Tesco currency big notes and hassle

cadleigh

My local Tesco bureau de change used to price match their online price. When I enquired a couple of months ago I was told this all changed and to get the online price I had to pre-order.
I ordered a couple of days ago, printed off my confirmation, took my debit card and passport and trotted off.
It took 10 minutes at the bureau de change booth to have my passport scanned, details copied on to the screen, forms filled out and signed for. Then the notes arrived including 100's and 50's. When I asked for smaller notes I was told " sorry when you order online you get what you are given". I explained that 100 euro notes are difficult to get rid of, many don't even like the 50 euro notes. Her answer was that she can't change them because I ordered online and she wouldn't be able to get rid of them herself, because no-one wants them.
Her suggestion was to change them in a bank when I got there.
I pointed out it would be the weekend and the banks were closed so the alternative suggestion was to use a bureau de change, from the woman in the bureau de change who wouldn't change my notes!
After the hassle she confirmed if I came in with the cash, I wouldn't need the passport, the process would be much quicker, I could get smaller notes and if I quoted their online price they would price match!
If Tesco genuinely want to keep their market position, they have to keep customers happy, treat them like customers not like idiots who don't matter. Come on Tesco stop the slide in to oblivion now.

callum9999

If you can't change them before you go, ask at the exchanges in your departure and arrival airport. One happily changed the note I just withdrew from an ATM so I had change for the bus.