I've never had any problems crossing the border either way thru Vermont or New York State. I am polite and respectful as I was raised to be. I ask them if I can visit their country and they always have said yes. Upon returning they ask me what I've bought and I tell them or show them a list. If they want to look thru my gear I start opening things up and they stop me and send me on my way.

The only odd border crossing I ever experienced was between Utah and Arizona. We pulled up to what looked like a toll plaza in the middle of nowhere and we're asked if we have any fruits with us. I thought of a bad joke, kept it to myself, said no and away we went. Arizone don't want no fruit flies in their state.