Totally OT: Do you spend foreign money?

Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting Program Credits    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration
Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: Totally OT: Do you spend foreign money?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 12:13 am:

This morning I opened a roll of quarters and found that a couple of them bore Her Majesty's likeness. This evening I spent one of them. The clerk gave the Canadian quarter the fish eye, but he took it. That led me to wonder how it is along the border. In border areas of Washington, Montana, Michigan, Maine, etc., do you regularly use Canadian money? In BC, Alberta, Ontario, etc., do you use American money? With the two dollars being so close in value, I'd expect the coins to be pretty much interchangeable.

Some people get very upset over such things. As a convenience to his customers who had been to Mexico, a Texas pizza shop owner announced that he'd accept pesos. For that he received death threats.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 12:52 am:

Once upon a time the Illinois Tollway automated booths accepted Mexican Pesos as quarters... The peso was worth 8 cents back then.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Burger in Spokane on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 01:27 am:

I only accept 3rd party checks drawn on Mexican banks.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ken Kopsky, Lytle TX on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 01:35 am:

I used to see Canadian coins all the time when I lived in Ohio. I didn't accept them if I spotted it when getting change. None would work in vending machines and at that time, there was about a 12-15% difference in value. (As I recall.) When visiting Niagara Falls on the Canadian side, all the shops would accept US currency but would give you change in Canadian on a one-to-one value. This meant you lost that 12-15% on top of paying one-to-one on the marked price. I think later they past a law that they couldn't do that.

We were so close, we went there 2-3 times a year but after the first time, I always took Canadian dollars. :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ken Kopsky, Lytle TX on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 01:43 am:

Ops. That's "passed a law" not "past a law". It's late. :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Danial - Veneta OR US Earth Solar System on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 01:49 am:

We see Canadian coinage here in Oregon fairly regularly and people use it all the time. No one gets too worked up about it as far as I know.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Stroud on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 02:15 am:

I have seen Canadian coins here in N.W. MO. ever since I was a kid back in the early '50's and they have always been used. I just think nobody cares too much. If they get one, they just pass it on. Dave


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael Deichmann, Blistrup, Denmark on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 02:26 am:

Maybe even more OT, but you can pay with Euros at many unmaned gasstation here in Denmark and in very tourist engaged areas many shops takes Euros as well.
(Denmark have our own currency - Danish Krone/Crown - we have not joined the Euro project)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By JohnH on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 05:46 am:

I think every Australian has handled NZ coins unknowingly or otherwise; there's quite a few of them in circulation, but no one seems to reject them - shopkeepers just get rid of them in the next customer's change. They're the same size for the same value, and have the same head design so it's easy not to notice.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Davis-SE Georgia on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 06:14 am:

For the last 150 years, we have used Union currency. Does that count as foreign?:-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kevin Whelihan on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 07:27 am:

It seems like once you get within about 100 miles of the Canadian border, you start to see more Canadian pennies, dimes, and quarters, given as change by cashiers. Particularly at places like restaurants, grocery stores, etc. You don't see any denominations over that unless you ask for them. Sometime those grocery stores in the border area will take CSD and gladly exchange you USD at close to the exchange rate just to avoid them having to deal with it at local banks. Same goes for the other side of the border.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dick Lodge - St Louis MO on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 09:11 am:

Years ago, it was easy to spot a Canadian quarter. Then our quarters began to have many different designs and I no longer pick them out as easily.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tim Eckensviller on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 09:23 am:

Up in Canada the shops will take American change on par without a second glance. I'm not even sure they notice whose currency it is. I find in the USA I have maybe a 50/50 chance of a cashier rejecting any Canadian change that sneaks in and they all have an eagle eye for picking out the dime that doesn't belong.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Danial - Veneta OR US Earth Solar System on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 10:41 am:

Is there a land outside our borders called "Fiat"? I'm pretty sure we've been using their currency ever since we went off the gold standard.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gary H. White - Sheridan, MI on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 11:29 am:

Canadian coinage is mostly accepted in Michigan except for the dollar coin and that may be accepted if close to the border. Wonder why Americans can't get use to using a U.S. dollar coin? Would save the gubberment millions.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 11:52 am:

One time when we were in Canada, we went to a restaurant where they take your order at a counter. They had already put our steaks on to cook when we got to the cash register. We attempted to pay in U.S. dollars. They wouldn't take it. We started to walk out, when the manager (who didn't want to waste our steaks) came and agreed to take the money. At that time the U.S. dollar was worth more than the Canadian, so they got the better part of the deal. We paid the Canadian price in U.S. money.

Usually when we go to a foreign country, we go to an ATM and withdraw what we think we will need for that day. It is easier than going to a money exchange location or bank. Then when we get home, we go to the bank and exchange all for U.S.
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bud Holzschuh - Panama City, FL on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 12:24 pm:

I used to live in Buffalo, NY and Canadian money was widely accepted. At various times it has been at a premium to US currency and sometimes worth less.

Many border states will accept at face value if the exchange rate is close, ditto in Canada. If the exchange rate is significantly different they will probably use an informal exchange rate - depends heavily on the merchant. I have never had US currency refused in Canada, although many times when the exchange rate was in favor of the US they would only accept US currency at par.

Current rate: 0.93 US buys you $1.00 Canadian.

PS The Canadians now have a higher standard of living than we do! So whatdaya think of that ..eh ?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 12:50 pm:

Gary, I get dollars in rolls from the bank and use them all the time. It's a little more convenient pulling a handful of change out of my pocket than taking paper money out of a billfold, and, especially when used with a half dollar I also get from the bank, the coin often provides entertainment in the form of panic and confusion on the part of the "associate" running the register.
.......................................................

A couple of years ago ABC News did a story on their "It's Your Money" segment about how the government was minting huge piles of dollar coins people weren't using. The implication was that the expense of making the coins was a waste, which is exactly wrong. A coin will last at least thirty years. A paper dollar lasts an average of 18 months. Making that one coin costs a lot less than printing those twenty bills. If Congress would take time for something other than political posturing the the cameras, they could save millions by doing away with paper singles.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 12:53 pm:

for

I sure wish we could edit after posting. :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dick Lodge - St Louis MO on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 01:15 pm:

Steve, add a two-dollar bill to the mix and then watch the fun... :-)

I once had a cashier go looking for the manager to find out if she could accept a dollar coin.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Derek Kiefer - Mantorville, MN on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 02:40 pm:

The government doesn't mint anything.

The "Federal Reserve" is neither "Federal", nor a "Reserve".


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 03:00 pm:

Derek, according to Wikipedia, yes it does.

The United States Mint primarily produces circulating coinage for the United States to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint was created by Congress with the Coinage Act of 1792, and originally placed within the Department of State. Per the terms of the Coinage Act, the first Mint building was in Philadelphia, then the capital of the United States; it was the first building of the Republic raised under the Constitution. Today, the Mint's headquarters are in Washington D.C. which is not a coin producing facility. It operates mint facilities in Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, and West Point, New York and a bullion depository at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Official Mints (Branches) were once also located in Carson City, Nevada, Charlotte, North Carolina, Dahlonega, Georgia, New Orleans, Louisiana, Washington, D.C.; and even in Manila, in the Philippines.

The Mint was made an independent agency in 1799. It converted precious metals into standard coin for anyone's account with no seigniorage charge beyond the refining costs. Under the Coinage Act of 1873, the Mint became part of the Department of the Treasury. It was placed under the auspices of the Treasurer of the United States in 1981. Legal tender coins of today are minted solely for the Treasury's account.

The Treasury prints and mints all paper currency and coins in circulation through the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the United States Mint. The Department also collects all federal taxes through the Internal Revenue Service, and manages U.S. government debt instruments.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. Gustaf Bryngelson on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 04:39 pm:

I like using Idaho money, the only coin in circulation in the US that has an image of a living person, has a portrait of an Idaho girl on it, people back east often do not know what they are as Steve has already explained..


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 04:45 pm:

The US Mint has coined some losers:

1943 steel cent

Quarter-sized Susan B. Anthony dollar, aka Phony Tony


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 04:54 pm:

I agree that the Susans were a bad design, because they're so easily confused with quarters. But I think the steel cent was fine. It saved copper for the war effort and lasted for decades. There would probably be some in circulation now if they hadn't all gone into collections.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Danial - Veneta OR US Earth Solar System on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 05:12 pm:

I still find steel cents in change. They're not worth anything really, in circulated condition so I always spend them when I get them. That's more fun than putting them in a folder no one will ever see. I even spend buffalo nickels from time to time. I have literally half a small bucket of them. They're so badly worn, most don't have dates. Came from a Reno casino many years ago. I've used them for gifts, spending on occasion and for fun metal detecting contests with a local club.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 05:24 pm:




Those nickels with the dates worn off have another use, too. :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Burger in Spokane on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 05:30 pm:

This is precisely why I only barter for chickens and goats ... and, of course, 3rd party checks drawn on 3rd World banks.

Matter of fact, I just inherited 7.2 million dollars from a Nigerian prince !


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Danial - Veneta OR US Earth Solar System on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 05:54 pm:

Ah no kidding, Steve. Far out! Well I have plenty if anyone needs them for a rebuild...grin..

I think we have problem, Burger. That 7.2 mil is already accounted for - by me. I got that email two years ago and acted on it right away. Now I am just waiting for the (insert latest African malady) to die down there before they can smuggle funds out of the country. Or so they tell me.

I trust them though because he's a Prince!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chuck Hoffman - Gold Country of Calif. on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 08:03 pm:

The last time I was in Canada (20 years ago) I bought something and paid with an American $20. In change, I got a Canadian $20 plus some extra. Didn't do so well when I exchanged all the Canadian money back to USD though.
In Russia back in 2000 I had our host's daughter take $500 USD to a money changer to exchange for Rubles. She came home with a boxfull of bills. Everywhere I spent USD in Russia they had a calculator and knew to the penny what the exchange rate was at that moment.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Stewart -Calif. on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 08:26 pm:

I spend foreign money every day since China owns our debt. Actually in the early 90's I managed a Phar-Mor store in Buffalo NY. Our registers had an exchange key for Canadian currency and coins. We would call the office every morning and get the exchange rate for the day and plug it in. It was about .72 cents Canadian to one US $.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tyrone Thomas - Topeka KS on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 08:46 pm:

I just use my EBT Vision card for all my food, beer, cigs and car parts. Excepted everywhere.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. Gustaf Bryngelson on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 10:09 pm:

Burger, you are a looser, I inherited 13 million Euro for a wealthier Nigerian minister, when the check clears I will buy everyone another T:-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Burger in Spokane on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 10:15 pm:

Listen here, Gustaf ! That's MISTER Loser to you !


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Mottashed on Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 11:17 pm:

I live in Canada; work in the US. I keep the currencies separate. Those in the US might be interested to know that in addition to replacing the dollar bill with a coin as mentioned above, Canada has also replaced the two dollar bill with a coin, eliminated the penny by rounding cash purchases to the nearest $.05, and switched from paper to polymer notes for bills. All changes caused apprehension for the public but have proven very positive. The polymer notes have a "plasticy" feel and are far more durable than paper.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dane Hawley Near Melbourne Australia on Monday, July 21, 2014 - 06:29 am:

In Australia, we often find New Zealand coins in change. Before we changed to decimal currency (1966)NZ 2 shilling pieces sometimes turned up, but these days the NZ 5,10 and 20 cent pieces appear often.

Australian decimal currency started with one and two cent copper coins, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent silver coins and notes for one dollar and above. In 1984 the $1 coin superceded the $1 note, and in 1988 the $2 coin replaced the note. (Oddly the $2 coin is a smaller diameter than the $1 one.) 1 and 2 cent coins were discontinued in 1990, so the lowest denomination now is the silver 5 cent piece.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tim Eckensviller on Monday, July 21, 2014 - 11:38 am:

Those Canadian polymer bills are only more durable until you and your buddies start wondering if they're flame retardant, too...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Zachary Dillinger on Monday, July 21, 2014 - 11:44 am:

Here in Michigan, you often find Canadian coinage in change. I've used it myself and never once had it rejected from a human seller. However, vending machines will reject a Canadian quarter so you have to make sure you don't use it there.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dick Lodge - St Louis MO on Monday, July 21, 2014 - 06:01 pm:

Dane, years ago I had a book called "Let's Talk Strine." It referred to "dismal Guernsey." :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dane Hawley Near Melbourne Australia on Tuesday, July 22, 2014 - 06:40 am:

Yer so right, Dick. Back in the days, I had some dismal Geurnsey in me sky rocket, and was giving the Captain Cook over some stuff in a shop. Saw that very same book, so ambled to the counter and asked "Emma Chissit?"


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. Gustaf Bryngelson on Tuesday, July 22, 2014 - 03:05 pm:

So much for using google translate to understand different languages. When I was a kid, I was in Blighty and thy had recently switched to dismal Geurnsey, many of the shop keepers would convert prices to pounds, shillings and pence, calculate the change and convert back to decimal. Oddly enough, they often got it fairly close.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dick Lodge - St Louis MO on Tuesday, July 22, 2014 - 03:09 pm:

Dane, I also remember Emma from the book. :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peter Borland. Bathurst. NSW. Australia. on Wednesday, July 23, 2014 - 11:32 pm:

G'day,

I use US Dollars when buying parts in the US, but the card company changes it to Aussie Dollars when they send me the bill!!!

Peter


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Danial - Veneta OR US Earth Solar System on Thursday, July 24, 2014 - 12:05 am:

Hey Peter, if it's anything like the US card companies, that's probably so they can hide a fee or two in the exchange rate! haha


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peter Borland. Bathurst. NSW. Australia. on Thursday, July 24, 2014 - 01:45 am:

You are dead right there Danial, exchange rate differences and International Exchange Charges are added.

Peter


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chuck Hoffman - Gold Country of Calif. on Thursday, July 24, 2014 - 10:52 pm:

I actually have no problem spending any and all money that I can come up with be it metal, plastic or paper.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Terry Woods, Richmond, Texas on Friday, July 25, 2014 - 12:15 am:

Only if I have it to spend!

A few years ago, I bought a used pickup from a dealer. The first time I looked in the glove box to get the owner's manual, I found two mint, fresh Iraqi paper bills with Saddam Hussein's picture on them, so I knew the had to be from pre Gulf War days. I knew the previous owner of the truck and called him. I asked him about the origin of the bills. He was as surprised as I was and didn't have a clue. I figured in the condition they were in, that they would be worth something to a collector. I listed them on Ebay and didn't even get one hit.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Terry Woods, Richmond, Texas on Friday, July 25, 2014 - 12:19 am:

Damn, Burger, Some people have all the luck! Will you adopt me and put me in your will?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dare - Just a little South West . on Saturday, July 26, 2014 - 03:33 pm:

Last time l was state side a coke from the vending machine ranged between 75 cents to a dollar, so 3 or 4 quarters ...... It just so happens ( don't blame me )( don't ask me how l know it works ) ... but an Aussie 10 cent piece is about the same diameter, same weight as a quarter and sends down a cold coke for 30 to 40 cents.
Sorry vending machine fillerupperers.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Wolf on Saturday, July 26, 2014 - 03:46 pm:

Terry;
Life's a bitch, ain't it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Terry Woods, Richmond, Texas on Saturday, July 26, 2014 - 04:09 pm:

Richard, Only if you don't inherit millions from a Nigerian prince.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Wolf on Saturday, July 26, 2014 - 04:33 pm:

Still waiting.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John E Cox on Saturday, July 26, 2014 - 07:33 pm:

My Good luck coin, always in my pocket, is a Loonie that I got in change while visiting Sydney BC a few years ago, So far its working just fine.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Terry Woods, Richmond, Texas on Saturday, July 26, 2014 - 08:08 pm:

I've got some Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian coins. So far they haven't brought me any good luck, unless you consider I lived through a quad bypass.


Posting is currently disabled in this topic. Contact your discussion moderator for more information.
Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting Program Credits    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration