Best place for deals on baby item within 4-5 hrs from T.O?

[iloveadeal]

I am thinking of planning a trip to some USA outlets to buy for baby on the way, but I have no idea where is the best place for the lowest prices on baby gear and essentials! Where would you suggest as the best place for deals on baby item within 4-5 hrs from T.O?

Also, how does duties work on baby items? Are they exempt from duties or is it the same as regular cross border limitations?

Thanks in advance!!

[Monette]

We went to the Babies 'R Us store in Buffalo. It was pretty good. It's huge. It's an independent store, not a section of TRU like here in Toronto. There's also great stuff at Target, which happens to be right next door to the BRU. The drive from here was about 2-3hrs, depending on border crossing times.

Be sure not to buy the carseat in the US. They don't meet Canadian safety standards so you can get a ticket if you get pulled over. I think everything else is okay.

You do have to pay duties and taxes if you stay less than 24hrs and you're over the exemption limit. Some agents are nice and let you go, but we had to pay both times we went over.

[iloveadeal]

thanks for the suggestions! were the prices low enough (even with the higher US$) at the US BRU vs the CDN to make the drive worth it?

[sheepiest]

You can expect the regular price in US BRU to be matching the sales price in CA BRU. Note that BRU won't have the lowest price; find an equivalent item in US Walmart/Target if possible.

I would suggest you check out the online flyers before the trip. You can also shop online in Walmart.com and get a free shipment to local US store for pickup.

[syywong]

thanks for the suggestions! were the prices low enough (even with the higher US$) at the US BRU vs the CDN to make the drive worth it?

I was at BRU at Buffalo not too long ago.
I got the Kidco Gate with 40% off the regular price in Toronto from Dear Born. That's their regular price.
Their baby clothes are dirt cheap as well. a 4 piece onesies with hat, mittens and a bip can be as cheap as $4.00US easy. I consider that great price because in Toronto, even clearance price for something like this is about $10. BRU Carter's baby clothes have more varieties than Carter's own store at the outlet, for whatever reason. There are tons of stuff at BRU in US. I love that place.

We bought $300US worth of stuff last time, we declared everything but we lucked out. They didn't charge us a cent for duty.

[Monette]

What's really worth it to go for is stuff you can't find here. Do your research ahead of time and think ahead about what you might possibly need. Things I find way more expensive here are clothes and shoes. Things like good quality snowsuits, clothes and shoes/boots are ridiculous here. I bought ahead for the following year and I'm glad I did. We'd be broke if we had to pay Canadian prices. At the Outlet mall in Niagara Falls, NY, there's a Carter's outlet and Stride Rite shoe outlet. If you go during a sale time, like the upcoming US Thanksgiving weekend, you can get amazing deals.

FYI, there are Carters/Osh Kosh stores here in GTA now. The prices actually aren't bad by Canadian standards. Much cheaper than they sell them at The Bay. Often have sales. There are coupons as well if you sign up online.

[krobin]

here are some coupons from toysrus.com babiesrus.com.

http://trus.imageg.net/graphics/corp/092509-OctOnlinedeal-eml.pdf

can be printed and used in store

[iloveadeal]

these are all such helpful tips...sounds like I will definately need to check out Babies R Us...thank you so much guys!!

[syywong]

What's really worth it to go for is stuff you can't find here. Do your research ahead of time and think ahead about what you might possibly need. Things I find way more expensive here are clothes and shoes. Things like good quality snowsuits, clothes and shoes/boots are ridiculous here. I bought ahead for the following year and I'm glad I did. We'd be broke if we had to pay Canadian prices. At the Outlet mall in Niagara Falls, NY, there's a Carter's outlet and Stride Rite shoe outlet. If you go during a sale time, like the upcoming US Thanksgiving weekend, you can get amazing deals.

FYI, there are Carters/Osh Kosh stores here in GTA now. The prices actually aren't bad by Canadian standards. Much cheaper than they sell them at The Bay. Often have sales. There are coupons as well if you sign up online.

I only know about the Carters/ Osh Kosh store at Bayview Ave. & Major MacKenzie. Are there more in GTA?

[mkjr]

i found that Target was much better for deals than BRU in BUF....just remember you CAN NOT purchase a car seat in the US...the border guards will actually take it away...tis contraband..

[Monette]

I only know about the Carters/ Osh Kosh store at Bayview Ave. & Major MacKenzie. Are there more in GTA?

Yes, there is one at Argentia and Winston Churchill in Mississauga. There's also one at the Outlet mall in Niagara Falls. I've also heard that Bonnie Togs sells Carters as well. The coupons Carters emails out allow you use them at Bonnie Togs. If anyone is interested I have a coupon for $10 off a $50 purchase. I can try to post it up, but I'm not a tech genius.

[typer100]

Kijiji... You'll find great deal on barely used baby stuff. Like crib, swing, car seat... Most of the stuff is brand new.