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Buying Euros
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Wee_Bargain_Hunter
Posts: 968 Forumite
in N. Ireland
Just spotted Martins new Money Maximiser thread & tool.
Its a great idea but as it's for web based companies it doesn't show the main local banks or money exchanges.
Since we in norn iron are most likely to change our money into Euros for weekly petrol jaunts or weekend breaks etc, then I thought I'd start a thread asking about the cheapest ways to get Euros in this part of the world, ie cash card, credit card, over the counter etc.
Does anyone know what way the rates are loaded for withdrawing Euros from a cash machine? Is it cheaper to get Euros over the counter? Is it better to wait & get the money in the South?
I asked at my bank last year & the cashier didn't have a clue about the cash machines - all she could refer me to was the in-branch electronic display for rates over the counter.
Its a great idea but as it's for web based companies it doesn't show the main local banks or money exchanges.
Since we in norn iron are most likely to change our money into Euros for weekly petrol jaunts or weekend breaks etc, then I thought I'd start a thread asking about the cheapest ways to get Euros in this part of the world, ie cash card, credit card, over the counter etc.
Does anyone know what way the rates are loaded for withdrawing Euros from a cash machine? Is it cheaper to get Euros over the counter? Is it better to wait & get the money in the South?
I asked at my bank last year & the cashier didn't have a clue about the cash machines - all she could refer me to was the in-branch electronic display for rates over the counter.
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Comments
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Be assured, the local banks ( correct me if I am wrong, that Irish banks are way more profitable than ANY other countries banks in Europe) et al will do their utmost to ensure you don't get a fair rate, won't supply you with information, will obstruct your routine enquiry...shameful isn't it?
Why do we put up with it? Because we deserve it, thats why.
Sorry if this doesn't answer your inquiry, but normally my Ulster bank card works down south, so just withdraw when down there.0 -
Open a Nationwide Flex A/C
The best debit card for withdrawing cash anywhere in the world
No fees and a commercial rate of exchange
info elsewhere on this site;
"The Nationwide's Flexaccount Visa Debit card trumps all the other cards as it doesn't load anywhere in the world, is free of interest (unless you're overdrawn) and doesn't charge for withdrawing cash. "0 -
Hi,
Have used Nationwide card all over the world including down South without any fees. Also an excellent rate of exchange.
Forget about the local banks ( or English banks!)as thy are most uncompetitive and look after their shareholders much better than their long suffering customers.
PS I don't work for Nationwide but I appreciate excellent value when I see it!0 -
I use the money exchange shops along the border. They always have a better rate than the banks.0
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Another Nationwide fan here...they don't charge you per withdrawal etc and their exchange rate is good. Also they're a good bank to work with, will go the extra mile to try to sort things out for you. Their online banking is great too...0
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The cheapest way/best rate for obtaining euros is to use a Nationwide cashcard in a machine in the Euro zone. Everything else is dearer.
For petrol etc, use either a Nationwide credit card or Post Office CC to pay in store, but make sure you are billed in euros and not sterling before signing/putting in your pin.
Cheers, Des.0 -
I also use my Nationwide Flexaccount card when abroad. It is hard to beat the Nationwide rates and I have used my card in China and several parts of Europe.0
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The "Eurozone" also includes the two euro-dispensing cash machines in Belfast. First Trust at Donegall Sq North (run by AIB), and the Ulster Bank machine in Central Station. Not sure if BoI still has one in their High Street branch though. It's the same rate as if you were in the south so the Nationwide or any Channel Island bank would be the best.0
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I'm another fan of Nationwide. DD has been living/studying in China for the past year and has used her flexaccount card constantly to withdraw her money for living expenses. When we visited her we took a snall amount of currency and then used our flexaccount cards for the duration of the holiday. No problems whatsoever.This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com0
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Money Exchange in Buttercrane are giving 1.46 euro to the pound....that's better than any bank rate I've seen. You can check the rate online before venturing down too....handy for anyone heading South through Newry.Life in this world is, as it were, a sojourn in a cave. What can we know of reality? For all we can see of the true nature of existence is, shall we say, no more than bewildering and amusing shadows cast upon the inner wall of the cave by the unseen blinding light of absolute truth, from which we may or may not deduce some glimmer of veracity, and we as troglodyte seekers of wisdom can only lift our voices to the unseen and say humbly "Go on, do deformed rabbit again.....it's my favourite". © Terry Pratchett in "Small Gods"
Founder member of the Barry Scott Appreciation Society0
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