The trick is to leave without them if they aren't at the car by a certain time, LOLOLOLOLOL.


Oh wait.... my kids are like adults, hee hee. Too heavy to carry.

got to the line up heading to the states around 715 yesterday morning. waited around 1 hr 15 mins to cross. came back to the border at around 10pm. waited 15 mins to cross.

declared 200 dollars worth of clothes, no taxes :)

expecting the worst since it's a long weekend. ended up not being so bad.

For those who shop at Michael's, there are bargains to be had south of the border. First of all, the US Michael's prices are generally lower. I was looking for display cases and on average they are 20 dollars cheaper in the US. I also looked for a Fiskars heavy duty paper trimmer. In Canada, they are $159.00. In the US, $99.00!

Here's the real kicker......... Michael's US rarely (more like once a year, if that) have 50% off coupons, but Michael's Canada has them quite often (5 or 6 times a year). Guess what? The US Michael's stores take Canadian coupons, even though it says right on the coupon, "Canada Only." Something about them having to take competitors coupons.

And yeah, I print out a few coupons. Michael's in Bellingham is right next to Costco, so I get stuff at Michael's first, fill up gas, do some Costco shopping, then go back to Michael's.

Went yesterday at 10:30am and there was a 2hr wait for the regular line that was almost to the off ramp to get to the truck border. I drove onto the shoulder to get past the back of the line to access the nexus lane. As we made our way down the nexus lane we saw a cop checking the cars right where the nexus lane sign is making sure you were legit.
Took us 5 mins to get over the border.
As we got to Burlington, the traffic at the bridge to go farther south was stopped on the highway so we decided to stay and shop in Burlington instead.

Went down this morning at around 6,crossed at Blaine in about five minutes, came back around noon via Sumas. Another 5 minute wait, and $220 worth of declarations got me no tax or duties. A day of shopping well done.

Early bird gets the worm. I don't get why some people cannot get up early. Not that I want them to, LOLOLOLOLOL.

As for Burlington, isn't there another bridge/overpass not that far away? I recall going that way out of curiosity. I guess people aren't adventurous enough to risk it. You cross it and get back on I5 further down.

Burlington is a cool place... always go by the See's chocolate place for free sample.

I believe it is the road east of the outlets that you have to take to get there.

We went down for a day this weekend and we left at 7am Saturday. One of my friends lost his nexus so he was stuck in line for 1 hour while I cruised through and had breakfast on the other side waiting for him. I couldn't believe it was a hour wait from 7am but then again it was the long weekend.

How are wait times this morning?

10 minutes southbound at Peace Arch at 7 am. It's the last day of a long weekend. It's not so much about going south, but rather coming back. The northbound lineups are going to be insane starting at aorund noon, maybe earlier.

Borderlineups.com Webcams - Traffic Lane Scenic Camera


http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/index.asp

http://www.wsdot.com/traffic/border/default.aspx

So, I've been using this US shipping company called 24/7 for almost a month now. It's a fully automated place. Kind of cool, actually. I went with these guys because they have locations in Sumas, as well as, Blaine. The place is manned during normal hours, so if I need to talk to someone, they are there.

When I go across to get gas in Sumas, it's always before 7 am, so it's very convenient to pick up the parcel while I'm in Sumas. The cost is $3.00 per parcel within a certain size. That's what I pay at the other shipping places, so to me, it's a no brainer.

I had a parcel sent to Blaine a few weeks ago and I picked it up very late. No lineups at the border. Can't beat 24/7 convenience.

Do they charge an annual fee? I think most of the parcel receiving shops do now. (around $10/year) If they don't, that's a pretty good price. I think the only gotcha would be oversized packages (ones that don't fit in the automated boxes) need to be picked up during regular business hours from what I remember reading.

You have to start an account. I put in 20 bucks via Pay Pal. The money is taken out of the account each time you use their service. So, no fee.

It's really cool. They e-mail you whenever a parcel comes in. In the e-mail is a PIN code. You punch in the code at the front door. Once inside, there is another keypad. You simply punch in the same code. You then hear the door of the box your parcel is in open (lock and actuator to push open the door). I've picked up 4 things now and it is so convenient. Nobody there to bother you, small talk, chit chat, whathaveyou. Just go there and get your shit. I guess large items like car body kits and stuff might be a problem. I guess you'll have to call them about that. Probably cost a bit more due to size and whatnot.

My last item was a set of 3D floor mats. It fit in one of the larger boxes, no problem. Still three bucks.

They have a locked room accessed by pin for large items that can be accessed 24 hours. On top of that if you have letter size parcels, they only charge $1 for them, but you'll have to go in during their operating hours.
Also they are very honest about the prices. They actually charge by the weight as opposed to TSB at Point Roberts they sometimes charge more when the box is slightly larger.
Posted via RS Mobile

ya i crossed at midnight and went to 24/7 parcel. Pretty easy to use them. When whenever i want, dont have to fight border traffic and enter my pin.
Posted via RS Mobile

I think the company was started by a Canadian...... not 100% sure. The guy manning the Sumas location told me the other day they are expanding to other border crossings, like Ontario.

damn...

Surrey woman alleges U.S. border guards 'vandalized' car during inspection

^^^ I don't get these stories lately... and of course, we never hear the border guards side of the story... has anyone on REVSCENE been subjected to these types of searches?

Before I got my nexus I got pulled in a couple of times for random inspection heading into states with my van and my car. I have a first-aid and breakdown kits in each vehicle but that's it. They checked both vehicle for anything and had a dog sniff around the van one time but nothing was found. I also got my car checked in Canada years ago but that was because I forgot to take off my sunglasses and the guy didn't like that..

My advice: Keep in interior of the car clean and tidy. Also if your going to borrow someone car, it's good to have written permission. They would like to have some type of notary but if you have something signed stating from the owner you allowed to borrow the vehicle (with your full legal name; whatever is on your passport/Enhanced DL) with date of travel, signature(s), and owner's contact then it should be fine.

BTW - ever since I have nexus I still got pulled in but for tax purposes. I heard you can get your nexus revoked for not declaring everything and I don't want to wait in line again. Plus I got away more then enough times with over the limit by being legit. Honestly is the best policy.

^ Or keep the car so fricken messy, they don't want to go anywhere near it in fear of catching some disease or becoming infestated by insects.

My car is pretty bare whenever I cross. And, I take no more than one jerry can. I do, however, have no less than 6 US casino cards hanging from the rearview mirror, LOLOLOLOL. They know where I'm going.

I got pulled in years back for an inspection. As I waited inside and was questioned, couple guards went through my car top to bottom. When they let me leave I went back to my car and both A-pillars were hanging down being held by the bottom tab, another minute and they most likely would have snapped right off. Took me about 15 minutes to properly re-install them which I did before leaving. I knew complaining about it wouldn't make anything happen anyways.

Been pulled in afew times.. Had the car searched afew times.

But I know not to keep ANYTHING other then the necessary shit in the car. Or else they might claim I'm trying to bring stuff in to sell (if it looks new). I also vacuum the car the day before just to make sure its extra clean.

I've had friends who got questioned why they kept so much shit in the trunk before.. :fulloffuck: maybe because they're messy fucking people. Want to go to their house and see their room too?

i seem to recall a few members having horror stories when crossing the border (like being threatened to be sent to guantanomo) would have to search some threads for it i guess

Yes that's correct. I borrowed my mom's car as recent as 2 years ago and I had her write me a note. The one time the officer never bothered to read it or ask for it. The second time around he saw me holding it and asked, "what do you have there?". I replied with, "it's a note from my mom stating that she's given me permission to borrow her car" and he left it at that.

Canadian dollar has been quietly making a comeback from dipping well below 95 cents. It's at 96.6 and rising steadily. Probably won't get to par anytime soon, but a helluva lot better than those 65 cents days, not that long ago. Go, go funny money