Need Dollars? M&S offers good rate, for cash, no form filling.

usignuolo

I recently posted a complaint about the bureaucracy involved in buying a modest amount of dollars for a trip to New York, as both Thomas Cook and my local Post Office wanted to see my passport and take a lot of personal details before would sell me $400 for cash.

Anyway went into my town centre yesterday, resigned to this and armed with cash and passport to buy some dollars from Barclays (my bank). Long queues. So nipped next door to do some last minute shopping in M & S. Noticed on top floor notices boasting their competitive currency rates.

Bazinga! Bought $600 at a better exchange rate than Barclays (or Lloyds) in exchange for cash and a signature. Not asked for passport, home address or any personal details. That's more like it.

travellerboy

It's Tesco for me as they offer a better exchange rate.

bcl999

But another MSE'er had this experience with them
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3950565=

photome

travellerboy wrote: »

It's Tesco for me as they offer a better exchange rate.

Haloifax clarity for me, even better exchange rate

stephb34

usignuolo wrote: »

I recently posted a complaint about the bureaucracy involved in buying a modest amount of dollars for a trip to New York, as both Thomas Cook and my local Post Office wanted to see my passport and take a lot of personal details before would sell me $400 for cash.

Anyway went into my town centre yesterday, resigned to this and armed with cash and passport to buy some dollars from Barclays (my bank). Long queues. So nipped next door to do some last minute shopping in M & S. Noticed on top floor notices boasting their competitive currency rates.

Bazinga! Bought $600 at a better exchange rate than Barclays (or Lloyds) in exchange for cash and a signature. Not asked for passport, home address or any personal details. That's more like it.

Did you get a receipt for your purchase, didn't you have to give your name and address for that.
Banks always give a rubbish rate so m+s were bound to have a better rate and quite often you cant get smaller denominations at the bank. Thomas cook do not require ID for cash transactions unless its a large amount, i suppose you may have got a trainee in your TC. If no details at all are required at m+s they must get money launderers in there all the time then.

usignuolo

No no address required in M & S, just a signature. Tried Thos Cooks couple of days earlier but they said they had to have my passport or a photo D/L before they would sell me any dollars, cash or not, irrespective of sum purchased. Post Office said the same.

whitts

I think it is better to have a receipt with your name and address on where money is concerned, from an insurance point of view how else can you confirm you have a certain amount of $ or euros if they were lost or stolen. Insurance companies need proof. I for one would rather be safe than sorry.

photome

Does the OP say she didnt get a receipt? I expect she did, I dont often change money but when I have done I havent been asked for ID when buying with cash and I have received a receipt

pennylane99

If the OP was ordering the currency in advance to collect the following day or later, yes you would need to give ID or details.

If you just turn up on the day with cash then no you dont