Why do Canadian sellers sell to Canadian buyers in US dollars?

[taliesinorth]

I am an Albertan who bought an item from an Ontario seller using my Canadian credit card but the transaction was done in US dollars. Why?

[dmil8030]

Canada is a small market and most sellers are aiming at the larger US market.  Canadians are well used to having their currency measured in US dollar terms, whereas Americans are not as 'global' about such things.  It's a world reality, - to sell to the American market one pretty much has to list in American dollars.  Even the rest of the world understands US dollars and does not mind dealing in them.  It just seems baffling to Canadians when they buy from a Canadian seller but the price and even tax is in US money.  But that's just business.

[femmefan1946]

If you are really worried about it, you can ask the seller if you can pay in Canadian funds. The approximate * exchange will be listed on any listing if you look at it on eBaydotCA.

It's fussy and not particularly useful for either of you, but many sellers will agree. The Canadian dollar payment still has to pass through Paypal's US bank on its way from you to your sellers however.

* Approximate, because the exchange rate is in constant flux , changing minute by minute, and will also differ from one bank to another. The rates posted online and in newspapers are for bank to bank transfers in the millions. More accurate for you is the rate at your bank branch, which may have changed by the end of the day.