Where to get dollars these days!?

[anthony2k7]

Help, I've just noticed the exchange rate dipped a bit today so am now panicing I've left it too late to get my dollars before a more normal rate resumes!

Where does everyone else get their currency from these days? I'd prefer somewhere to walk into, but I suppose I could order online - but delivery will be awkward!

 

[2Tiggies]

Do you have a Thomas Cook branch near you? I pre ordered online and then went in and collected it from the branch the next day. They challenged the FairFX rate a few times so that's where I bought my cash this year.

Just remember that their policy is that you require a passport if you are paying by card. No ID required if you are paying cash for cash.

 

[scoobydooby]

Help, I've just noticed the exchange rate dipped a bit today so am now panicing I've left it too late to get my dollars before a more normal rate resumes! Where does everyone else get their currency from these days? I'd prefer somewhere to walk into, but I suppose I could order online - but delivery will be awkward!

Has it dipped below 1.5 because that's actually a more normal rate of late sadly.....

I use Co op travel.

 

[tinkertaylor05]

Has it dipped below 1.5 because that's actually a more normal rate of late sadly.....

I use Co op travel.

I changed some at 1.7 today at cheque centre

 

[Princess Leia]

We have used Travelex a few times now. We have booked online and then picked up at the airport. They are currently doing 1.6575. I had a terrible experience with Thomas Cook the other year . I had enquired about currency which they had in store. I told the assistant I was going to withdraw money for payment. She told me I could use my credit card. I queried that I would incur additional charges and she insisted there wouldn't be. When the cc statement came in there was a forty pound charge for the currency transaction. I was so angry. Since then I have not booked any holidays with Thomas Cook. The Post Office credit card is very good to use abroad.

 

[LumosQ102]

Thomas Global Exchange - they always have the best rate I can find, and for those outside of London they do deliver

http://www.thomasexchangeglobal.co.uk/

 

[2Tiggies]

I changed some at 1.7 today at cheque centre

The Cheque Centre beat the interbank rate? Lucky glitch ! Lol

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[ankersandrew]

I've always got a great deal with the money shop

 

[chmurf]

I always use travelex, order online, pick up at their office (which happens to be around the corner )

 

[wayneg]

I changed some at 1.7 today at cheque centre

As Lee says lucky glitch, someone has made an error.
Interbank rate is 1.68560 so exchange has to be less than that or they lose money.

Use this tool to find best rates
http://travelmoney.moneysavingexpert.com/

I looked in the Money shop window this morning $1.6485, I usually use fee free credit card and only take about $100 in cash but I will get a few hundred $'s while its at this rate.

 

[Grimbold]

It does depend when they brought their dollars as well, so if they brought them when the rate was higher,then they can sell them at a better rate.

 

[wayneg]

It does depend when they brought their dollars as well, so if they brought them when the rate was higher,then they can sell them at a better rate.

Still couldn't do $1.70, over 4 years since it was that high. It reached a 4 year peak at 1.6975 this week.

 

[rex008]

I used to get excellent rates in the back of the small tourist shops on Oxford St when I worked in London. They did most of their business selling GBP to tourists, so they practically gave the foreign currency away - at or very close to the interbank rate with no commission. If they buy $ at 20c above spot from a tourist, they still make plenty of money selling at spot to me - their bank will probably buy in bulk at 3-4c above that, so they're still on a winner.

 

[tinkertaylor05]

Not sure how or why, it was only dd's $ sadly I'd already done the bulk, £100 gave $170 so miss money bags has already mentally spent it!

 

[ford family]

I used to get excellent rates in the back of the small tourist shops on Oxford St when I worked in London. They did most of their business selling GBP to tourists, so they practically gave the foreign currency away - at or very close to the interbank rate with no commission. If they buy $ at 20c above spot from a tourist, they still make plenty of money selling at spot to me - their bank will probably buy in bulk at 3-4c above that, so they're still on a winner.

Similar story here in Brighton. As well as tourists willing to sell dollars at 15 to 20c above the market there are also lots of foreign students, language schools etc doing the same thing. This dollar cash has to be moved on quickly so a competitive selling price emerges, especially for amounts of £1,000 and above.
It is quite normal to find local exchange places selling dollars close to or at the "interbank" rate and still making a very handsome profit.
Remember, the interbank market has no relevance to the retail cash market other than as a point of reference. Nobody can buy cash from or sell cash to that wholesale market, it is purely for electronic delivery.

ford family

 

[anthony2k7]

Has it dipped below 1.5 because that's actually a more normal rate of late sadly.....

I use Co op travel.

Oh nononononooooooo not that bad!

But it was 1.699 a few days ago so almost broke the 1.70 level, but has been on a downward trend since then and now at 1.68. And yes, 1.5 was what I meant by more normal level! So definitely want to buy whilst its neared 1.7 than 1.5!

 

[2Tiggies]

Not sure how or why, it was only dd's $ sadly I'd already done the bulk, £100 gave $170 so miss money bags has already mentally spent it!

Well however you got it, well done. I benefited once from a FairFX glitch. I knew it was a glitch because it was about 10c higher than the actual rate. I think it was in 2011 IIRC. I topped up not sure if it would really go through and waited for an email correcting the error but nothing came in. At the time the rate was hovering around 1.50 I think and I bought around 1.60. It was a once off and I've never been that lucky again. I was intrigued though and wondered if it was glitch or you made a typo because yesterday our Cheque Centre had 1.63 odd on their window.

 

[wayneg]

Paid our cruise off last weekend, just checked the credit card statement and we got $1.6872, not bad at all.

 

[2Tiggies]

Paid our cruise off last weekend, just checked the credit card statement and we got $1.6872, not bad at all.

I'm really pleased with the rate right now. I can live with moderate fluctuations. After 5 years of it hanging around 1.50 which is my general budget to allow for dips in the rate, this is only too wonderful

 

[lgp1]

Ramsdens was 1.6710 yesterday