OK, I'm in El Corte Ingles ...

BushBaby_QC

... I've just chosen a pair of trousers, I'm at the till paying by debit card and the machine asks me if I want to pay in GBP or Euros. Both appear to be the same to me in as much as there is a conversion process at the bank or at the till (determined by the bank) which is instant. So I never know which to choose and anyway what's the point of the question?

Can't the bank or the store just give me the best rate?

NiftyDigits

Always pay in the local currency.
You should have the right kind of plastic. A card that charges no forex fees.

eDicky

BushBaby_QC wrote: »

Can't the bank or the store just give me the best rate?

The best rate for you, or for them?

Even if your card is not fee free for overseas, it probably will be better than letting the store convert at their rate. So choose to pay in euros, always.

Westin

Local Currency. Always.

...but I would put them back in the rail. Those green and orange colours in the fabric don't suit your complexion and will be very dificult to match up with a top.

SW17

BushBaby_QC wrote: »

... I've just chosen a pair of trousers, I'm at the till paying by debit card and the machine asks me if I want to pay in GBP or Euros. Both appear to be the same to me in as much as there is a conversion process at the bank or at the till (determined by the bank) which is instant. So I never know which to choose and anyway what's the point of the question?

Can't the bank or the store just give me the best rate?

My bold above is where you misunderstand. If you opt to pay a merchant overseas in your home currency rather than the local currency, it is the merchant rather than the bank which sets the exchange rate. That could be anything, and will almost always be worse than if you select local currency and your card issuer does the conversion when posting the transaction to your account.

joerugby

Just head for the restaurant and chill

pollypenny

If you're a QC should be clever enough to know, anyway.

firefox1956

As a regular visitor to Spain I have noticed that this is happening more & more.
You have to be very careful because some cheeky Spanish retailers will look at you then select GBP THEN hand you the card machine.
Bit naughty that.

benjus

firefox1956 wrote: »

As a regular visitor to Spain I have noticed that this is happening more & more.
You have to be very careful because some cheeky Spanish retailers will look at you then select GBP THEN hand you the card machine.
Bit naughty that.

I've noticed the opposite in Madrid - they often select EUR without asking me.

Voyager2002

If you can afford to shop in El Corte Ingles (massively over-priced chain store) then you can afford the poor exchange rate. Spanish business is struggling and needs all the help it can get.

brianposter

Voyager2002 wrote: »

If you can afford to shop in El Corte Ingles (massively over-priced chain store) then you can afford the poor exchange rate.

Not strictly true. They often have stuff that is good value.

We have just bought a fridge and freezer there after months of shopping around.