Mail order or cross the border?

[Emancipated]

I'm thinking of picking up a few things from that outlet mall in Niagara Falls, USA before snow fall. Specifically, I want to hit up Gap, AE and A&F (not sure if A&F have an outlet location) but is it worth it to come back and declare everything plus the gas used to get there versus mail order and pay the duty/shipping?

My last order with AE was $360 with about $40 duty and $30 or so on tax. That's quite substantial but I'm not sure if I'll be saving much, if any, if I decide to venture there myself.

Watcha' fink?

[tabrisfreewill]

AE = American Eagle Outfitters?

You shouldn't be charged duty if the stuff you are buying is made in the US.

[Emancipated]

AE = American Eagle Outfitters?

You shouldn't be charged duty if the stuff you are buying is made in the US.

None of their stuff is made in the US. Vietnam, India, etc. I'm thinking petrol is probably $20 both ways and their prices are so low already so there may not be that great of a savings at their outlet location, if they have one. I know there is a GAP there but I haven't been there in some years.

Anyone know? I think it's called Walden Gallery I'm not too sure. It's about 20 minutes from the Peace Bridge crossing.

[Raimond]

Walden Galleria is an actual (more classier) regular mall... that takes about 25 mins to get to from the border in the township of Tonawanda I believe.

The outlet mall you're thinking of is Fashion Outlets... which is at it say an outlet mall, unlike the Galleria (but I recommend visiting it as it's nice and has Steve and Barry's :D) It's about 7 mins from the border.

Enjoy... and NEVER pay taxes at the border! :)

[Emancipated]

Walden Galleria is an actual (more classier) regular mall... that takes about 25 mins to get to from the border in the township of Tonawanda I believe.

The outlet mall you're thinking of is Fashion Outlets... which is at it say an outlet mall, unlike the Galleria (but I recommend visiting it as it's nice and has Steve and Barry's :D) It's about 7 mins from the border.

Enjoy... and NEVER pay taxes at the border! :)

Never been to Walden then. I suppose it takes longer than 7 minutes from the crossing to the outlet mall. Been there several times. Anyway, I don't even know what Steve and Barry's is.

Oh, I think I'll be paying taxes upfront. Some stupid beach flagged me and made me pay for a Banana Republic shirt I bought at Gap. The person didn't even know they are one and same company and accused me of lying since I didn't have a receipt showing "Banana Republic" claiming she shops at Gap and have never seen BR before. As a result, I've been flagged in their system for defrauding customs out of $20 or something.