Canadians urged to buy RVs at home, not in USA

(Sept. 15, 2008) -- With the rise of the Canadian dollar over the past year, some Canadians have been quick to assume that buying all goods in the United States will save them money. However, when buying an RV, it can in fact be more expensive and troublesome to buy from a dealer located across the border.

According to Canadian RV dealers, the strength of the Canadian dollar over many months has enabled them to have more buying power when purchasing from manufacturers. This means that Canadian RV dealers are often able to offer the same prices as U.S. dealers can.

"It's a myth that everything is cheaper in the U.S.," said Go RVing Canada Spokesperson Catherine Fortin LeFaivre. "And in fact, when considering all of the hassle and the costs associated with bringing a vehicle across the border, most Canadians are better off purchasing their RV at their local Canadian RV dealership."

Factors to consider that might make an RV cross border shopping experience more expensive and troublesome than previously assumed include:

--Numerous brokerage and duty fees associated with importing a vehicle into Canada.
--Travel costs (hotel, gas, food) associated with traveling a longer distance to shop and buy the unit.
--The cost of the difference of the exchange rate (if the Canadian dollar is not exactly at par).
--Lengthy vehicle importation paperwork required by Canada Border Agency and Transport Canada.
--Temporary licensing requirement to bring the vehicle home.
--Costs and work of converting an RV to comply with numerous Canadian standards (which differ from U.S. standards) within a limited time period.
--Extra service costs for warranty repairs.
--The unavailability of financing at some U.S. dealership due to Canadian residency/ citizenship.
--Insurance and registration complications.

"It's important to be able to maintain a relationship with your local RV dealer so that he or she can offer you advice and assistance about your RV for many years to come," said Fortin LeFaivre. "When buying from a U.S. dealer, it makes it very difficult and costly for the customer to just pop in and ask for help."

Before assuming that cross border will save a Canadian consumer money, Go RVing Canada recommends checking with local Canadian RV dealers to see if a similar price to that of the U.S. dealer can be offered and to examine the advantages of local service. "Buying from a Canadian RV dealer can often times save you time, hassle, and money," said Fortin LeFaivre.

An arrest in your past? Canada may turn you away at the border

U.S. citizens and other with a conviction for drunk driving or another offense -- even one in the distant past and considered minor in the USA -- may be turned away at the Canadian border when trying to enter the country. Members of inadmissible classes include those who have been convicted of offenses including shoplifting, theft, assault, dangerous driving, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of illegal substances, etc., or of indictable criminal offenses (including assault with a deadly weapon, manslaughter, etc.). As well, those who have been convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) are considered members of an inadmissible class.

Driving while under the influence of alcohol is regarded as an extremely serious offense in Canada, which makes anyone with a conviction ineligible to enter the country.

Those who have received traffic violations including parking/speeding tickets, etc., and other minor violations (i.e. littering, etc.) most likely will not be prohibited from entering Canada. Similarly, those with juvenile convictions (those committed while under age 18) most likely will not be prohibited from entering Canada unless they could have been tried as an adult for their offenses.

In recent years, with more sophisticated sharing of computer records, would-be visitors with criminal have been turned away with greater frequency. Americans who wish to visit Canada can apply for what is termed a "Minister's Approval of Rehabilitation," which may give them permission to enter.