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Why can't I by Euros?
Flyboy152
Posts: 17,118 Forumite
Flyboy12 is off to France with the school, so I went to my bank, Santander (the biggest banking group in Europe) and guess what, they don't sell Euros. I couldn't believe it, I thought the guy behind the counter was joking. But he replied, "I think they are looking into it." What the flip????
So, consigned to the realisation that I bank with the worst bank in Europe, off I went to the good old Post Office. I asked what their Euro rate was and it wasn't very good, but unfortunately there was little choice. So, I presented my debit card, in order to purchase the notes, but was told that I needed identification, if I wanted to use my debit card. Since when does anyone need identification for that? Apparently, according the drones behind the desk, it is a FSA edict. What total tosh. When I bought Euros at HSBC last month and Barclays the month before that, I used my debit card without any need to offer a blood test, DNA sample and a letter from my mum. I asked the staff why this was necessary, the reply was, "I don't know, it's not up to us to find out, it's just the rules." :wall:
But, in a strange twist of illogical nonsense, I was able to withdraw cash at the counter and pay for the Euros with the cash the post office gives me. What on Earth is the point in that?
:wall: :wall: :wall:
So, consigned to the realisation that I bank with the worst bank in Europe, off I went to the good old Post Office. I asked what their Euro rate was and it wasn't very good, but unfortunately there was little choice. So, I presented my debit card, in order to purchase the notes, but was told that I needed identification, if I wanted to use my debit card. Since when does anyone need identification for that? Apparently, according the drones behind the desk, it is a FSA edict. What total tosh. When I bought Euros at HSBC last month and Barclays the month before that, I used my debit card without any need to offer a blood test, DNA sample and a letter from my mum. I asked the staff why this was necessary, the reply was, "I don't know, it's not up to us to find out, it's just the rules." :wall:
But, in a strange twist of illogical nonsense, I was able to withdraw cash at the counter and pay for the Euros with the cash the post office gives me. What on Earth is the point in that?
:wall: :wall: :wall:
The greater danger, for most of us, lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark
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Comments
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Simple - money laundering, and is there any need to call someone a drone simply for doing their job?Gone ... or have I?0
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Simple - money laundering, and is there any need to call someone a drone simply for doing their job?
Yes, because they weren't exactly providing a very good level of professional customer service. Simply bleating that it is not up to them to find out why this is a rule, is lazy and rude in my opinion.
It is nothing to do with money laundering as there is no logical reason why it would prevent money laundering, seeing as I can withdraw cash in front of the counter and pay with that. Or, I can walk in with a thousand pounds in cash and get any foreign curency straightaway, without having to declare the source of the money. All I wanted was seventy-five pounds worth of Euros, hardly Al Capone level of criminality, was it.The greater danger, for most of us, lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark0 -
I presented my debit card, in order to purchase the notes, but was told that I needed identification
Even more stupid when you consider that some businesses will accept a debit card as proof of your identity!0 -
Yes, because they weren't exactly providing a very good level of professional customer service. Simply bleating that it is not up to them to find out why this is a rule, is lazy and rude in my opinion.
It is nothing to do with money laundering as there is no logical reason why it would prevent money laundering, seeing as I can withdraw cash in front of the counter and pay with that. Or, I can walk in with a thousand pounds in cash and get any foreign curency straightaway, without having to declare the source of the money. All I wanted was seventy-five pounds worth of Euros, hardly Al Capone level of criminality, was it.
Why should they find out for you - are you not capable?
It is to do with money laundering, you clearly have not bothered to do your research - does that make you a drone, and lazy and rude also?Gone ... or have I?0 -
shaun_from_Africa wrote: »Even more stupid when you consider that some businesses will accept a debit card as proof of your identity!
I agree that it is a double standard, but it is not the branch staff that make the rules, and pretty poor form to call them names as a result.Gone ... or have I?0 -
its standard practice that when buying foreign currency with a debit/credit card that you take your passport with you
A debit card is not and has never been a form of identification .
i do not see the issue just take id and collect your moeny
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its standard practice that when buying foreign currency that you take your passport with you
I buy various foreign currencies on a very regular basis, and when paying cash I never get asked for any form of ID.
It is accepted as proof of ID when collecting an undelivered package or letter from a RM sorting office or from most courier depots.A debit card is not and has never been a form of identification0 -
shaun_from_Africa wrote: »Even more stupid when you consider that some businesses will accept a debit card as proof of your identity!
Indeed, I offered this and they had to call head office to check if it was acceptable. All they came back with was that only a driving licence or passport was acceptable. I asked, "what if I don't drive and have no need for a passport." I was then rather smugly told, "you would need a passport to go abroad to spend the money." I responded with, "it is not for me, it is for my son, who has a passport." Silence and staring into space was the reply.The greater danger, for most of us, lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark0 -
Why should they find out for you - are you not capable?
At that particular point, yes, I was incapable. I don't have access to the FSA, whilst standing in a queue at the post office; would you?It is to do with money laundering, you clearly have not bothered to do your research - does that make you a drone, and lazy and rude also?
No, it makes me a customer of a service; or is that a dirty word around here?
It is important to those who enforce rules, to be aware of their meaning, would you not agree?The greater danger, for most of us, lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark0 -
shaun_from_Africa wrote: »I buy various foreign currencies on a very regular basis, and when paying cash I never get asked for any form of ID.
You should be if it's for a significant sum (??£500 plus)0
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