HELP!! Changing $100 bills into smaller notes

Jaunty_One

Hey everyone, hope someone can help

I bought my holiday group's USD travel money from Thomas Exchange UK (thanks MSE team:money:!) but in my haste, I walked away with loooooaaaaads of $100 bills.

It's a nightmare to share out everyone's separate amounts (they all bought varying amounts) and I'd rather deal with this before we reach LA. Plus, I don't live close to the Thomas branches.

Any recommendations on the simplest way to break these notes? Will M&S turn me away? It would be helpful if I could turn $400 into a bunch of 1's, 5's, 10's and 20's.

Thanks for reading

dawyldthing

Can't you just tell them if you want 400 you need to pay an extra x, 300 and I owe you x as unless you take it back to where you bought it from and ask them (they might reorder it though) I think it will be a nightmare

Jaunty_One

Not sure I understand dawyldthing. I already have much more than $100 x 4. I want to change this into smaller notes rather than ask anyone for more money!

moreofthegoodstuff

You could possibly try your local branch of where you bank, they may sell foreign currency, but may only hold a small amount so might not want to change too many 100 dollar bills. Going somewhere where you don't bank is not a great idea as they may think you are going to carry out sleight of hand and will probably not help you.

Jaunty_One

I'll try that then. Thank you moreofthegoodstuff

Kernow666

whats wrong with the people who pack these online orders , i work in a FX bureau and have people on a daily basis come in with €100 & €200 notes they have had in there delivery same goes for $100s

but as mentioned it might be hard to change them value for value as most have the same policy as my bureau we cant swap them over even though its the companies fault in the 1st place for been lazy and sending bigger notes

littlereddevil

I'm not sure if it was an online order though!
I think you will find it difficult now if you don't go back to where you got them as others don't really care to help in these situations normally.

moreofthegoodstuff

^ If you already have a relationship with a company they might though, for example if a customer came into my place of work and we knew they had an account with us, we would probably help, but a normal high street bureau de change probably wouldn't.

eDicky

You should be able to break these bills into smaller at any airport exchange desk in your departure or arrival airport.

Or, as perhaps Dawyldthing was trying to say, adjust the cost in pounds for those in your party willing to take the big bills and make it easy for you.

I assume you are going to USA - big US bills are often worth more on exchange in many other countries.

Jaunty_One

Ok so if I have time, I'll call before I go back to the Baker Street branch. If not, I'll wait until I get to the airport.

By the way, it was an online order, but I didn't think to give special instructions to break the currency down.

Jaunty_One

Into smaller bills*