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EU Purchase; Bank Transfer better Ex.Rate than Card???

Hi all,
brand new member (but occasional lurker).

I'm intending a potential purchase for a specialist item from an established German retailer for a substantial amount of money (£500-600).

The retailer offers all the major forms of distance payment method.

I was wondering if anyone knowledgeable in these particular things knows; would I achieve a markedly better exchange-rate for my £, if paying by international bank transfer through one of the Forex Brokers, than if paying through my Visa Debit card? (I'm assuming Visa's "margin spreads" would be significantly more than these firms whose bread & butter is providing the best rates?).

Much appreciated & thanks in advance,
Louis.

Comments

  • pmduk
    pmduk Posts: 10,710 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Personally I wouldn't consider using a bank transfer as you lose all of the protection offered whilst paying by plastic.
  • grumbler
    grumbler Posts: 58,629 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I was wondering...would I achieve a markedly better exchange-rate for my £, if paying by international bank transfer through one of the Forex Brokers, than if paying through my Visa Debit card?
    No, if you pay by a right card: Halifax Clarity (credit card, Masetercard), Nationwide Select (credit, Visa), N&P debit, MetroBank (debit/credit, Mastercard):
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