CAA = 10% off at The GAP

As I mentioned in my previous post, my friend and I went tent shopping recently. Our last stop was at Vaughn Mills mall. While there we also perused many of the other retail stores.

Normally I don't like doing that because I always end up seeing something I want. That happened again at The GAP. There were a pair of light shorts and light pants great for summer hiking.

The shorts were regular $40 with a 60% off discount and the pants $55 with a 40% off discount. I bought 2 pairs of shorts for $16 each (after the discount) and one pair of pants for $33 (after the discount).

While standing in line to pay I noticed a customer ahead of me who had her CAA card out at the cash. She presented it to the cashier for some sort of discount I assumed.

When it was my turn I asked what it was about. The cashier said that if you show your CAA card you receive an extra 10% off your purchase which is great.

What wasn't great was that I didn't bring my CAA card. Since I didn't drive I brought my slimmed down wallet with my three basic cards - driver's licence, health card and VISA card.

I asked if I could come back with my CAA card later and still receive the discount. The girl said, yes. So I did that the following Monday and received a further $7.35 savings.

The lady behind me noticed and asked what it was all about. When she found out you could save an extra 10% with your CAA card she produced hers too.

So, now you know.

Should You Shop in Canada?

I have to admit I've gone down to the U.S. to go shopping in the past. They certainly have a lot of good deals, especially at their outlet malls. I've also bought camera lenses online and either had them shipped to my relatives place in Long Island or had someone else bring them up. Since our dollar is so strong it makes cross border shopping quite attractive.

That being said, it's not impossible to find good deals here in Canada too. We have the discount fashion store, Winners, here. And, just recently, sister store, Marshalls, (also under American parent company TJX) opened a boatload of stores in southern Ontario (as well as those in other provinces).

A couple of weeks ago I had a bit of time to kill and walked into the Marshalls at John and Richmond for the first time. After half an hour I walked out with a pair of Tommy Hilfer casual shoes for $49.99* and a half dozen pair of black Perry Ellis socks for $9.99*.

Yesterday I went to the local GAP store and bought a pair of 1969 boot cut/fit jeans on sale for $19.97*. Normally they go for $69.95. But when they want to get rid of old stock significant discounts can be had. That's when I swoop in for the kill.

So before you jump in the car and head for the border you should take this into consideration. Is it worth the gas money and travel time to go to Buffalo or Niagara Falls, New York? Or can you find similar deals here in Canada?

*Not including HST.