Across the Boarder Outlet Shopping

From personal experiences and extensive research, I share with you my most valuable secrets of across the boarder shopping! One of my favorite shopping trip routines involves driving down to Seattle for a weekend.

First of all, if you are driving down to the states you should definitely check out the duty free on the Canadian side. It is located on the right hand side just before you go threw customs. If you miss it, to bad, you cannot turn around! However you pay absolutely no taxes, what you see on the price tag is what you pay. Everything is sold well below retail prices.

The best outlets are called Seattle Premium Outlets. They are located just off interstate 5. The selection at this outlet plaza is insane! There is everything from Burberry to Coach. Some of my other favorites include: Banana Republic Factory Store, Guess, BCBG Max Azria, Kenneth Cole, DC Shoes, Aldo, Nine West, LeSortSac, and Sunglass Hut/International Watch Station. For a full list of all the stores, driving directions and other useful info, visit: www.premiumoutlets.com

Shopping Hint: The Coach store at the Seattle Premium outlet mall only carries the leather lines of their brand. You can find the signature lines at a different outlet mall approximately 25 miles north of Seattle Premium. The address is:
COACH ALDERWOOD MALL
3000 - 184TH ST. S.W. SPACE #988
LYNNWOOD, WA 98037
(425) 670-6785
Store Hours: M-THURS 10-9:30 P.M.; FRI 10-10PM; SAT 8-10; SUN 11-7PM

You can also look up driving directions and view a map on http://www.coach.com
If you are seriously thinking of investing in a new coach bag I would strongly suggest checking out the coach outlets. They have factory direct prices and usually have an additional 20-30% off. The outlet mall where the signature coach outlet is in does not have any other interesting stores at all. Its only worth the stop to see the signature coach purses!

So if you are going to Seattle, the epicenter for shopaholics would be on 4th Ave. Seattle's downtown shopping district is overloaded occupying several blocks with brand names such as: Abercrombie and Fitch, Gap, Betsy Johnson, and Urban Outfitters. Banana Republic and Nike even occupy their own buildings with multi level stores. One of my favorite department stores is also in this neighbourhood... Nordstrom! In this glorious store you will find all of your favorite designer name brands and much much more! They even have a Chanel boutique. I could spend hours on end in this one store, so go check it out! You have no idea what we are missing out in Canada! If you like mall shopping then I would recommend Pacific Place. There is a variety of stores including: Ann Taylor, J. Crew and my fav Tiffany! Also, within a few blocks radius you will find designer stores like Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Coach.

Since I enjoy Nordstrom so much! I will let you in on a huge shopping secret! The department store has other stores in which they discount all their old season items. They call this store Nordstrom Rack. There is many locations in Washington. The one downtown Seattle is located at 1601 2nd Ave. For more locations in Washington visit: http://www.nordstrom.com/

HELPFUL TIPS FOR ACROSS THE BOARDER SHOPPING

• The Canadian duty free is only for US bound traffic, so you cannot shop then turn around




• Remember your licence plate number before you go into the duty free, if you buy something the cashier will ask you for it




• You still only need your birth certificate and government issued photo ID to cross the boarder.




• The duty free's on the US side are display shops. You pick what you want, pay and pick up your goods drive threw style before crossing the boarder.




• Make sure you know your personal exemptions when going across the boarder just for shopping. Customs has no tolerance for people who try to hide the stuff they bought. They will find it so don't bother trying to hide it. Just be honest and show them your receipts. If you are only going to the day, don't bother shopping because you can only claim up to $50 worth of goods without paying duties. After 48 hours you can claim up to $400CAN worth of goods without paying duties and after 7 days you can claim up to $750CAN without paying duties. From my experience, if I go down on Friday night and come back Sunday night, the customs officers usually count that as 48 hours. For up to date boarder and customs/duties info please visit: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/