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A row of luxury European automobiles are displayed at Sterling Auto Brokers in St. Joseph. Owner Phil Reasons has noticed an increase in sales to foreign customers recently. Because of the weak dollar, buyers in Europe, for example, save money by buying vehicles in the U.S. and having them shipped to Europe.

Europeans looking for a good deal on a BMW or Mercedes may be surprised where the search takes them.

Like to Gene Field Road in St. Joseph, Mo.

“I get e-mails and questions everyday from customers in Europe,” said Phil Reasons, owner of Sterling Auto Brokers.

The dealership primarily handles European automobiles, most of which are coming off lease.

“We sell Porshes as fast as we can get them,” Mr. Reasons said.

Most deals are conducted over the Internet and Sterling has shipped vehicles to all 50 states and five continents. Lately, European buyers are interested because they can buy a car in Missouri, pay shipping and all fees for much less than it would cost to buy the car in Europe.

This is the world of the weak dollar.

“It’s interesting times,” Mr. Reasons said.

The value of the dollar compared to other currencies has fallen the last few years.

“As the economy weakens and other economies are strong, you’ll get this mismatch,” said Dr. Pat McMurry, economics professor at Missouri Western State University.

A weak dollar isn’t necessarily a bad thing, he said. For one, it helps car dealers in St. Joseph sell overseas. In general, American goods are more affordable around the world. That boosts demand for Midwest-grown grain.

“It’s been a real mixed blessing for grain farmers,” said Blake Hurst, a farmer from Tarkio, Mo.

Because a weak dollar also makes it more expensive to purchase things from other countries. Things like oil.

“Oil is priced not in euros or yen, but in dollars,” Dr. McMurry said.

About 40 percent of the increase in the price of oil has been attributed to the weak dollar.

“These high fuel prices are causing a lot of harm,” Mr. Hurst said.

He’s also critical of the Federal Reserve’s policy of lowering interest rates during the financial crisis, which contributed to the weaker dollar.

“They’ve kept interest rates low to protect bankers and borrowers at the expense of people who have to fill up their tank,” he said.

A report from Purdue University this week found that about $3 of the recent rise in corn prices is because of high fuel prices and the weak dollar, leading to higher food prices for consumers.

World currency values are a concept most people do not worry about, Dr. McMurry said.

“It has an impact on the person pumping gas and they don’t know it,” he said.

Some major department stores in New York now price merchandise in euros, he said, because so many foreign shoppers are coming to scoop up bargains.

Travelers also will feel the effects. Of all the vacation destinations, Mexico is often the cheapest, said Lisa Deal of Deal Travel and Cruises in Savannah.

“Your dollar is going pretty far there. That hasn’t changed much,” she said.

Most people are sticking with vacation plans despite the softer economy, Ms. Deal said, and plenty of bargains are available.

“It’s really volatile. The fares change all day long,” she said.

Travelers going to Europe are more cautious, though. Most of her clients are choosing all-inclusive packages. People on cruises often decide to eat on the ship instead of taking the chance of paying $200 for dinner at a French cafe.

“If you go over to Europe and you exchange your money, your dollar really is not worth what it used to be,” Ms. Deal said.

Signs are emerging that the dollar may begin strengthening. Dr. McMurry noted that Europe’s economy is weakening. Rapid growth in China and India has eased. The gross domestic product has slowed, but not entered negative territory. Unemployment typically peaks just before a turnaround.

“We’ve lost all the jobs right where you’d predict in construction and durable goods,” he said.

Perhaps most significantly, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke has suggested the Fed is thinking of raising interest rates.

It’s probably time to rethink some monetary policies, Dr. McMurry believes.

“This is a global world, but industrialized nations are still acting like it’s a feudal system,” he said.

In a few years, he predicts the euro instead of the dollar will be the measuring stick for the global economy.

“This is a huge deal,” Mr. Hurst said. “We’re no longer going to be the reserve currency.”

On the other hand, it could relieve some pressure on the dollar, Dr. McMurry said.

Business editor Susan Mires can be reached at susanm@npgco.com.