I got caught at the border

[Springsummer]

Doesn't sound so bad. I wouldn't buy an American cell phone though because there may be non-reprogrammable aspects to it that make it incompatible with Canadian providers. I don't know not really my professional area.

 

I've driven back several times with a dozen quarts of weed killer in the trunk. Never declared it. Never been searched. But when I go, I stay over at least 1 night, buy some cheap touristy stuff and declare that. The CBSA just waves me through.

 

Your problem was you were vague and hesitant in your answers. And your cargo was a telecommunications device often used by real smugglers.

 

It's unlocked phone.

 

:( that's why I beat myself up for being stupid. I should have bought something else and declare them.

[Springsummer]

Whoa whoa whoa, you are being REALLY hard on yourself here.

 

This was a new situation and stressful.

 

She also sounds like a stressful person to deal with. You might not have a ton of experience dealing with really aggressive people and the average person does cave. That's why aggressive people are aggressive.

 

My Dad is (ridiculously) aggressive. He would even deal with their being a sellers realtor on the other side of a real estate transaction. It made NO SENSE at all. It didn't even effect him but he spent days going apesht over it.

 

This makes me sound worse than I actually am, but I have very little issue dealing with Border Crossings, Police Officers, Bylaw, rude Doctors etc. Largely because my Dad is a total nut, and I haven't met anyone quite so nuts to deal with. My father acts just like Donald Trump actually. Same verbiage, inflection etc. Spouts off about stuff he knows nothing about. Fires people left and right, good reason or not. Etc etc etc.

 

Part of going into a situation like this is making sure you have a solid back story, and if things don't work, accepting that you got busted and that's life.

 

It doesn't make you wear a special label of "stupid, weak, stinky-face" or whatever.

 

Just be aware that aggressive people try to grind you down. I just don't let them. In my mind sometimes I feel like a cement wall at a lake with the gentle waves crashing against it. Try to find your "inner cement wall" when dealing with aggression. It's almost like a muscle you have to build up over time.

 

I'm not trying to encourage you to be "the best liar you can be." But you had decided on goal and then an aggressive person wore you down. That's where I'm aiming my advice on because you are beating yourself up.

 

None of the great fighters won every match....and you were in her home-town arena.......just remember that.

 

Great advice. Thank you so much.

 

she asked for ownership of my car. car dealer advised me not to put that in my car. and I was confused if I had my insurance piece of paper in my wallet. so I thought that was against the law too? so I flipped out.

 

Yes, I have never encountered anybody who acted so aggressively toward me.

[Springsummer]

Now come to think of it. Lying is not a virtue after all. I think that is the major reason I got over powered.

 

If I were absolutely right about something, I think I will fight to the bitter end. In the case, I don't think I will be buckled, weak and stupid.

 

so, that's peace here now. after all, I wasn't very right.

 

I really appreciate everyone who gave me great opinions or even simply gave me the time of his/her day. It's been great help here. I didn't expect that at all.

 

I love this website and the people here!

[dreamingoftigers]

wow, you are so good at it. Thanks! but I am on the eastern side of the country.

 

Nah.

 

I'm just brash.

 

I once got 12 XL bags of dog food across. (We had four dogs).

 

Other than that, I didn't really bring any large items across.

 

It's just better to be honest.

[katielee]

Why are things cheaper in Canada? What kind of phone?

Every time I visit my mom in southern Arizona we drive though a border type security checkpoint while still in the US.

[Springsummer]

Nah.

 

I'm just brash.

 

I once got 12 XL bags of dog food across. (We had four dogs).

 

Other than that, I didn't really bring any large items across.

 

It's just better to be honest.

 

I think what you and I did was fine. I mean why should we pay double taxes?

 

I am only sorry and regret that I got caught.

 

I grew up believing not to lie ever. but as I am getting older, I find it impossible not to lie living in this world. I think as long as our lies don't hurt other people, then it is fine.