General Chat

I asked at our local Post Office today about the exchange rate, he said it is usually better than Marks and Spencers - seems Thos Cook are being taken to court cos they said they gave better value than Post Offices when it wasn't true!

Anyone got any suggestions on the best place to go? I understand buying on line gives a better rate than going into the Post office.


(That's if my cheque arrives in time to get any euros!!)

Lizx

O.H. got some from Lloyds today, ... 1.0898 euros to a pound, .... I think.
Not sure how that rates.

I've heard Post Office is usually good.
Rate fluctuates from day to day, so if and when cash is available, it would be a case of watching the market, to get the best deal.
On the otherhand, as long as rate is not too low, you can exchange at just a 'fair' rate and do without all the hassle.

Gwyn

thanks Gwyn, it was 1.1008 at the post office yesterday.

Lizx

Purple
Sainsburys was 1.09 today
We can really go mad !!! xxx

My son got his Euros last Wednesday at Thompson Holidays. They advertise in our town centre that they will beat anywhere else in town. On the day the best he could find elsewhere in town was 1.11, but the girl in Thompson's told him that for half an hour that morning some place in town had left the wrong details on their board (1.14.5 euros) and he could possibly have seen that, so said they would give him 1.15. (even though he hadn't actually seen this).

He was well pleased.

Kath. x

I think the way to get the best rate is to use cash machines once you're there and take out cash then. That's what I always do. Check with your bank to see what fees they charge.

Rose

thanks folks, I will ring the travel agent tomorrow as I have to call round and pick up the tickets and might be easier to do it all together if their rate is good.

Lizx

We will use debit cards while abroad and o.h. might use his credit card, I am trying to avoid using mine for a while.

Watch the rates for using cards abroad.
That can add to the cost of an item or bill.

Gwyn

Liz
Have you thought about changing your money when you get there?
Exchange rate always seems better from a Bereou (sp) de Change at destination. If you use a cashpoint they charge you to take your money and then give you a crappy exchange rate. Just a thought....
Claire xx

We usually get our euros at M&S because we buy on the credit card which costs us nothing and delays payment.
When you pay on credit cards abroad Liz depending on which card you use some will give you a lower rate of exchange.

I will just use my debit card at an atm and withdraw more cash when needed as long as that blessed cheque has gone in and cleared. My son will be coming round to water the plants etc so if it hasn't arrived by the time I go :>((( he can identify the letter, open it and take it into the bank for me. O.h. is going to get some euros to start us off, think he is going to get them at the post office near his works.

Lizx

Hi Liz, i agree, buy them from an ATM when you get there. However, to have a few Euros for coffees and so on on the journey, our biggest Tesco has a Euro cash machine...

Have you tried Travelex? You get a plastic card with a pin number, which you have loaded wth whatever money you might need. You can add to it any time and it seems safer than credit cards.

Helen, that's O.K if you have a set amount of money for holiday spending but I don't because of my cheque going missing. I will get o.h. to buy all the dinners lol and I will just get a few drinks and anything we need during the day, will make sure I have enough euros for the first few days and hope by then my cheque is in and cleared.

Lizx