Finding a good Bank in the good ol' USA

[cottonwoodindustries]

Anyone out there who could recommend a good Bank in the US

One that has low fees, etc.

Paypal did a number on my sister the other day.
I usually transfer my US money into my sister's paypal account because she has a US bank and everything goes well, except this last time, I sent her a $1000 and paypal wanted to charge her $40 for the privilege, she refunded me back the money and I did get it all back.

Paypal says you can sent money free - true, they are now charging the other person as if it was a sale and charging them fees.

My sister upgraded her paypal, and we are wondering if that is where the problem is. She does not sell or buy on the internet.

So I would just like to cut her out of the equation, I have the time off I thought I would just open an account for myself.

Thanks for any help, Loré

[surplusdealdude]

Well, axe, since I started going across the border, my sales are 500 - 800% increased.

With a US bank acount and cross-border shipping, I can access Europe and Asia now - couldn't even think of doing that before.

I can add The River to my sales venues.

I can use endicia and save another 8%.

My DSR's have gone up, my repeat sales have gone WAY up.

And Canada Post is now closing my favourite outlet anyway.

And Waterloo Region is getting to be too much like Toronto and the local politicians want to make it even more so. If I wanted to live in a Toronto, I'd move to Toronto.

So it's time to move. -------------------------------------------------------------------

"To be nobody-but-yourself -- in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else -- means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can ever fight; and never stop fighting." -- e.e. cummings

[dipmicro]

... And to consider relocating your family closer to the border to make shipping for eBay easier?

With housing costs in that region our mortgage payment will be $300/month lower than our current rent, with the current interest rates most of that stays in equity, we have no roots where we currently are and we chose the move date after the school year end - where exactly is the drawback?

I am not moving because of shipping, but it's a nice and important benefit. To be honest, when I was selecting where to move over a month ago we went through entire Canada/US border looking for an area that:

1) is close to border
2) is well on south (kind of same as #1), not too cold, we are not winter people
3) good housing prices

Eventually considering the annoyance of changing the province and moving long distance we decided on staying in Ontario and were thinking between Sarnia and Niagara. After considering several other factors, Niagara was selected. After the first house looking trip, we were sold to the idea. After second trip we placed the offer.

And now shipping ... one of the most important factors for online biz. It's not about the postage savings, it's about speed of getting goods to the customer. Shipping from US might spin the business great deal

And if this does not work ... well, there is always casino nearby 🙂

[surplusdealdude]

Yup - big draw for me - It's WARMER!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------

"The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority."
- Ralph W. Sockman

[jakeeangel]

I guess neither of you two remember the big whallop of snow the Buffalo/Niagara region on both sides of the border got a few times last year. I love Niagara too but when they get hit - they get REALLY hit!

The positives greatly outweigh the negatives but man they get hit with massive snowstorms sometimes. whew!

[pierrelebel]

Why Niagara and its huge snow falls.

Belleville is nice and quiet, housing prices are 30%-50% lower than Toronto, - on the 401 - and, if you have a boat, can reach the US side in less than an hour (no traffic on Lake Ontario!) 😉

[surplusdealdude]

But winters there are L O N G E R.

I'd move to the States (West Virginia would be nice!), but I don't wanna be an American.

Besides, I've been going down to Niagara twice a week since Jan 1 - they get less snow than I do.

It's just once in a while they get walloped. -------------------------------------------------------------------

"The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority."
- Ralph W. Sockman

[surplusdealdude]

Yes, jakee, I remember the 48" snowfall they got.

Sarnia got it this year.

But it's more unusual for Niagara because Sarnia is in the snow belt for Lake Huron - they ALWAYS get walloped. -------------------------------------------------------------------

"The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority."
- Ralph W. Sockman

[dipmicro]

recped, you have M&T bank right?

They could not give me access to web banking without social security number for whatever reason, only telephone banking. This would not be a big deal once I receive my card.

So I use telephone banking but 3 of 4 times there is message "Calling is temporarily unavailable". I am wondering if this is something normal with them or just recent?

[recped]

I gave them my S.I.N. number, same number of digits but in any event I think you need the bank card before you can set up online banking.

[dipmicro]

I gave them my S.I.N. number, same number of digits but in any event I think you need the bank card before you can set up online banking.

After reading your post I tried to register online with my SIN, but it kept giving me some error. I called and the guy setup temporary fake SSN. I did registration about 8-10 times with various errors, exceeded number of attempts, etc. At the end he entered into the system fake US address, I enrolled and then he changed my address back to my Canadian one. Total 48min on the phone.

Nonetheless, is possible 🙂 Thanks for the tip.

[dipmicro]

I just called my bank (free PC Financial account) about depositing USD check from US bank and they told me on amounts over CAD $300 is 30 BUSSINESS DAYS hold!!!

Bank's buy rate is 1.096 CAD/USD, while PayPal has 1.1034. No point going through the cheque/bank deposit route due to unrealistic scrutiny