Exchange rate - possible to haggle?

bobblebob

Can you haggle with currency exchange places? Me and my mate will be exchanging 3k between us into Dollars. Wondering if we could get abit better deal due to the large amount or is the rate set in stone?

Was going to email round a few places see if they can give us a better rate than advertised due to the amount we will be exchanging

PeacefulWaters

You can try. Highly unlikely.

Best rates go to those usung the right plastic.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/travel-credit-cards

photome

Peacefulwaters has posted the best way to exchange

Cant remember the last time I bought any money in the UK

enjoyyourshoes

the value is too low, best get search results and then get best rate.

zagfles

I'm sure people have mentioned haggling is possible, ISTR someone on here who worked for a currency exchange place saying they give better rates to those who just ask! Rates are a generally rip-off in the first place so they have the margin to haggle.

But why are you changing cash? If it's for a holiday why not get a zero fee card and use that for spending/ATM's, it'll be far cheaper than changing cash even if you do successfully haggle, and you're not taking the risk of carrying vast amounts of cash on you.

srisport

bobblebob wrote: »

Can you haggle with currency exchange places? Me and my mate will be exchanging 3k between us into Dollars. Wondering if we could get abit better deal due to the large amount or is the rate set in stone?

Was going to email round a few places see if they can give us a better rate than advertised due to the amount we will be exchanging

3K is a lot to lose, 2 plastic cards (1 each) costs nothing

We sometimes take £50 worth of currency with us just so we have the ability to get a drink incase we can't use our cards or haven't found a cash machine once we have landed but tbh its not really needed.

I even think in the future things like apple pay will take over and credit cards will be made redundant! but until then credit cards can be your best friend if used correctly

unforeseen

Interesting idea. Does that mean that to have a bank account you will be forced to have a smartphone? Will the banks give you one free to use Android pay or Apple pay. What if you have a Windows phone?

I doubt the card will die any time in the near or even medium future. Flying cars will probably come first.

srisport

unforeseen wrote: »

Interesting idea. Does that mean that to have a bank account you will be forced to have a smartphone? Will the banks give you one free to use Android pay or Apple pay. What if you have a Windows phone?

I doubt the card will die any time in the near or even medium future. Flying cars will probably come first.

Not at all, i mean coins and notes still exist but how outdated is that now a days with the amount of plastic available and contactless payments which makes paying even easier than handing cash over to the cashier.

Just like coins and notes, there will always be a need for it but as technology advances then they will used less and less.

Personally i don't like the way the retail sector is going with self checkouts etc... it takes jobs away from those who need one and takes the personal touch away. I could go on and on about technology but i won't lol

Regards.

eDicky

I hardly ever automatically accept the rate first offered or displayed on a board by a currency exchange, unless changing a very minor amount. A better rate can nearly always be negotiated, especially for larger amounts.

I would have the same attitude in the UK, but like other posters I always use plastic to get better rates for GBP purchase of foreign currency.

An exception where I don't haggle is in any good exchange shop in Thailand, where the margins are relatively infinitesimal and there's a queue behind me...