I assume that once a bank gets a hold of it, it goes back to Canada?
But can I go to a US bank and ask for Canadian money?
The reason I’m asking is, I’ve had no end of trouble selling to a certain buyer for an item online. I just want to refund him completely, only I want to refund the bastard with loose Canadian pennies and nickels. Do Canadian coins drop through the US change counters, too? That’d be a sweet, sweet thing.
I don’t know how it works in the US, but seeing American coins here in Canada isn’t uncommon. Mostly pennies, and the coins get less frequent as their value increases. I’m pretty sure US and Canadian pennies are almost identicle as for size, not sure for other coins. The banks might be able to help, but not if you tell them what you really plan to do ;). You can always go to an airport (might be a pain at the moment) and get your money exchanged there as if you were going to Canada for a trip, although it might be tricky to get the amount of coins you want - I’m assuming it’s more than $20 worth.
Well depending on how close you are geographically to Canada the bank may have Canadian Dollars on hand. Otherwise I think you can fill out a request form to order some. You’ll pay a premium on the exchange rate though.
In Detroit, you can usually get away with spending up to $.25 Canadian in most stores. The further you go south, the harder it is
I’m sure you won’t have any trouble finding a bank that will exchange American currency to Canadian. Depending on where you are and the amount you want, you might have to give them a little advance notice however.
But you might also want to run your plan by a lawyer. The implied contract of your online transaction might require American currency to be considered valid.
Yes, Canadian coins will drop through a US counter, or vending machine. They’re slightly smaller in diameter than their US counterparts.
Where does the (Canadian) buck stop?
I have often had cashiers at the local drugstore (NYC) hand back Canadian pennies to me, saying that they can’t accept them.
Now, I know there is a difference in value between the two. But, c’mon. Some other cashier passed it on to me, so why not pass it on further? If everyone keeps using them, and treating them as if they’re worth $0.01, who cares?
And I know I’ve rolled a few Canadian pennies into those paper coin rolls before, without incident. Do the businesses who have to turn in the coins to the banks get the shaft when they try the same thing? Is my (and other customers’) attempt to pay with a Canadian cent costing Duane Reade Pharmacy dollars in rejected coins every day?
It is illegal to use Canadian money in place of American. Doing so with the intent to “get more for your buck” is a felony.
Merchants in most states are required to accept American legal tender for transactions. Canadian money is not “legal tender” in the United States and a cashier may refuse to accept it. If you are given Canadian money by an American establishment, you can refuse to accept it and demand proper change.
Most banks will accept Canadian money for deposit as a foreign currency exchange transaction. The availability of Canadian money in American banks varies; you’re more likely to be able to get it at banks near the border.