Despite delays and a low dollar, why are so many Canadians crossing the border?

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – As you’ve been hearing in traffic, it’s a busy time of year at the border.  You can expect two hours or more at Peace Arch and Pacific Highway today.

But with long lines and our loonie sitting around 83 cents to the American dollar, why do so many shoppers from the Lower Mainland continue to cross the line?

Retail consultant David Ian Grey says there are still many stores in Washington State that we don’t have here and there are many who simply love the thrill of the chase.

“Those are professional shoppers, they love the adventure of it and the day becomes an outing. It’s not just the idea of buying something so those kind of people still like to go across the border from time to time, not every weekend but a few times a year.”

He thinks another factor is optics, with people still viewing purchases in the US as a bargain despite our low dollar. “We still have this ingrained idea that a purchase in the states at a certain price, we see the actually amount on the sticker and we still kind of think it’s lower and we sometimes forget to do the true evaluation of cost. Including your gas and the time to get there.”

Canada Border Services is reminding drivers to have all their travel documents and receipts ready to make their wait as short as possible.

(With files from Lauren Sundstrom)

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