‘I feel deceived’: Saskatoon mom shocked by higher charge after price was converted to USD

A Saskatoon mom is raising concerns about price transparency after she says a purchase was converted to USD without her knowledge. Laura Woodward reports.

A Saskatoon mom says she feels misled after a purchase was converted to U.S. dollars without her knowledge.

The Butterfly Encounter at Prairieland Park’s Gardenscape Backyard Living Show was supposed to be a fun stop for Elisha Grills’ young family.

Grills said feeding sticks, used to attract the butterflies, were advertised at $5. Because she paid by card, she knew she would be charged slightly more.

But when she later checked her credit card statement, the total had climbed to $17.41.

“So what happened was they had converted it to U.S. funds, but at the time, did not tell anyone,” Grills said, adding it’s less about the money and more about principle.

“I feel deceived.”

Exhibitor says USD price was clearly communicated

In an email to CTV News, the exhibit operator said prices were clearly displayed and communicated.

The Butterfly Encounter was hosted by Jim DeBerry with Wildlife Adventures, a Florida-based company.

“Pricing for the non-mandatory feed sticks were displayed in bold font, typed out and printed in front of the register,” DeBerry said.

He said attendees in the queue were also verbally advised the price was in USD.

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“I later was made aware our point of sale processing machines charges a currency conversion ... I believe there was a possibility of miscommunication,” DeBerry said.

He said he has not received any formal complaints, but refunds are being issued for the difference as a gesture of goodwill.

“We have already begun the process ... with the majority already completed, it’s an incremental amount of people,” he said.

DeBerry urges anyone with billing concerns to contact [e-mail].

Prairieland Park ‘actively reviewing’ the situation

Candace Scherling, director of signature events, said Prairieland Park is “actively reviewing how this occurred.”

“Our expectation is that all exhibitors provide clear, accurate, and transparent pricing to guests,” Scherling said.

DeBerry said he was paid in USD to host the exhibit.

Are there legal implications?

Lawyer James Musgrove says businesses are required to clearly present the full price of a product, including any factors that could affect the final cost.

Failing to disclose currency could be considered misleading under Canadian law.

“You’ve got to say in advance what currency is being used, if it’s not Canadian,” said Musgrove, a partner at McMillan LLP.

If a customer agrees, payment can be made in any form.

“You could pay in goats, you can pay in whatever you want — if you agree,” he said.

Musgrove says if currency isn’t clearly disclosed, paying in Canadian cash counts as full payment.

While it may not be worthwhile in this case, he said the situation could be taken to small claims court or a complaint could be filed with the Competition Bureau Canada.

He said the business’s willingness to issue refunds is likely a practical resolution.