks! You’ll also want to be sure to check out all my other Disney Deals & Reviews before heading to the happiest place on earth so you’ll maximize your time and money while you’re there!
Disney World Hotels
While it’s not FREE, staying at a Disney hotel is magical any way you look at it (and there is FREE transportation around the resort if you stay on any property – this includes buses, boats and of course, the monorail!). If all my kids did was stay at the Pop Century for a night and visit Downtown Disney, they’d be happy! And that’s pretty much what we’re doing this trip. Here are a few FREE favorites:
1. Downtown Disney
As I just mentioned, DOWNTOWN DISNEY is a great way to see all things Mickey without spending a dime (that is, if you can get out of there without spending any money at the numerous shops and restaurants!). They have fountains for the kids to run in, a LEGO playland and play stations, a toy store complete with Mr. Potato Head and My Little Pony play stations, and so much more!
2. Disney Vacation Club
Of course the club itself isn’t free (Disney’s version of time share), but learning about it is. They transport you to their sales center, have a FREE Kids Clubhouse for your kids to play in (professionally supervised) while you’re there, offer you FREE refreshments in air conditioning (this alone is worth the trip after a hot day in Orlando!), and take you for a FREE Ice Cream Sundae in the Ice Cream Parlor before taking your picture and giving you a FREE copy before leaving! This presentation lasts about an hour an did I mention you also walk away with a $15 Gift Card for every person in attendance? That’s right! Even the kids got one! So for an hour’s worth of time, we walked away with $60 – we’re going to Chef Mickey’s tomorrow!
3. Character Dining
Again, this isn’t necessarily a freebie, but there are a lot of great character dining experiences around Disney World, many of which are in the hotels, which means you don’t have to pay for a park ticket to partake! As most of you with little ones know, all they really care about at Disney is seeing the characters, so one of my favorite tips to tell people is to book a character breakfast; it’s the least expensive meal and you have all the characters come to YOU at your table instead of waiting hours in lines with sweaty people inside the theme park. Trust me, it’s worth it.
Now that we did our Vacation Club experience, we have money to go to Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary Resort in the morning and meet the Fab 5 (Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, Goofy) for FREE!
4. Fireworks
Disney is known for its great fireworks spectacles and luckily, they can be seen from many locations as well. For instance, we just stood on the balcony outside of our room on the 4th floor of the Pop Century resort and watched fireworks from BOTH the Magic Kingdom and Epcot simultaneously! And we didn’t have to fight the crowds getting out of the parks and onto the buses when the show was all done icon wink Disney without a Ticket The Boardwalk/Beach Club hotel area is also a great spot for viewing Epcot’s nightly display and poolside at The Grand Floridian is a lovely spot to catch the Magic Kingdom’s show.
5. Boardwalk/Beach Club
Just as it sounds, the Boardwalk hotel area is a lively place to walk around, shop and watch street performers and other families enjoying their vacation. Just around the corner at the Beach Club they have a nightly bonfire on the beach where you can roast smores and catch a FREE Disney movie under the stars!
6. Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground
This is a hidden jewel on the grounds. You can take a bus or a boat (from outside the Magic Kingdom) to the campgrounds where they not only have the famous “Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review” and one of our favorite restaurants, Trail’s End, but they also have a FREE petting zoo, great playground and beach volleyball courts.
Our new favorite freebie is Chip & Dale’s Campfire – a must see where you can meet the famous twosome, enjoy live music and even watch a Disney movie outside under the stars!
7. Animal Kingdom Lodge
When this hotel first opened, it was one of our favorite places to stay because no-one knew about it and it was SO reasonable for a “luxury” class hotel at Disney. They feature a 33-acre wildlife preserve that boasts over 30 species of wildlife that roam amidst 3 lush, tropical savannas. You can observe exotic animals from special viewing areas throughout the Resort as well as from the balconies of select Guest rooms. They also have great children’s activities all day, such as chalk rubbings in the lobby and stories by the fire pit outside. While it’s way out of our price range now, it is one of the most unique places we’ve ever experienced.
8. Pools & Playgrounds
Every Disney resort has at least one pool, and many boast three or more. They all are themed according to the hotel and most also offer fun fountains or water slides. The pool at the Beach/Yacht Club alone could be it’s own waterpark! Each resort also has fun playgrounds for the kids, as well as daily activities (the Pop Century featured a kids musical parade through the dining hall tonight that anyone could be a part of!)
Disney World Hotels
While it’s not FREE, staying at a Disney hotel is magical any way you look at it (and there is FREE transportation around the resort if you stay on any property – this includes buses, boats and of course, the monorail!). If all my kids did was stay at the Pop Century for a night and visit Downtown Disney, they’d be happy! And that’s pretty much what we’re doing this trip. Here are a few FREE favorites:
1. Downtown Disney
As I just mentioned, DOWNTOWN DISNEY is a great way to see all things Mickey without spending a dime (that is, if you can get out of there without spending any money at the numerous shops and restaurants!). They have fountains for the kids to run in, a LEGO playland and play stations, a toy store complete with Mr. Potato Head and My Little Pony play stations, and so much more!
2. Disney Vacation Club
Of course the club itself isn’t free (Disney’s version of time share), but learning about it is. They transport you to their sales center, have a FREE Kids Clubhouse for your kids to play in (professionally supervised) while you’re there, offer you FREE refreshments in air conditioning (this alone is worth the trip after a hot day in Orlando!), and take you for a FREE Ice Cream Sundae in the Ice Cream Parlor before taking your picture and giving you a FREE copy before leaving! This presentation lasts about an hour an did I mention you also walk away with a $15 Gift Card for every person in attendance? That’s right! Even the kids got one! So for an hour’s worth of time, we walked away with $60 – we’re going to Chef Mickey’s tomorrow!
3. Character Dining
Again, this isn’t necessarily a freebie, but there are a lot of great character dining experiences around Disney World, many of which are in the hotels, which means you don’t have to pay for a park ticket to partake! As most of you with little ones know, all they really care about at Disney is seeing the characters, so one of my favorite tips to tell people is to book a character breakfast; it’s the least expensive meal and you have all the characters come to YOU at your table instead of waiting hours in lines with sweaty people inside the theme park. Trust me, it’s worth it.
Now that we did our Vacation Club experience, we have money to go to Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary Resort in the morning and meet the Fab 5 (Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, Goofy) for FREE!
4. Fireworks
Disney is known for its great fireworks spectacles and luckily, they can be seen from many locations as well. For instance, we just stood on the balcony outside of our room on the 4th floor of the Pop Century resort and watched fireworks from BOTH the Magic Kingdom and Epcot simultaneously! And we didn’t have to fight the crowds getting out of the parks and onto the buses when the show was all done icon wink Disney without a Ticket The Boardwalk/Beach Club hotel area is also a great spot for viewing Epcot’s nightly display and poolside at The Grand Floridian is a lovely spot to catch the Magic Kingdom’s show.
5. Boardwalk/Beach Club
Just as it sounds, the Boardwalk hotel area is a lively place to walk around, shop and watch street performers and other families enjoying their vacation. Just around the corner at the Beach Club they have a nightly bonfire on the beach where you can roast smores and catch a FREE Disney movie under the stars!
6. Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground
This is a hidden jewel on the grounds. You can take a bus or a boat (from outside the Magic Kingdom) to the campgrounds where they not only have the famous “Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review” and one of our favorite restaurants, Trail’s End, but they also have a FREE petting zoo, great playground and beach volleyball courts.
Our new favorite freebie is Chip & Dale’s Campfire – a must see where you can meet the famous twosome, enjoy live music and even watch a Disney movie outside under the stars!
7. Animal Kingdom Lodge
When this hotel first opened, it was one of our favorite places to stay because no-one knew about it and it was SO reasonable for a “luxury” class hotel at Disney. They feature a 33-acre wildlife preserve that boasts over 30 species of wildlife that roam amidst 3 lush, tropical savannas. You can observe exotic animals from special viewing areas throughout the Resort as well as from the balconies of select Guest rooms. They also have great children’s activities all day, such as chalk rubbings in the lobby and stories by the fire pit outside. While it’s way out of our price range now, it is one of the most unique places we’ve ever experienced.
8. Pools & Playgrounds
Every Disney resort has at least one pool, and many boast three or more. They all are themed according to the hotel and most also offer fun fountains or water slides. The pool at the Beach/Yacht Club alone could be it’s own waterpark! Each resort also has fun playgrounds for the kids, as well as daily activities (the Pop Century featured a kids musical parade through the dining hall tonight that anyone could be a part of!)
Monday, November 22, 2010
BUY 3 Ragú, GET 1 FREE
To get your FREE jar of Ragú® collect the labels of three Ragú® jars that were purchased in-store, as well as your receipt(s).
Then, provide us with some information below to receive your Ragú® coupon in the mail.
One coupon per family or household. For help, call customer service at 1-800-565-7273.
Offer expires with online receipts received by 12am EST, December 31, 2010. While supplies last.
https://secure.ragu.ca/en/promotions/requestcoupon.aspx
To get your FREE jar of Ragú® collect the labels of three Ragú® jars that were purchased in-store, as well as your receipt(s).
Then, provide us with some information below to receive your Ragú® coupon in the mail.
One coupon per family or household. For help, call customer service at 1-800-565-7273.
Offer expires with online receipts received by 12am EST, December 31, 2010. While supplies last.
https://secure.ragu.ca/en/promotions/requestcoupon.aspx
Monday, November 8, 2010
Free $5 GC for Amazon plus a free month for Netflix
Here is how you can enjoy this deal:
1. Sign up for Swag Bucks for free here. Swag buck is an online search engine that pays you to do your everyday online searches such as Gmail, Facebook etc.
Using this link will give you 30 Swag Bucks.
2. After signing up, go to Special Offers. At the bottom of the page there is an offer saying Netflix Is Now In Canada. Only for new Netflix costumer click on the link and sign up and you will get 510 Swag Bucks and one month free to watch as many movies as you wish.
3. After your Swag Bucks account is showing the balance of 540 (30 bonus for signing up + 510 for signing in to Netflix) go to Reward and the Swag Store and chose Gifts and Reward Cards, redeem 450 Swag Bucks for $5 GC from Amazon.ca (there is also one for Amazon.com).
And you are done! and left with 90 Swag Bucks for your next redemption, one month of free movies and $5 Amazon's gift card!!!
Take advantage of this offer now, I don't know when the promotion is over.
If you have questions please don't hesitate to ask.
1. Sign up for Swag Bucks for free here. Swag buck is an online search engine that pays you to do your everyday online searches such as Gmail, Facebook etc.
Using this link will give you 30 Swag Bucks.
2. After signing up, go to Special Offers. At the bottom of the page there is an offer saying Netflix Is Now In Canada. Only for new Netflix costumer click on the link and sign up and you will get 510 Swag Bucks and one month free to watch as many movies as you wish.
3. After your Swag Bucks account is showing the balance of 540 (30 bonus for signing up + 510 for signing in to Netflix) go to Reward and the Swag Store and chose Gifts and Reward Cards, redeem 450 Swag Bucks for $5 GC from Amazon.ca (there is also one for Amazon.com).
And you are done! and left with 90 Swag Bucks for your next redemption, one month of free movies and $5 Amazon's gift card!!!
Take advantage of this offer now, I don't know when the promotion is over.
If you have questions please don't hesitate to ask.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Very Frugal in Vegas…Tips for Your Trip
by katie on October 29, 2010
http://www.freemania.net/blog/frugal-vegastips-trip/
Free Travel - Free Maps, Airfare, Hotel Stays, Vacations and Coupons
I have been traveling to Vegas for years. I recall the first trip with my friend Laura….we stayed at the Imperial Palace and had no clue what time it was for three days. I was hooked from then on. I visit Vegas three times a year on average now, but a few years in a row I was there six or seven times! I have friends who have lived in Vegas off and on. Many of them have taught me these tricks to a frugal Vegas vacation.
Before you leave town, be sure to check out two websites you are familiar with at home. Groupon and Restaurant.com. Get $25 GC for $10. You have to register for the Las Vegas Groupon separate from your hometown link you use all the time. Be sure to do this on Groupon a few weeks in advance…then you can stack up your Groupon deals and use them in Vegas. I noticed they offered $12 for Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum (normally $25) and $10 for unlimited amusement park rides at the Sahara Hotel (normally $23).
Restaurant.com is the best…their site is national and you can drill down into restaurants just on the Vegas strip. And there are a LOT of them. Fancy ones, casual, you name it! I was just in Vegas last week and was able to use two of their certificates at two amazing restaurants. At the Venetian’s Valentino I got to catch up with Julie and Tina at dinner AND use a $25 Restaurant.com certificate. At Eneteco, the restaurant owned by the famous Crocs-wearing Mario Batali…Laura, Tina and I feasted and took $25 off the tab! It just took a little pre-planning before I left on the trip. The awesome thing about the Restaurant.com certificates is they NEVER expire now. So if you find yourself with unused certificates at the end of your trip, no worries…keep ‘em in your travel file and use them next time.
How about traveling lately with liquids? I am constantly confused by what TSA thinks is right or wrong. I have stopped bringing my fancy toiletries and instead head to Sephora in Vegas. Two really convenient locations: Venetian and Planet Hollywood. Sephora is the bomb. Just ask for a sample of either your favorite lotions or serums. Or go out on a limb and try something new. The consultants will set you up with some tiny samples to get you through the trip. If they don’t last, just head back the next day! And…ask for a makeover! The teams at these Vegas locations know what evening makeup should look like. They will do the makeover for free, show you how to apply everything and give you a new look for the night. Be sure to tip them and thank them! $5-$10 is plenty, depending on what you had done.
They even label the samples for you at Sephora!
Want cheap show tickets? Head to one of the many Tix 4 Tonight locations. I saw long lines there every morning, so be sure to plan ahead and get the tickets you really want. They sell half price show tickets as well as discounted tickets for popular shows.
Get up to half off the tickets of your choice in Vegas!
Do you want to get places fast and frugally during your days on the Vegas strip? Take the bus! This is not just any bus…it is the double-decker Deuce! The fleet of Deuces runs 24 hours a day. It is ONLY $7 per person per day. During the daylight hours you can find a bus every 12 minutes. If you are headed home from Mandalay Bay to the Wynn between 2 and 5 am for example, find a Deuce every 30 minutes. By that time you probably have no concept of time anyway so that wait will seem like nothing!
Hop on this double-decker all day for $7
Do you want to eat? This is a new deal I found very affordable and filling. The Buffet of Buffets is offered by Harrah’s hotels and get this, you can eat at any of their seven buffets as often as you like in 24 hours for only $39.99 per person! That is unreal. Just think…you could have a big breakfast at the fancy Paris buffet then walk to the Caesar’s Palace for a lunch buffet. But you feel like an afternoon snack and just want a couple crab legs or dessert. So stop in at the Rio, Flamingo or Planet Hollywood buffets and fill up again. Dinner? Go back to any of the same buffets or choose Harrah’s or Imperial Palace. If you really use this pass well, we are looking at only $13 per meal, not including your snack!
You will need to dance off that food. When you are walking the strip be sure to grab any nightclub passes being handed out. Read them carefully before you head to Haze, The Bank or Tryst. Sometimes the passes are not good on certain nights. When you check into your hotel ask for free passes to the in-house nightclubs because sometimes they are happy to hand you a few. And, always show your room key at the nightclub entrance if you are partying in your hotel. Many times the nightclubs will let you go to the front of the line, let you in free or both. They want you to stay in the hotel, gamble and party there. Have fun and take advantage of all that is available to you for free!
Take these whenever they are offered to you!
javascript:void(0)
http://www.freemania.net/blog/frugal-vegastips-trip/
Free Travel - Free Maps, Airfare, Hotel Stays, Vacations and Coupons
I have been traveling to Vegas for years. I recall the first trip with my friend Laura….we stayed at the Imperial Palace and had no clue what time it was for three days. I was hooked from then on. I visit Vegas three times a year on average now, but a few years in a row I was there six or seven times! I have friends who have lived in Vegas off and on. Many of them have taught me these tricks to a frugal Vegas vacation.
Before you leave town, be sure to check out two websites you are familiar with at home. Groupon and Restaurant.com. Get $25 GC for $10. You have to register for the Las Vegas Groupon separate from your hometown link you use all the time. Be sure to do this on Groupon a few weeks in advance…then you can stack up your Groupon deals and use them in Vegas. I noticed they offered $12 for Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum (normally $25) and $10 for unlimited amusement park rides at the Sahara Hotel (normally $23).
Restaurant.com is the best…their site is national and you can drill down into restaurants just on the Vegas strip. And there are a LOT of them. Fancy ones, casual, you name it! I was just in Vegas last week and was able to use two of their certificates at two amazing restaurants. At the Venetian’s Valentino I got to catch up with Julie and Tina at dinner AND use a $25 Restaurant.com certificate. At Eneteco, the restaurant owned by the famous Crocs-wearing Mario Batali…Laura, Tina and I feasted and took $25 off the tab! It just took a little pre-planning before I left on the trip. The awesome thing about the Restaurant.com certificates is they NEVER expire now. So if you find yourself with unused certificates at the end of your trip, no worries…keep ‘em in your travel file and use them next time.
How about traveling lately with liquids? I am constantly confused by what TSA thinks is right or wrong. I have stopped bringing my fancy toiletries and instead head to Sephora in Vegas. Two really convenient locations: Venetian and Planet Hollywood. Sephora is the bomb. Just ask for a sample of either your favorite lotions or serums. Or go out on a limb and try something new. The consultants will set you up with some tiny samples to get you through the trip. If they don’t last, just head back the next day! And…ask for a makeover! The teams at these Vegas locations know what evening makeup should look like. They will do the makeover for free, show you how to apply everything and give you a new look for the night. Be sure to tip them and thank them! $5-$10 is plenty, depending on what you had done.
They even label the samples for you at Sephora!
Want cheap show tickets? Head to one of the many Tix 4 Tonight locations. I saw long lines there every morning, so be sure to plan ahead and get the tickets you really want. They sell half price show tickets as well as discounted tickets for popular shows.
Get up to half off the tickets of your choice in Vegas!
Do you want to get places fast and frugally during your days on the Vegas strip? Take the bus! This is not just any bus…it is the double-decker Deuce! The fleet of Deuces runs 24 hours a day. It is ONLY $7 per person per day. During the daylight hours you can find a bus every 12 minutes. If you are headed home from Mandalay Bay to the Wynn between 2 and 5 am for example, find a Deuce every 30 minutes. By that time you probably have no concept of time anyway so that wait will seem like nothing!
Hop on this double-decker all day for $7
Do you want to eat? This is a new deal I found very affordable and filling. The Buffet of Buffets is offered by Harrah’s hotels and get this, you can eat at any of their seven buffets as often as you like in 24 hours for only $39.99 per person! That is unreal. Just think…you could have a big breakfast at the fancy Paris buffet then walk to the Caesar’s Palace for a lunch buffet. But you feel like an afternoon snack and just want a couple crab legs or dessert. So stop in at the Rio, Flamingo or Planet Hollywood buffets and fill up again. Dinner? Go back to any of the same buffets or choose Harrah’s or Imperial Palace. If you really use this pass well, we are looking at only $13 per meal, not including your snack!
You will need to dance off that food. When you are walking the strip be sure to grab any nightclub passes being handed out. Read them carefully before you head to Haze, The Bank or Tryst. Sometimes the passes are not good on certain nights. When you check into your hotel ask for free passes to the in-house nightclubs because sometimes they are happy to hand you a few. And, always show your room key at the nightclub entrance if you are partying in your hotel. Many times the nightclubs will let you go to the front of the line, let you in free or both. They want you to stay in the hotel, gamble and party there. Have fun and take advantage of all that is available to you for free!
Take these whenever they are offered to you!
javascript:void(0)
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Tips For Canadian Shoppers Shopping Online And Shipping To Canada
(from CanBuy.ca)
The main hurdle to Canadian online shopping is the uncertainty of shipping costs. These costs are predictable and you shouldn't fear them. In most cases the shipping, taxes and duty are unavoidable but at least there will be fewer surprises if you read this page carefully.
Before you even start shopping on a merchants web site, there are a few things that you should check right away! Does the merchant ship to Canada? You can usually find this information by looking at the Customer Service, Help or Shipping page. If the merchant doesn't mention that they ship internationally or to Canada - stop shopping on that site. Some merchants will clearly state that they do not ship to international destinations. These merchants obviously don't want your business. (All merchants on CanBuy.ca ship to Canada - but some are better than others. Just read on...)
In this page we will cover the following:
What Taxes and Duties to expect when shipping to Canada?
What is a brokerage fee?
How to avoid the Brokerage Fee?
Merchant Shipping Fees
What if it is a Gift
Shipping Methods You Should Avoid
CanBuy.ca Preferred Shippers (and why)
What to look for when investigating a merchant
Free shipping to Canada
What Taxes and Duties to expect when shipping to Canada What Taxes and Duties to expect when shipping to Canada
Canadian Taxes
Any goods entering into Canada will be subject to the Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) as well as the applicable Provincial Sales Tax (PST). In Quebec this is also known as the Quebec Sale Tax (QST). In Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador the GST and PST is replaced by the Harmonised Sale Tax (HST).
Currently the Goods And Services Tax (GST) is currently 5%. This may go even lower in years to come. Provincial Sales Taxes vary from province to province but just be aware that it will be added at the border. If you live in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, or Newfoundland and Labrador you will pay a flat 13% Harmonised sales tax.
Canadian Duties
Thanks to the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadians do not have to pay extra Duties (tax or tariff) on most goods that are manufactured in the United States or Mexico. Sounds great right? Well be very, very careful. The items that you are purchasing from that American online store may not have been produced in the USA or Mexico so it will be eligible for international duties. It is a very good idea to check with the online store that you are buying from and determine if the product has been imported from a country other than the USA or Mexico. If it was in fact produced in the USA try to get something in writing from the online Merchants just in case Canada Customs decides to investigate your purchase closely.
Duties on various goods and products will be different depending on what it is and where it was produced. There may also be additional excise duty or excise tax on luxury items such as Jewelry. If you have any questions, it is best to contact the Canada Border Service Agency Office or the Canada Border Information Service directly.
What is a brokerage fee?
Brokerage Fees are usually the biggest surprise for most people when their online purchase finally arrives at their front door. A Customs Broker is a middleman who represents you by being the person who brings your package across the border. Essentially he is your employee. You pay him a percentage of the shipment's value or a minimum handling fee. The Customs Broker completes the paperwork (usually a single form stating the package's contents and value) and sends this form and the applicable duty and taxes to the Government. If you ship by air, the Brokerage Fee is usually included in the air shipping fee. (Shipping by air is usually always more expensive)
How to avoid the Brokerage Fee
There is a little known fact that it is possible to not pay the Brokerage fee! You can save the Brokerage Fee by clearing your package through Canada Customs yourself! It will take a little extra time but depending on how the package has been shipped, you could save yourself a lot of money. All you need to do is fill out the paperwork yourself and take it to a Canada Customs Office and pay any applicable tax or duty.
Here is what you will need:
1. The Waybill from the courier company
2. Invoice for the Goods being delivered (to prove the value of your delivery)
3. A piece of Photo ID (to prove who you are)
4. Money (You will still need to pay tax/duty charges)
Here is what you do:
1. When you know that your purchase is on the way, get the tracking number from the seller
2. Call the courier company and tell them you want to broker it yourself
3. When the item arrives, pick up the waybill and paperwork from the courier
4. Go to your local Canada Customs (list of Canada Customs Offices here), they'll process it, stamp the forms, and you can return to the courier company and pick up your package
Merchant Shipping Fees
Most American merchants do not offer free shipping offers outside of the USA. Do not assume that a large FREE SHIPPING promotion on an American Merchants site means that you will be receiving free shipping to Canada. You should be aware that the Merchant will probably add some sort of shipping fee onto your order.
What if it is a Gift?
Gifts that are sent to individuals in Canada are exempt from duties and taxes if the item is worth less than $60 (Canadian dollars) and the item includes a card or notice indicating that it is a gift.
Shipping Methods You Should Avoid
Simply put, AVOID UPS, FedEx and DHL ground shipping. These three companies charge unreasonably high Brokerage Fees. If you must use UPS or FedEx- request FedEx Priority or UPS Expedited as these shipping options have brokerage fees included.
CanBuy.ca Preferred Shippers (and why)
Choose United States Postal Service (USPS) as your shipping option.
It may surprise you but good old Canada Post is by far the least expensive way to ship a purchase into Canada. Look for merchants that offer the United States Postal Service (USPS) as a shipping option. Canada Post will handle the purchase when it reaches the border. Canada Post will only charge a small brokerage fee! This brokerage fee will be payable when you pay any applicable taxes due on the shipment. When USPS isn't available, try to use FedEx Priority or UPS Expedited. They are more expensive than ground but these shipping options have brokerage fees included. Avoid UPS/FedEx Ground.
What to look for when investigating a merchant
It goes without saying that when you are investigating what merchants to buy from, your best bet is to buy from a merchant that is located in Canada. This will save you a great deal of money on duty and brokerage fees because your purchase will not have to cross the border. If you must deal with an American merchant, try to find one that has a shipping warehouse located in Canada - there are more and more merchants doing this to enter into the Canadian online market.
Free shipping to Canada
Free shipping to Canada is pretty well unknown right now but CanBuy.ca is working with out merchants to offer free shipping to Canada in the form of coupons and price-drops so take a careful look at each merchant detail page to see if they are one of the rare few...
(from CanBuy.ca)
The main hurdle to Canadian online shopping is the uncertainty of shipping costs. These costs are predictable and you shouldn't fear them. In most cases the shipping, taxes and duty are unavoidable but at least there will be fewer surprises if you read this page carefully.
Before you even start shopping on a merchants web site, there are a few things that you should check right away! Does the merchant ship to Canada? You can usually find this information by looking at the Customer Service, Help or Shipping page. If the merchant doesn't mention that they ship internationally or to Canada - stop shopping on that site. Some merchants will clearly state that they do not ship to international destinations. These merchants obviously don't want your business. (All merchants on CanBuy.ca ship to Canada - but some are better than others. Just read on...)
In this page we will cover the following:
What Taxes and Duties to expect when shipping to Canada?
What is a brokerage fee?
How to avoid the Brokerage Fee?
Merchant Shipping Fees
What if it is a Gift
Shipping Methods You Should Avoid
CanBuy.ca Preferred Shippers (and why)
What to look for when investigating a merchant
Free shipping to Canada
What Taxes and Duties to expect when shipping to Canada What Taxes and Duties to expect when shipping to Canada
Canadian Taxes
Any goods entering into Canada will be subject to the Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) as well as the applicable Provincial Sales Tax (PST). In Quebec this is also known as the Quebec Sale Tax (QST). In Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador the GST and PST is replaced by the Harmonised Sale Tax (HST).
Currently the Goods And Services Tax (GST) is currently 5%. This may go even lower in years to come. Provincial Sales Taxes vary from province to province but just be aware that it will be added at the border. If you live in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, or Newfoundland and Labrador you will pay a flat 13% Harmonised sales tax.
Canadian Duties
Thanks to the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadians do not have to pay extra Duties (tax or tariff) on most goods that are manufactured in the United States or Mexico. Sounds great right? Well be very, very careful. The items that you are purchasing from that American online store may not have been produced in the USA or Mexico so it will be eligible for international duties. It is a very good idea to check with the online store that you are buying from and determine if the product has been imported from a country other than the USA or Mexico. If it was in fact produced in the USA try to get something in writing from the online Merchants just in case Canada Customs decides to investigate your purchase closely.
Duties on various goods and products will be different depending on what it is and where it was produced. There may also be additional excise duty or excise tax on luxury items such as Jewelry. If you have any questions, it is best to contact the Canada Border Service Agency Office or the Canada Border Information Service directly.
What is a brokerage fee?
Brokerage Fees are usually the biggest surprise for most people when their online purchase finally arrives at their front door. A Customs Broker is a middleman who represents you by being the person who brings your package across the border. Essentially he is your employee. You pay him a percentage of the shipment's value or a minimum handling fee. The Customs Broker completes the paperwork (usually a single form stating the package's contents and value) and sends this form and the applicable duty and taxes to the Government. If you ship by air, the Brokerage Fee is usually included in the air shipping fee. (Shipping by air is usually always more expensive)
How to avoid the Brokerage Fee
There is a little known fact that it is possible to not pay the Brokerage fee! You can save the Brokerage Fee by clearing your package through Canada Customs yourself! It will take a little extra time but depending on how the package has been shipped, you could save yourself a lot of money. All you need to do is fill out the paperwork yourself and take it to a Canada Customs Office and pay any applicable tax or duty.
Here is what you will need:
1. The Waybill from the courier company
2. Invoice for the Goods being delivered (to prove the value of your delivery)
3. A piece of Photo ID (to prove who you are)
4. Money (You will still need to pay tax/duty charges)
Here is what you do:
1. When you know that your purchase is on the way, get the tracking number from the seller
2. Call the courier company and tell them you want to broker it yourself
3. When the item arrives, pick up the waybill and paperwork from the courier
4. Go to your local Canada Customs (list of Canada Customs Offices here), they'll process it, stamp the forms, and you can return to the courier company and pick up your package
Merchant Shipping Fees
Most American merchants do not offer free shipping offers outside of the USA. Do not assume that a large FREE SHIPPING promotion on an American Merchants site means that you will be receiving free shipping to Canada. You should be aware that the Merchant will probably add some sort of shipping fee onto your order.
What if it is a Gift?
Gifts that are sent to individuals in Canada are exempt from duties and taxes if the item is worth less than $60 (Canadian dollars) and the item includes a card or notice indicating that it is a gift.
Shipping Methods You Should Avoid
Simply put, AVOID UPS, FedEx and DHL ground shipping. These three companies charge unreasonably high Brokerage Fees. If you must use UPS or FedEx- request FedEx Priority or UPS Expedited as these shipping options have brokerage fees included.
CanBuy.ca Preferred Shippers (and why)
Choose United States Postal Service (USPS) as your shipping option.
It may surprise you but good old Canada Post is by far the least expensive way to ship a purchase into Canada. Look for merchants that offer the United States Postal Service (USPS) as a shipping option. Canada Post will handle the purchase when it reaches the border. Canada Post will only charge a small brokerage fee! This brokerage fee will be payable when you pay any applicable taxes due on the shipment. When USPS isn't available, try to use FedEx Priority or UPS Expedited. They are more expensive than ground but these shipping options have brokerage fees included. Avoid UPS/FedEx Ground.
What to look for when investigating a merchant
It goes without saying that when you are investigating what merchants to buy from, your best bet is to buy from a merchant that is located in Canada. This will save you a great deal of money on duty and brokerage fees because your purchase will not have to cross the border. If you must deal with an American merchant, try to find one that has a shipping warehouse located in Canada - there are more and more merchants doing this to enter into the Canadian online market.
Free shipping to Canada
Free shipping to Canada is pretty well unknown right now but CanBuy.ca is working with out merchants to offer free shipping to Canada in the form of coupons and price-drops so take a careful look at each merchant detail page to see if they are one of the rare few...
Attractions Ontario is committed to providing you with fun-filled ideas for your next vacation as well as money saving coupons to Ontario's top attractions to make your trip more affordable. These are free coupons for you to use!
Listed below are member attractions currently offering coupon discounts at their venues. Just click on the desired attraction – this will bring you to the attraction listing where you can view and print the free coupons. Don’t forget to check this page at the beginning of each month for new coupons!
This year almost all the coupons in our Passport are available here for download and printing. Please visit our member attractions!
E-COUPONS ARE ONLY VALID IF BOTH FRONT AND BACK SIDES ARE PRESENTED AT FRONT GATE.
Print Here:
http://www.attractionsontario.ca/index.cfm?DSP=Chapter&ID=19
Attraction Title Expiry Date
Bata Shoe Museum 2 for 1 Admission Apr 30, 2011
Bird Kingdom Niagara Falls $2 Off Apr 30, 2011
Bowmanville Zoological Park, est 1919 1 Child FREE ($13 value) Apr 30, 2011
Canadian Air and Space Museum Buy 1 Get 1 Free Mar 31, 2011
Canadian Museum of Nature FREE Admission Dec 31, 2010
Casa Loma 20% Off Admission Apr 30, 2011
Castle Kilbride National Historic Site 2 for 1 Admission Nov 30, 2010
Dancap Productions Save up to 35% Off Sep 1, 2011
Dundurn National Historic Site 20% Off Regular Admission Dec 31, 2010
Fallsview Indoor Waterpark $10 OFF General Admission Apr 30, 2011
Georgian Triangle Tourist Association $2 Off Apr 30, 2011
Gray Line Toronto 20% off Ticket Price May 1, 2011
Greg Frewin Theatre 20% off per person May 1, 2011
Hamilton Civic Museums 20% Off Regular Admission Apr 30, 2011
Hockey Hall of Fame Kids Free! Apr 30, 2011
JUNGLE CAT WORLD INC. $2 Off Regular Admission Apr 30, 2011
Lang Pioneer Village Museum $2 Off Adult Admission Dec 5, 2010
Long Point Eco-Adventures 10% OFF Eco Tour Adventure Nov 2, 2010
Mackenzie House 2 for 1 Admission Nov 14, 2010
Mariposa Cruises 2 for 1 Boarding Pass Apr 30, 2011
Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament Kids Free! Apr 30, 2011
Mysteriously Yours... Mystery Theatre $20 off Apr 30, 2011
Niagara Freefall and Interactive Center $5 Off General Admission Apr 30, 2011
Niagara Helicopters Limited $10 OFF Package May 31, 2011
Nightmares Fear Factory $1 OFF Regular Admission Nov 30, 2010
Oh Canada Eh? Dinner Show KIDS FREE of $15 off each Couple Jun 30, 2011
Ontario Science Centre 20% OFF Regular Admission Mar 31, 2011
RiverRun Rafting $20 Off Nov 7, 2010
Royal Botanical Gardens 25% OFF Regular Admission Dec 31, 2010
Sainte-Marie among the Hurons $2 OFF Adult Admission Oct 8, 2011
ShopDineTour Toronto $4 OFF Regular Admission Apr 30, 2011
Souvenir City Headquarters 20% OFF Total Purchases May 30, 2011
The Tall Ship Kajama 2 For 1 Lunch Apr 1, 2011
Toronto Harbour Tours Buy 1 get one free Apr 30, 2011
Toronto Tours Ltd. 2 For 1 Admission Apr 1, 2011
Waterloo Region Museum Buy 1, Get 1 Free Dec 23, 2010
Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours $5 off per person May 31, 2011
Wings of Paradise® $1 OFF Regular Admission Dec 31, 2010
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Parks Niagara $10 OFF Camping Dec 1, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Free $5 GC for Amazon plus a free month for Netflix
Here is how you can enjoy this deal:
1. Sign up for Swag Bucks for free here. Swag buck is an online search engine that pays you to do your everyday online searches such as Gmail, Facebook etc.
Using this link will give you 30 Swag Bucks.
2. After signing up, go to Special Offers. At the bottom of the page there is an offer saying Netflix Is Now In Canada. Only for new Netflix costumer click on the link and sign up and you will get 510 Swag Bucks and one month free to watch as many movies as you wish.
3. After your Swag Bucks account is showing the balance of 540 (30 bonus for signing up + 510 for signing in to Netflix) go to Reward and the Swag Store and chose Gifts and Reward Cards, redeem 450 Swag Bucks for $5 GC from Amazon.ca (there is also one for Amazon.com).
And you are done! and left with 90 Swag Bucks for your next redemption and one month of free movies!!!
If you have questions please don't hesitate to ask.
_________________________________________
For more great deals please visit my Blog
1. Sign up for Swag Bucks for free here. Swag buck is an online search engine that pays you to do your everyday online searches such as Gmail, Facebook etc.
Using this link will give you 30 Swag Bucks.
2. After signing up, go to Special Offers. At the bottom of the page there is an offer saying Netflix Is Now In Canada. Only for new Netflix costumer click on the link and sign up and you will get 510 Swag Bucks and one month free to watch as many movies as you wish.
3. After your Swag Bucks account is showing the balance of 540 (30 bonus for signing up + 510 for signing in to Netflix) go to Reward and the Swag Store and chose Gifts and Reward Cards, redeem 450 Swag Bucks for $5 GC from Amazon.ca (there is also one for Amazon.com).
And you are done! and left with 90 Swag Bucks for your next redemption and one month of free movies!!!
If you have questions please don't hesitate to ask.
_________________________________________
For more great deals please visit my Blog
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