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Suprised by best Deal on US$ - Unconventional Source

Stageshoot
Stageshoot Posts: 592 Forumite
in Overseas holidays & travel planning
Off to the US tomorrow, so have been hunting for US$ Cash at the best rates

Being out in the sticks and not fancying a stop in London at Thomas Exchange (Best Rate today by a country mile $2.01 US = £1.00)

Went hunting around local sources,

Most of the travel agents advertising 1.946 / 1 :rotfl:

Tried to haggle them showing the print out of 2.01 / 1 from Thomas Exchange, but as it was London based and single store no way would they match, best I got up to was 1.98 /1 on £1000

Anyways walking out of town came across one of these Loan Shops, "The Cheque Shop" in Big Yellow Sign on front, (Part of national chain), I did not think they did currency before but they had a board in the window offering 1.99 / 1 (No mention of commision!)

Went in and 3 nice smiley staff behind the counter, said I wanted £1000 in US and was the 1.99/1 commision free and the best rate. yes it was

So figured $1990 for £1000 me happy :T

As she was putting it thru the till (I had already accepted the 1.99/1) I mentioned Thomas Exchange and showed her the printout, off she went phoned head office and came back with the 2.01/1 so $2010 for £1000

ABOVE AND BEYOND, considering the fact I had accepted 1.99/1

So if you are looking for currency dont rule these places out, I will make them my first stop in future,

A1 Service gets my repeat business (And dispelled by preconceptions on that "Loan Shop"!
Over 100k miles of Electric Motoring and rising,

Comments

  • MeNoMoney
    MeNoMoney Posts: 102 Forumite
    Nice 1 for that,
    Nearest 1 to me is only wigan(10miles) so think i will pop there nextweek with me gran as we are going to cali in september and dont expect it to go any higher/better rate than now.
  • richardw
    richardw Posts: 19,459 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts
    If UK interest rates go up again the US$ will weaken.
    Posts are not advice and must not be relied upon.
  • dmg24
    dmg24 Posts: 33,920 Forumite
    10,000 Posts
    You could just collect them at the airport from Travelex - they will match Thomas Exchange.
    Gone ... or have I?
  • slowen
    slowen Posts: 2,795 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Me and a friend also stumbled accross this shop while we where in our city centre and they were offering the best rates compared to any other high street shops. I have got $2,300 in cash and going to get $800 in travellers cheques for when we go to Vegas next month

    I would have never realised a cheque cashing shop done foreign exchange and they offer a great rate
  • budgetflyer
    budgetflyer Posts: 5,949 Forumite
    dmg24 wrote: »
    You could just collect them at the airport from Travelex - they will match Thomas Exchange.

    Ive since discovered Travelex have a lifetime refund limit of £50 per person.
    They do keep records, so once you've had your £50 thats it.Bye Bye Travelex.
  • dmg24
    dmg24 Posts: 33,920 Forumite
    10,000 Posts
    budgetflyer wrote: »
    Ive since discovered Travelex have a lifetime refund limit of £50 per person.
    They do keep records, so once you've had your £50 thats it.Bye Bye Travelex.

    I just don't spend very much! x
    Gone ... or have I?
  • IvanOpinion
    IvanOpinion Posts: 22,136 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    dmg24 wrote: »
    I just don't spend very much! x
    Any chance that you could give my wife lessons :D

    ivan
    I don't care about your first world problems; I have enough of my own!
  • Edinburghlass_2
    Edinburghlass_2 Posts: 32,680 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    $2 to the £1 today only in Going Places :)
  • trets77
    trets77 Posts: 2,886 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    :T
    budgetflyer wrote: »
    Ive since discovered Travelex have a lifetime refund limit of £50 per person.
    They do keep records, so once you've had your £50 thats it.Bye Bye Travelex.

    no way !!!!!!!!!! well thats me stuffed for my next price match. :mad: :mad: :mad: and i had such a high opinion of Travelex as well.

    The Cheque Shop will be getting my pre travel money order next trip then and use my Nationwide dedit and post office Credit card over there as usual . but can i ask is "the Cheque shop" the same as the "The Money Shop" ???

    http://www.moneyshop.tv/

    thanks for the great tip OP :T :T :T :T i would never of considered using them
    Better in my pocket than theirs :rotfl:
This discussion has been closed.
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