Buying a ring

MRX_4

Hi All
A little bit of advice please. I am taking my girl friend to New York next month as a surprise. While we are there I am going to ask the 'big question' followed by a trip to Tiffany's for the ring (if she say's yes).

What's the best way to get the best currency rate?
From reading if I use my credit card in New York I will get a % charge. Can I get dollars out on a credit card in this country before I go ? Would I be better with Travellers cheques?

Any help to save a few pounds would be great.
Thanks
MR X

Little_Chicken

Not sure on the best way to buy, maybe using a debit card
- but be careful coming through customs with the ring box as you're liable to pay 20% on the value of the ring. eeek!!!!

simpywimpy

ifyou withdraw cash (ie dollars) on your credit card the charges will be massive and the interest will be charged on your card from the day you take the money out

withabix

Don't bank on coming back with the ring - I doubt even Tiffany keep all sizes in stock...

nw_man

Save yourself 15 grand and years of hassle and live in sin

Crabman

Hi MRX, welcome to MSE

You may find the below thread interesting since it's on a similar topic:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=537386

MrsE_2

MRX wrote: »

Hi All
A little bit of advice please. I am taking my girl friend to New York next month as a surprise. While we are there I am going to ask the 'big question' followed by a trip to Tiffany's for the ring (if she say's yes).

What's the best way to get the best currency rate?
From reading if I use my credit card in New York I will get a % charge. Can I get dollars out on a credit card in this country before I go ? Would I be better with Travellers cheques?

Any help to save a few pounds would be great.
Thanks
MR X

Thats my DD dream proposal, but she wants the proposal to be in a horse drawn carriage in central park, followed by the trip straight to Tiffanys, have you thought about that?

Little_Chicken

withabix wrote: »

Don't bank on coming back with the ring - I doubt even Tiffany keep all sizes in stock...

They do keep a pretty big stock. I got a ring there a couple of years ago, it was half a size smaller than I should have taken, but no way I was leaving without it.:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Tojo_Ralph

MrsE wrote: »

Thats my DD dream proposal, but she wants the proposal to be in a horse drawn carriage in central park, followed by the trip straight to Tiffanys, have you thought about that?

Should the OP's bird turn him down, I'm sure that he'll give your daughter due consideration.

MrsE_2

Tojo_Ralph wrote: »

Should the OP's bird turn him down, I'm sure that he'll give your daughter due consideration.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Do you think he would get a multibuy discount:rotfl:

OP, with a proposal like that, she WON'T turn you down;)

MRX_4

Thanks for all your advice.
#Crabman / #MrsE - I have the day planned: flowers, horses, boats in central park, plus more.

From reading around a bit more I can get money exchanged from travelmoneyservices.co.uk at $1.483 to the pound (hopefully it might go up in the next 10 days).
Used: travelmoney.moneysavingexpert.com to find the best deal.

I can then transfer to a 0% card later if required, it all depends how big this ring is that she picks out!!!!

If anyone has any better ideas on the finance side please post your thoughts.