Reply to: cheap foreign currency

[tim123]

And what do you get when you use your ATM card then?

A 2% discount on the exchange rate and a fixed fee of 2 pounds, which if you take 200 quid (which is the maximum I seem to be allowed) is another 1% for a 3% total.

By using my Nationwide account I don't get the 2 pound fee.

tim

[Pondlife]

I'm not sure what Tulips are as an insult, but I suggest that you look at the bid-offer spread at a bureau. 10% is the norm, 15% not uncommon.

tim

And what do you get when you use your ATM card then?

'Tulips' is a reference to the mods recent swear word filter.

[tim123]

Eh, That's just plain tulips! You will get your banks exchange rate of the day plus a handling charge.

Surely it's cheaper to buy the currency beforehand after shopping around for rates (which is what the OP is asking).

I'm not sure what Tulips are as an insult, but I suggest that you look at the bid-offer spread at a bureau. 10% is the norm, 15% not uncommon.

tim

[alreadypacked]

thanks for the money advice people, now what is recommended to do in Zurich?

There are a couple of English pubs in Zurich if you want to meet some English nannies. If you want to eat somewhere relaxed I like Globus on Belview down by the lake. The buzz area before I left was Hardbruck lots of bars etc.

[Pondlife]

I stand corrected if thats the case.

Always HTH

[oracleslave]

No one pays commission anymore you just get a noddy rate. This is the same rate your bank will give you when you withdraw at the ATM machine PLUS a handling charge!

I believe that natwest have an account that doesn't sting you for a handling charge but you still get the same carp rate.

The rates you get from the highstreet banks are dismay to say the least.


Edit: Plus, who returns Euros? You know you'll use them again so why bother?

I stand corrected if thats the case.

[Pondlife]

Actually I agree with Tim. I think if you limit the number of withdrawals i.e. make them for large sums it works out significantly cheaper than paying commossion twice i.e. once before departure and a second time upon return.

No one pays commission anymore you just get a noddy rate. This is the same rate your bank will give you when you withdraw at the ATM machine PLUS a handling charge!

I believe that natwest have an account that doesn't sting you for a handling charge but you still get the same carp rate.

The rates you get from the highstreet banks are dismay to say the least.


Edit: Plus, who returns Euros? You know you'll use them again so why bother?

[Pondlife]

I work on the mainland and have not found anything cheaper than buying a couple of hundred quids worth of Euros in M&S whilst doing the the weekly shop.

I would love to know a cheaper way though!

[poser]

thanks for the money advice people, now what is recommended to do in Zurich?

[oracleslave]

Eh, That's just plain tulips! You will get your banks exchange rate of the day plus a handling charge.

Surely it's cheaper to buy the currency beforehand after shopping around for rates (which is what the OP is asking).

Actually I agree with Tim. I think if you limit the number of withdrawals i.e. make them for large sums it works out significantly cheaper than paying commossion twice i.e. once before departure and a second time upon return.

[cailin maith]

I agree M&S are good...

Usually just use my bank card though - it works out best for me!

[Pondlife]

There is no cheap way to change folding money in developed countries.

Use your bank card in an ATM, it is *always* cheaper than a bureau(assuming you take more than 20 quid).

tim

Eh, That's just plain tulips! You will get your banks exchange rate of the day plus a handling charge.

Surely it's cheaper to buy the currency beforehand after shopping around for rates (which is what the OP is asking).

[tim123]

There is no cheap way to change folding money in developed countries.

Use your bank card in an ATM, it is *always* cheaper than a bureau(assuming you take more than 20 quid).

tim

[AtW]

I usually pay with gold bars - works like a charm with the Swiss.

threaded.

[thunderlizard]

Have a comb through the t's and c's of your bank accounts and see if you've got a special offer you didn't know about.