Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

This is why one can't compare the cost of things between countries when there is such a difference between provinces (or states in the USA) and even in different parts of a province. I have never seen bananas cost more than 79 cents in any store in the GTA or even in cottage country.

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

I loved the "international bridges" which people in houses bordering Point Roberts had created out of single planks of wood. Only a drainage ditch at the end of their gardens separated them from the United States and the piece of wood enabled them to cross over (illegally). Building cost: about $5 plus HST!:)

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

There used to be an ice cream truck that would pull up at the east beach in Point Roberts by the border, was very common for Canadians just to walk across the line, get an ice cream then walk back. Since the border tightening however that's all changed and if you walk across there and get caught you can get in serious trouble.

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

Thrift shops I find not expensive and much is decent, value village, salvation army etc, toys etc, compare that to the UK at least most of it is clean here too.

Cars, not that cheap second hand unless it is ready for the dump. Even worse is buying a second hand car from a dealer, now that's a rip off.

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

Why? They have to make a living/profit. If the price doesn't meet your expectation of value, don't buy it. It's only a rip off if you pay more than you perceive it to be worth, and you've only yourself to blame for that.

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

That's why I haven't, not recently anyway, I did once, the 2nd car I owned over here but haven't made that mistake again. I prefer autotrader much as I did in the UK.

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

I'm absolutely 100% certain that Hot Pockets and Stouffer's Bistro Crustinis are the same thing, they're both Nestlé brands, Schneider is a Maple Leaf brand.

I've had the Chicken Parmesan Hot Pocket and the Crustini in my hands at the same time and they are identical, definitely made in the same plant, they tasted exactly the same.

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

There's a restaurant on 0 Ave up the road from Pacific Hwy that's called Smuggler's something or other that has an entrance on the Canadian side of the border. Wouldn't want to risk it though.

Border Patrol drive along and remove them.

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

The one in Great Falls is okay actually, I find Wal-Marts go downhill the bigger the town is. In small towns the staff has worked there for ages and it's the main place to shop so they tend to be better.

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

This is the way to do it. Hardcore. :lol:

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

Maybe there are a couple that are similar. Perhaps one kind of Crustini doesn't have a flaky outer or one of the Pockets has a flaky outer while the others don't. All I can say is I like crustinis and I have to be really desperate to eat a hotstuff and in the pictures the pockets look the same as hotstuffs. Ah well.

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

You can't get Hot Pockets in Canada, that's the US name Nestlé uses. Schneiders Hot Stuff is something totally separate.

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

Yes I saw that about the pockets. I can only repeat what I said about the flaky pastry though, and I'm not alone in believing the crustinis are different.

Crustini

http://i-store.walmart.ca/images/WMT...nlarged_1.jpeg

Hot Pocket

http://hotpocketscoupon.com/wp-conte...stibly-hot.jpg

They really don't look the same product.

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

The better comparison is Chicken Parmesan:

Hot Pocket.

Stouffer's Crustini.

Same thing, they even both have some label about a new and improved crust on the current boxes.

The Five Cheese Italian is obviously made purely for the Canadian market.

They used to do a Ham & Cheese one that was identical as well.

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

Ah ha! So some are the same and some are different then.

Those pics certainly indicate some Crustinis have the same crust as some hot pockets. Fortunately the ones I like have the flaky crust.

This one made me laugh

http://innerspace.notonigon.com/wp-c.../05/rubber.jpg