Non Sterling Transactions

chattychappy

dzug1 wrote: »

Wages are far lower in SE Asia than here - particularly the money changer where it's probably a family member working for nothing much more than board and lodging.

It's hard to know what really goes on. I've used the same money changer in Saigon for 10 years now. A small booth in a prime area. Looks shabby, I'm sure many a tourist avoids it for fear of being ripped off. I've found them absolutely straight. They don't bother with receipts unless you particularly want one. But you can see the economics of the place. Floor strewn with counting machines. Whilst I've fumbled around for my GBP1000, I've seen them put US$50K through the machines. Vietnam is a cash economy. Huge volumes go through such places and they are pretty much untouched by AML and other red tape. Yes, probably a family business. But they are rich - the old man that seems to run the place told me he sent his daughter to study in Geneva.

pseeker_2

I just spotted this in my statement, and received a note from HSBC that they now show the charge separate, fair imo, though I've got a feeling it's not out of their generous idea...

http://imageshack.com/a/img809/9530/zhek.gif

chattychappy

pseeker wrote: »

I just spotted this in my statement, and received a note from HSBC that they now show the charge separate, fair imo, though I've got a feeling it's not out of their generous idea...

http://imageshack.com/a/img809/9530/zhek.gif

HSBC say that for their HSBC Premier customers, withdrawals from ATMs will be free from HSBC fees, but a friend of mine regularly finds that HSBC machines in Saigon levy a local charge (about 2%). He is constantly having to argue to have this refunded when back in the UK.

zerog

chattychappy wrote: »

HSBC say that for their HSBC Premier customers, withdrawals from ATMs will be free from HSBC fees, but a friend of mine regularly finds that HSBC machines in Saigon levy a local charge (about 2%). He is constantly having to argue to have this refunded when back in the UK.

Maybe he should open an account in Vietnam?

chattychappy

zerog wrote: »

Maybe he should open an account in Vietnam?

Difficult (very) for non-residents here.

dogsbodyorg

Does anyone know of a Business (for a Ltd company) credit card that does not have Sterling Transaction Fees?

Thank you

Arksun

I've noticed this too, but only since last October all of a sudden the payments to my website hoster 'Dreamhost' based in the states, as well as the Dreamhost payment itself there's an additional NSTF line on the statement.

Thing is that was never there in the past, now all of a sudden I'm being charged this extra 2.75%?!?!. And bare in mind that this is a Visa DEBIT card we're talking about here.

Seems the banks are just trying to suck more money out of us, grrrr.

[Deleted User]

Arksun wrote: »

Thing is that was never there in the past, now all of a sudden I'm being charged this extra 2.75%?!?!.

Well, it could be that.

Or it could be, as people have said time and time again on this thread, that it has always been there but is now split out on a separate line.

I wonder which it is? :think:

PeacefulWaters

Arksun wrote: »

I've noticed this too, but only since last October all of a sudden the payments to my website hoster 'Dreamhost' based in the states, as well as the Dreamhost payment itself there's an additional NSTF line on the statement.

Thing is that was never there in the past, now all of a sudden I'm being charged this extra 2.75%?!?!. And bare in mind that this is a Visa DEBIT card we're talking about here.

Seems the banks are just trying to suck more money out of us, grrrr.

We are nearly 60 posts in. Have you tried reading any of them?

Try it. The answer will be revealed. Several times. And you will be no worse off than you were pre-October.

Timewarper

My OH has got some of these on his CC statement today. Thing is, he doesn't buy anything online - he doesn't even have a PayPal account! He's calling the bank to find out where they've come from as I type this.