Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
Aug 22nd 2013 | 5:19 am
#301
Grumpy Know-it-all
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,928
From: Calgary, Alberta
Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
There's nothing of any real value on that land, other than the value of the land itself.
Aug 22nd 2013 | 5:20 am
#302
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,402
From: South of Calgary
Aug 22nd 2013 | 5:22 am
#303
Grumpy Know-it-all
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,928
From: Calgary, Alberta
Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
Well one thing is for sure, I bet the bridge over the Skagit River wouldn't have collapsed recently if it was an international bridge.
Aug 22nd 2013 | 5:24 am
#304
Realist
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 24,667
From: UK
Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
And the border, just another example of how badly drawn the border is, they should have followed the Skagit River from the 49th Parallel, then the border would end opposite the southern tip of Vancouver Island and Point Roberts would be in BC. The map they used didn't show the Skagit River apparently.
There's nothing of any real value on that land, other than the value of the land itself.
There's nothing of any real value on that land, other than the value of the land itself.
Aug 22nd 2013 | 5:25 am
#305
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,878
From: SW Ontario
Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
Going back to the subject (lol), I was just perusing the wiki and came across this handy bit:
http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Frugality-Canada
It has links to freecycle and other websites with free or 2nd hand items.
http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Frugality-Canada
It has links to freecycle and other websites with free or 2nd hand items.
Aug 22nd 2013 | 7:33 am
#306
Thread Starter
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 487
From: Calgary, AB
Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
Going back to the subject (lol), I was just perusing the wiki and came across this handy bit:
http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Frugality-Canada
It has links to freecycle and other websites with free or 2nd hand items.
http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Frugality-Canada
It has links to freecycle and other websites with free or 2nd hand items.
Aug 25th 2013 | 1:37 pm
#307
Grumpy Know-it-all
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,928
From: Calgary, Alberta
Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
I was in a Wal-Mart in the US yesterday and they had a one gallon jug of Tropicana for $6.58 
, the cheapest I've ever seen it for here is $7.99 at Loblaw's. Plus hot pockets were $2 for a pack of two, here they're called Stouffer's Crustini or something stupid (made in the same plant though, just different packaging). I seem to recall at Loblaw's they're about $3.50 here. Although of course I'm not sure as I never eat crap like that. 
, the cheapest I've ever seen it for here is $7.99 at Loblaw's. Plus hot pockets were $2 for a pack of two, here they're called Stouffer's Crustini or something stupid (made in the same plant though, just different packaging). I seem to recall at Loblaw's they're about $3.50 here. Although of course I'm not sure as I never eat crap like that.
Aug 25th 2013 | 3:10 pm
#309
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 55,309
From: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
I've never seen them but I wondered if Hot Pockets were actually Hot Stuffs. Googling does suggest Hot Pockets are the same as Crustinis, but I really do doubt that.
Upon looking at google images, I have to say the pockets do look like stuffs and not Crustinis.
Hot Pocket
Hot Stuff
I quite like Crustinis - the outer part is quite light and it's flaky (backed up by the Stouffers website) whereas Hot Stuffs are chewy.
Crustini
Note the flakiness of the crustini compared to the absence in the others.
You're right though, they are about $3.50, but I never paid that. I don't see why anyone ever would.
Every other week, one of the supermarkets here will have them for $2 or $2.50 tops. They're even regularly available for that at Shoppers DrugMart; an under appreciated place for good value.
Anyway, they are good for kids school lunches (with added nutrition) and if you ever want to nibble on something hot, you can have one ready in two minutes.
Aug 25th 2013 | 3:28 pm
#310
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
Its a good place to buy certain things and save money.
Hot Pockets and Stoufer's Crustini's are a bit different from one another, I agree, both are owned by Nestle however.
Hot Stuff's are very close to Hot Pockets, but they are produced by Schneider's which is owned by Maple Leaf Foods.
Last edited by scrubbedexpat091; Aug 25th 2013 at 3:33 pm.
Aug 26th 2013 | 3:08 am
#311
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 41
From: Toronto, Canada
Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
And the border, just another example of how badly drawn the border is, they should have followed the Skagit River from the 49th Parallel, then the border would end opposite the southern tip of Vancouver Island and Point Roberts would be in BC. The map they used didn't show the Skagit River apparently.
There's nothing of any real value on that land, other than the value of the land itself.
There's nothing of any real value on that land, other than the value of the land itself.
Where are you going? (Duh!)
What is your purpose in visiting the USA? (Duh!Duh!)
How long are you staying?
and on the return 30 minutes later having driven around the entire land mass...
What is your citizenship?
Where have you been? (triple Duh!)
How long have you been in the USA? 30 minutes!
What did you buy? Nothing...we couldn't find any stores!
Our two countries probably spend millions of dollars maintaining these border stations and staffing them with bored (punishment detail?) staff.
Incidentally, the children from the peninsula have to be bused through the border crossing daily and transported through the city to the Peace Crossing into Bellingham schools and then bused home. Also, I am told that many of the homes/cottages are owned by Canadians as holiday places.
Aug 26th 2013 | 3:13 am
#312
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 55,309
From: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
They do several things that are cheaper than the supermarkets even without deals.
Really under appreciated store. And useful reward points for getting meds there too.
Aug 26th 2013 | 6:39 am
#313
Slightly Canadian
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 10,146
From: St. John's, Newfoundland
Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
Bananas. $0.95 /lb in Loblaws/Sobeys. $0.79 /lb in Irving Gas Stations.
Buy your bananas when you fill up. Oh yes, and milk is cheapest at Irving on a 2fer deal.
Buy your bananas when you fill up. Oh yes, and milk is cheapest at Irving on a 2fer deal.
Aug 26th 2013 | 7:29 am
#314
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,878
From: SW Ontario
Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
So about the cost of 2nd hand stuff.. I wouldn't want to eat 2nd hand bananas, personally.
I found a few website that might be of use:
Re-use, recycle - lists:
Edmonton: http://www.edmonton.ca/for_residents..._Directory.pdf
Habitat for Humanity: http://www.habitat.ca/findarestorep4235.php#findrestore (building supplies)
Vancouver: http://www.vancouver.reuses.com/?con...opedia_id=2874
Halton: http://www.halton.ca/cms/one.aspx?po...0&pageId=12217
General: http://iwastenotsystems.com/
Smithers, BC: http://www.smithers.ca/news/detail/reduce-reuse-recycle
A google search will bring up dozens of similar websites - a cheap way to get 2nd hand goods.
I found a few website that might be of use:
Re-use, recycle - lists:
Edmonton: http://www.edmonton.ca/for_residents..._Directory.pdf
Habitat for Humanity: http://www.habitat.ca/findarestorep4235.php#findrestore (building supplies)
Vancouver: http://www.vancouver.reuses.com/?con...opedia_id=2874
Halton: http://www.halton.ca/cms/one.aspx?po...0&pageId=12217
General: http://iwastenotsystems.com/
Smithers, BC: http://www.smithers.ca/news/detail/reduce-reuse-recycle
A google search will bring up dozens of similar websites - a cheap way to get 2nd hand goods.
