As a visitor entering the US I have no rights, and my story is not all that uncommon.
Border Services are not required to fix a car they have taken apart.

The last time i drove to the US was about 4 years ago my brother was trying to get me to buy property by his place (before he sold)
After almost 3 hours at the border the guard sad to me in front of my wife and kids
I would like to keep you longer but I dont have a legal reason to.

Bare in mind I am always polite and honest with them

You mentioned it and now snow will appear

I knew that BY LAW they don't have to put the car back together, but It still ain't right! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Oh and that comment by the Border Gestapo made in front of your family was TOTALLY uncalled for. When I become president, <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> it WILL change! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

a friend tells me i just look like trouble
i know people that gas up and shop weekly in the US and never had a problem
i did think about getting a nexus card for a while but it just didnt seem worth it

Hehe, They Call me Randy! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Nexus card? Is that like an "I'm an OK guy, you can let me pass" card?

If you need a reference for that card, I'll sign for you.

Just checked, I could be at your place in about 36 hours if you need me to sign that card. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

IF the border guards are like ours, It might take about 45!

The worse thing that happened to me in the US was back in about 1985.
It was just before hunting season and i went across the line to a well known sporting goods store.
I was standing in line for the checkout when the guy in front of me and the clerk got into a conversation about "those northern wetbacks" when I got to the clerk I asked for the manager.
When he came over I told him to ask his clerk why this northern wetback was leaving the $500 worth of gear on the table instead of buying it.
I never went back there, the store closed a couple of years later

A lot of stores in Bellingham went bankrupt when the canadian dollar hit 65 cents us and canadians stopped shopping in the us

I am sorry you didn't get your purchases, but I think you did the right thing. IF they want to think certain things, even though they are misguided, we can't stop them. BUT they DO NOT have the right to insult strangers that way. You did the right thing.

I can't say I have never made fun of foreigners. I am not proud of it but I have. BUT those I was making fun of are the Illegals, not those that legally come into this country. THOSE folks, I don't have ANY problem with being here. Only the Illegals.