Canadians have been flocking to a Costco in Bellingham, Wash., propelled by a strong Canadian dollar and lured by the lower cost of basics like milk and gas in the United States.

An unhappy U.S. shopper, bothered by the lines and crowds, responded by creating the Facebook page "Bellingham Costco needs a special time just for Americans." As online dust-ups often do, this one has gotten out of hand, with some making rude and stereotypical remarks about Canadians. Since its debut on July 19, the page has gotten more than 3,330 likes.

"There is a reason for all the Canadian stereotyping, it has been EARNED by years and years of experience dealing with it," one reader posted. "If the Canadians could just practice some GOOD MANNERS, both in the stores and on the roads, you wouldn't see people mocking them." Oh, please.

The administrator of the Facebook page later maintained that the purpose of the page is not to slam "our beloved Canadians" but rather to complain that the city is not allowing big-box stores to expand, particularly into vacant retail space.

But many residents north of the border are not amused. Commented one self-identified Canadian:

What's with you Americans!?!?!? You're the rude people when you come to our country -- you can spot an American a mile away. So suck it up buttercup, thank us for helping your economy and the next time I see an American tourist here -- I'll be sure to spit on their car!

(Post continues below video.)

What's the fuss all about? Here's how it developed:

Some prices are a lot better on the U.S. side of the border. Says a report in the Calgary Herald:

A jug of milk at the Downtown Vancouver Costco is listed for $4.60, while the equivalent at the Bellingham Costco is $2.50. A 1,000-gram block of cheese is $13 in Vancouver but $4 cheaper in Bellingham. A 230-count case of Huggies diapers is $48.99 and about $10 cheaper south of the border.

Beginning in June, the amount of duty-free goods Canadians can take back home increased from $50 to $200 for a one-day trip, and from $400 to $800 for a longer visit.

The Bellingham Costco is about 20 miles south of the border, and Costco officials acknowledge that the store is too small. One former Canadian who lives in Bellingham said in the Calgary Herald that the crowds at the Costco in Richmond, B.C., are even worse.

The Facebook page has gotten plenty of media coverage. After Canadian media picked up on it,  the page administrator huffed, "You Canadian TV/newspapers should be ashamed of yourself spreading this hate." (Maybe the administrator should have put more thought into naming the page.)

Meanwhile, Bellingham is benefiting from Canadian shoppers. Bellingham Mayor Kelli Linville said in a news release:

Bellingham's rate of growth of taxable retail sales was almost double the state average from 2010 to 2011. Much of this is due to people from Canada and elsewhere shopping in Bellingham. …

Plans are already in the works for a bigger and better Costco store at another Bellingham location, stories by the Bellingham Herald confirm. Ken Oplinger, the president of the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce, told KOMO News that he expects Costco to announce plans for the new store soon. 

The Americans-only Facebook page is being roundly condemned.

"The average Canadian I think is surprised, and some are offended," Oplinger said. "And I can't blame them. . . . It's unfortunate that we're being shown to Canadians as an area that is not opening and welcoming to them."

• Smart Spending on the go: Get our app for Android or iPhone
  

Mayor Linville added, "The unpleasant comments we've seen on social media regarding Canadians are offensive and inappropriate, and do not represent the opinions of the vast majority of residents of Bellingham and Whatcom County."

A new Facebook page, Bellingham Businesses and Residents Welcome Canadian Shoppers, appeared on Monday. So far, it has just a handful of likes.

More from MSN Money:

• Is Costco membership still a good deal?
• The science behind Costco's No. 1 product
• Costco to sell health insurance

• Costco comment horrifies wine snobs

• Can Costco thrive on Wal-Mart's international woes?

• 8 big ways to save a bulk stores